Tag Archives: Christian community

What I Found In Costa Rica

Posted on December 24, 2025 by Steve Simms

I’m always searching for Spirit-led, tenderhearted Christian community that clearly demonstrates (1 Corinthians 2:4) the reality of Immanuel — God with us. (Matthew 1:23) It’s rare and it’s fragile. Even when you find it, it can quickly vanish. I most … Continue reading →

Posted in Christ in you, God with us, lifestyles, spiritual growth, spirituality, The Kingdom of God | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Good Neighbors Don’t Grumble

Posted on October 14, 2024 by Steve Simms

The way to experience ongoing inner peace and life beyond guilt is to turn away from following and grumbling according to your feelings, desires, and opinions. Instead begin to gratefully follow and obey the Spirit of God, the Bible (the … Continue reading →

Posted in community building, Creating Community, love your neighbor as yourself, the beloved community | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Love Leads to Community Involvement

Posted on May 6, 2024 by Steve Simms

Instead of asking Christians where they go to church, ask them how they are demonstrating the reality of the living Jesus in society. Don’t just hear a sermon–be one! Speak and demonstrate God’s word yourself. “Christ in you” is limited … Continue reading →

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Community Requires Openhearted Communication

Posted on April 2, 2024 by Steve Simms

Genuine community requires honest caring and openhearted communication. It can’t be built on trivial talk that hides what’s really going on inside people’s heart. Without heart-felt community people tend to shut down tender, caring communication. Instead, they mainly talk about … Continue reading →

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Christianity is about individuals, not clones in religious institutions

Posted on October 27, 2022 by Steve Simms

Until we gather with and spiritually connect with Christ-transformed individuals, there will be little unity among Christians. When Christ-transformed individuals recognize each other there’s an instant sense of kinship and community. I sold black history books during college summers and … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian living, Christian recovery, institutional church, life transforming, spiritual formation, transformation | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Jesus’ calling on first century Christ-followers

Posted on September 19, 2022 by Steve Simms

Understanding the calling on the first century Christ-followers, who Paul wrote letters to depends on understanding the Greek word that is translated as church. That word is ekklesia. There were two ekklesias in each of the Greek cities that Paul … Continue reading →

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What we call church (may be off base)

Posted on September 17, 2022 by Steve Simms

Love can’t be limitedTo hearing sermonsAbout God’s love.It must be livedIn the heart-felt unityOf Jesus-focused community. The human longingFor belongingIsn’t satisfiedBy the weekly gongingOf a sermon. An hour or twoSitting thruChurch servicesWon’t glueHearts togetherIn community Calling something a church doesn’t … Continue reading →

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The Jesus-first community obeys King Jesus

Posted on September 13, 2022 by Steve Simms

The Jesus-first communityExperiences ongoingHeart-to-heart unityAnd takes every opportunityTo glorify Him. Ask not, “Where do you go to church?” Ask, “How do you connect with the Jesus-first community?” The Jesus-first community consists of Christ-followers who interact heart-to-heart with the living Jesus … Continue reading →

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Body-life: seeing the body of Christ in action (on a sheep farm)

Posted on June 6, 2022 by Steve Simms

Experiencing the Holy Spirit as a gathered people requires a group openness to the Holy Spirit. We need to surrender our plans, programs, agendas, and control and instead trust the living Jesus to actively lead us and direct us like … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Corinthians 14:26, body life, ekklesia, Holy Spirit, house church | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Band of heart-connected Christ-followers

Posted on April 28, 2022 by Steve Simms

Ekklesia God’s supernatural assemblyConsists of a multitude ofWorldwide membersInvisibly banded together,Not by agreementOr by organization,Not superficially,But by deepHeart-connectionWith the risenAnd living JesusAnd with allWho truly love Him.When they meetWith open hearts,Even as strangersThey discover JesusWorking in each otherAnd behold His … Continue reading →

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