As Iron Sharpens Iron

A very familiar sight in Malawi is a group of Women’s Guild members. They are conspicuous because they wear a uniform – white blouse, black skirt and white duku (headscarf). They don their uniform when coming to a special service at church or when carrying out evangelism and social service in the community – a very regular activity. The presence of the Guildswomen is woven into the fabric of Malawian life. A new development in our Synod is the emergence of an equivalent organisation for men – known as Men’s Ministry.

Hence I found myself at our congregation at Bemvu being asked to put the white jackets on the first 21 men who have committed to form our local Men’s Ministry. These 21 have all come through a course of instruction and have dedicated themselves to be part of the fellowship and witness that will be offered by the group. Its emphasis is on becoming true disciples of Jesus Christ and bearing witness in the community.

At the same time, its potency is drawn from both ancient and modern culture. Traditional culture in Malawi put an emphasis on fraternities and sororities, usually based on age-groups who came through an experience of initiation together. I felt that something of this tradition found expression in the creation of the Men’s Ministry. It is also responding to a very contemporary and very disturbing reality – increasing incidence of suicide among men. This appears to be driven by intensifying economic pressures but also by a tendency for men to turn in on themselves in difficult times rather than sharing their burdens with their friends. It is hoped that the Men’s Ministry will have a pastoral function in providing the kind of solidarity that will make a difference for men when they face difficult days.

Their signature identity statement comes from Proverbs 27:17 – “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” In a typical Malawian call-and-response, a leader shouts out “As iron,” and there comes the rousing response, “sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” It is a vision that is proving inspiring to many men in Malawi at the moment.