The parable of the Japanese sower

Seed on the path

This would be the traditional view of what happens to much of the evangelistic seed sown in Japan. It's hard to get time with people to speak of Jesus. Even if you do get time, the seed sown is soon snatched by a reassertion of Shinto and Buddhist influenced thinking and practices. There is little opportunity for God's word to take root in people's hearts.

Seed on Rocky Ground

In contrast to the many accounts of the hard slog of missionary outreach done in Japan, stands the often-exciting reports of ministries among Japanese living outside of Japan. Probably over one quarter of the Japanese baptised each year have come to that point because of ministry they received whilst outside of Japan. That's a staggering statistic which showing the importance of these strategic ministries which deserve our full support. However, it would be naive not to realise that "number of convert" figures do not tell the whole story. Within five years, 80% of those becoming Christians whilst overseas will have left or failed to connect with a Japanese church and maintain their walk with God. It would seem that once they return to Japan and experience the pressures that we might liken to the "heat of the sun," they struggle.

A lot of work is currently being done to try and address this problem. Networks are being established to introduce those returning to Japan to Churches. The same networks are also seeking to provide support to these "Returnees," and, where possible, advice to the receiving churches and the overseas evangelistic ministries, on things they can do to help these "seedlings." It's their statistics I have quoted.

Seed among thorns

The traditional views on why Japanese are largely unresponsive are becoming increasingly less valid. Buddhists and Shinto influence, whilst still significant, is becoming less pervasive. Indeed, it was the increasing lack of visible spiritual values in Japanese society that prompted the Japanese prime minister's concern and recent controversial comments, that seemed to speak nostalgically of the days of Emperor worship.

Why then are we not seeing massive increases in the numbers of Japanese becoming Christians? One answer is that we are still fighting the old battles, when perhaps now, the bigger problem is the newer thorn bushes. Three of these would be materialism, experience seeking and disaffection with traditional values.

Those locked into the pursuit of the material, remain hard to reach. One reason being that they may be continuing to work long hours to earn material things! The experience seekers are easier to reach, - for a season, after which they are inclined to move on in search of new experiences. Disaffection with traditional values should give opportunity for Christians, however, most of those rebelling with

such disaffection see most churches as part of a pattern of traditionally controlled groups that they want to make irrelevant to their future. This may indeed be one of the reasons why Japanese becoming Christians whilst overseas, find it hard to settle in Churches that are closer to their home culture than the churches that they experienced whilst overseas.

The seed in good soil

As I review the parable and remind myself that most parables were told to communicate just one main point, I find myself realizing that we are not promised that all who hear, even a perfect gospel presentation, will become Christians. In as much, therefore, as the title, "Parable of the Sower," puts the focus on a sovereign God, it is perhaps an entirely appropriate title. As 1 Corinthians 3:7 reminds us;

"neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow."

We must entrust the germination process to God and His Spirit.

Avoiding giving a "G. M." Gospel

Some won't respond even if they receive a perfect gospel presentation. However, the truth is that our sinful genes prompt weaknesses in us that often cause us to give people a less than perfect presentation. A kind of  "Genetically Modified" Gospel! We would do well to guard against this by considering ways in which our message can be misunderstood.

 The concept of universal truth, at least in relation to spiritual matters is counter to mainstream Japanese thinking. This means that many Japanese can indulge in seemingly contradictory beliefs without a sense of internal conflict.

A gospel presentation, therefore, also needs to include God as known in the Old Testament. The One, Almighty, Omnipotent, Omnipresent, Sinless God of all creation.

Japan remains a strongly conformist culture. People will always seek to blend in with, and to please, those around them.

This gives unique opportunities for witness to Japanese who are overseas, it should also alert us to the danger that despite our best efforts to genuinely birth them, their new faith may be superficial and unable to survive the pressure to conform to other norms once they are back in Japan.

This is not only a problem when working outside of Japan. Society gives freedom to Japanese teenagers and those in their 20's to explore and behave as they like - to be "experience seekers." It's not so hard to find ways to do evangelism among these people. However, even those who seem to have responded can be taken away from the church when the pressures to conform to traditional norms and "family responsibilities" are applied to them once married or heading into their 30's.

Most of us come from countries that emphasize the individual and personal decision making, sometimes at the expense of group relationships and accountability.

The Bible teaches both. We may learn from the Japanese Christian's understanding in some areas, whilst they can struggle with concepts of personal guidance and decision making in daily Christian living. Learning by rote, having to adhere to "manuals" of teaching, can in this context be appealing. It takes responsibility away from the individual. Some speculate that this is part of the attraction of many of the cults working in Japan.

The true gospel is relationship centred

So much could be said about this! I will, though, limit myself to just one point. If our tools or methodology make our gospel presentation mechanical, we contradict the message we are trying to communicate. You need to understand at least a little about the person you are speaking to. Where are they at? How do they understand you? Sometimes the only way that we allow them to express an interest to know more, is to offer them a chance to say "the believers prayer." We shouldn't be surprised that such people may then struggle. Perhaps our failure to relate to them more fully means that we have let such people down, when in fact we are more likely to be thinking that it's them who have let us down.