14th Christian Conference of Asia Meets in Indonesia
The General Assembly of the 14th Christian Conference of Asia (CCA) was held May 20-27, 2015 in Jakarta, Indonesia. There were altogether some 700 participants, including about 350 delegates of 100 churches from India to Australia and 20 associated organizations, in addition to media representatives and stewards. The conference them……
From the experience of ‘I Love Taiwan Mission’
"Let your hope keep you joyful, be patient in your troubles, and pray at all times." (Rom. 12:12)
The annual “I Love Taiwan” event began in 2002 and is hosted by The Presbyterian Church of Taiwan. This year marks the 13th annual event and was held from July 1 to 18, with approximately 90 young people from 18 countries around the w……
A Prayer for Peace 70 Years after World War II
Let us pray to God, the Lord of this world.
At this time, 70 years after World War II, we repent of Japan's cooperation in the execution of that war and the great pain we caused the many countries of Asia. In order that this might not happen again, we pray oh God that you will give us grace and strength to be able to reach ou……
Executive Council Addresses Financial and Political Concerns
The third Executive Council meeting of the present two-year (39th) General Assembly period was held July 13-14 at Fujimicho Church in Tokyo, with 29 of the 30 members in attendance. The opening service was led by the Rev. Higashino Hisashi, a council member. The first item on the agenda was a report by National Christian Co……
The Presbyterian Church in Taiwan selected 2015 as the year to remember 150 years of mission in southern Taiwan by the Presbyterian Church of England (begun by James Laidlaw Maxwell in 1865) and 144 years of mission in northern Taiwan by the Presbyterian Church in Canada (begun by George Leslie Mackay in 1871). The celebration will continue from April through November.
The PCT began t……
by Akiyama Toru, chair
Commission on Ecumenical Ministries
Pastor, Ageo Godo Church, Kanto District
The Energy Shift from Nuclear Power to Sustainable Forms of Energy: What Can Religious Groups Contribute to Climate Protection?” was the theme of an international conference held in Arnoldshain near Frankfurt, Germany, March 3 to 6. This conference further developed the discussion……
Yamane Ibuki, junior
Sophia University Religion Dept., Seminary Division
Member, Okayama Roman Catholic Church
Student dormitories at Christian schools throughout the country have a behind-the-scenes but leading evangelistic role in Japanese society. Yuai Gakusha, one of these Christian student dormitories, is located in an urban setting among a student population that is predo……
by Shibata Fujito, pastor
Narashino Church, Chiba Prefecture, Tokyo District
Narashino Church had its beginning as Hirai Church in Tokyo’s Edogawa District. The building was destroyed during World War II, and the name of the church was changed with the move to Narashino in 1947.
Before WWII my parents were pastoring Iida Chiku Machi Church in Nagano Prefecture, where I……
There are two levels in the Kyodan’s ministerial qualification process: “licensed preacher” and “ordained minister” (literally, “minister-in-full-standing”). Generally speaking, an “ordained minister” is called a “pastor,” and the administration of the sacraments of communion and baptism is limited to this level. So the process begins with a lay person first becoming a "licensed preacher" and then……
The Project Preparation Committee for the 500th anniversary of the Reformation held its second planning meeting on March 17 at the Kyodan headquarters. Moderator Ishibashi Hideo was away on official business in the Kansai area, but four committee members were in attendance as well as General Secretary Nagasaki Tetsuo, General Affairs Secretary Doke Norikazu, Executive Secretary for Mission Omishim……
