- Ikenna Paschal Okpaleke
In the riverine area of Niger Delta, fishing was the normal activity of the peace-loving people of Egbemma community. Before the sun sets and at the approach of dawn, little boats paddle across the length and breadth of the great river of Ubasi as farmers do their business. Everyone is in the game. Some very experienced old fishermen, with larger boats, have over the years mastered how to get a good haul. There are also many new comers. Each striving to make a catch. That is the story of Onyeka and Jekwu.
On one of such fishing expeditions, Onyeka a master in his art, as usual, was having a good day. His boat is filled up. Unlike Onyeka, Jekwu is still paddling an almost empty canoe, since catching the fish was quite a task. Perhaps the most difficult task is going to the other side of the river which was considered dangerous. This dangerous side of the river belongs to Ochokwu community, considered as very pugnacious folks, always tasty for blood if anyone crosses their line. To fish along the banks of Ochokwu community would require certain skills, including a readiness to battle it out. So much a trouble! Jekwu is not cut out for this. But he had a clever idea. Since Onyeka’s boat is filled and the fish keep jumping up and down, maybe a bait close to Onyeka’s boat could be a good way to fish. Jekwu then paddled close to Onyeka’s boat, placed a net in the space between and placed baits at the tip to attract the fishes. As the fishes try to jump at the bait, the end up leaping out from Onyeka’s boat and landing inside Jekwu’s net. What a clever strategy right? Jekwu fished from Onyeka’s boat without stealing the fishes.
Fishing from another’s boat partially explains what is called proselytism. Proselytism is a big word, but let us try to break down a bit. It simply means when you try to convert Christians of other churches to your own church. Now, don’t get me wrong. This attitude should be distinguished from the attempt to witness to the truth and spiritual riches of your own denomination. When I share the beautiful things about my Catholic faith, for example, I am not trying to convert anyone by putting down others, rather I do so by letting everyone see the riches of the faith I profess. Remember, in the Gospels Jesus says, “Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matt. 5:15-16). The riches of the faith we receive should be joyfully shared.
Let me tell you what happens when we proselytize, that is, try to convert by manipulation instead of witnessing. a) we intrude into another person’s spiritual life, and destroy the existing spiritual structure, b) we deny the other person the freedom to either choose or not, c) we make Christianity a competition for territory and numbers instead of a life of love and faith. I love the way the Orthodox theologian, Leon Zander, explains witnessing in this context: I merely display my riches, prepare the spiritual feast, but whether my Christian brother or sister of another denomination will take part in it is his or her business, and I must not merely respect his or her freedom but safeguard it. And this also includes safeguarding this freedom from myself, from my zeal, eloquence and power of conviction.
Like Jekwu, most Christians enjoy fishing from other church’s boat, they enjoying ‘converting’ those who are already Christians. The questions are: What is the intention? Do you want to prove that you are more powerful or spiritual? I mean, more powerful than Jesus Himself? Or is it to have more members and become a fast-rising or a powerful church? Oh, let me not forget, the banks of Ochokwu community. Imagine the banks of Ochokwu community to be the territory of other religions, say Muslim or Hindu. Isn’t that the best place to witness to the Gospel and even to convert? I’m just wondering.
At the end, dialogue among Christians would require witnessing through which we enrich one another on the basis of the beauty of the faith we receive and the way we express them. Proselytism (that big word again!) or attempts at converting fellow Christians can only increase bad blood among Christians. In that case, we end up presenting a negative image of ourselves as believers and putting to ridicule the Gospel message of love. Lest I forget, there is nothing wrong in deciding to join another church if one is fascinated by the richness of the faith expression, but it should be done freely, not because someone say you will go to hell for belonging to your church, or that the Gospel you hear in your church is designed by Satan. Peace!
Alongside One Another 
This is not only an interesting insight but a good anecdote that captures the dizzying situation of the struggle for supremacy and membership within Christian circles and Churches. I agree with you that there are vast swathes of virgin and unexplored ‘areas’ which Christians need to look into and explore the enormous possibilities, prospects and challenges that lie fallow therein.
As I scribble down these few lines, the names of some preachers and tele-evangelists immediately come to mind. But wait, a minute! But Onyeka also needs to ‘fortify’ or better still, safeguard the fish he has already netted or drag it ashore to prevent Jekwu from cashing in on his lapses. Also, Onyeka needs to do a thorough job by looking at some of his loopholes and proffering a workable, practical and viable panacea. I would want to pose few questions:
How did Jekwu know that Onyeka was loosing the catch he had already made?
Did the duo, Onyeka and Jekwu start the fishing profession at the same time?
If Jekwu had not seen the flaws in Onyeka’s fishing style, would he have pitched his fishing boat close to Onyeka’s?
If Jekwu thinks he possesses the requisite dexterity or wherewithal in fishing or noticing the lapses in his friend’s fishing style, why did he not apply the same acumen to explore the waters of Ochokwu community and damn the daring consequences or aftereffects?
Frankly speaking, you have dug up a very knotty and intricate issue that most Christians easily and uncritically gloss off.
All these happen because there many missing links which have to be rediscovered by ultimately going back to the drawing board. Please, help me tell Jekwu (Christians and pastors that glory in fishing from their fellow Christians) to come to the hinterland and metropolis of Maiduguri to ‘fish.’ I assure them of having a huge catch of the ‘Boko Boys.’ But do not also forget to tell Onyeka to re-strategize. Thank you!
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Thank you so much Isaac for your very insightful comments and questions. I understand that there is bound to be questions concerning strategies for ‘protecting’ one’s catch. But then one thing we cannot ignore is the freedom of human beings which may not be captured so well in the fish analogy. Freedom is very important. Yet we cannot ignore the need for some safety measures such as, proper catechesis, institutional reforms that aim at preventing scandals, and a vibrant spirit-filled evangelization methods, especially in response to contemporary challenges. Thank you once again and please keep sharing!
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I wonderoooooo! Most people who try to convert already christians are mainly those that can not even define christianity. They want just the population and the crowd, people they can hook with fake prophesies, they won’t visit or approach those famous native and witch doctors for conversion. I want to relate Jekwu’s strategy and attitude to what happened sometime ago. A pastor opened a church with just his family members beside a another big church, each time the other church has crusade or gathering that will attract crowd, he will also organise a programe and will stand on the road telling people about his church, sharing bibles and cloths just to get members and the faithless ones ends up jumping inside his church forgeting where they belonged entirely.There are so many places he could have gone for evangelism or outreach, but he chosed to convert the already christians because he wants to make it fast, this pastor believes he’s the best by enticing people with gifts especially the poor widows.
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Thank you so much Kelechi. As usual, you have brought your invaluable contribution at play here. It is easy to see that most christian churches or assemblies or ministries are busy looking for members rather than spreading the Gospel of Christ. Thank you once again!
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Just as jekwu uses baits to attract Onyekas fishes into his boat, so do some ministers uses fake miracles, gifts, fake testimonies, promises of prosperity, break through, back to sender to enemies to attract other Christians to their folk As you rightly pointed out, Those so called ministers are not fishing for members for heaven rather they are looking for members to generate funds as opening of churches or ministries is now a very lucrative business. But come to think of it, fishes don’t have common sense but human beings have. They should know when or how a bait is set for them. Nice write-up Father
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Thanks a lot Cecelia for your contribution. Your observations are quite right. God bless and keep reading and sharing the blog!
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