Christian Vocation & Mission IV :
Teaching
Whispering Hope MC
24 June 2012
WHAT TEACHERS MAKE
The dinner guests were sitting around the table discussing life.
One man, a CEO, decided to explain the problem with education. He argued, “What's a kid going to learn from someone who decided his best option in life was to become a teacher?”
He reminded the other dinner guests what they say about teachers:'Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach.‘
To stress his point he said to another guest;“You're a teacher, Bonnie. Be honest. What do you make?”
Bonnie, who had a reputation for honesty and Frankness replied, “You want to know what I make?”
(She paused for a second, then began...)“Well, I make kids work harder than they ever thought they could.
I make a C+ feel like the Congressional Medal of Honor.
I make kids sit through 40 minutes of class time when their parents can't make them sit for 5 without an I Pod, Game Cube or movie rental.
You want to know what I make?” (She paused again and looked at each and every person at the table.)
''I make kids wonder.
I make them question.
I make them apologize and mean it.
I make them have respect and take responsibility for their actions.
I teach them to write and then I make them write. Keyboarding isn't everything.
I make them read, read, read.
I make them show all their work in math. They use their God given brain, not the man-made calculator.
I make my students from other countries learn everything they need to know in English while preserving their unique cultural identity.
I make my classroom a place where all my students feel safe.
I make my students stand, placing their hand over their heart to say the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, One Nation Under God, because we live in the United States of America.
Finally, I make them understand that if they use the gifts they were given, work hard, and follow their hearts, they can succeed in life.”
(Bonnie paused one last time and then continued.)
“Then, when people try to judge me by what I make, with me knowing money isn't everything, I can hold my head up high and pay no attention because they are ignorant...
You want to know what I make?
I MAKE A DIFFERENCE .
What do you make Mr. CEO?”
His jaw dropped, he went silent.
What is happening in our schools today?
• Examania
• Youth assault
• Teenage pregnancies
• Baby dumping
• Striving without significance
What is Jesus saying to us?Matthew 9:35-38 (Today's New International Version)
35 Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.
36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
37 Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."
God’s View vs Society’s View
Society says teachers are at the bottom of the scale in status & prestige.
God says teachers rank at the top of the scale. He sent his Son to be a teacher.
What is God saying to us?Matthew 9:35-38 (Today's New International Version)
35 Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their schools, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.
36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
37 Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the teachers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out teachers into his harvest field."
Age\
Year
0 - 4 (mil)
5 – 9 (mil)
10 – 14 (mil)
15 – 19(mil)
Total(mil)
2009 2.43 2.56 2.72 2.65 10.36
2010 2.45 2.49 2.74 2.67 10.35
Total Pop end 2010
28.4mil
Estimates based on adjusted 2000 Population & Housing Census
There are many positions of authority where you can make others behave in a certain
way.
But there are only two
where you can actually influence people to want to do the right thing:
being a parent and being a teacher.
If you do it right, the way you live your life will influence your students
to want to do the right thing -
without even realizing it .
Ripples of Influence
6 classes x 30
= 180 students
35 years x 180
= 6300 students
in a lifetime
A teacher comes into contact with 6,300 young lives in a teaching lifetime. If each of those individuals were to influence just 200 more, the number rises to a staggering 1.26 million.
And the ripples go on, to the edge of eternity.
Romans 10:13-15 (Today's New International Version)
13 for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." 14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"
Teachers Changing Futures
SMK Marudi* 250 students in his school CF – Kayan, Kenyah, Lumbawang, Kelabit,
Penan, Iban, Berawan, Kiput, Chinese etc
Total : 13 different tribes/races!
• Meet daily from 6.00 – 6.35 pm in the school
Sun – Worship & testimoniesMon – Scripture MemoryTue – Sharing of the WordWed – Pray with a prayer partnerThur – Praise & worshipFri – Group prayerSat – Learn new songs
Passion of Christ
50 received Christ
50 student
s baptise
d
2 months later
Police thanked his
pastor
God moving in wonders & miracles in
school
HOW HAS SCF HELPED THE HOSTELITES?
• Helps them grow in their walk with God
• Gives opportunities to learn how to pray, lead praise & worship
• When they go back to their churches in the interiors they are able to help lead
Why challenge our youthsto take up teaching as a vocation
and mission?
TEACHING AS A VOCATION & MISSION
• Unanimous resolution made at a joint Malayan Christian Schools Council and Christian Federation of Malaysia symposium on the Future of Mission Schools on 28 Oct 2000
“...to strongly urge all churches to encourage parents and young people to view teaching as a vocation and mission...”
Mission Schools• 1930 – 50 Methodist primary & secondary
schools in Sibu, Sarawak• 2010 – only 6 Methodist schools left
• Can it happen to other mission schools that are left today?
• BBGS• What can we do today to avoid this?• Today, more than 400 mission schools left in the whole nation
Serious implications
• Few/no teacher advisors of school Christian fellowship groups (SCF)
• Few/no Christian teachers who are senior enough to be nominated and appointed to be principals especially in mission schools
Urgent Prayer Needed
• TCF is in crisis!
• The average age of TCF members is 45!
• Only 5% are below 30 years old
Christians in Teaching
• 30 Aug 2009, Dr Denison Jayasooria in his message on ‘Nation Building’ said
“ For impact, there must be a sizeable number of Christians in the civil service. He quoted 10-15% of Christian presence”
• 15 % in the teaching profession • 40,000 Christian teachers in Malaysia
• Can we have 40,000 Christian teachers in Malaysia in 20 years’ time?
• 2000 entering teaching each year!
The 20-year target
Fear Factors
• ‘low pay’
• fear rural posting – sent to schools in the ulu areas
• cannot meet future spouse, will be a single forever!
The Truth is, Teaching is now...
no longer a last choice professionbut
a profession of top choice
WhyWhy??
Bachelor of Teaching Degree
2008 intake
• No. of applicants = 80,000
• No. of intake = 6,000 (7.5%)
• Trainees are given RM 430 in monthly allowance
KPLI- Kursus Perguruan Lepasan Ijazah
• Those who have a basic university degree and come for a one-year programme
2008 intake
No. of applicants = 100,000
No. of intake = 5000 (5%)
This group gets a monthly allowance of RM1600
Fresh graduates – DG 41
• Starting pay = RM 1700
• Housing = RM 250
• Entertainment = RM 300
• COLA = RM 100-300
TOTAL = RM 2350-2550
Are teachers ‘poor’?
• Basic (Max) = RM 5800-6300• Housing = RM 700• Entertainment =RM 550• COLA = RM 100-300
TOTAL = RM7150- 7850
SENIOR TEACHER - DG 48
• Medical benefits – for life for teacher, spouse and immediate family members
• Retirement –pension for life for the teacher and spouse if he/she were to die first
Other benefits
What Can We Do Now?
• Methodist College Kuala Lumpur aims to begin a Diploma in Teaching programme next year.
• Private schools are springing up – they need trained teachers
• Victoria University of Wellington – RM20,000 – Can the church sponsor?
Esther ChinLahad Datu
The Challenges Before Us
* Can we be good role models in schools that our students want to emulate us and pay us the highest compliment by saying
“ Cikgu, I want to be a teacher one day – just like you!”
* Can we not discourage our students – especially the top scorers from entering teaching?
Teachers
Can we challenge our youths including the
brightest and the best from our congregations to take up teaching?
Can we ask them to see themselves as
“youth workers/youth pastors” in schools?
Youth pastors & church leaders
If the Lord wants your children to serve
Him as teachers, will you release them
to go into teaching?
Parents
Tolong, don’t let my son be a
teacher!
Let your children
go!!!
• In Isaiah 6:8, Isaiah heard God asking, “ Whom shall I send? And who will go
for us?”
• Will our response be like Isaiah? “Here Am I. Send me!” “Send my son. Send my daughter”.
The final challenge
Know
therefore that
the LORD your
God is God; he
is the faithful
God, keeping
his covenant
of love to a
thousand
generations of
those who
love him and
keep his
commandmen
ts.
Deut. 7:9
Here I am, LordI, the Lord of sea and skyI have heard my people cryAll who dwell in dark and
sinMy hand will saveI, who make the stars of
nightI will make their darkness
brightI will speak my Word to
themWhom shall I send?
Here I am, Lord
Is it I, Lord?
I have heard You calling in the night
I will go, Lord
If You lead me
I will hold Your people in my heart
Here I am, Lord
Here I am, Lord
Is it I, Lord?
I have heard You calling in the night
I will go, Lord
If You lead me
I will hold Your people in my heart
I, the Lord of snow and rainI have borne my people’s
painI have wept for love of them
They turn awayI will break their hearts of
stoneGive them hearts for love
aloneI will speak my Word to
themWhom shall I send?
Here I am, Lord
Here I am, Lord
Is it I, Lord?
I have heard You calling in the night
I will go, Lord
If You lead me
I will hold Your people in my heart
I, the Lord of wind and flame
I will tend the poor and lame
I will set a feast for them -My hand will saveFinest bread I will provideTill their hearts are satisfiedI will give my life to themWhom shall I send?
The world is yet to see
what God can do
with the life of one man or one woman
who will give himself or herself
unconditionally to Him
to do as He wills.
Will you become a teacher ?
Let us pray
If you have any concerns, queries we will be more than happy to meet up with you…
www.tcfmy.org
Year < 15 Years
(%) 15 - 64
Years (%) > 64 Years
(%) Population (in millions)
2006 29.2 66.5 4.3 26.83
2007 28.7 66.9 4.4 27.18
2008 28.2 67.3 4.5 27.54
2009 27.7 67.7 4.6 27.90
2010 27.2 68.1 4.7 28.25
Demographics of Malaysia, July 2010, Wikipedia
0-14, 32%
15-29, 27%30-44, 20%
45-59, 14%
Above 60, 7%
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