I have watched this scene play out more than once.
A young church planter arrives fresh out of Bible college, sent out with a ministry philosophy still warm from the classroom and a hunger to preach. His study is covered in commentaries. He has three alliterated points and what he is certain is a show-stopping illustration. He steps into the pulpit — and proceeds, for thirty-five minutes, to preach almost entirely to himself. The congregation is present, of course. Physically.
If you could describe the gospel in thirty-five words, what would you say? Jesus did it in two short parables. He spoke of a man who stumbled upon treasure hidden in a field and another who searched for a pearl of great price. Both men found something so valuable that they joyfully gave up everything to possess it.1
“Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.” 1
In a world where spiritual abuse is a serious concern, the directive to "obey your leaders and submit to them" comes with certain risks. It’s easy to hesitate to draw attention to this verse for fear of being misunderstood. Yet this isn't a summons to blind compliance, but an invitation to a partnership that benefits both leaders and congregants.
In Japan, courage often takes quiet and subtle forms. The value placed on harmony and consensus can make standing out—whether by speaking of Christ, taking initiative in leadership, or voicing honest questions—feel daunting. In such an environment, it’s not easy to openly express faith or assume a significant leadership role.
The statistics are sobering. Nearly half of Japan’s Protestant pastors are over seventy years old, and that number is climbing. Within a few years, more than seventy percent of Japan’s pastors could be in their seventies, eighties, or nineties. Many churches already exist without shepherds. Meanwhile, Japan’s seminaries produce barely three percent of what will be needed.
Many Christian organisations live in the tension between being “loving” and being “effective.” Leaders often assume they must choose: either we have a gracious, relational culture that feels like family or we pursue excellence with seriousness and accountability. But Scripture never asks us to choose between truth and grace, between being loving and being effective. Jesus embodies both and calls his people to do the same.