Passing down faith

Since 2013, Ochanomizu Christian Center (OCC) in Tokyo has been hosting a series of seminars on the theme, “Mission in Japan starts within families—families will become the foundation for blessing.” The tenth seminar in this series was held on March 28. With general director of KGK (Kirisutosha Gakusei Kai) Shigenori Ōshima and his wife, Yuka Ōshima, as the spokespeople, the seminar dealt with a major issue in mission work in Japan—the passing down of faith.

Bringing up a genuine one percent

The morning session focused on the passing down of faith within families. “While Japanese churches have worked hard to increase their numbers, many believers have abandoned their faith over time or have failed to pass it down to their children,” Ōshima commented. “Instead of aiming to ‘break the 1% barrier,’ it is more important to bring up ‘a genuine 1%’.¹ Without genuine Christians, nothing will change. I’ve worked with many students over the years and have felt that third- and fourth-generation Christians tend to be more stable in their faith. We need to wisely pass down our faith, taking advice from senior church members. Moreover, we need to be confident and proud of what we believe, and engage with the church as a family.”

Referring to Mark 10:13–16, Ōshima said, “Jesus was indignant when the disciples rebuked those who brought children to him. If children belong to the kingdom of God, then surely they should belong in our church services. Since when have we started distinguishing the services for children from those for adults?”

Looking back on his childhood experience, Ōshima shared 10 ways in which his mother passed down her faith to him. For example, she respected and followed his non-Christian father (this helped him build a healthy father image), shared biblical doctrines using her own words and through her own experiences, made all decisions based on faith, and demonstrated how important a parent’s prayer life is for the passing down of faith. Ōshima concluded the morning session by stressing prayer, “There is no end when it comes to the passing down of faith. Whether we succeed or not will only be determined at the very end. We need to remember the reason we are standing firm in faith today is because somebody had prayed for us without giving up.”

Not methodology but willingness to draw near

The afternoon session dealt with the passing down of faith within a church. After explaining some reasons why the number of children at churches may be declining, Ōshima questioned whether parents have left all of the passing down of faith to the church. Parents, pastors, and the church need to be committed to this matter together.

Ōshima continued by giving specific advice for different age groups. Elementary upper graders are the key in the process of the passing down of faith—they are at an age where they can verbalize their doubts and questions about their faith. Churches need to have Sunday school teachers who are ready and able to answer those questions and teach biblical doctrines in a way they can engage in. Since junior and high schoolers tend to drift away from church because of their busy school activities, it is crucial to have an early-morning service or evening service so they can still attend services and prioritize their relationship with the Lord. “There is no correct answer when it comes to the passing down of faith,” he concluded, “it all depends on who is willing to be available for the children, drawing near to them and continually praying for them.” 

From Christian Shimbun, April 10, 2016
Translated by Hiromi Kuichi
Photo contributed by Christian Shimbun

1. This “one percent” refers to the Japanese Christian population, a percentage that has not changed for many years.