THE BIG QUESTION

Let's dialogue on a really important topic. I was reading Bryan Plyler's Blog on Saturday and WoW! He presents a really great challenge for those of us who are planters or leaders in the "bible belt." I would also think that there is a lot of great application that will come to anyone. I thought I would share it and throw in my 2 cents and get your thoughts as well.

Here was his post and you can go to his blog and check out more great thoughts as well.

The question of the hour for this "post bible belt" missionary:

How do we relate to / deal with the "innoculated"?When you get a measles shot, they inject into you a weakened, dead version of the measles bug. Your body develops
antibodies so that when you encounter the full strength, "real" measles you aren't impacted by it. You have been innoculated against measles.

So many in the Southeast have been innoculated against the Gospel. They've had just enough of a dead, dying, weak version of the Gospel that they are oblivious to the real, full strength version. They see themselves as Christ followers but are missing the transformation that follows an encounter with the "real" Gospel--a Gospel full of Christ. They've had their shot of religion.

The folks I'm particularly concerned about are not antagonists--like the antagonistic religious leaders that Jesus faced. They are merely apathetic for anything more than nominal Christianity. As a missionary in the Bible Belt, what do we do with these people? I don't have the answers...yet...but I know it's a question that we Bible-belt missionaries, church planters, and church leaders have to wrestle with. What do you think?

I told you it was good. That is what we preachers call a "hammer." It is heavy and it hurts if it hits you. Here is my thoughts for what it is worth. I am diving into dangerous territory... why? because I am going to think out loud which may mean that some of these thoughts may be way off base. However, I want to learn so I will risk sharing to learn from you guys. So... don't hold me to this... yet... I am processing as well.

IF you have missionary minded core people/ key leaders... then I don't mind some "Innoculated," religious, church going people. Why? Well a couple reasons... 1) They might see those who are infected with the full gospel and want some. :) 2) They can still help resource (even if it is limited) the greater vision of a church.

I would say the key is that the innoculated cannot be allowed to have great influence or else they might innoculate those who are infected. In other words the apathetic if allowed could cause apathy to spread. This appears to be the great challenge. I certainly would not give those people a seat at the table of leadership. I would certainly not allow them any level of influence. However, the gospel is big enough and powerful enough to raise the most dead person to life.

Your turn... chime in with your comments.