Tag Archives: religion

9 ways to recognize powerless religion

Posted on March 8, 2016 by Steve Simms

The Bible in 2 Timothy 3:5 tells Christ-followers to turn away from powerless religion. But how do we recognize it? Here are 8 ways: 1) Nothing out of the ordinary happens in the meetings. 2) Many of those who attend … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible verses, bored in church, church programming, denying the power, God's power, having a form of godliness but denying the power, keys to power, organic chruch, organized religion, power of God, Quench not the Spirit, Uncategorized, wonder working power, You shall receive power | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Race To Ekklesia . . .

Posted on March 2, 2016 by Steve Simms

Race to Ekklesia . . . Ekklesia goes beyond race, Loving with the eyes of grace, Finding the glory of God in each face, As ordinary people from “every kindred and every tribe” Are free to open up and share … Continue reading →

Posted in Amazing Grace, Berry Street, Beyond Church, black lives matter, book, ekklesia, grace, injustice, institutional racism, justice, movie, Nashville, Nashville churches, Salvation Army, Salvation Army church, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

It doesn’t take an Einstein to experience ekklesia

Posted on February 25, 2016 by Steve Simms

You don’t have to be an Einstein to experience ekklesia. Ekklesia is: Two or more Christ-followers meeting under Christ’s control! –E = MC2– [E (ekklesia) = M (meeting under) C (Christ’s control) 2 (two or more Christ-followers)] We 21st Century … Continue reading →

Posted in awe, awe in church, Berry Street, curiosity, ekklesia, Jesus Christ, John Wesley, Martin Luther, Martin Luther King, mystery, Nashville, organic church, Salvation Army, simple church, the Pilgrims, two or three in My name, Uncategorized, William Booth | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

6 shake up your religion quotes (from a retired Nazarene minister’s library)

Posted on February 19, 2016 by Steve Simms

Here are 6 explosive quotes I stumbled upon while browsing through a retired Nazarene minister’s library: “The church today is lamentably weak and therefore Christian homes are lamentably weak.” –Alan Redpath, Blessings Out Of Buffetings, 1965 (A weak church desperately needs … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Corinthians 14:26, Alan Redpath, Blessings out of Buffetings, Founded With Power, Holy Spirit, house church, Interpreters Bible, Jerry Mercer, John Wesley, listening, organic chruch, Robert Wade, sermon, sermon material, simple church, Uncategorized, witness of the Spirit | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Beyond predictable religion to unpredictable, untamed ekklesia (quotes)

Posted on February 18, 2016 by Steve Simms

Church is caught in continual predictability, perpetually presenting the same basic program week after week. That’s one reasons millions of people are leaving church and calling themselves “Dones.” However, the Greek New Testament concept of ekklesia is never the same from … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Catholic mass, Chet Akins, church, country music, ekklesia, Eleanor Roosevelt, Francesca Battistelli, Frans de Waal, George R.R. Martin, Gordon Parks, Greek New Testament, house church, James Dashner, James Woods, Jesus Christ, Leo F. Buscaglia, Mark Batterson, Nashville, New Testament, organic chruch, Pope Francis, R.T. Kendall, Ralph Abernathy, simple church, Skye Jethani, T.F. Hodge, Uncategorized, unpredictable | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Cereal, cars, & church alternatives . . .

Posted on February 11, 2016 by Steve Simms

If for many centuries, almost everyone in the world who ate breakfast always had some brand of cereal, we would think it strange if a few people started talking and writing about having pancakes for breakfast. Breakfast cereal eaters might … Continue reading →

Posted in alternative church, Beyond Church, change in church, change management, changes in worship, ekklesia, fresh expressions, house church, lay testimonies, messy church, nontraditional church, personal testimonies, Quakers, salvation testimonies, simple church, Spirit-led, Uncategorized, unprogrammed meetings | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Does Donald Trump need forgiveness?

Posted on January 21, 2016 by Steve Simms

Paul of Tarsus said: “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwells no good thing.” (Romans 7:18) “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) “Here is a trustworthy saying that … Continue reading →

Posted in all have sinned, Bible, chief of sinners, evangelicals, faith in politics, have mercy on me a sinner, Jesus prayer, Philokalia, repent, repentance, salvation, saved, sin, sinner, the way of the pilgrim, Trump forgiveness, Uncategorized, what does it mean to be saved | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Say what? A PC monopoly or BC Spirit-prompting?

Posted on January 10, 2016 by Steve Simms

Why not step out of political correctness* and into Beyond Church*? * PC is “saying what society says to say.” * BC is “saying what the Holy Spirit says to say.” Our 21st Century concept of PC was actually predicted … Continue reading →

Posted in newspeak, Oceania, organic chruch, Pharisees, Quench not the Spirit, quenching the Spirit, religious tradition, thought crime, tradition, tradition of the elders, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

How many fingers (members) should you (your church) use?

Posted on December 31, 2015 by Steve Simms

If a person only uses one finger and all the rest are kept frozen in place; the things that person can do will be very limited. That person will not live up to his/her possibilities. If a church service only uses … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Corinthians 14:26, ecclesia, ecclesiologist, ecclesiology, ekklesia, here's the church here's the steeple, house church, more than church, paralysis, simple church, Uncategorized, When you come together | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

“Built Jesus Tough” on the Rock that never rolls

Posted on December 30, 2015 by Steve Simms

Sometimes it’s not enough to be Built Ford Tough. We need to be Built Jesus Tough! Ekklesia: Jesus builds it rock-solid! It’s being built on the Rock that never rolls — set in stone — Built Jesus Tough! Religious foundations wobble. Pastors can … Continue reading →

Posted in Beyond Church, built his house on a rock, Christ the solid rock, ekklesia, house church, organic chruch, parable, rock and roll, rock church, rock of revelation, rocking religion, simple church, the wise builder, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment