letter from Japan
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.
I am passionate about seeing the Word of God entrusted to “reliable, faithful men who will also be qualified to teach others”, and elders being prepared and appointed in Japan. Since coming to my current church in 2016, I have prayed for a young man who I can train to preach and lead, but the Lord has not brought such a man to us. This is a common (though, mercifully, not universal) story across the country. However, he has blessed us with one preacher in the congregation – a man in his 70s. Shortly after his conversion 50 years ago, his pastor spotted his giftedness and trained him to preach. For most of his Christian life since then, he has not had opportunity to preach, but since he came to us a few years ago our church has been blessed by his teaching, and by that training and encouragement he received as a young man.
