Meeting Japanese Churches!
Hello there and thanks for stopping by my second blog post! :) I will be detailing my experience at Japanese churches this week - I hope that this is both an informative and interesting read!
Since I've arrived in Japan, I have attended 4-5 church services each week, visiting about 5 unique churches so far. On Sundays, I attend a Japanese church service in the morning and an English service in the evening. Throughout the week, I also attend various weekday church services, testimonies, etc. All of the churches are small, varying in number from 2 to 15 members. Unfortunately, I've learned from my supervisor that Japan is one of the only Asian countries with a declining Christian population, especially in the rural areas. It is sad to hear this, but it is also so encouraging to witness the authenticity and strength of the Christians who are here. The vast majority of the church members I've met are over 50 years old, and they have been so kind to my coworker and I (Otavian). They always give us the most honorable seats and the first taste of the foods they prepare. They are humble and kind, and are truly a community that loves Christ. During their services, they sing hymns karaoke style and often have multiple members giving testimonies, updates, etc. throughout the service. Though they are few in number, their voices and presence fill up the church they are in. Rather than the pastor doing everything, the pastor will usually delegate several members to lead prayer, give testimony, etc. during each service. They are truly a Christ-centered community that loves and supports one another.
This church service only had 3 attendees:
But this one had 20+ attendees!:
Unfortunately, being a pastor is a difficult job here. There is no respect in society for pastors and many pastors work full time while being paid significantly less than they ought to be paid. Many of their congregations are dwindling, and there is a very small pool of young future pastors. In fact, many Bible institutes in Japan are closing as their demand continues to shrink. This week, a retired pastor gave his testimony during a church service. I learned that his son was a man who loved God and was training to become a pastor to take over his father's church, but his life was cut short when he drowned. This proved a trialing time for the pastor, and he was forced to examine his faith in God and His goodness. Being a Christian in Japan is very difficult, but those who are Christian believe strongly in God.
I am so glad to be here, because my supervisor recently told me that my very presence here is a great encouragement to the people. He told me that many church members were encouraged that a young American would take time out of his life to come to a little city in Japan as a missionary. They were also shocked that the people in America would support such a venture. They see me as an offering from America, showing care and love for the Christians in Japan. I am glad to hear that I am encouraging them just as they have encouraged me.
I took this picture while on the way to a very remote church:
This one was taken in the city nearby:
Since I've arrived in Japan, I have attended 4-5 church services each week, visiting about 5 unique churches so far. On Sundays, I attend a Japanese church service in the morning and an English service in the evening. Throughout the week, I also attend various weekday church services, testimonies, etc. All of the churches are small, varying in number from 2 to 15 members. Unfortunately, I've learned from my supervisor that Japan is one of the only Asian countries with a declining Christian population, especially in the rural areas. It is sad to hear this, but it is also so encouraging to witness the authenticity and strength of the Christians who are here. The vast majority of the church members I've met are over 50 years old, and they have been so kind to my coworker and I (Otavian). They always give us the most honorable seats and the first taste of the foods they prepare. They are humble and kind, and are truly a community that loves Christ. During their services, they sing hymns karaoke style and often have multiple members giving testimonies, updates, etc. throughout the service. Though they are few in number, their voices and presence fill up the church they are in. Rather than the pastor doing everything, the pastor will usually delegate several members to lead prayer, give testimony, etc. during each service. They are truly a Christ-centered community that loves and supports one another.
This church service only had 3 attendees:
But this one had 20+ attendees!:
Unfortunately, being a pastor is a difficult job here. There is no respect in society for pastors and many pastors work full time while being paid significantly less than they ought to be paid. Many of their congregations are dwindling, and there is a very small pool of young future pastors. In fact, many Bible institutes in Japan are closing as their demand continues to shrink. This week, a retired pastor gave his testimony during a church service. I learned that his son was a man who loved God and was training to become a pastor to take over his father's church, but his life was cut short when he drowned. This proved a trialing time for the pastor, and he was forced to examine his faith in God and His goodness. Being a Christian in Japan is very difficult, but those who are Christian believe strongly in God.
I am so glad to be here, because my supervisor recently told me that my very presence here is a great encouragement to the people. He told me that many church members were encouraged that a young American would take time out of his life to come to a little city in Japan as a missionary. They were also shocked that the people in America would support such a venture. They see me as an offering from America, showing care and love for the Christians in Japan. I am glad to hear that I am encouraging them just as they have encouraged me.
I took this picture while on the way to a very remote church:
This one was taken in the city nearby:
Hi Derek! This is Cynthia. Thanks for the blog entries. Looks like you are having a good time :) I wonder if part of the difficulty is in the language that churches use in Japan. They perhaps sound too much like foreign words and people might feel distant? I'd be curious to know how the natives there feel!
ReplyDeleteHey Cynthia!! Sorry for the late reply. Actually the churches here operate completely in Japanese, from hymns to messages. I'd also love to know how the natives feel about Christianity! I haven't been able to converse much with them so far, but I will be meeting some English speaking ones soon! I have also had the opportunity speak with some missionaries who have been here for decades, and some of say that while the Japanese respect Christianity as a religion, they do not practice it for fear of standing out.
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