Tag Archives: Body of Christ

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

A Fresh Definition Of Ekklesia

Posted on October 24, 2015 by Steve Simms

“Ekklesia (the Greek New Testament word that was replaced by the English word ‘church’) is a gathering of people called out of human effort, agendas, and control, so that they can freely open up to their spiritual gifts and use … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Corinthians 12, church, control in church, God's fire, Greek words, New Testament, Send the fire, sermons, Tyler Edwards | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Meet Ekklesia (and never be the same)

Posted on September 8, 2015 by Steve Simms

Church is a group of people meeting to  passively watch a religious program. Ekklesia is a Spirit-directed family gathering of Christ-followers.  = a God-gathering. Church tries to function as a 1-man team (which is an oxymoron). However, ekklesia makes every … Continue reading →

Posted in Acts 2, alternative to church, awe, Bert M. Farias, Catherine Booth, church meetings, organic church, religion, Smith Wigglesworth, spirituality | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

How many heads does the body of Christ have?

Posted on April 1, 2015 by Steve Simms

How many heads does the body of Christ (the church) have? While praying I had a vision in my mind’s eye. I saw Christ standing facing me. However, His head was hanging off to His side. In place of His … Continue reading →

Posted in catacombs, CEOs, clericalism, dreams and visions, Easter, I must decrease, John the Baptist, kingdom of God, organic church, visions from God | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

When Church is a Symphony — Glory Falls!

Posted on December 20, 2014 by Steve Simms

When church is a symphony–glory falls! The Gospel of Jesus is a symphony! One man can’t play a symphony, No matter how smart or anointed he may be. Fully communicating God’s Gospel symphony Requires members of the body of Christ … Continue reading →

Posted in how the body of Christ functions, organic church, prayer, testimonies | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Revelation & Revolution in the 21st Century

Posted on December 10, 2014 by Steve Simms

Christianity is a revelatory faith. What has God revealed to you today? (“Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in Heaven.” –Jesus Christ in Matthew … Continue reading →

Posted in 1st Century, 21st Century, brokenness, church, faith, Father in Heaven, Head of the church, human authority, humility, Jesus Christ the Head, not revealed by flesh and blood, Simon Peter, spiritual insight, spiritual revolution, spirituality | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Church — Desert or Fertile Field? (Living Water Irrigation)

Posted on November 4, 2014 by Steve Simms

When ordinary church members are trained and told to shut down the rivers of living water in their heart on Sunday mornings, and instead to sit and watch one man; the body of Christ looks more like a desert than … Continue reading →

Posted in agriculture, farming, sowing and reaping, Spirit-led, Spirit-led church, spirituality | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

1 Man Can’t Reflect The Body Of Christ — It Takes A Village

Posted on September 25, 2014 by Steve Simms

1 man can’t reflect the body of Christ.  That takes a village. Christ-followers are puzzle pieces, each picturing a particular part of Christ. When a group gathers and each person present is allowed to openly participate and share his/her part, … Continue reading →

Posted in Christ, Head of the church, participatory church, Protestant, Protestant Reformation, Team Church, telling their stories, testifying, the pope, the Western church, think outside the bun, types of church, unprogrammed church, unscripted church, ways of doing church, Western Christianity, Western religion, Western society, What is the true church?, why go to church, worship, worship service, you can all prophesy | Tagged , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Democracy, Ekklesia, & Church (It’s Greek to most of us.)

Posted on August 29, 2014 by Steve Simms

An ekklesia was the governing body of an ancient Greek city-state and the world’s first expression of democracy.   It was made up of all of the adult, male citizens in a particular city-state and met 40 times per year to … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Corinthians 14:26, ancient Greece, ancient Greek wisdom, assembly, church history, church meetings, early Christians, early church, first church, fresh expressions, Greek, Greek city state, Greek New Testament, Greek philosophy, Greek word, house church, I will build my church, Matthew, Matthew 16, messy church, movement, Nashville, Nashville church, New Testament, New Testament quote, one anothers, organic church, Roman Empire, Rome, Salvation Army, simple church | Tagged , , , , , , | 16 Comments

Open Mic Sunday — A Church Experiment

Posted on June 17, 2014 by Steve Simms

Here is a wonderful experiment any church can try: Take just one Sunday and instead of having preaching, have an open mic service. Let anybody present share what God puts on their heart. If you have never experienced an open … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Corinthians:14, church experiment, church history, experimental church, Head, Head of the church, Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit take over, Protestant Reformation, reformation, revelation | Tagged , , , , , | 7 Comments