45 Languages in One Church

Barb and I went to another wedding yesterday. The groom, Akim Dalyop, has been one of our neighbors since we arrived in Nigeria 18 years ago. What we appreciated most about this wedding was its simplicity. Most Nigerian weddings are big, expensive affairs. Before the couple can marry, the groom has to pay a bride price (often symbolic, sometimes more), then somehow raise money for the wedding and all its associated parties. Friends are expected to help once the big time actually come, but still the burden can be pretty heavy and many young people have to postpone marriage for years simply because of the expenses.

Many churches have recognized this problem and are finding ways to solve it. Some perform group weddings or weddings during the regular Sunday service. I've heard (but not verified) that ECWA has discouraged couples from having "send-forths," gatherings before the wedding which serve a social purpose but add to the expenses.

The wedding yesterday was an example of moderation. It was joyful and meaningful but not elaborate and ostentatious. It was not too different from a Sunday worship service, except that it centered on the couple. The sermon--normal length for a church service--was about the importance of transparency and trust between husband and wife, a topic I've never heard preached before, and one that is much needed. The usual flock of photographers were absent, so not causing such distractions as are common. There was no big reception, rather, the guests were served snacks in the courtyard of the church after the wedding. (We were told it would be disrespectful of God's house to eat in it.)

There were no fancy decorations, either, but what caught my eye were the banners along both sides of the sanctuary. There were 45 in all, and each one displayed "God is good, he's so good to me" in one of the Nigerian languages spoken around Jos. I'm guessing that each language was spoken by one or more people in the church of about 1500 members. Now that's diversity! It's also a reminder of the need, even in 2009, to continue translating the Bible and Christian literature into Nigerian languages that don't have them yet. Though many if not most people in these language groups also speak a common language such as Hausa, Yoruba, or Pigin English, nothing compares with having God's word in your own heart language.