The present Teacher strike is causing a lot of chaos in our nation. While many of us are ready to get back to normality it seems as if the strikes are set to cause further upheaval. My own thoughts on the issue are that the Unions should take the offer on the table (for now) and let the children have the education they deserve. If they are still feeling aggrieved (which clearly they are) then they should get a commitment from the Government to sit down and negotiate a better deal ASAP. I think the 'powers that be' realise that any future strikes would be crippling and would hopefully they come to the party.
Anyway, this whole 'strike' issue has been highlighted through our preaching series on the Church, although with a different slant. This Sunday we discussed the 'Body of Christ' and we noted Paul's words to the church in Corinth:
1 Corinthians 12: 14 – “Now the body is not made up of one part but of many.”
1 Corinthians 12:22 – “On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honourable we treat with special honour…”
It is tempting to believe that the pastor or leader of the Church is the most important in the body, but this is not what the Bible says. It is the members of the body that appear to be the 'least' or 'weakest' that we should treat with honour. This makes one think doesn't it?
So in our context, who is more important now? Or who has the most power at the moment? Is it the President of our country or a teacher? One on one, most people would answer: "the President!" But the reality is that when a group of people get together, the 'power tables' can be overturned.
For our churches it is vital to remember that when every member functions at their optimal and uses their gifts for the Kingdom, then our World could be changed for good.
What are your thoughts on this?
Living in Grace,
D3LM3
2 comments:
For strikes to be effective they have to hurt the employer - in this case the employers are the people of South Africa.
Teachers are hitting us where it hurts and I think 'we the people' need to listen.
Teaching needs to become and honoured profession again; teachers deserve to be paid at least 100% more than they are being paid at the moment.
Hey Gus
Thanks for the thoughts. I agree that we need to honour our teachers more. It is not great that the people who have a huge influence on society (teachers, nurses etc) are paid the least.
Someone commented that teachers should rather be striking now for a 100% increase in salary (not 8.5%). In this way, they would probably have been offered 50% - which would have been much more than they are asking for now. If they are going to bring the country to it's knees, rather let it be worthwhile.
Not sure what to make of that suggestion, but I get the point.
Take care
Delme
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