Category Archives: Greek city-states

The type of meeting that can manifest and maintain a Spirit-led movement . . .

Posted on February 5, 2023 by Steve Simms

The ancient Greeks had the secret to maintaining a movement. Jesus borrowed their word for it! Spiritual movements happen when people spontaneously open their heart to one another as equals and to Jesus as their daily Lord. Institutions don’t maintain … Continue reading →

Posted in alternative church, body of Christ, change in church, church history, ekklesia, Greek city-states, Greek history, revelation, revival, rock of revelation | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

When Christ-followers meet as Christ’s council

Posted on January 22, 2018 by Steve Simms

It’s good to learn more about Jesus. It’s better to listen to and obey Him as members of His council. Jesus-followers are invited to meet as His city council and to participate in conducting city business for His kingdom as … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Corinthians 14:26, 7 churches, ancient Greeks, Book of Revelation, Greek city-states, Hebrews, inner Light, Jerusalem, one man ministry, revelation, the seven lampstands, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Salvation Army “War Cry” Review of “Beyond Church”

Posted on August 28, 2016 by Steve Simms

War Cry, the national magazine of The Salvation Army USA wrote: Beyond Church Takes You Past Sunday Worship Have you ever wanted something more in life? Something more than religion? More than ‘church as usual?” In the Western world, traditional church is … Continue reading →

Posted in alternative Christianity, alternative church, ancient Greeks, Beyond Church, ekklesia, Greek city-states, Greek history, Greek language, organic chruch, practical religion, religion, Salvation Army Corps, simple church, Stephen Court, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Letting church cruise on Christ-contol

Posted on August 19, 2016 by Steve Simms

Across the USA church is in decline. Perhaps it is time to set church on Christ-control and let Jesus freely cruise trough the meeting. There’s nothing like a Christ-led gathering when we put aside human agendas and control and simply let … Continue reading →

Posted in alternative church, alternative to church, Christ control, church meetings, church services, churching, contemporary church, ekklesia, Greek city-states, house church, House of Prayer, how to do church, open church, open forum, praise and worship, Salvation Army, Salvation Army Corps, simple church, town meeting, Uncategorized, When you come together, worship | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

There’s no room for bullying in democracy (or church)

Posted on August 11, 2016 by Steve Simms

Want to go beyond the bullying and 1-man control that can be common in church? There’s no room for bullying in democracy or in church! –Modern democracy depends on decisions developed by deliberation, diplomacy, and consensus; not on the dictatorship … Continue reading →

Posted in alternative church, American values, ancient Greeks, back to church, Berry Street, church, community, control, control in church, controlling pastors, dictatorship, ekklesia, English, government, Greek city-states, Greek history, Greek New Testament, house church, I will build my church, love, making church more participatory, Nashville, On this rock I will build My church, organic chruch, participatory church, participatory culture, recovery groups, Salvation Army, simple church, support group, Uncategorized, worship | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Make church ekklesia again! (1 Corinthians 14:26)

Posted on July 19, 2016 by Steve Simms

  Make Church Ekklesia Again! (1 Corinthians 14:26) Ekklesia, It will free ya, Let you speak out, Overcome doubt, Drive away fear, Bring Christ so near, Make Christ so dear! It’s time to make church ekklesia again. (Ekklesia, the lost word … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Corinthians 14:26, body of Christ, city council meeting, doubt, evangelicals, fear, Greek, Greek city-states, Greek language, Greek New Testament, Greek word, house church, how the body of Christ functions, I will build my church, Make America safe again, Matthew 16, On this rock I will build My church, prayer, simple church, truth will set you free, Uncategorized, worship | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

If the mayor should run his city council, shouldn’t Jesus run His church (ekklesia)?

Posted on April 8, 2016 by Steve Simms

–If someone ignored the mayor and began to run and control a city council meeting as if the mayor wasn’t even there, how would the mayor feel? –When someone ignores the living, risen Jesus and begins to run and control … Continue reading →

Posted in America, ancient Greek wisdom, Christian leadership, city of God, ekklesia, God's authority, Greek city-states, Greek word, honor, human authority, leadership, Middle Tennessee, Nashville, Salvation Army, Tennessee, Uncategorized, USA | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Church = Audience? Or Team?

Posted on February 4, 2016 by Steve Simms

Is a church service with only one speaker like a band with only one instrument? (That’s an oxymoron, isn’t it?) Jesus said: “New wine must be poured into new wine skins.” If we want the new wine of the Holy Spirit, perhaps … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Corinthians 14:26, agreeing in prayer, audience, Beyond Church, binding and loosing, Christian community, ekklesia, Greek city-states, Greek word for, house church, Matthew 18:20, organic chruch, simple church, team, the lost of the Bible, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Christ-followers are called out to be Christ’s City Council

Posted on January 28, 2016 by Steve Simms

Jesus said (in the original Greek) “I will build My ekklesia.” Ekklesia was the city council in Greek city-states. (The Greek word literally means called out ones. The Greeks chose it as the name for their city council because citizens were called out to … Continue reading →

Posted in Beyond Church, Bible quotations, Bible verses, called out ones, church elders, city council meeting, Divine healing, faith healing, gifts of healing, Greek, Greek city-states, Greek New Testament, Head of the church, husbands love your wives as Christ loved the church, I will build my church, Matthew 16:18, On this rock I will build My church, organic church, the gates of hell, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Poem–The Lost Word Of The Bible

Posted on December 15, 2015 by Steve Simms

. . . Searching For A Lost Word . . . When the Bible Came into English A word was left behind, Lost and forgotten, Replaced by a weaker word. Perhaps we need The lost word of the Bible To … Continue reading →

Posted in a near-hit bolt of lightening, book review, Christian books, done with church, Dones, ekklesia, Greek city-states, Greek language, Greek word, I will build my church, lightening bug, Mark Twain, organic church, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment