By Tim Noah, in Enugu
It’s often said that the higher a building will go, the deeper and stronger its foundation ought to be. I am starting on this note because one wouldn’t appreciate how much every support system plays in their lives until they come in contact with many who don’t have such privilege.
This is simply because the more time I spend around these “community people” the more I understand that until and unless God is shown practically, the gospel is a story to the ears of many. If the Bible must be felt, as well as God be seen, then the environment it is taught must see the practicability of the word taught.
This explains why the church isn’t primarily a building but the people. Hence why we see that as Jesus taught the people he also ensured he fed them. The foundation of any place is soon reflected in the thought-pattern of the people there.
Many parents have brought their children to this school in recent weeks in their numbers because they claim that they see how other children who attend the school behave and they wonder if its just learning that is responsible for the cultured behaviour.
Now they might not be educated themselves but they do everything within their power for the children to come. Funny thing is a change is made line upon line and precept upon precept. So I can say that the children really don’t know that the transformation they undergo is beyond sitting within the four walls of school to learn.
However it isn’t a smooth sail on the side of the staff as there has to be an unusual show of discipline and consistency, which can not be acted but has to be a lived. The teachers have to be in school earlier, pray after school, and ensure to continually build their own minds as they also have topics to take the children on.
One of the goals of the institution is to make leaders who know the truth and are not bound in thinking by their environment.
Okay, a little away from the classroom activities. Praying is easier when the enabling environment is created .Thus, my experience sheds more light on why every time we saw Jesus pray, he either left the crowd and went to a solitary place or woke up a long while before day. If the Bible said he was tempted in every way but without sin, it means there must have been times when he probably didn’t feel like praying but he did pray anyway.
I think the place really matters. It has to be when there is little or no distractions.
Now a little on how the church service runs here. It’s more open for discussion than a preacher preaching. There isn’t anything so fancy or so aesthetically pleasing. so when you enter the cburch you know you’ve come to meet with God, seeing there aren’t lights or sounds to make anyone feel ‘spiritual’ (I soon understood that spiritual growth doesn’t deal with feelings). Most praise are acapella in nature besides Sunday services where I mount the drums (not so good drums) and the pastor plays the keyboard. There is much time spent on the word.
Now it makes sense what the early church would have looked like, because your pastors are still your neighbours who are also your co-staff and your football team mates, who you also work out with. There isn’t a stratification to show superiority, instead a unity to show how the Body of Christ should function. Too many times I think one reason many people have problems with church leaders are, they really can’t see them up close to tell if they are living by what they are saying.
Acts 1:1 talking about Jesus said “Oh Theophilus this treatise do I write to you of all he began both to do and to teach.” Seeing how close the pastors are to the staff and students, it’s easy for them to say something and people following will act it because they can relate to it. It, therefore, easier to teach what you’re doing, than what you’ve learnt to say.
It is also fair to say process is more important than proceeds.
● Noah, a youth corps member, details his experience as a school teacher in Enugu, Enugu State. He sent this via WhatsApp.