The Parable of The Driving Test: Leadership and Ministry Lessons for African Ministers in the West

The Parable of The Driving Test: Leadership and Ministry Lessons for African Ministers in the West

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By Dele Osunmakinde

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Planting a church and doing Christian ministry as an African in the west can be an exciting and humbling experience—just like the experience of learning to drive a car in a context that is different from your context of origin. As someone who had been driving for almost 30 years in Nigeria, passing the practical driving exam in the UK was a moment of triumph for me, but it was also a moment of realisation. I came to understand my experience of learning to drive in this country as a parable. Beyond the practical aspects of driving, there are lessons for life and ministry that can be gleaned from the experience. The change in context means that the rules and regulations are no longer the same. This article, therefore, will explore this parable of the driving test and its relevance to African ministers in the West, drawing on the lessons I learned from my personal experience of learning to drive in the UK.

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1. LEARN, UNLEARN, AND RELEARN

One of the essential lessons for African ministers in the West is that they must remain humble and willing to learn, even after years of fruitful church planting experience in Africa. We must accept that we need to become learners again in our new context. In my experience, I had to fix the red L sign on my car, announcing my learning status publicly. I needed to unlearn and relearn as the rules are not the same as what I have been used to. Anyone can 'drive,' but leaders fail because they are not mindful of the rules. As one progresses to a new level, new rules apply. As the popular saying goes, "the day you stop learning is the day you stop growing." Indeed, just as it takes humility to accept that there is a need to learn after years of driving, the same humility is needed to effectively do ministry in our new context in a way that can be mutually enriching for the various cultures present in the multicultural matrix of the Western world. As Solomon admonishes us in Proverbs 11:2, "When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom." Apostle Paul had to adapt to different cultural contexts to spread the gospel, so too must African ministers in the West be adaptable and open to learning new ways of ministering to their congregations. This is echoed in 1 Corinthians 9:19-23, where Paul writes, "Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible... I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some."

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To be a genuine leader is to be a lifelong learner. We should not get to the point where we feel like we know all there is to know. As John C. Maxwell once said, "The greatest enemy of learning is knowing." Leadership is learning, and learning is leading. The expert 'driver' in one context or at one level may need to submit to an instructor who understands the rules in their new context or at their new level. Insisting on continuing to drive the same way without recourse to what has changed is a recipe for failure. Without an instructor, an experience at one level may become a liability at another level. Age is irrelevant; God can ordain strength out of the mouth of babes and sucklings.

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2. BE FLEXIBLE AND ADAPTABLE

The second lesson from my parable regarding driving and ministry is about flexibility and adaptability. Just as driving in the UK requires shifting from driving on the right side of the road to the left side, ministry in the Western world demands a willingness to move and adapt to changes. As African ministers, we must be willing to change our approach to reach different people and cultures. There is wisdom in Solomon’s admonition in Proverbs 3:5-6, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." We must trust in God's guidance and be willing to follow His lead, even if it means moving in a different direction than that which we have always been used to. We may also need to be mindful of road signs that we have not been accustomed to in our previous ministry context. Observation is key, as there are many sides to our calling and assignment.

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3. RECOGNISE YOUR ‘SPEED LIMIT’

As ministers who are striving to fulfil our callings, we must be mindful of the pace at which we are travelling. Ecclesiastes 3:1 reminds us that "To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven." It is crucial to recognize that different seasons and assignments may require different speeds. In Galatians 5:25, we are instructed to "walk in the Spirit" so that we can be led in the right direction and at the right pace. We are not competing with anyone; we are running our own race. As we move forward in our assignments, we must trust that God's timing is perfect, and that moving too quickly or too slowly may lead to negative consequences. This should not, however, lead us to despair. As Apostle Paul reminds us in Philippians 4:13, "[we] can do all things through Christ who strengthens [us]." With His guidance, we can confidently navigate our ministerial roads at the appropriate speed, knowing that He will lead us to success.

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4. BE CAREFUL AT THE ‘ROUNDABOUTS’ OF MINISTERIAL RELATIONSHIPS

The most difficult part of driving in the UK is understanding roundabouts. They are points of convergence where many roads converge, necessitating a change of speed and direction depending on where one is headed. Roundabouts can be very confusing, and most people fail their driving tests at roundabouts. Similarly, ministerial relationships are like roundabouts. One should not enter them blindly but instead take necessary precautions such as checking mirrors, signaling before entering, positioning themselves in the correct lane, and checking the mirrors again. It is important to recognize that not every minister is headed in the same direction, despite coming together at ministerial roundabouts. So, depending on where you are heading, you will need to leave some behind and align with others. However, it is crucial to signal when leaving, and not depart carelessly.

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5. RESPECT THE CONSTANT FACTORS

In conclusion, some things do not change, whether one is driving or ministering anywhere in the world. In Africa or elsewhere, vehicle is vehicle, brake is brake, acceleration is acceleration, headlamp is headlamp, steering is steering, engine oil is engine oil, fuel is fuel, dashboard is dashboard, fasting is fasting, prayer is prayer, Bible Study is Bible Study, and consecration is consecration. No matter where one is driving and who one is driving, these things remain constant.

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In conclusion, I am persuaded that African ministers in the West can learn some valuable lessons from this parable of the driving test, which can help them navigate the twists and turns of ministry in the Western world. At the core of this parable, however, is humility and a willingness to learn. These are fundamental and essential qualities for success in life, leadership, and ministry. As we progress to new levels, we must be open to unlearning and relearning as new rules apply in new contexts. As Christian leaders, we must remain humble and be lifelong learners, adapting to whatever new contexts the Lord sends us and finding new ways to spread the gospel to those around us.