In Depth:  John Newton Webb

letter from Japan

John Newton Webb

In the space of ten days, three Japanese people have asked me about Donald Trump and Christianity.

A non-Christian academic, who said he is drawn to Christianity but that Christian nationalism keeps him from embracing it, a non-Christian lady who is attracted by the Christian faith but was worried that following Jesus would also mean supporting Trump, and a Christian who was troubled by Trump/Hegseth’s claim to be doing God’s will.

letter from Japan

John Newton Webb

I am thrilled that Hokkaido Bible Institute (HBI, where I serve on the board) is pushing ahead with plans for a course to train lay preachers.

With some significant exceptions, the Japanese church is generally cautious about non-Bible College graduates preaching, teaching and providing a church with spiritual leadership. The reasons for this are complex, but include being in a cultural context which places a high value on formal qualifications, and a right concern for faithful teaching. However, with a critical shortage of full-time Christian workers and many churches lacking anyone to lead or teach, the church is actively seeking solutions.

letter from Japan

John Newton Webb

Recent survey results from the Japanese Government, combined with an estimate of the Japanese population who are Bible believing Christians suggests that the number has fallen from around 500,000 in 2019 to less than 350,000 in 2024 or from 0.4% to 0.28% of the population. Amongst university students, just 0.01% (one in 10,000) are thought to be Christians.

What does this mean for the future of the gospel in Japan? Research predicts that if present trends continue, half of Japan’s Protestant churches will close by 2030. Some of these are churches which have drifted from the Bible, others have not been evangelising; still others have been damaged by splits. But many of them are faithful, prayerful, gospel-preaching churches, who are simply not seeing people converted. Though numbers of missionaries coming to Japan are going up, there is a dire shortage of Japanese full-time gospel workers. Pastors are retiring or dying with no-one coming to replace them. Some Bible Colleges have closed recently due to a shortage of students.

letter from Japan

John Newton Webb

In the city where we minister, every area has a Community Business Association. Despite not being a business, our church was invited to join our local association; we’re the only church in the city to be a member of one.

This has given us many opportunities to meet people, to publicise the church in local shops, and also to participate in local community events.

letter from Japan

John Newton Webb

The Japanese government have voted to strip the legal status of the Unification Church (also known as the Moonies) following investigations into members being pressured into giving large sums of money.

They can still operate, but lose all the privileges of religious registration (tax-free status, etc.). Some are welcoming this as a curb on coercive activities by the cults, but some Christian leaders are concerned about future implications for religious freedom.

letter from Japan

John Newton Webb

Last month, I spent an hour watching a body being prepared for its coffin. It was our oldest church member, Mrs S., who had died suddenly the previous week.

Her body was discreetly washed, her face made up, her hair styled and her favourite clothes put on. Her daughter told me she was glad to have someone who had known her mother there with her to watch and help.

letter from Japan

John Newton Webb

Last week, Mr. A asked me, ‘Does Jesus really love me? The voices in my head tell me that he doesn’t.’

He first got in touch with our church a couple of years ago, asking ‘Does the church help suffering people?’ He has schizophrenia and for most of his life has been hearing voices, sometimes telling him to commit murder, sometimes that he is useless, sometimes that there is no hope for him. Readers familiar with mental health issues will know that these voices often feel authoritative and compelling to the sufferer. The medicine he is on wasn’t helping him much and he got in touch with the church because he had been wondering if he is demon-possessed.

letter from Japan

John Newton Webb

‘I’ll definitely come. I love Easter!’ said one girl as we were distributing fliers for our evangelistic Easter service outside a primary school.

Easter is barely known here in Japan, though a few years ago Disneyland Tokyo started an Easter celebration, and chocolate eggs have started appearing in shops. Until last year, only one or two non-Christians would come to our Easter service, but last year we had 20, and though the aforementioned girl didn’t come, this year 30 people came and heard about the resurrected Saviour.