Supporting Christian professionals

I’m sure you’ve seen trees in Japan supported by ropes (雪つり yukitsuri) to withstand the snow or held up using posts. With that image in mind, let’s consider support structures and member care for expatriate Christian professionals in the Japanese workplace.

I conducted a short survey on whether Christian professionals who come to Japan need or want member care. Those who responded work in mental health, engineering, teaching, and logistics in various locations across Japan. One respondent has been in Japan less than three years while others range from four years to more than 15 years.

I asked the following questions:

1. Why did you choose to come and work in Japan?

Several respondents came with the goal of advancing God’s kingdom, either with or without being connected to a mission organisation. Others were interested in Japan, got a scholarship, or decided to work in Japan.

2. What aspects of your work experience in Japan have been enjoyable, pleasant, or agreeable?

Overall, participants enjoy daily life in Japan, the content of their work, and their work colleagues. Others also mentioned the remuneration.

3. What aspects of your work experience in Japan have been difficult, challenging, or unpleasant?

In general, participants find the workplace environment and commuting the most challenging. Some also mentioned work colleagues and the content of their work.

4. What kind of support has been helpful to you during this period?

Topping the list is church friends, followed by Japanese friends and spiritual input (in addition to church). Also mentioned are expatriate friends and Japanese language and culture learning support.

5. What kind of support would have been helpful to you during this period?

Several participants said that orientation to their company would have been helpful, followed by spiritual input (from others outside of church, e.g., from a mission agency or JEMA).

6. What suggestions do you have for how mission agencies could support you in your ministry in the Japanese workplace?

Two responses stand out: First, organising regular connections with others working in the Japanese marketplace. Second, facilitating exchanges between traditional and workplace missionaries for mutual learning and support.

7. What advice would you give to those considering working as missionaries in the Japanese workplace?

Participants emphasized the importance of learning Japanese and culture. One respondent mentioned the need to prepare to manage high levels of stress, oppression, or harassment while another brought up the need for patience. Another highlighted choosing the company/role carefully so capacity remains for outreach/church outside work. Similarly, another emphasized clear, honest communication with the mission agency and sending church, as well as finding safe Japanese colleagues to trust.

Conclusions

• Some professionals are in Japan specifically for the sake of the gospel.
• Some professionals struggle with their Japanese workplace and colleagues.
• Japanese friends, Christian and non-Christian, are important.
• Where present, links with mission agencies are valued.
• Japanese language and cultural understanding are vital.
• Support from churches, friends, and family in their country of origin is important.
• Spiritual input (in addition to church) is valued.

Suggestions

For mission agencies, I suggest six possible “ropes” of care:

• Facilitate reflection and discussion about how to live for Christ and share him in Japan and provide training. This could include biblical teaching and training in Japanese culture and evangelism in Japan.
• Provide a space for Christian professionals to make friends and share struggles. This could include taking part in mission agency small groups, spiritual retreats, or conferences.
• Facilitate training in self-care and people skills. This could include invitations to a relevant mission agency or JEMA training events.
• Facilitate regular connections with others in the Japanese marketplace, such as online calls or in-person retreats. This could be specific to one mission agency (or several) or a JEMA-facilitated event.
• Facilitate exchanges between traditional and workplace missionaries, enabling mutual learning.
• If an expatriate Christian professional is linked with a mission agency, that agency can be responsible for facilitating and supporting them. An agency can support them in discussions with all the relevant parties: home church, mission’s sending branch, and Japanese employer. An agency can also provide language school suggestions and perhaps include such professionals in any language or orientation programmes that they hold.

Of course, expatriate Christian professionals are also responsible for fashioning and maintaining their own yukitsuri! Here are some “rope” suggestions:

• Be consistently intentional in learning Japanese language and culture.
• Learn more about how to live for Jesus and share him in Japan.
• Be consistent in your church attendance and devotional times.
• Join in with smaller or larger groups for mutual support—through church, mission agencies, JEMA, the Bible Study Fellowship, or online groups.

This subject deserves further consideration. If you have ideas, why not write an article for Japan Harvest?