Category Archives: small groups

Ekklesia, like a support group, helped me heal

Posted on May 19, 2018 by Steve Simms

(I first wrote this for ONE Body Life’s blog @ this link.) Too many people feel like Alejandro Jodorowsky, a Chilean-French filmmaker. He said: “I am not a normal person. I am living in a normal body, but my mind … Continue reading →

Posted in Christ-centered recovery, Christian recovery, emotional honesty, honesty, Isaiah 53, recovery groups, recovery quotes, self-discovery, self-esteem, self-help, self-worth, small groups, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Bottom line & personal (the real deal)

Posted on May 5, 2017 by Steve Simms

The real “bottom line” is your spiritual condition, not your financial condition. You’re true “net worth” is what you possess after everything material is gone. Pursuing Jesus is a game changer. Life’s never the same when you put Him first. … Continue reading →

Posted in choice of lifestyle, Christian, Christian blogs, church, ecosystem, group dynamics, lifestyles, money, organic chruch, small groups, spiritual visions, support groups, theology, Uncategorized, vision | Tagged , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

How church can grow into the mature body of Christ.

Posted on January 28, 2017 by Steve Simms

We live in a time when millions of Christ-followers are leaving church because they long to see the risen Jesus directing His body and because they are weary of complying with religious systems. Some are meeting in small groups. Others … Continue reading →

Posted in Beyond Church, house church, non-church, organic church, simple church, small groups, Uncategorized, unchurched, unchurching | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

First century therapy groups . . .

Posted on October 4, 2016 by Steve Simms

A First Century Therapy Group . . . –The early Christ-followers formed therapy groups to help them heal from the dysfunction in their culture and in their personal lives. There is a description of how those therapy groups met to … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Corinthians 14:26, 12 step group, addiction, cell groups, discovery group, encounter group, encouragement, freedom, group interaction, health care, mental health, one anothering, one anothers, overcoming addiction, recovery groups, Salvation Army, Salvation Army ARC, Salvation Army church, Salvation Army Nashville, self-help group, small groups, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Are Christians dying for dialogue in church services?

Posted on September 14, 2016 by Steve Simms

The most effective group communication depends on dialogue, sharing ideas, and personal interaction. A monologue reduces attempted communication to passively listening to one person’s ideas. That may work in an authoritarian environment, but it fails to build relationship. Nowadays churches … Continue reading →

Posted in 12 step group, bored in church, business communications, church programming, church revitalization, dialogue, Dones, group therapy, interaction, interactive church, monologue, nones, recovery groups, small groups, support groups, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Taste test the Lord in a Christ-led support group

Posted on September 12, 2016 by Steve Simms

Without a strong connection with your Creator, the suffering is real. Nothing can offer ongoing relief for your inner angst, but reconciliation with God. Taste tests are popular ways of promoting food or drink products. In a taste test, a … Continue reading →

Posted in 12 step group, Adult Rehabilitation Center, celebrate recovery, Christian recovery, Christian support group, Christianity, discovery group, encounter group, God is good, group interaction, group therapy, overcoming addiction, Psalm 34:8, recovery groups, rehab, Salvation Army church, Salvation Army Corps, self-help group, small groups, spiritual hunger, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

I’m amazed at how God leads me to books that confirm what He’s telling me . . .

Posted on September 12, 2015 by Steve Simms

I love how God leads me to books. It has happened regularly for decades. I feel like I’m on God’s reading program. About a week ago I was walking in Glascow, Kentucky and saw a Salvation Army Thrift Store that … Continue reading →

Posted in body of Christ, Book Cellar, Christian community, Crossville, Elton Trueblood, Future of the Church, Glascow, Howard H. Brinton, Jim Kallam, Kentucky, Salvation Army Thrift Store, small groups, teamwork, Tennessee, Tony Dungy | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

For a holy high–walk in the light!

Posted on September 4, 2015 by Steve Simms

To walk in the light is to be honest, real, and vulnerable. It is to take off our masks; to come out of hiding, and to let people see what’s really going on in our hearts. It is to open … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 John 1:7, alienation, confess your sins, getting high on Jesus, grace, guilt, James 5:16, mercy, Nashville, organic church, Salvation Army, small groups | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Christ Encounter Groups — the New Testament “Ekklesia”

Posted on August 6, 2015 by Steve Simms

A Christ encounter group is an unstructured gathering that meets under the direct guidance and leadership of the living Jesus Christ, creating an environment for spiritual interaction with one another and with Jesus in a loving atmosphere conducive to free, honest, and … Continue reading →

Posted in body life, ekklesia, galleria, group interaction, hearing God's voice, Let go and let God, organic church, simple church, small groups | Tagged , , , , | 10 Comments