Global Mission Stories
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
New church building brings new life to a Japanese congregationKakegawa Lutheran Church was on the verge of closing. Average attendance was down to a handful, the church building was old, and the city was buying up a corner of the property in its road rebuilding program. But for the members, and those from the yoked parish of Kikugawa Church, closing the congregation was not really an option. Ministry needed to continue in this town in central Japan. |
|||
ELCA missionary Pastor Tim Mason serving the two parishes made a proposal to officials of the Japan Evangelical Lutheran Church. Because his salary was not dependent on the small congregation's financial status, why not take the compensation money from the city and rebuild the church? With this began an unusual collaboration between church, city and builders. |
 Pastor Tim and Yuriko Mason with their son |
||
"The whole congregation was involved from the beginning, something that is not normally done in Japan," said Mason. They interviewed several contractors who responded to a "contest" and chose one to design and build the new church and parsonage. With the compensation for the land purchased by the city, all the congregation needed was a loan of $30,000. Then, when the old church was torn down, the city provided a "shed" from which the congregation could continue to do its ministry. City workers helped clean and carpet the building, and took the cross from the church and placed it on top of this temporary worship space. For government workers to assist organized religion in such a way is unusual in Japan. |
|||
 Members of Kakegawa Church before the reconstruction |
For the next fourteen months, while the new church was being built, Kakegawa Church functioned out of this "shed," tucked away off a shopping area of the city, though very easy to find. From this setting, "members called on people who had stopped going to church years ago," said Mason. "They would visit, call, and call back. During this time, we added twelve new members bringing total membership to 17." |
||
The new church building looks like a large house. A portion of it is the parsonage, but the church area is open and bright with full glass doors and windows. "We wanted passersby to see the inside," commented Mason. "We didn't want to have the appearance that a church is where people enter and 'disappear,' something 'secretive.'" The church also is fully handicapped accessible, something of an example for others. |
|||
 |
 |
 |
|
This fresh new church building is encouraging the congregation to see itself anew in ministry. Already, one woman has begun to worship because "I saw you gather and I heard you sing; I like to sing, so I came." The goal is to double the membership in the years to come. |
|||
| During this time, the sister congregation at Kikugawa, with 30 members, also became revitalized. One member gave $10,000 to fix the ceiling, put in new lights, and purchase new pews, in addition to some of these funds going to Kakegawa. |
 Kikugawa Lutheran Church, located 9 km away, is yoked with Kakegawa |
||
| There remain many challenges in a society that admires Christianity but in which many do not make the commitment to this faith. But the yoked congregations of Kakegawa and Kikugawa are now set to meet ministry needs into the years ahead as they continue to worship in their respective fresh new environments. | |||
 The banner of Kakegawa-Kikugawa Yoked Parish, showing new growth for the future |
 Kakegawa members gather for Easter dinner |
 The hillsides surrounding Kakegawa where tea is cultivated |
|
Copyright © 1998 Evangelical Lutheran Church in America ELCA Global Mission
 |
|
|
© Evangelical Lutheran Church in America | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use |
|