Comments on: The Bible Belt Has Fallen Off

By: Mitch Odom

Mitch Odom — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 19:43:15 +0000

Even though I am free and released into ministry as Christ leads me rather than bond by what the church has already determined for me - I still miss the challenge of doing unconventional ministry in the Bible-belt. You have a real opportunity to release people into the freedom of who they are in Christ and out of the clonism they have become a part of in the established traditional church. After all, we have been called to help the body of Christ conform to the image of Christ. That is quite different than making people look and sound like they are members at old First Church on Main Street.

I kid you not, I was sitting in the Tokyo airport and I saw a man walk by whom I had never seen before - and I said to the person with me, “I will bet you money on that man being a Baptist pastor - as a matter of fact, I know he is.” So, I tracked him down and popped the question, “are you a Baptist pastor by any chance?” To which he said, “yes, I am.”

Amazing! What told me this complete stranger was a Baptist pastor. Nothing more than the air about him. Leads me to ask, “exactly what kind of air are we creating around us?” because the air around us speaks volumes about who we are. I wonder what “Jesus air” truly looks like? Funny I should have to ask.

By: Pam

Pam — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 03:51:23 +0000

Wow, jeff, I hardly ever hear (read?) you rant! I enjoyed reading your post.
I have a love/hate relationship with the Bible Belt. I like the chivalry, friendliness and authenticity of the people. But I hate the lack of diversity in ideas, lifestyles, religion, politics, etc. Anything different is viewed with suspicion.

By: K.T.

K.T. — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 12:47:25 +0000

Okay I loved this post!!!!

By: DB

DB — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000

Preach, brother! Preach!

By: Jeff Noble

Jeff Noble — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000

Jason,

Thanks for the encouragement! I read that book and loved it about 2 years ago as we were starting Journey Church! the only thing I’m still processing about it is its emphasis on the 5-Fold Ministry. I don’t know that that one passage is as prescriptive as the book makes it out to be.

But I definitely enjoyed the book and was deeply encouraged and challenged by it. A similar book in its depth and challenge (as well as its emphasis on the 5-Fold Ministry) is “Shaping of Things to Come.” It’s in my parchment list. Check it out when you can.

Jeff

By: Jason Kerner

Jason Kerner — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000

You are not alone in your wrestling. Another good book is Houses that Change the World by Wolfgang Simpson. God is beginning to raise up a generation that longs to live with Jesus among the lost.

I appreciate your thoughts and your heart.

By: Michael

Michael — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000

I see your point. And it’s quite sharp.
Religion has become a “bad” word that I do not enjoy using any more. As I have been learning these last three years (I am glad to say thatsome of that learning took place under your tree Jeff), I have found that so many people are just happy with being in the “religious” club. It is truly disheartening.
Alas, Christ is still awesome, and I think that if people would just ask for a hunger for His word, and more knowledge of Him, He would gladly give it to them. Once people start learning more about God, then I think they will get out of this religious funk and become Christ’s diciples
Do you think people are actually scared to ask Christ for a hunger of His knowledge?

Your pal,
Mcp