Bill Simmons

Check Out My New Blog

Bill Simmons — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 03:49:35 +0000

My blogging experience is continuing to develop as I learn be more effective (thanks to skintighttransformation). I hope you continue to share the journey with me.

Visit my new blog at www.billsimmonslive.com.

If you are subscribed to this blog make sure you subscribe to the new edition. I wouldn’t want you to miss the incredibly insightful things I say!

Also, check out the Amazon store on the new site and buy some books.

150 Commitments to Serve

Bill Simmons — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 19:57:48 +0000

On Sunday we hosted a Ministry Expo at SpringWell. Each department was creative about how they promoted their ministry’s Service Opportunities and encouraged participation. It looked like the circus came to town. We had two large enclosed tents, a cotton candy booth, and portable food trailer complete with corn dogs, french fries, and funnel cakes. We even had a stuffed moose, thanks to our student ministry. The whole place was full of energy and very exciting.

As a result, 150 people made commitments to serve at SpringWell. The breakdown is as follows:

· Creative Arts: Worship & Music – 12

· Creative Arts: Tech – 5

· Christian in the Wind – 9

· Women’s Ministry – 15

· Home Groups – 6

· Central Community Ministries – 10

· Angel Food – 7

· Adult Discipleship – 3

· Children’s Ministry – 10

· Mother’s Morning Out – 6

· Campus Support – 10

· Care Ministries – 17

· Student Ministry – 11

· Communications – 2

· Operations Ministries – 16

· Guest Services – 11

This was a great way to end our series SpringWell’s Got Talent. We have learned that each of us is uniquely SHAPEd by God with purpose and destiny. None of us is meant to sit on the sidelines. We are all called to serve. If you missed the Expo you can still get connected. Check out the Service Opportunities booklet and connect with the team you feel you want to serve.

God shapes us through our crisis moments

Bill Simmons — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 01:08:45 +0000

As a pastor, I have connected with many people during times of crisis. In the early years of my ministry, this weighed heavy on me. I often tried to “fix” the situations through advice and declaration of scripture. Eventually, I figured out that there are no easy fixes to the crisis situations of life.

I have also discovered through my personal experiences that God uses crisis to open our hearts to Him in deep and meaningful ways.

None of us desire for crisis in our lives. Yet in comes anyway through financial setbacks, a broken marriage, rebellious children, loss of a job, medical emergencies, death, and so much more. It is difficult in these times to believe God is at work. It’s hard to see how the future will be bright when your today seems so bleak.

Hope is always there despite the crisis. No matter what you are going through you can stand on the truth that you are never alone. When you see others in crisis and are concerned about them, trust God. Most people are only a crisis away from Christ.

When crisis comes your way, remember that God shapes us through our crisis moments.

My Spiritual Father Passes Away

Bill Simmons — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 19:59:19 +0000

On Saturday afternoon A. Allan Alaimo passed away. Pastor Alaimo and I meet 15 years ago when he was searching for a new Youth Pastor. Six weeks later and I joined his staff in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania. At that time, I had no idea the influence this man would have on my life.

I have a great father who loves me unconditionally, taught me about character, and gave me a strong work ethic. But as a young minister I needed a spiritual father who would mentor and challenge me with the purpose of making me a more effective servant of God. Pastor Alaimo quickly became this person in my life. Pastor Alaimo was a mentor before being a mentor was fashionable. It wasn’t what he did…it’s what he was.

I am the man in ministry I am today because of Allan Alaimo.

He taught me to think and ask questions in ways I had not been challenged before. He taught me the power of story. On one 11 hour drive to a conference he asked me to drive. He then asked me if it would be OK if he shared some stories from his life. Being a good staff member, I obviously said yes. He then pulled out a tape recorder and began to record his stories. Those stories changed my life. Ever since, I am passionate about sharing my stories when I spend time with those I lead.

Pastor Alaimo was also the most fun Italian I ever met. I enjoyed spending time at his home with Mary. We loved to eat and talk and dream. He also taught me to eat pasta in a such a way that would make any Italian proud.

Pastor Alaimo would have been 75 in April. His ministry touched countless lives and impacted a generation. I know it touched my life. He made me a better man. I pray my ministry will touch others in the same way his has touched mine.

24 Years and Counting

Bill Simmons — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 19:05:29 +0000

Renee and I are celebrating our 24^th wedding anniversary today. Believe it or not, this is the first time we are not spending the day together on our anniversary. I am at Regent University in Virginia Beach, Virginia at a Modular Class and Renee did not travel with me.

As I have been thinking today about Renee and our marriage, I came up with the following thoughts:

· I love Renee more today than I ever have.

· I am a better man because of her love, support, encouragement, and forgiveness.

· I still smile when I think about her.

· When I travel, I think about her more than anything.

· Love brought us together but commitment kept us together.

· Marriage is hard work….but it’s worth it.

· Marriage is an endurance sport…be prepared to go the distance.

· Good marriages build homes not houses.

· God has had His hand on us…even when we didn’t know it.

· A strong Marriage builds on the past but doesn’t live in it.

· In the year 2034…we will be married 50 years.