Category Archives: ekklesia

Getting in tune with the Spirit is like learning to balloon

Posted on November 19, 2015 by Steve Simms

Getting in Tune With the Spirit is Like Learning to Balloon A group can’t learn ballooning By listening to a lecture on hot air. They need to be untethered And go careening in the clouds, Controlled by the currents of … Continue reading →

Posted in church, ekklesia, gifts of the Spirit, Holy Spirit, house church, simple church, Spirit-led church, spiritual gifts, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Is it time for an octastich — a new beginning in how Christ-followers meet?

Posted on November 18, 2015 by Steve Simms

An Octastich Based On 1 Corinthians 14:26   When the body of Christ comes together Each person has a special part to play, As we allow the presence of the living, Resurrected Jesus to lead the way. Some people have … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Corinthians 14:26, 1st Century church, body of Christ, church, church poems, Dones, ekklesia, how the body of Christ functions, meaning of number 8, new beginning, octastich, organic church, poem, Uncategorized | Tagged | Leave a comment

Ekklesia eases the pain of being thrown under the church bus

Posted on November 12, 2015 by Steve Simms

A pretty red cup is no reason to throw Starbucks under the church bus! If you’ve ever Been thrown under The church bus, Ekklesia will Heal your hurts. Ekklesia puts People before programs, Love before liturgy, Relationships before religion, Christ … Continue reading →

Posted in Berry Street, Bible, bus station, busses, church, church committees, ekklesia, Frank Lampard, hurt by church, Jesus, John 7:38, liturgy, rivers of living water, Salvation Army, Scripture, sitting on the bench, threw him under the bus | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Should We Choose A Church Like a U-Pick Farm? (Or Let Jesus Pick?)

Posted on November 6, 2015 by Steve Simms

Jesus wants to gather His body together, to assemble His ekklesia. Jesus said in Matthew 16:18: “I will build My church (ekklesia).” But will we let Him? It seems that we have made going to church like a U-pick (pick-your-own) … Continue reading →

Posted in ekklesia, farms, God has set the members, I will build my church, Jesus, Luke 13:34, Matthew 16:18, NKJ, O Jerusalem Jerusalem, Paul of Tarsus, reasons for going to church, right to choose, self-pick, surveys, U-pick | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

How to hear with your inner ear

Posted on November 4, 2015 by Steve Simms

The Voice on NBC (Now Believing Christ) — Don’t miss the new season! Listen to the Spirit In your inner ear– In your heart And your conscience. Let Him make the Bible Burn inside you And come alive In your … Continue reading →

Posted in Be still and know, ekklesia, faith comes by hearing, he who has ears to hear, how to, Is God speaking, listening prayer, new season, still small voice, Today if you would hear his voice, what the Spirit says | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Christ’s lights should have every bulb burning (not just one)

Posted on November 3, 2015 by Steve Simms

Too often church services are like a string of Christmas tree lights with only one bulb burning, which our 21st Century interactive, participatory culture often finds boring. (That may be why so many people are “Dones” — done with church.) … Continue reading →

Posted in back to the Bible, Bible, Christmas lights, church services, ekklesia, Holiday lights, Matthew 16:18, Nashville, organic church, When you come together, worship, Yule tide | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Meeting at Jesus’ feet

Posted on September 12, 2015 by Steve Simms

William Booth said: “Will you go to His feet and place yourself entirely at His disposal?” –Will we do that or will we settle for mere religious programs? Shall we surrender church meetings to Christ’s control or sit silently through … Continue reading →

Posted in Berry Street, ekklesia, Jacques Ellul, organic church, prophets, unprogrammed, unscripted | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Lecture or loving interaction? (Sermon or heart-felt sharing?)

Posted on August 29, 2015 by Steve Simms

What works? Lecture or loving interaction? –1-man lecture doesn’t work as the foundation for support groups. Neither can effective family gatherings be built on the same man always doing all the talking. –So why do we tie church meetings so … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Corinthians 14:26, church, Daniel Gruber, Don Finto, Dones, ekklesia, I saw the Lord, Isaiah, J.D. Greear, Nashville, Salvation Army, sharing | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“Dones” or “Beyonds”?

Posted on August 27, 2015 by Steve Simms

Meet the Beyonds —The Dones are people who have given up on church and dropped out. –The Beyonds are people who realize that biblically church is supposed to be so much more than what we have made it. Beyonds want to move beyond … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Corinthians 14:26, back to church, Bible, Bible quotes, called out ones, Christ the Head of the church, Christian community, Come unto Me all you who are weary, Don Finto's books, ekklesia, gifts of the Spirit, Go into all the world, having a form of godliness but denying the power, Jesus Christ the same yesterday, led by the Spirit, Nashville, preach the gospel, Prepare, walk in the light, William Tyndale | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Let Jesus be the church program . . .

Posted on August 24, 2015 by Steve Simms

A God-gathering (ekklesia) has a program, a plan, a presentation, and a purpose: The program . . . to let ordinary people follow and obey Jesus. The plan . . . to free up everybody present to be led by … Continue reading →

Posted in church bulletins, ekklesia, John 5:19, led by the Spirit, Nashville, participatory church, Romans 8:14, Salvation Army, simple church, Spirit-led church, the Son can do nothing by Himself | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments