Tag Archives: church

Jesus building His ekklesia (a beyond church poem)

Posted on October 9, 2015 by Steve Simms

I woke up this morning with this poem going through my mind. (Did I write it or did the living, resurrected Jesus give it to me?) The living Jesus is speaking to all His followers. Perhaps we should allow everyday … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible translations, Christ, church poems, English Bibles, fire in the heart, Greek word, hearing God's voice, inner prompting, Jesus, mistranslation of the Bible, passion for God, revelation, spiritual insight, still small voice, the gates of hell will not prevail, the real presence, there am I in the midst of them, visions | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Determined disciples vs. submissive spectators

Posted on October 8, 2015 by Steve Simms

Perhaps church could focus on developing determined disciples rather than on sustaining submissive spectators. Determined disciples overcome their issues, hang-ups, and addictions and transform the world around them through their obedience to the power and presence of Christ actively flowing … Continue reading →

Posted in Barry L. Callen, discipling, God's presence, making disciples, organic church, Quotes, spiritual growth | 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

Books From Heaven?

Posted on September 26, 2015 by Steve Simms

As I think about worship and how Christians meet together, I continue to find books that back up what the Spirit is teaching me and how we meet at The Salvation Army Berry Street. I found these two books visiting … Continue reading →

Posted in Pecular People, performing the Bible, Rodney Clapp, Ronald Roheiser, sheet music, spiritual formation, The Holy Longing | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

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

Meeting at Jesus’ feet

Posted on September 12, 2015 by Steve Simms

William Booth said: “Will you go to His feet and place yourself entirely at His disposal?” –Will we do that or will we settle for mere religious programs? Shall we surrender church meetings to Christ’s control or sit silently through … Continue reading →

Posted in Berry Street, ekklesia, Jacques Ellul, organic church, prophets, unprogrammed, unscripted | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

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

Do church meetings matter? (Spirit-led lives matter.)

Posted on September 5, 2015 by Steve Simms

Do church meetings matter? The Dones say they don’t. So do the faithful bored. What about you? While talking a walk in Glascow, Kentucky (a town I don’t know) on 9/4/2015, I came across a Salvation Army Thrift Store and … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, effective meetings, Kentucky, organic church, Richard Baxter, The Reformed Pastor, Thrift Store, what matters | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

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

“Dones” or “Beyonds”?

Posted on August 27, 2015 by Steve Simms

Meet the Beyonds —The Dones are people who have given up on church and dropped out. –The Beyonds are people who realize that biblically church is supposed to be so much more than what we have made it. Beyonds want to move beyond … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Corinthians 14:26, back to church, Bible, Bible quotes, called out ones, Christ the Head of the church, Christian community, Come unto Me all you who are weary, Don Finto's books, ekklesia, gifts of the Spirit, Go into all the world, having a form of godliness but denying the power, Jesus Christ the same yesterday, led by the Spirit, Nashville, preach the gospel, Prepare, walk in the light, William Tyndale | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments