Japan
Evangelical
Association

Japan Update

Autumn 2018 Number 75

hi-b.a. group at Maebashi Christ Church

Hope-professing community
Youth ministry initiative in Gunma

Kyōai Gakuen and Niijima Gakuen, twolong-standing Christian junior and seniorhigh schools, are located near Takasaki Cityin Gunma Prefecture. I pastored Takasaki
Evangelical Christ Church until March 2017,

Insidewhere some 20% of the worship service at-

4/14 Window Summit
Statistics on Christian

General Secretary,
Japan Alliance
Christ Church

tendees were alumni of one of these schools.

Youth Ministry Collaborationin Gunma

Shinichi
Sōda

1-2

3

When I visited a hospitalized person within
the prefecture, I would often find the hos-tation in Gunma, as well as the launch of apital being run on Christian principles or

TCU support group.

by a Christian. My son went to a Christian

The proposition involved asking local

kindergarten, but there were also a number

TCU alumni to take the initiative in calling

Schools in Japan4of other kindergartens in Gunma that valued

for cooperation among local pastors, Chris-

biblical teachings. Living in such a com-tian educators, and healthcare workers, andCreation Care5

munity, I was given a desire to share thethe aforementioned ongoing youth ministryNews and notes

6-7

gospel with local people who were exposed

consultation. After obtaining approval fromto Christian culture on a daily basis. It was

the church board for my involvement in the

Prayer/Editorial

8

around that time when I was approached byproject, I set out to work with Rev. Yama-

Yōichi Yamaguchi, the current president ofguchi. We presented the idea to local pas-

Tokyo Christian University (TCU), my almators, the two Christian principals of Niijima

mater. Originally from Gunma Prefecture,

Gakuen and Kyōai Gakuen, and the doctor

Rev. Yamaguchi proposed I work toward theat Kaminakai Children’s Clinic in Takasakilaunch of an ongoing youth ministry consul-

City, among others. We also extended an in(continued on page 2)

https://jeanet.org/

Report(continued from page 1)
vitation to KGK (Kirisutosha Gakusei Kai) and hi-b.a. Our

would later appreciate the truth of this remark through myfirst meeting was held at Niijima Gakuen on November 28,

own experience. Now, as I work in a church in the greater

2016, which officially launched the Consultation for Youthmetropolitan area, I have come to suspect that young pas-

Ministry in Gunma (“the Consultation”). Since it was thetors in urban settings are equally lonely. I also feel that even

first time for such a broad spectrum of local Christians toseasoned pastors can suffer from loneliness. The Apostle

get together (pastors, school principals, doctors, and lead-

Paul compares a church to the human body in Romans 12

ers of student ministry organizations, etc.) the meeting felt

and 1 Corinthians 12. God shows us how he uses each of us

a little awkward in the beginning. As each person shared

as we are added to a local church, in order to proclaim the

how they came to Christian faith and what they think about

gospel and to build his kingdom. In the human body analo-

missions, it became clear that the attendees shared a lot in

gy of a church, each of us is a part of one body. Each part iscommon in terms of struggles and thoughts regarding evan-placed in the body to function at its fullest and most vibrantgelism. Even with different spiritual journeys, positions,capacity to build the kingdom of God. As integral parts of

titles, and daily life situations, we sensed that all of us were

one body, I believe we must work in a concerted manner

doing our best to proclaim the one and same gospel.

to share the living life of the gospel and to profess hope in

Unfortunately, I had to leave Gunma in April 2017 be-ongoing fellowship.

cause of a new appointment. I am glad to report, however,Soon after I was posted to Takasaki city, I baptized onethat the Consultation held its second and third meetings

female high school student. Today, she is married to a KGK

on May 22 and November 13, 2017 respectively, serving

staff member and actively involved in student ministry. I

as a platform tohave been told that another student I used to study the Bible

network local

with while I was in Takasaki recently began to attend the

pastors, Chris-

Takasaki hi-b.a. meeting. My direct involvement with thetian educators

Consultation lasted only a short period of time. Looking

and healthcare

back, however, I realize how much blessing and encourage-

workers, as wellment I received through participating in the Consultation

as student min-and partnering with so many co-workers. The Consultation

istry workers. It

in Gunma is a fellowship that shares the living life of thewas out of this network that a summer ministry team wasgospel and professes hope. I hope this kind of fellowshipdispatched from TCU to some churches and other ministry

will be developed everywhere, both in cities and rural areas,venues in Gunma Prefecture in 2017. In March 2018, TCU

so that local churches will be strengthened and serve effec-

and Niijima Gakuen jointly organized an English camp intively for the advance of the kingdom of God.

Youth ministry consultation in Gunma

Karuizawa. Furthermore, KGK and hi-b.a. meetings havebegun in a medical clinic in Takasaki City. Kyōai Gakuen“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for heand hi-b.a. are planning to collaborate on a project in thewho promised is faithful. . . . encouraging one another––

future. It is a pleasant surprise to see Gunma area churches,

and all the more as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews

Christian schools, medical facilities, and ministry organiza-

10:23, 25 NIV).

tions networking, partnering, and collaborating in missional
outreach within a year from the launch.
Upon graduation from seminary in spring 2005, I was
appointed to pastor Takasaki Evangelical Christ Church.
Around the same time, the general secretary of KGK visited our church. Having visited a number of rural churches,
he shared with me his honest thoughts. He said, “I sense
loneliness among many young pastors of rural churches.” I

2

KGK Gunma gathering

InTerview

What inspires young leaders?
Atsuko Tateishi Assistant Editor of Japan Update
The 4/14 (read four-fourteen) Window Movement(https://www.4to14window.com) focuses on mobilizingchildren between the ages of 4 and 14, one of the moststrategic groups in evangelism. Anna Ono, a young lady
who faithfully attends a local church and teaches Sunday
School, took a break from her busy life last March to attend
the 4/14 Global Summit in Singapore. She shared withJapan Update some of that inspiring experience.
Atsuko (JU): Please tell us a little about yourself.
Anna (A): I was baptized on Easter Sunday in 2011 at achurch in Machida City, Tokyo.
This is my fourth year working
as a systems engineer. I also havebeen a Sunday School teacher for
first through third graders since
graduating from college. I got
married in May 2017. I met myhusband in college. He was baptizedAnna Onoin 2012.
JU: I understand you attended the 4/14 Global Summit on
March 13–16 in Singapore. Could you give us an overall
picture of the conference?
A: The total number of participants was just under 1000.
Some 20 people attended from Japan. Perhaps because of
the location, a majority of the participants were from Asia,
including 200 from India. The program was very full, frommorning until late afternoon every day, with 50 presenters intotal.
One of the workshops I attended was about how to teachthe Bible effectively to children. The speaker reminded
us that, as children tend to imitate adults, Sunday School
teachers must teach the Bible with confidence. This mademe realize the weight of responsibility I have as a Sunday
School teacher.
It was wonderful to be exposed to a variety of Christian
resources during the conference. In addition, I was deeply
inspired by some of the conference presenters who wereof my own generation. I had a chance to talk to a person
around my age who was working for Alpha Youth. My faith
was greatly encouraged to see a number of young people
already working in the international arena with passion.
JU: Let us back up a little. What expectations did you have
before attending the conference?
A: I expected to gain a more objective perspective of mychurch. I wanted to learn some practical ways to make mychurch better.

JU: How well did the conference meet your expectations?
A: To the fullest extent. My eyes were opened to a numberof new things. For example, I was amazed at the extensive
use of technology by overseas churches in teaching theBible to children. I saw a tool that lets children learn Bible
stories while they learn programming. The use of animation
films was popular. The style of teaching was geared toward
those who grew
up using digitaltechnologies,
rather thanadults justpassing on
information
to children. I see it as a challenge, though, of how toincorporate more information technology tools into the
Sunday School environment while ensuring the safe use ofmobile devices by children.
As I said earlier, I was inspired by overseas Christianworkers of my own generation. This experience led me tonote the importance of intentional discipleship with church
members my age. I want to help them grow, but it is notalways easy to engage in a meaningful conversation withother church members. We can get too busy with all theactivities at church.
JU: What made the greatest impact on you during theconference?
A: I met two people on two separate occasions. Both ofthem were Sunday School teachers, so we shared ourrespective difficulties and challenges. One of them wasfrom Jordan. When she asked me what were some of themost pronounced needs of Japanese children, I realized I
had never even formed such a question in my mind. I thenthought of children who don’t go to school for prolonged
periods of time, and children experiencing depression.
These children in Japan certainly have great needs. But thisquestion made me wonder if the current program at mychurch was addressing their needs at all. It was a sobering
thought.
JU: Finally, do you have any message for our readers?
A: I want to see more Japanese Christians take advantage ofevery chance to go abroad. When you go out of the country,
you are likely to get inspired by the overwhelming passionof foreign Christians. It was also beneficial for me to gaina fresh perspective on Japan. I also learned the benefitof developing partnerships with other churches. Going
overseas is the fastest way to learn all these things, I believe.

3

Statistics

Statistics and challenges of Christian schools in Japan
Makoto Fukui Member of Mission Research, Mission Commission, JEA
Statistics show that, among all the schools in Japan

Christian education regained its vibrancy all over the country.

affiliated with a religion, two-thirds are Christian schools,

Today, it has reached significant numbers of faculty, staff, andof which Catholic and Protestant schools each account for

students, as stated above.

roughly the same percentage. The Catholic schools haveOver the years, Christian schools have come to beformed the Japan Federation of Catholic Schools, while

positively accepted everywhere in Japan, their sizes havethe Protestant schools have established the Association ofgotten bigger, and they have become more widely recognized

Christian Schools in Japan (“ACSJ”), for the purpose ofas higher education organs of choice. In the meantime, instudying the common issues among member schools, as wellan attempt to meet the needs of a greater number of people,

as promoting Christian education.

it may be said that some Christian schools have sacrificed

The ACSJ members include elementary schools up to

the spirit of their foundation or traditions that have beencolleges, representing a total of 40,000 faculty and staff, andpart of their identity. Today, only 20–30% of faculty anda total student body of 340,000. This means that 340,000

staff of Christian schools are Christians. Several schools are

students spend time in school every year with an exposure to

said to have shifted their focus onto social issues or have

Christian education.

become secularized. Regrettably, those schools are no longer

The ACSJ was founded in 1910, in response to a national

functioning as Christian schools, but as schools of Christianpolicy of promoting nationalistic education among all tiers

principles with an emphasis on Christian humanism towardof society. The government initiated such promotion byequality and democracy.

issuing Decree No. 12 of the Ministry of Education in 1899.

Further research is needed to show the extent of such a

The promotion was accelerated the following year, whensecularizing trend among Christian schools. It was the Church

the Imperial Decree on the Elementary School was issued.

that originally produced Christian schools. Today, however,

The Imperial Decree rendered the compulsory education

Christian schools need to rebuild their collaborative ties withof the elementary school entirely free of charge. This was

the Church that have become weakened over the years .

made possible by tapping into the reparation money obtained
from the victory in the Sino-Japanese War. As nationalistic
ideas gained momentum,
Christian schools in Japan
faced increasing conflicts
against political power. In the
midst of such difficult times,
Christian schools exploreda way to achieve their own
ideas of education. Thus,
the interdenominational
movement of solidarity among
Christian schools resulted in
the ACSJ.
Following WWII, thenationalistic oppression wasgone. Support funds fromoverseas began to flow into
Christian schools in Japan.

4Perspective

Is creation care a gospel issue?
Lecture by Norio Yamaguchi as reported by Shōichi Konda Christian Shimbun, July 1, 2018
On June 11, 2018, in Tokyo, the Consortium Toward a2017 edition to “the present evil

Sustainable Society Living Out the Gospel hosted the firstage.” This revision from world to

Symposium on Biblical Environmentalism. The Consortium

age is justified on the exegesis of theis a Christian initiative launched as a continuing project ofpassage in the original language. It

the last two Japan Congress on Evangelism conferences.

is safe to claim that Christ is going

The symposium began with a keynote lecture entitled“The kingdom of God and environment––space and time,”

to end the present evil age to usher
in a new age.

Rev. Norio Yamaguchi

by Norio Yamaguchi, Research Fellow of Kyōritsu Christian

Other scripture passages such as

Institute, Tokyo Christian University. The gist of his lecture

Romans 8:19–23, Revelation 11:18,

is as follows:

Colossians 1:14–18, and 2 Peter 3:4–12 seem to indicate that§§§

Photo provided by
Christian Shimbun

God's redemption covers the entire creation, that as a result

Not many Christians embrace environmental issuesof human sin has fallen from God’s original design. God will

as a gospel matter. The reason for that largely depends onjudge the world, not to destroy it, but to renew it under his

their understanding of the end of the world. If the world iscaring power.

heading toward ultimate destruction, the most urgent task for

As the redeemed people of God, we live in a world

Christians should be saving as many as possible out of suchthat is in process of being consummated. God invites

destruction, rather than engaging in environmental activities.

us to participate in his work of restoring creation and of

According to this thinking, Christ died not to redeem theconsummating the kingdom of God. In this regard, I believe

whole world, but only for saved Christians. Thus, creation

environmental conservation is a gospel issue.

care is marginalized.
The Bible, however, seems to argue that God plans toredeem his entire creation. Let us examine some scripture
passages that are often quoted in support of each view.
Isaiah 65 and Revelation 21 mention “a new heaven anda new earth.” Is the current world going to be replaced byan entirely different one? Or is God going to save the worldfrom destruction, to restore and renew it? Christian salvation
is often explained as spatial, i.e., leaving a world full ofsuffering and going to paradise.
But I propose that we understand our salvation, based on
the Bible, in terms of time rather than space. There will comea time when this created world will be restored and renewed
into what God deems to be good. The Bible teaches that God
will shift this present time of evil into a time of goodness
where God's loving sovereignty prevails. Divine salvation
is not just a matter of being transported from this world intoanother world.
Let us look at Galatians 1:4. The New Japanese Bible(Shinkaiyaku), Third Edition, reads: “who gave himself forour sins to rescue us from the present evil world” [italics
by editor]. This has been revised in the New Japanese Bible

5

NEWS and NOTES
What were Japanese churches saying in 1989?

Perspectives of Japanese Christians during the transition fromthe Shōwa period to the Heisei period (1988–1990)*

The Heisei period is coming to an end. Japan’s government has announced that the present Emperor will abdicate
at the end of April 2019, and the crown prince will accede
to the throne in May 2019.
From 1988 to 1990, the time of transition from the Shōwa
period to the Heisei period, there was a nationwide moodof voluntary restraint from social activities in respect forthe dying Emperor. Now, even though we are in a different
day and age, remembering what Japanese Christians werethinking back then will help us think today about the deep
themes of mission in Japan and thought patterns in Japanese society.
In October 1988, it was announced that the Shōwa Emperor was critically ill. The Christian Shimbun wrote:“Christians seem to be bewildered about how to respond to
this situation” (October 7, 1988). The paper also reported
on various political topics such as Yasukuni Shrine Litigation and the Alien Registration problem, which were considered to be rooted in Japan’s Emperor system.
On January 7, 1989, the Shōwa period Emperor passed
away. Various criticisms or requests relating to the Emperor system came from various Japanese Christian groups,
even some quite conservative or regional denominations:“The Japan Evangelical Association (JEA), the National
Christian Conference in Japan( NCC) and otherdenominations
submitted requests
and made appeals
to the gover nment.”“The Kansai
branch of theEvangelical Free
Chu rch of Japan
held their New Year’s worship service without voluntary
restraints.”
Pros and cons relating to various concerns were also introduced:“I have good expectations for the new Emperor and the
Empress and pray for their salvation.” (Akira Takimoto,Chief Evangelist, Japan Revival Crusade)“To accuse the Emperor of responsibilities relating to theSecond World War, or to request abolition of the Emperor
system will offend the feelings of the Japanese people.”(Akira Washio, Former Professor Emeritus of Tokyo Biblical Seminary)

6

On the other hand, after watching special TV programs
concerning the Emperor’s death, some said:“I find this country is still worshiping idols.” (Shigenori
Nishikawa, General Secretary of Seikyo Bunri no Kai,
Conference for the Separation of Religion and Politics)“Japanese people are inclined to evaluate only the personality of the individual Emperor without asking about his
war responsibility.” (Akira Izuta, former JEA Chair, January 22, 1989)
T h e Ta i s ō n o
Rei (National Funeral Ceremony)
was held on Febr u a r y 24, 1989.
Although it was
one of the emperor’s constitutional
functions, it was
p e r for me d a s a
Shinto ceremony.
Many Christians
were against it and gathered and prayed:“The NCC and the JEA conducted campaigns to collectsignatures to stop the Daijō-sai, a festival to celebrate thesuccession to the Imperial Throne.” (March 12, 1989)
Many countries with Christian associations that belonged
to the Asia Evangelical Alliance declared their solidarity
with the JEA concerning this Emperor matter.
On November 22 and 23, 1990, the Daijō-sai (GreatThanksgiving Festival) was held for the new Emperor.
Interviews of various Christians published in the November 11, 1990 issue gave insight into how they would spendthese days:“The government must not use the national budget for
the Daijō-sai, but I would like to pray for the Emperor, notcriticize him.” (Akira Takimoto)
A Christian kindergarten in Gifu Prefecture planned toopen as usual, saying:“We have repeatedly studied this matter.”
Tokyo Christian University, which had moved in thesame year as the Emperor’s death, would hold classes asusual, but Tadataka Maruyama, former president, would
pray in the chapel.
The December 23, 1990 Christian Shimbun summarized
three points regarding the responses of Christians in Japanto the change in Emperor.
1) There are strong voices proclaiming that we must
preserve the Constitution, which declares separation ofreligion and politics. We must never allow the revival ofnationalism, which forced Asian people to worship Shintō.
2) Japanese people can have an “inner Emperor” and“Japanese mentality.”
3) Some Christians see the existence of evil spirits inNews and Notes
religious aspects of the Emperor system represented by
the Daijō-sai, and feel it is necessary to engage in spiritual
warfare against it.
Throughout these arguments about the Emperor system,
Japanese Christians became aware not only of the problems of mission but of the problem of the confession offaith. However, there has been a question of how deeply
these thoughts influenced each Christian at each church.
* Shōwa period: The era of Shōwa Emperor Hirohito’s
reign (1926–1989)
Heisei period: The current era corresponding to thereign of the present Emperor Akihito. It started on January
8, 1989 just after the Shōwa Emperor passed away. EachJapanese Emperor’s reign is given a different name .
Christian Shimbun, February 11, 2018
Translated by Tomoko Kato

Sharing the message of the Reformation in the language of the younger generation

With the aim of confirming young believers in their faith,
Refo-Youth 500 (500th Anniversary of the Reformation
Church Youth Conference) took place on March 21. Morethan 1000 youth and various other age groups got together

at this event sponsored by the United Church of Christ inJapan. Preachers and worship teams from Catholic groups,
Protestant groups like the UCCJ, Lutherans, Evangelicals,and Pentecostals took the platform and spoke forcefully on
trust in God and hope for Japan’s future.
The whole gathering proceeded in contemporary worshipband style with prayer and praise, along with a guest musicgroup, a dance team, and a 100-voice gospel choir that also
took the stage. At the end, participants were encouraged topray that they would “deny themselves and follow Jesus.”
Messages were delivered on the Reformation themesof “Christ alone,” “Faith alone,” “Scripture alone,” and“Universal priesthood” by ministers from four different
groups. Rev. Kazuhiro Sekino (Tokyo Lutheran Church)emphasized not restricting the Word to within a church or
denomination; Fr. Masahide Haresaku (Catholic AsakusaUeno Church) on God’s elect regardless of one’s talents;
Mr. Shigenori Ōshima (KGK General Secretary) on having
the firm conviction of “Scripture alone”; and Rev. Katsuya
Kobayashi (United Church of Christ in Japan, Kure Heian

Church) on God calling Christians as a team.
Some participants and staff gave their impressions:“The music was very powerful. I learned the necessityof sharing the Word outside of denominations and church
walls.”“Society and politics are shaky nowadays, so it is important for us to see our own life from a different perspective
than that of capitalism or competitive society. The young
are also interested in religion.”“I felt that the unity we need is not a transient unity but
a ‘unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son ofGod’ and that we should walk together to ‘become mature,
attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ’”(Ephesians 4:13).
Christian Shimbun, April 8, 2018
Translated by Tachiki Nobue

Name of JCE7 location changed to Tokai region
2nd Youth Congress on Evangelism in November

The 33rd JEA Annual Plenary was convened at Kakegawa City June 4–6, 2018. Two main topics were discussed at
this plenary.
The first topic was the location of the 7th Japan Congress
on Evangelism (JCE7). At JCE6 in Kobe in 2016, the announcement was made that JCE7 would be held in Nagoya.
The JCE7 Preparation Committee has been in communication with church leaders in Nagoya and the resolution to
hold JCE7 in the Tokai region was approved at this year’s
JEA Annual Plenary. The proposal to change the locationfrom Nagoya to “the Tokai region” came from the church
leaders in Nagoya. Because of the long history of mission
collaboration in the Tokai area and they feel more comfortable with this more inclusive title.
The second topic was the 2nd Youth Mission Congress(NSD2 = 2nd Nihon Seinen Dendo-kaigi), which will takeplace November 22–24, 2018 in Tokyo (for more information, please visit https://nsdnet.org/). The JEA Mission
Commission presented their research on the importanceof next generaion mission
collaboration, and the JEA
Youth Commission presented the NSD2 action
plan with the theme “Embracing and Living Out
Our Faith from a Kingdom
M i n d s e t .” Re v. S a t o k i
Tsutada, Chair of the JEA
Youth Commission, said
Rev. Satoki Tsutada“We expect great thingsfrom our Lord at this Youth Mission Congress for the next
generation of God’s people here in Japan.”* article images and photos provided by Christian Shimbun

7

Please pray for Japan
1. That more strategic mission collaboration will happen
among local churches, youth ministry organizations andChristian schools for the sake of reaching out to the youth
in their local areas.
2. That all Christian youth will be empowered by the gospel
to reach out to their friends and every young person in
Japan will be touched by the Holy Spirit and get to know
Jesus as their personal Savior.
3. That God will raise up the next generation of Christcentered, gospel-driven leaders among young Christians inJapan.
4. That God’s love will touch the hearts of those who are
suffering from recent natural disasters in different areas ofJapan through the Christian disaster response.

JEA-related schedule
DATE		

EVENT

PLACE

Oct. 30		

3rd Domestic Disaster Consultation Tokyo

Nov. 22-24

2nd Youth Mission Congress (NSD2)

Tokyo

Nov. 30

Religious Liberty SeminarTokyo

Jan. 27-28

JEA TC study retreat

Tokyo

Jan. 28		

JCE Project Meeting

Tokyo

Editorial
In selecting delegates for the Third LausanneCongress on World Evangelization, Japan andother East Asian countries had to adjust theirage quotas in order to select the actual leadersamong us. This demonstrated that comparedto other countries, we do not delegate enough leadership to young
people in Japan. Of course there are cultural differences, but I believe we should delegate more and invest our resources in young
people, so that our God can nurture them and use them mightily in
his timing. Please pray for the next generation of church leaders inJapan!
Kenichi Shinagawa, Editor in Chief

https://jeanet.org/

Japan Update
Autumn 2018 - Number 75
English Newsletter of theJapan Evangelical Association (JEA)
Chairman :Kaoru Hirose
General Secretary : Kenichi Shinagawa
Japan Update is pub­lished biannuallyby the JEA. Through Japan Update, the
JEA seeks to communicate how God is
at work in Japan and to foster prayer
and collaborative work for the advancement of God’s kingdom in Japan. Views
expressed by in­di­vi­dual auth­ors do notneces­sarily reflect offi­cial JEA posi­tions.
Japanese names appear in Wes­tern order(sur­name last).
Per­m is­s ion to reprint is gran­t ed, butplease give cre­dit and send one copy of
any pub­li­ca­tion con­tain­ing reprin­ted material to the edi­tor.

Japan Update Staff
Editor in Chief
Kenichi Shinagawa
Asst. Editor
Atsuko Tateishi
Translation Editor
Gary Bauman
Translation Staff             Tomoko Kato		Grace Koshino
Nobue Tachiki
Editorial Office:  
c/o JEA, OCC Building
2-1 Kanda Surugadai
Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0062, Japan
telephone 03-3295-1765
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