Christian mission in Japan is complex, and there are two different angles we should use to examine the situation. Both angles are valuable, but on their own, each one only tells part of the story.
The first angle shows us that the Japanese are the world’s second-largest unreached people group. A fraction of a percentage of Japanese are evangelical Christians, and that number has been recently declining. Most people have never been invited to follow Christ. The highly urbanized and disconnected lifestyle leaves people feeling lonely, sometimes depressed, and even suicidal. There is a desperate need for the gospel to be preached and churches to be planted all throughout Japan.
A fraction of a percentage of Japanese are evangelical Christians, and that number has been recently declining. Most people have never been invited to follow Christ.
The second angle reveals that Christian missionaries have been coming to Japan’s shores since 1549, including a nearly unbroken stream of Protestant and evangelical missionaries for over 160 years. There have been three distinct waves of Christian missions to Japan. The third began after World War II and continues today. There are thousands of missionaries who have ministered in Japan with over 1,000 missionaries currently serving.
The first angle tells the story of the great need for the gospel in Japan. The second angle tells the story of the missionary response. The first angle viewed alone would make it seem like missionaries are urgently needed for pioneer evangelism and church planting. The second angle viewed alone might cause us to question the necessity of sending missionaries at all. But when they are viewed together, a few important things stand out that every aspiring missionary to Japan should know.
There is a Church in Japan
Today, there are close to 7,000 Japanese Protestant churches located throughout every region of Japan, making up almost 200 different denominations. Christians represent a small percentage of the population, and the church has experienced numerous challenges over the centuries. However, the church exists and is marked by endurance amidst suffering.
Space prevents an overview of the history here, but by studying it, a new missionary will be able to celebrate how Christ has kept his promise to build his church (Matthew 16:18), and they will gain greater wisdom about what is needed most in missions today. The new missionary should look carefully and see all that God has done and is currently doing as they consider how they can best contribute as a fellow servant of Christ.
There are Major Challenges Facing the Church in Japan
There are several major challenges that make it difficult for the church to flourish in Japan. First, there is a discipleship crisis. Many Japanese Christians are faithful in church attendance. They read their Bibles and pray. However, there are few who feel equipped to make disciples themselves, who serve as lay leaders in the church, or who are pursuing vocational ministry. Disciples often do not become disciple-makers, and the result is a church that is gradually aging and shrinking.
Many Japanese Christians are faithful in church attendance. They read their Bibles and pray. However, there are few who feel equipped to make disciples.
Second, the Christian population is small, and the church can sometimes function as an isolated subculture. The temptation to become ingrown and lose a sense of mission is very high as it takes a lot just to survive.
Third, Japanese pastors are often overworked and exhausted. Culturally, they are expected to do all the ministry in the church. They don’t have much space for vacations or even regular days off. Most Japanese pastors have never been offered a sabbatical. Many have zero preaching support. They are the only leaders expected to respond when a crisis arises in the congregation, and it is often too much for one person to bear.
These challenges can seem overwhelming, but they introduce key opportunities for missionaries “to strengthen the souls of the disciples” in Japan (Acts 14:22).
There is No Magic Formula
There is a powerful gospel to cherish and proclaim, and there are real people who need to hear and remember it.
It is common for well-meaning new missionaries to arrive in Japan with magic formulas, secret sauces, and silver bullets for how to reach Japan quickly. From big tent crusades to cell group church planting, over the years it seems that every idea has been attempted with meager results. There is, in fact, no magic formula.
However, there is a powerful gospel to cherish and proclaim, and there are real people who need to hear and remember it. There are lost neighbors to love and Christian siblings to encourage. Missionaries are not called to solve the problem of Japan’s lostness as much so they are called to build real friendships as they live a gospel lifestyle.
Brett serves as the Executive Director and team leader with Christ Bible Institute in Nagoya, Japan. In 2012, He and his wife, Taylor, began serving as short-term missionaries in Japan through Mission to the World. Brett is responsible for casting vision and leading the team and overall ministry. He graduated with an M.Div. from Reformed Theological Seminary in 2012 and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in religion and theology from the Free University of Amsterdam.
