Category Archives: simple church

A bold belief about church

Posted on June 29, 2022 by Steve Simms

Here’s a bold belief: I believe that every Christian gathering needs to have an open mic (or an open platform). (How else can we obey I Corinthians 14:26 and 30?) Awakened Christ-followers need an outlet. When they are continually kept … Continue reading →

Posted in church, house church, organic chruch, participatory church, simple church | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Priests & other church leaders

Posted on August 22, 2018 by Steve Simms

Being hurt by religion is sometimes the first step toward learning to listen to and follow the risen Jesus. It helps us look beyond religious leaders to Christ. The body of Christ should be an environment of radical humility, honesty, … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Corinthians 14, biblical Christianity, Christianity, control, dishonesty, early Christianity, God's presence, healing, honesty, humility, sexual harassment, simple church, Uncategorized, walk in the light | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Lone Ranger vs. Lone Lecturer (Hi-yo, sermon!)

Posted on April 22, 2018 by Steve Simms

On Sunday mornings, in almost all churches, the “Lone Lecturer” rides again. “Hi-yo, sermon! (And if you disagree, you may be asked to leave, pronto!) It’s easy to think, “We do church the right way,” but is God limited to only … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible one anothers, house church, mutual ministry, one anothering, organic church, preaching, sermons, simple church, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“Paul Apostle Of Christ” shows prechurch Christianity in action

Posted on March 29, 2018 by Steve Simms

Before there was church hierarchy and official offices, Christianity was more family than institution! Before there was established liturgy and religious programming, faith in Christ flowed spontaneously from the heart. That was prechurch Christianity! The movie, “Paul Apostle Of Christ,” … Continue reading →

Posted in apest, back to the Bible, biblical Christianity, Biblical principles, Christian history, church, handbook, Henry Hon, house church, ONE: Unfolding God's Eternal Purpose From House To House, organic church, Quotes, simple church, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

#Makechurchekklesiaagain

Posted on February 18, 2018 by Steve Simms

Theologian Emil Brunner taught that Christianity drifted away from ekklesia & into church. “A hashtag does not change anything. It’s a hashtag.” –Shonda Rhimes Here’s a fresh, new hashtag for those who want to go beyond church as usual:  #Makechurchekklesiaagain … Continue reading →

Posted in alternative church, alternative to church, Beyond Church, change in church, Christian church, church experiment, ecclesia, ecclesiastical, ecclesiological, ecclesiologist, ekklesias, hashtags, house church, make church ekklesia again, organic church, organic church blogs, quotation, Quotations, quote, simple church, theologians, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Home again? Home again ecclesiology!

Posted on February 7, 2018 by Steve Simms

“Ecclesiology” is a big sounding word. It also has a really big sounding definition: “theology as applied to the nature and structure of the Christian Church.” However, Christianity didn’t begin as formal church (needing an academic course of study), tightly … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Corinthians 14:26, alternative Christianity, alternative church, assembly of God, church history, early church, Henry Hon, house church, lost and restored, lost word of the Bible, New Testament church, ONE: Unfolding God's Eternal Purpose From House To House, rethink church, rethinking church, simple church, theologians, theology, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Rediscovering Prechurch Christianity

Posted on January 12, 2018 by Steve Simms

Prechurch Christianity! There’s never been anything like it unleashed on earth! It came before organized Christianity and prechurch Christianity “turned the world upside down!” (See Acts 17:6) It can still “turn the world upside down.” Let’s re-experience it. Prechurch Christianity … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian history, normal Christianity, organic church, religion, simple church, true Christianity, unchurching | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

What church can learn from card playing.

Posted on January 7, 2018 by Steve Simms

Church sometimes seems like staring an hour at one card, while leaving the rest of the deck in the box. However, when a preacher holds all the cards on Sunday morning, it tends to shut down the rest of the … Continue reading →

Posted in card playing, card shark, cards, clergy, clergy/laity, ekklesia, house church, layman, Quotations, simple church, stacked deck, Uncategorized, unchurching | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

5 ways to recover from hurt in church

Posted on November 30, 2017 by Steve Simms

Ouch! Even the title of this post is a bit painful. However, if you’ve ever been hurt by church (and/or by people in church) here are 5 things that can help you heal your hurting heart. 1) Forgive. It’s hard … Continue reading →

Posted in bitterness, blame, Bless those who curse you, church mediation, ekklesia, forgiveness, house church, organic church, peace, peacemaking, prayer, reconciliation, resentment, root of bitterness, simple church, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

What happened to The Salvation Army Berry Street?

Posted on October 14, 2017 by Steve Simms

Numerous people have asked Ernie (my wife) and me what happened to Berry Street and why we are no longer there. If you have read some of my blog posts, then you already know a lot about The Salvation Army Berry … Continue reading →

Posted in Adult Rehabilitation Center, alternative church, ARC, church, ekklesia, nontraditional church, organic chruch, Salvation Army, Salvation Army ARC, Salvation Army Berry Street, Salvation Army church, Salvation Army Corps, Salvation Army Flag, Salvation Army Nashville, Salvation army officers, Salvation Army soldiers, simple church, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments