Thinking about what we call ourselves in our ministry here in Japan

Sometimes words that we use in English come with a degree of baggage in Japanese. "Missionary" is one such word, and in this episode I reflect on why that's the case, and how we deal with that in our work here.

Episode 6 - About The Word "Missionary"

Thinking about an epic proposal in postwar Japan

In the aftermath of WWII, Japan lay in ruins. General MacArthur was tasked with helping rebuild the country. During a conversation with Emperor Hirohito, MacArthur was offered the chance of a lifetime. In this episode, I talk about that opportunity, and reflect a bit on what it would have meant for the country, as well as what it can teach us today. Research References: Harry Fox, "God's Unconditional Commitment To Us" "General Told Of Barring Offer To Create A Christian Japan" <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/1964/04/07/archives/general-told-of-barring-offer-to-create-a-christian-japan.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.nytimes.com/1964/04/07/archives/general-told-of-barring-offer-to-create-a-christian-japan.html</a> "SCAPIN-550: REMOVAL AND EXCLUSION OF UNDESIRABLE PERSONNEL FROM PUBLIC OFFICE 1946/01/04" <a href="https://dl.ndl.go.jp/info:ndljp/pid/9885619?itemId=info%3Andljp%2Fpid%2F9885619&amp;__lang=en" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://dl.ndl.go.jp/info:ndljp/pid/9885619?itemId=info%3Andljp%2Fpid%2F9885619&amp;__lang=en</a> "Remaking Of The Orient": <a href="https://christianhistoryinstitute.org/magazine/article/christ-and-the-remaking-of-the-orient " rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://christianhistoryinstitute.org/magazine/article/christ-and-the-remaking-of-the-orient </a> "MacArthur Encouraged Religion In Postwar Japan" <a href="https://www.christiancentury.org/article/2011-06/book-details-macarthurs-efforts-fill-japanese-spiritual-vacuum-after-world-war-ii " rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.christiancentury.org/article/2011-06/book-details-macarthurs-efforts-fill-japanese-spiritual-vacuum-after-world-war-ii </a> Joyce Kilmer, "Trees" <a href="https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poetrymagazine/poems/12744/trees" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poetrymagazine/poems/12744/trees</a> Yasuo Furuya, "Postwar Protestant Missionary Work In Japan" <a href="https://nirc.nanzan-u.ac.jp/nfile/4177" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://nirc.nanzan-u.ac.jp/nfile/4177</a> Lawrence Wittner, "MacArthur And The Missionaries: God And Man In Occupied Japan" <a href="https://www.jstor.org/stable/3637830" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.jstor.org/stable/3637830</a> <a href="https://www.panorientnews.com/en/news.php?k=1023" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.panorientnews.com/en/news.php?k=1023</a>

Episode 5 - Japan: A Christian Nation?

Expressing the gospel simply for Japanese friends

In this episode, Leslie talks about how he presented the message of the gospel in a specific context for Japanese friends

Episode 4 - Simple Gospel In Japanese Context

Religion In Japan

Notes from the field is the podcast of Les Taylor, a minister serving in Matsudo, Japan. In this episode, Les shares a glimpse of religion in Japan.

Notes From The Field Episode 3

Making Disciples In Japan

In this episode, Leslie shares thoughts about his family's approach to their mission and ministry in Japan.

Notes From The Field Episode 2

Introduction, Biggest Challenge, Biggest Blessing

In this maiden voyage into a new podcast, Leslie introduces the new podcast and talks about the biggest challenge of his current work, along with the biggest blessing. Thanks for listening!

Notes From The Field Episode 1

Reflections from a Christian minister in Japan

A podcast documenting thoughts and reflections from an American minister serving the church in Japan.

Notes From The Field

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