Fulfilling Gospel Commission has always been a great challenge in Japan. Missionaries, pastors, church members and administrators have faced various obstacles since Christianity first arrived on the shores of this island nation.
In recent decades the Seventh-day Adventist Church has had to seek creative ways of working with the added societal challenges like secularization, materialism, an aging population, declining church membership, a difficult economy and a shortage of ministers and other workers.
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In response to these issues the Northern Asia-Pacific Division (NSD) recently called together a special commission for the revival and revitalization of Japan Union Conference (JUC). Representative leaders from JUC, NSD, Korean Union Conference, Taiwan Conference, Chinese Union Mission, Mongolia Mission and General Conference convened from February 23 to 25 at Makuhari International Training Center in Chiba, Japan.
The members spent three days of intensive dialogue and study regarding the present condition of the work in Japan and to develop strategies to strengthen the Japan Union and all its churches and institutions to fulfill the mission of the church.
The sessions began with a season of special prayer and an address from NSD president Jairyong Lee clarifying the purpose of the meetings. That purpose was not to criticize, but to find positive ways of supporting and encouraging the work and workers in JUC. It was also stated that the things learned during the 3-day session would also serve to educate the leaders from other areas in NSD as they face similar challenges.
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The first day consisted of detailed reports from all the departments and institutions regarding the present condition and challenges facing each area of the work. Details regarding what has been done in past years and strategies that have been employed was also reviewed. Time was given after each department report for questions and comments.
On the second day the attendees were assigned to various task groups to look at specific issues and to suggest creative and viable strategies for making the work more effective for accomplishing the mission of the Adventist church in Japan. Each group chose a chairperson who then reported the ideas of their group to the rest of the commission members.
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The interactions and reports were very helpful and informative. The attendees were able to return to their various countries and places of service with a better understanding of the present challenges facing the Japan Union and with specific things to pray about.
The NSD officers will follow up the commission meetings by working on synthesizing the strategies that were submitted and deciding which ones have the best potential for success in the effort to revitalize the work in Japan. NSD will then pass those on to JUC and JUC will then adopt the various suggestions submitted for trial in the field. The results will be reported on at a future commission meeting. Keep the work and the workers of JUC in your prayers as they strive to revitalize and maximize their mission efforts.
Article by Mark Duarte, Pastor at Tokyo International Church