screaming into the wind

envangelism

2011-10-24T05:00:00.000-07:00

Recently there has been a bit of discussion within our denomination about evangelism. And one of the denominational officials mentioned that there were many divergent views of evangelism within the body. That is disturbing --- there are many platforms which allows us to glorify the name of the Lord, and to give a defense for the hope within us - but there is only one correct view of evangelism. Declaring God's glory to the nations.

About ten years ago, prior to coming to the Branchville Church, I was preaching at several congregations in view of a call. The response in the service would be great, but then there would be no followup. Finally, after getting a little depressed, I asked someone who had followed the search process what they thought the problem was. His answer? Cumberland's are not used to someone asking them to actually do anything.

If that is true it is no wonder that we are shrinking in membership across the US - so glad to be in a different kind of church.

a time to sow and a time to reap

2011-10-11T18:45:00.000-07:00

This past week I recieved an email from another pastor who simply wanted to come down to Branchville and follow me around to see my theology live out and how it reflected the souls that are being saved at Branchville. I told him that he could come down if he wanted to, but what we are seeing now is the result of intentional planning and strategic outreach for over 8 years. This is the beginning of harvest time, but it is the planting of seeds that has led to this harvest.

In addition, I mentioned to him that we have a very healthy congregation. There are fewer habitual whiners and complainers in this congregation than I have ever seen. In addition, I am finding that this church is, in generally, on the same page and eager to seek after God's will. Of course, some are struggling in one area or another, but we are "getting better."

This congregation is getting to be very healthy -- I am excited to be the pastor here.

The Right Questions

2011-09-24T08:03:00.000-07:00

Just the other day I was watching a special on 9/11 and renowned atheist Richard Dawkins was quotes as saying that 9/11 proved the dangers of all religions when they are taken to extremes. In fact, he went so far as to stay that religion is the most dangerous ideology that the world has seen and that it would eventually destroy us. The reporter just nodded his head at this patently absurd statement. Marxist/Lenism desroyed more than 100 million in the 20th century and when we add in totalian governments like facism (which truly relies on the same elements of control as Marxism) we get into numbers 0f 135 million in the last century.

As Christian we need to be sure that person begin to ask the right questions and challenge false statements when they are uttered. The cultural flow is to privatise religion and that must be avoided.

a poem I wrote long ago

2011-09-22T19:14:00.000-07:00

Back in 1976 I was 15 years old -- and traveling Europe by myself. I called home (which was in Oslo, Norway) from Luxembourg and my father informed me that I should consider cutting my trip short if I wanted to say farewell to some of my friends since we were leaving Norway in August -- he had recieved PCS orders (permenant change of station). I knew then that one of my very good friends I would never see again since her family was on vacation in Turkey.

So I wrote this:

Goodbye

Goodbye my favored stranger, now I let you go
Some tangled strand of you are caught in memories branches though

Forgetfulness is like a blade you sharpen on a stone,
but when you test it with a thumb- it cuts unto the bone.

Dark blood wheals along the cut, eventually it seals
wrapped up in distance, thought and time the deepest wound still heals

goodbye, once again, my favored friend

NOW

2011-09-20T17:17:00.000-07:00

Well, I am now published and you can search my name: Keith Mariott and find my book, if you are interested in Western Civ this little booklet can give you a foundation.

But, the thing that is exciting is that NOW we are seeing things begin to happen at the church! People are showing up that can help grow the church and who will work at building the Kingdom! One of these people sent an email that promoted the pastor in me to think prophetically for a moment.

I have been at Branchville Church for 8 years... at times long - and at others exciting. The Lord has kept my spirits up when things seemed to slow down and the momentum dragged. But NOW things are picking up, NOW things are happening that are what I thought church would be like when I entered the ministry and NOW we are starting to enter into my ninth year here....

So, prophetically, it takes 8 months for a baby to develop and it is born in the ninth month.... WE ARE ABOUT TO SEE WONDERFUL LIFE AND POTENTIAL BORN AT THE BRANCHVILLE CHURCH!

Now is the time to get excited.

2011-08-30T19:06:00.000-07:00

This is the cover proof of my first book. The key word there is the "first" aspect. Though it is a small 120 page work and is not much more that an outline of my teaching notes for Western Civilization I; I have been teaching this course for 20 years. This book was prepared to help my student have a framework for their studies and to guide others through the growth of Western Civ.

But since this is the first: I have others in the pipeline.
The projects that are lined up:

A Bible study on Hebrews.

A Devotion geared toward missions.

A Biblical theology of missions.

and finishing my disseration on Third Culture Kids and Evangelism.

I am now writing, which is something that I have always wanted to do; just never put the time in before. When published I will let everyone know.... so that you can buy it!!

orality

2011-07-21T06:55:00.000-07:00

70% of the World are Oral People
The great commission commands us to make disciples of every nation, baptizing them and teaching them to obey everything that Jesus commanded his disciples to do. It is clear that for one to become a disciple, he must know and live according to the God’s word. God’s word transforms those who know and live it out. No ministry, whether evangelism, discipleship, leadership development, or church planting will be successful unless the Word of God is communicated effectively.
An overwhelming two thirds (2/3) of the world’s population are oral people. An oral person is someone who prefers to learn and communicate through oral means, such as story, song, dance, drama and proverbs. He is also someone who cannot or chooses not to learn through reading. For example a study done by the National Endowment for the Arts found that in the US 77% of High School graduates do not read after graduation. They also found that 43% of College and Graduate school graduates do not read after graduation. They can read but chose not to read.
Over 70% of the Bible’s content is made up of stories. Not only that, but Jesus throughout his ministry told stories. “With many similar parables Jesus spoke the word to them, as much as they could understand. He did not say anything to them without using a parable.” Mark 4:33-34 Since the Bible is largely stories and Jesus used stories, it only makes sense to communicate the Word of God as stories.

Are we learning the Story well enough to tell a story? Do we limit our ability to reach out and/or grow disciples to material that can be written and read? Is our form of education and discipleship (based on the written word) limiting our scope to a mere 30% of the world?

Mission Minded Congregation?

2010-11-01T05:28:00.001-07:00

Recently, the Branchville Cumberland Presbyterian Church changed it's website around and added the phrase a "mission-minded congregation" to its homepage. I thought it would be a good idea to explain this change of title and focus.

In working on my dissertation on Missions, Third-Culture Kids, and Evangelism I have been doing a LOT of reading -- and a great deal of it disturbs me greatly. I have come to the conclusion that a christian congregation which is unconcerned about the Mission of God - it not even a good social club. This does not mean that we all have to get our passports and go overseas - it does mean that we all have to get our focus on the will of God and go about fulfilling God's Mission for each of us -- some are focused on outreach, some on caring for others, some on going to foreign lands and some on teaching -- - but we are to be always focused on bringing Glory to the Name of God in whatever we do.

By changing the look of the website - this is a reminder that the church is established and created to bring Glory to God through its work for people who do not yet know Christ as Lord and Savior. It is my hope that we all becoming mission minded for when we are focused on a purpose and a goal we tend to lead better lives and serve as a better witness.

prayer meetings

2010-10-29T07:02:00.000-07:00

I have been struggling all week with a sermon topic - which occurs at times but it is finally coming together. I have been a pastor for 17 years in one form or another and, in general, prayer meetings have the lowest attendence of any meeting concerning church. That should not be. I have read materials to learn how to change this, used music, adjusted lighting, etc. in an effort to build it and .... well attendence never changed. THEN IT HIT ME!

IF -- and that is a big word -- we are radically committed to the Great Commandment and the Great Commission we will pray intently and radically and with enthusiam because we will be in the middle of a spiritual conflict and we will need the direction and guidence of the Lord. The lack of attendence at prayer functions is actually a good indicator of the spiritual condition of the church. Most often prayer meetings become organ recititals and those do get to drag on (pray for J. 's kidney, lung etc)

Pray is a direct communication from our King, Lord and commander in this conflict we are in when we are acting and living as disciples -- we would and do seek it when we are following the Commandment and the Commission for we then NEED the presence and comfort of the Lord.

Prayer meetings are a good way to judge the spiritual status of the congregation.

The Heart of God

2010-10-25T05:19:00.000-07:00

The triune God is a missionary God and His people are to be a missionary people. The totality of the witness of the Bible indicates that. Our lives are no longer our own once we come to Christ but we are now a part of the Lord's grand mission to redeem the earth. This is the purpose of our existence -- to know Christ and Make Him Known!

Recently, I have been speaking about the Mission's effort I will be involved in to Madrid, Spain in several churches. The vibrant growing congregations have jumped on board, are praying for the effort and seeking to find funding to support it. The decling congregations see the effort as a waste of time, a vacation or a misuse of resources to reach them over there instead of those here. This shows a misunderstanding of the entire efforts - if missions is the heartbeat of God, participating in it brings a blessing from the Lord onto the church.

It is sad that so many American's believe that they are committed Christians when they distance themselves from the very thing that makes us a part of God's mission. Very Sad.

I have included a video from the Christian Missionary Alliance about Europe in this post so the few readers can see the great need of Europe.

Makes you want to help doesn't it? Specific prayer needs for the Madrid effort will be posted this week under the Madrid Missions tab on the Branchville Church website. If you are considering becoming a prayer partner please let me know so that I can begin to send you private updates for prayer needs.

why?

2010-09-27T04:19:00.000-07:00

Why is it that families act the obsolute worst at funerals. Yesterday I was as bothered as I have ever been at a service - not only was the family headed up by a drama queen - the pastor was a jerk! The deceased had been an addict for all of this life until he developed brain cancer and three weeks he gave his life to Christ! I baptized him the day before he died.

The baptist pastor lied about the date of salvation, stated he was not baptized and named only his mother and girlfriend as survivors - deliberately ignoring th man's daughter and grandchildren.

When I went to speak with him about it he lied to me about knowing her since his conversation was contradictory -- so I held on to his lapels and explained that he would correct his error at the graveside. That was something new for me....

The daughter is a member of the Branchville Church and when one of the church members explained how sorry he was about this she stated, looking at the church members who were there, that she didn't know what he was talking about - she was with her family and they drove 30 miles to support her.

How did that goofball get a large church? Dis-honest and false and his congregation grows.... I wonder if that is a new church growth method?

things are changing

2010-09-20T05:06:00.000-07:00

we are experiencing a move of God at the Branchville Church and it is exciting to see what the Lord will be doing next! In September alone we have seen five people come to Christ and from there who knows what will occur. Yesterday we were scheduled to baptize 2 adult women and the husband of one of them came and presented himself for baptism also.

Next week we will focus on the Mission of God - which is the mission of the church.

Yesterday

2010-09-06T05:19:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we saw three people come to Christ after a fairly strong message on what we have accepted as the normal American Christian - the mediocrity we see in the American Church is an indictment on pastor's and teacher over the last several decades.

The Branchville Church is adapting CPM principles to test whether or not such a pattern of reproduction can be effectivily implemented in a small semi-rural southern town.

Will post results when they occur.

KLM

wondering

2010-09-05T05:08:00.000-07:00

So I am wondering what it would take for this small Cumberland Presbyterian Church to leverage it's ability to connect internationally so that our local becomes global and the local church grows? That is one question.

Secondly, I wonder why people show up to church and bible studies, learn what the Word says and then think they get to decide if God is right or not. Do they not realize that only God has that right and that by doing so they are setting up an idol?

2010-09-04T07:25:00.000-07:00

I have been reading Freidmans The World is Flat and realized that I am living in the world he describes. Think about this for a moment -- I live in Odenville, AL, a place no one has heard of -- we do have two stop lights so we are moving up in the world. The person who handles my , email communications and church database lives in Utah. I am going to school in South Africa. My peer learning group members are in Mexico and Texas. I am recieving Urban Strategist training from Dallas and I am currently opening relationships with churches in Madrid, Spain.

The interconnectiveness of the wired world has opened amazing opportunites -- I wonder if the church will take advantage of them?

Missions et al

2010-08-30T04:52:00.000-07:00

Recently I have been made more awareness of the need for the "normal" Christian to be extra-ordinary. The faith we practice in the United States has little in common with the Biblical text. From Genesis to Revelation God is concerned with that His name will be glorified in all the earth. Another thing that seems evident is that we plan too small. So in order to catch up -- some thoughts I have recently had.

God is not interested in multiplying mediocrity.

Our view of discipleship as a learning process is in contradiction to the text which places it as a doing process in which you learn as you rely on the leading of the Spirit.

The "West" is in Europe de-evangelized and needs a fresh input of believers to proclaim the name of Christ.

BTW - I think I will take Madrid as my and my churches responsiblity to insure that the Gospel in proclaimed.

Without God's help this vision will fall and I will look stupid. Must be a God thing

(sorry I have been off of this for a year -- the Polymylgia Rhuematica through me for loop.)

last six months

2010-01-20T19:27:00.000-08:00

If you follow my blog you will have noticed that it went silent about six months ago. It would be safe to say that the nature of the blog mirrored the nature of my soul for the period. I have been so exhausted and growing increasing frustrated with the casual Christian in the US that I have simple not had the energy to comment or publish.

that should change this week as I am finished with the mid-life crisis I find myself in .

community

2009-08-18T06:02:00.000-07:00

A strange thing happened this past weekend and one that I believe should teach the church something about relationships. I went to my high school reunion -- 30 years. All the common things -- wonderful to see people you haven't seen in years, discussion over the changes -- and then there was this -- an instant connection because of a shared experience.

In the room where strong Christians (a pastor - me; and a doctor who actually tried to disciple me in High School), atheists, far right and far left, married, single, shacking and gay people, pro health care and anti health care, tea-totalers and drinkers - etc, etc -- much diversity for 23 people.... and it was community.

Our shared experience overwhelmed the differences and we had great joy, friendship, and fun. We GOT ALONG and regreted when the time ended - hung around and spoke -- etc

Why is it that Christians who have the shared experience of Jesus Christ and salvation cannot have that kind of relationships -- we let so much divide us and seperate us -

we sing about the great reunion day in heaven - can't we experience a hint of it here.

well, now I get it...

2009-08-11T05:23:00.000-07:00

For years I have been wondering why so many churches in the United States are struggling with a lack of decisions for Christ... and now I get it.

(before I go further, I am blessed with a local congregation who is open to new things -- our issues are different and being approached ... slowly so as not to scare the fish)

Recently I discovered names for the cultural group in which I belong - it is apparent all over this blog. Global Nomads, Third Culture Kids, Military Brats, etc.... all of these names identify a sub-culture in the United States and the world. We are about 7 % of the population and statistic show that this group is well educated, socially adept, and culturally skilled - in other words - great potential for effective evangelical work....

So, to the point of this rambling blog - in the last several weeks I have commented on this group to about 10 pastors -- and found two that were interested - the others dismissed it entirely....

which explains why their churches do not see many professions of faith - ALL CHRISTIANITY is cross-cultural -- Christians belong to the Kingdom of God and the world is under the sway of the evil one.....

when leadership in a church is disinterested in reaching a subset of the culture which is desperate to belong - it says something about their understanding of what it takes to reach those outside of the church culture...

oh well....

cutural thoughts

2009-07-29T05:39:00.000-07:00

“In every generation there are a few souls, call them lucky or cursed, who are simply born not belonging, who come into the world without strong affiliation to family or location or nation or race. Those who value stability, who fear transience, uncertainty, change, have erected a powerful system of stigmas and taboos against rootlessness so that we mostly conform, we hide our secret identities beneath false skins of those identities which bear the belongers’ seal of approval. But the truth leaks out in our dreams; alone in our beds—because we are alone at night, even if we do not sleep by ourselves—we soar, we fly, we flee.” -Salman Rushdie

This quote from Salman Rushdie affirms thoughts that many Adult Third Culture Kids have. And in many ways it also speaks to those who have wandered the world looking for peace, hope and love and then find themselves in a local church -- since I am a Cumberland Presbyterian Pastor I will refer to them --- the traveling soul enters -- looking for home and find the stigma's and taboos of the local church --

The traveler already knows that his/her lifestory places them out of the group, that their past means they will never quite belong, they will commit social errors, but yet we yearn for acceptance ... and it is whispered and affirmed -- we will only accept you when you conform (not to Scripture but..) to our story -- yours is not valid here. and the traveler who is seeking God and the abundant challenging life Christ offers - looks at the drab fearful existence of the rooted and they flee.

We should notice how our local church has a vested interest in maintaining its established culture .... and then questions if that interest excludes those with a different background?

what do I mean by third culture

2009-07-22T13:25:00.000-07:00

In the sub-title of this blog I describe myself as a "third-culture pastor" and that expression may need some explanation. As to the word "pastor" -- if I have to explain that you will not enjoy this blog very much as the conceptual discussions may often use words out of your experience.

It is the "third-culture" concept that may need explanation... this phrase is shorted in that I am actually an "Adult Third Culture Kid." TCK's are children who spend a good portion of their developmental years in countries other than their passport country. There are great gifts in being a global nomad -- adaptibility, acceptance, and a global neighborhood. Also ATCK's are an educated group. Whereas less than 20% of American's receive college degree's - 81% of ATCK's have BA's and 50% of those have advanced degree's. These things are wonderful, travel is great (25 nations for this one -- 15 school before graduation), and contacts all around the world.

On the other hand, we tend to have difficulty in forming deep relationships, (always ready to say goodbye) -- we never fit in - ever. We are always ready to leave. We tend to take more than 4 years at college since exploration of cultures and nations take precedent. And .... this is life long.

A third culture pastor will see things slightly differently -- may not be as close to others as they would like, and would be, naturally, kingdom oriented.

Screaming into the Wind title....

2009-07-16T06:10:00.000-07:00

Often those who refer to themselves as either "Christian's" or "conservatives" do little more than complain about the direction of the nation and then they accept a fatalistic view of things ... they complain and do nothing else citing the futility of their efforts. If those who self identify in these groups would be as passionate and long suffering as the left -- we would have a more dynamic dialogue and a healthier nation and church.

The ancient Hebrews understood that people are destroyed by a lack of knowledge. We are often too lazy to learn and as a result we are being destroyed. When Bible studies at a church draw significantly less people than a worship service - we are admitting that we prefer destruction since we are unwilling to seek knowledge.

This applies outside of the church as well. The ancient definition of the Greek word "idiot" is that of a person uninvolved (and ignorant) of government. Too many people are prideful in their willful ignorance of the world and the culture and as a result they blissfully dismiss their ability to change the world through participation and knowledge.

This leads me to the title of this blog -- and its purpose. Here we will examine culture through Biblical reflection (I am a pastor after all) and we will advocate civil action and influence. Though we may not be able to produce great change -- I would rather go down screaming into the wind with teeth bared than winde down and fade away.

We will step out and speak up regardless of the cost -- and though the forces arrayed against us appear as powerful as a storm -- this one will stand and be heard -- screaming into the wind.

What now?

2009-07-07T05:12:00.000-07:00

The post-modern era has finally dominated culture and is on the wane, the question being what now? Consistancy is abandoned and "truth" is determined by the power of the one speaking or their influence. Which is ironic since post-moderns (hereinafter PM) often rail against power.

We are seeing ideological values diminish and in fact pass into the shadows. When "christians" twist the plain meaning of scripture to fit the latest sociological fad they are committing the same gross error as those who corrupted the text to fit the fad of slavery in the US. When politicians make policy statements and then routinely ignore the statement, judges ignore the constitution, contacts are considered mere paper --- when this happens it is as if each one is doing what is right in thier own eyes.

The next few years will be interesting to say the least -- should be ample fodder for blogging.