Category Archives: Salvation Army

Race To Ekklesia . . .

Posted on March 2, 2016 by Steve Simms

Race to Ekklesia . . . Ekklesia goes beyond race, Loving with the eyes of grace, Finding the glory of God in each face, As ordinary people from “every kindred and every tribe” Are free to open up and share … Continue reading →

Posted in Amazing Grace, Berry Street, Beyond Church, black lives matter, book, ekklesia, grace, injustice, institutional racism, justice, movie, Nashville, Nashville churches, Salvation Army, Salvation Army church, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

It doesn’t take an Einstein to experience ekklesia

Posted on February 25, 2016 by Steve Simms

You don’t have to be an Einstein to experience ekklesia. Ekklesia is: Two or more Christ-followers meeting under Christ’s control! –E = MC2– [E (ekklesia) = M (meeting under) C (Christ’s control) 2 (two or more Christ-followers)] We 21st Century … Continue reading →

Posted in awe, awe in church, Berry Street, curiosity, ekklesia, Jesus Christ, John Wesley, Martin Luther, Martin Luther King, mystery, Nashville, organic church, Salvation Army, simple church, the Pilgrims, two or three in My name, Uncategorized, William Booth | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

You’re never too old to go beyond church!

Posted on January 16, 2016 by Steve Simms

You are never too old to go beyond church. Take 92 year old “Miss” Mildred for example. “Miss” Mildred had been a Salvation Army soldier (member) for many years when her corps (church) was shut down because of dwindling attendance … Continue reading →

Posted in Berry Street, Beyond Church, ekklesia, house church, membership in The Salvation Army, organic chruch, Salvation Army, Salvation Army Berry Street, Salvation Army Corps, Salvation Army soldiers, simple church, 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

Church should let ordinary people light up the house!

Posted on November 5, 2015 by Steve Simms

For centuries churches have trained ordinary people to hide the light that shines in their heart (“Christ in you, the hope of glory”). They have been taught to sit back, be quiet, and let a professional tell them how they … Continue reading →

Posted in Acts 4:13, Berry Street, hide it under a bushel, Matthew 5, ordinary men, Salvation Army, Sermon on the Mount, song | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Everyday eloquence — the power of show and tell!

Posted on October 15, 2015 by Steve Simms

We learned it in kindergarten — everyday eloquence — how to show and tell. So why did we stop? Why did we formalize presentations?  Why did we turn spontaneous heart-felt sharing into standardized, stuffy sermons! The Bible teaches that church … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Corinthians 14:26, all I really need to know, How everyone can make extraordinary presentations, I learned in kindergarten, kindergarten, Music City, Nashville, organic church, overcoming boredom, Salvation Army | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Let’s start a hope epidemic

Posted on October 6, 2015 by Steve Simms

Can we start a hope epidemic — an outbreak of hope! Yes! Hope epidemics have happened many times in human history as ordinary people have gotten infected with the power and presence of the living, resurrected Jesus Christ! Our sad, lonely, … Continue reading →

Posted in better caught than taught, Elana Premack Sandler, hope epidemic, hope-pidemic, hopefullness, hopefully, Nashville, overcoming depression, Salvation Army, Tennessee | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Karaoke-style church, anyone?

Posted on October 3, 2015 by Steve Simms

Spiritual karaoke anyone? People love karaoke because it releases spontaneity and joy. The open mic frees people from being passive spectators and lets them be active, enthusiastic participants. Karaoke is really an act of faith. People set aside their fears, their … Continue reading →

Posted in church karaoke, definition of karaoke, empty hands, karate, meaning, open mic, open mike, Rob Sheffield, Salvation Army, Tennessee | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Beyond laid back lectures to lively one anothering!

Posted on October 1, 2015 by Steve Simms

Learning by lectures while leaving out supervised, hands on experience, leaves learners unable to effectively do in real life what they learned in the lectures. Examples: Would you trust? 1) A doctor who make As in all her lecture classes, … Continue reading →

Posted in Andrew Mason, Andy Stanley, Bible, How many one anothers are in the, Nashville, one anothering, Salvation Army, sermons, simple church, Spirit-led, unprogrammed meetings | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments