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Challenge to Evangelism #2 – Ancestor Worship

This week we’re going to be looking at the unique challenge presented by the Japanese tradition and belief in Ancestor worship. But before we get into that, I’d like to give another reason as to why I’m posting these challenges: awareness. Japan is very frequently overlooked when it comes to missions.  Most don’t recognize the need, because Japan seems to have it all together. In an economic, political and social sense they are doing very well in comparison to many other countries. Yet in a spiritual sense they are in desperate need of help.

Japan has proven to be among the most resistant places on earth in terms of receiving the Gospel. Right now in Japan there are no legal barriers to the spread of Christianity; there is freedom of speech, religion and the press. Missionaries are granted visas with little issue, and in fact missionaries have been serving freely, openly and actively in Japan for the last 60 years. Yet despite this openness and continuous activity the percentage of the population which has embraced Jesus Christ remains at less than 1%.

As you read about the challenges in Japan, and become aware of their desperate need for the gospel, I hope you will be motivated to do something about it.

Ancestor Worship

Practically speaking ancestor worship is something of a continuing of a relationship with a dead relative. Not only are distant “Ancestors” revered and respected, but dead grand parents, and parents as well. Many Japanese houses have a small shrine with mementos of their ancestors, small reminders of their lives. Food will be brought to them, and prayers for guidance and help are made. This sort of thing is also carried on at the grave-site, which is most often at a Buddhist Temple.  Japanese will visit the grave, clean it off, and share the things that have happened in the past year with their deceased relatives. To the Japanese this is a very respectful and honorable custom, it demonstrates love of ones family and respect for ones ancestors.

But to turn to Christ is to abandon the worship of all other gods. The practice of ancestor worship cannot coexist with the practice of worshiping the true God. This is a difficult thing, both for the convert, and the convert’s family to accept. To the family it is often viewed as though the convert is abandoning them. The converts parents may view this as a sign of disrespect, and fear that they will be alone and forgotten in the after-life, spirits drifting about  with no contact with their children or decedents. Fear of rejection by the family, and fear of being perceived to be rejecting the family is a strong barrier that prevents many from turning to follow Christ.

Pray
That Japanese would be freed from the bondage of praying to shrines and graves that cannot hear or help them and instead turn their Creator who loves them, hears them, and powerfully answers prayer. Pray that new believers will be able to demonstrate that they have an even greater love and respect for their families as a Christian than they did before.

Comment
How can Japanese Christians show that while they reject ancestor worship, they still love, honor and respect their ancestors and parents?

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How Would You Reach Japan?

Protestants have been laboring in Japan for over 150 years, proclaiming the gospel and discipling new believers. Yet despite the many years of ministry the population of Japan is still less than 1% Christian. I have often been asked why Japan seems so resistant to the Gospel. I can give no simple answer, however in talking with Japanese believers, pastors and missionaries I’ve been told of a number of challenges facing both evangelism and church growth.

This is to be the first of a series of blog posts discussing some of those challenges. I hope to bring to your attention one of these challenges each week, in no particular order. I have a number of reasons for doing this, but for now I’ll start with just mentioning one. I want to get your take on how to overcome these challenges. Lord willing Tomo and I will be moving to Japan this Summer, and before long we will begin to encounter these challenges and have to find ways where, by the grace of God, we can overcome them. I’d love to hear your Biblical and creative ideas on how to over come each of these challenges I will no doubt face in the future. Each Saturday please check back here, read up on the challenge, and comment with ideas on how it can be overcome.

Challenge to Evangelism #1 – People are Insanely Busy

The Japanese are hard workers. They appear to be far more committed to their careers, working much longer hours on average than we do in America. This is especially true in Tokyo. Men will commonly leave for work early in the morning to commute to their office and often work late into the night. On days when they do get off at a reasonable time, office culture encourages them to spend the evening hours drinking with their co-workers. Furthermore many Japanese men keep up this schedule six days a week, leaving only one day to rest and spend time with family. That day is of course Sunday.

It is no small thing to ask someone to spend their only day off once again commuting, this time to a church, and spend hours there rather than relaxing at home and just having some family time. To make matter’s worse, since Sunday is the typical day off, it is also the day that many events and celebrations are held, making it even more difficult to commit every Sunday to attending Church. To do so very likely means to miss out on watching children’s school performances and many holiday events.

Pray
That God would be seen to be so real, so worthy and lovely that men would powerfully drawn to Christ and joyously be compelled to rearrange their schedules to spend time worshiping Him, growing closer to Him and fellowshipping with His people.

Comment
How can Christians in Japan more effectively reach out to non-believers with such hectic schedules?