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%