HOW THE CHURCH CAN SUPPORT FARMERS.(Part 1)

 

HOW THE CHURCH CAN SUPPORT FARMERS.(Part 1) by Katharine Norton (Ireland) and Yunana Malgwi (Borno, Nigeria). 

 

When we read the Bible we see that there are many, many stories about farmers and farming. God

planted the garden of Eden; King David was a shepherd boy, Jesus told many agricultural parables

etc.

Here are some ways that the church can support farmers all year round.

1) Sermons: There are many opportunities to speak encouragingly about farming as a career

during sermons by drawing out the many agricultural themes in the Bible.

2) Giving thanks for food: When a pastor is asked to give thanks at a meal e.g. a wedding, a

church celebration, they can remember to thank God for the farmers who grew the food.

3) Consulting farmers: Many church yards are swept bare despite the fact that we worship a

God who started His ministry with humans by planting a garden! Pastors can ask advice from

farmers about what plants to grow in church yards or on a church farm.

4) Farm visits: Church leaders can visit farmers at their farms just like they visit and encourage

other congregation members. They can ask farmers about their work, about the challenges

and blessings, and how they can pray for them.

 

5) Prayer walking: Church leaders and members can walk around entire farms, praying as they

walk, for blessing on the land and animals and for wisdom, insight, strength and safety for

the farmer as they work. As they walk on the boundaries of the farm, they can pray for good

relationships between the farmer and the neighbours.

6) Social justice: Pastors can be involved in programmes working to get a fair price to farmers

for the work they do over many months to produce food.

7) Agricultural seasons: Pastors can keep in touch with farmers so they are aware of what is

happening on their farms – is it planting season, weeding season, harvesting season, the

time for nomadic animals to return etc. They can pray in church for each stage of the

farming season.

8) Sensitive event planning: When the church is aware of the agricultural seasons, it can be

sensitive towards farmers in planning events, making sure not to plan long events at times

when farmers are working intensively on the farm.

9) Blessing of tools and seeds: Pastors can encourage farmers to bring their tools and seeds to

church before planting season begins, to pray God’s blessing on the farming season.

 10) Blessing of animals: Pastors can visit farms to pray special prayers of blessing on all animals

on the farm.

 Article by Katharine Norton (Ireland) and Yunana Malgwi (Borno, Nigeria). 

They are co-founders of the SIL Nigeria program Faith and Farming which encourages the many farmers in Nigeria and beyond to use the Bible in their language to connect their faith in God with their farm work and to care for all of God’s creation as they work the land and care for their animals.   For more information contact info_nigeria@sil.org


Comments

  1. GanachMarch 2, 2023 at 11:33 PM

    This is very great, indeed the Church can in many ways bring to lamp light the gifts of farmers and what God has anointed them to do. Thanks for sharing and keep up the good work.

    ReplyDelete

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