How Much Do We Need Each Other As Christians In Education?
Steve Beegoo has recently been appointed as Head of Education for Christian Concern and is CEO of The Christian Schools’ Trust. Here he highlights the importance of mutual encouragement…
I was sitting at my desk when I received the email last week. “I am overwhelmed with your kindness… Thank you!”. Then a little later from someone else, “Thank you for your prayers, I really appreciate that especially as I have had a hospital procedure this week - very timely!”. My own encouragement of others comes back to encourage me!
As a trainee teacher I was overwhelmed, and almost destroyed, by the amount of criticism which was the standard vernacular of the teacher trainers. When in my early days as a teacher, the ‘robust’ criticism of Ofsted set such a fear inducing atmosphere for so much of my school experience. Yet, there were always those who brought Christian encouragement. En- courage-ment. Putting in courage! And the value of this, is incalculable for those of us in education…
When I have connected with ACT members recently, the sense of mutual encouragement and prayer support is a powerful dynamic. I find this in courageous Christian communities, churches and schools all around the world. The distinctive flavour of Christian encouragement, which multiplies courage, is not the bland flattery which forever shuns from facing issues, nor is it the ‘please-like-me’ platitudes given to curry favour. No. Christian encouragement is deeply real, and deeply needed. As the only ‘Christian’ on a teaching staff team it has been something I’ve often yearned for, without always understanding it was what I needed. And when it has come, this kind of encouragement has given me courage and sustained me, through very challenging times. It has a supernatural quality to it because it is divine. And it multiplies itself!
Paul, in Ephesians 4, explains a wide range of gifts and abilities needed in the ventures of the kingdom. In speaking about teaching, he encourages the Ephesians with this: “Speaking the truth, in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work” (Ephesians 4 v 15-16; NIV 1984).
We tend to understand that there are different gifts, and different parts to ‘the body’, and that they all have a part to play in our ventures for Christ. But in this passage there is also a revelation that what we say to each other, ‘speaking the truth, in love,’ as we are equipped by Christ, will have the effect of holding us together through the supporting ligaments of relationship that you and I can cultivate. Deep attachment, formed through divinely inspired encouragement. As each of us do our work in this truth-speaking in love, the body holds together and is built up. How are your supporting ligaments of love? As you bring divinely inspired encouragement to another person, so others in turn bring that to you. Are you being divinely encouraged and equipped through others?
Another equally good translation of the word ‘supporting’ is ‘supplying’. The Ephesians passage explains, that as we are connected to the Head, we supply each other through strong relationships. The gifts of skilful apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers, connected to the Head, can equip us and supply us, so that through great teaching and encouragement we can all mature into all that God has for us. And as we actively seek to be encouragers, suppliers to others, so this comes back to us and we all benefit.
I am drawn to these thoughts as I pray for you as ACT members across the country. So many of us need to connect with others who understand the challenges we face as Christian teachers. Sometimes even those in our churches struggle to comprehend the unique pressures Christians face in our schools. In our recent enforced isolation, the opportunities for divine connection could be reduced. But we know the Lord wants us to find vital, inspiring connections, which supply our souls, and help us to do our work joyfully and courageously as his body. ACT offers this kind of support through its regions and conferences, and this is so important. How can we all encourage one another at this time?
In February, ‘Further Up Further In’ will be an online conferencing event to connect in this way, with a weekend of opportunities to meet with those experienced in bringing such encouragement and equipping to teachers and those in the education world. It is from such events that we can connect with others who can become those who pray with and encourage us. Please do consider joining and being strengthen in prayer and community by other Christians doing what you are doing. We believe that the connections made well turn into Whatsapp groups and the like, so the encouragement and support can continue.
Also, ACT have a fantastic event for growing leaders on Thursday 4th March, where some excellent speakers have been gathered to bring encouragement and equipping. I’m already booked in myself! You can do so too by following this link.
Even without these events, there is something we can all respond to today. Can you choose to see, what God sees, in a child, a colleague, a friend or a family member? Bring divine encouragement by simply naming it in them, thanking them and thereby honouring God for who they are, as much as for what they have done.
May your supplying ligaments strengthen you in these months ahead! May you not only ‘hold together’, but grow and be built up in love. May you receive from the great people God is giving you opportunity to connect with, so that joy-filled courage may sustain you.
(The link to the ‘Further Up Further In’ conference can be found here)
Steve has created a number of useful resources which can be found here, at the Christian Concern website