Fowlers in Japan

I’m reading a book right now by Mark Scandrette, Practicing the Way of Jesus, in which he explores what it means to live in Christian community. Very interesting! He uses an illustration that caught my attention. You might know that I studied Visual Arts in college and spent a number of years as a full-time graphic designer, so I usually love a good art metaphor.

Scandrette points out that art museums are great places for preserving the history, culture, and values of a given culture or people. They are full of the crowning achievements of artists and artisans who worked long and hard to hone their skills. The order and serenity of a museum gives the featured works a sense of importance and meaning. The space serves to document the “conversation” that goes on between artists, art movements, and the overall exchange of ideas over time. Yet the clean white marble, the security guards, and the hushed atmosphere seem to be far away from the typical places in which all of that art was created.

In contrast, the artist’s studio can be a rather chaotic place. The apparent disorganization does have a purpose, though. Often times, artists are able to connect disparate ideas in creative ways precisely because they allow things to mingle which normally do not. The privacy and safety of an artist’s studio allows for tools to be exercised in new ways, for new ideas to lead to better ideas, and for emerging techniques to be tested and perfected. It’s where the artist is able to produce work which exemplifies their expertise and style.

Those who choose to follow Jesus Christ live in a similar tension between two spaces.

It is important to spend time “in the museums” of our faith. Limited as we are, we need regular reminders of how best to love as Jesus loves. Our buildings, our documents, our traditions, and how we organize our worship and congregations have all come down to us from those who blazed a trail before. We see their works as important and influential — and they are — but we cannot be content to just appreciate and admire them. Living solely in these museum spaces renders us ineffective. We choose not to harness the creative force of being an artist and instead simply look on as a spectator or worse, an art critic.

As Christians, we are called to also spend time “in the studio” of our faith. We must wrestle with ideas, try out new tools and techniques, and give ourselves permission to get a little messy in pursuit of drawing closer to Christ. It is a process that we all must go through. Considerable time spent in scripture and prayer can be fertile ground for hearing God’s own call on our lives. Through this “studio time” and the growth it brings, we are free to begin creating a faith that does more than just look at the masterpieces already hanging on the museum walls. We enter into that great conversation and begin contributing to the Kingdom ourselves.

In reality, we need to become proficient in both spaces. Each can interpret and inform the other! Each can even have direct influence on the other as well. Learn from those who have gone before, but get out there and get creative yourself as well. You’ll thank me later!

~ Clay

Recently, a fellow believer interested in Japan missions shared a series of short videos with us (thanks, Brandon!). I don’t have a great deal of experience with the Radical organization, or with their founder David Platt, but a cursory browse through their website confirms that we share many core beliefs. More critically, they have produced three short videos which summarize some of the core issues faced by Christian missionaries in Japan. I highly encourage you to give them a look!

Part 1 – Is Christianity Doomed to Fail in Japan? explores the religious history of Japan and its tenuous relationship with Christianity.

Part 2 – Why It’s So Hard to Leave Shintoism for Christianity explores why Shintoism and Buddhism are so intertwined with Japanese identity, and sits down with Japanese Christians to learn what that cultural challenge looks like today.

Part 3 – Japan is Broken… Can It Be Fixed explores how beauty and brokenness in Japan point to a Beautiful Creator who was broken for us.

I think this is a well-done series that excels at introducing some of the main challenges and opportunities of mission work in Japan. May God be glorified in Japan through the work of His people, and may He grant stamina and encouragement to those serving the kingdom in this way!

~ Clay

Emily Rachel and I recently attended Let’s Start Talking’s Basic Training. We hope to do some similar-type activities while we are in Japan this summer, so it seemed like a good chance for a refresher. We used the Let’s Start Talking materials years ago during our short-term mission campaign in college, so the chance to dust off some creaky corners of my brain was much appreciated.

One of the guiding principles in the LST program is to allow God’s Word to be the ultimate teacher. In fact, they discourage the use of the term ‘teacher’ at all. We are simply ‘workers’ who invite ‘readers’ to spend time building relationships. It’s the Word of God itself which will do the teaching. The LST program words it this way: The Word is the teacher, we are the illustration. I can appreciate the simplicity.

It truly is powerful, though, to think of it this way. In one sense, it takes all of the pressure off of us. It’s no longer up to us to ensure that someone else gets everything right. To be sure, we are a part of that process, but ultimately it is God’s responsibility. Through God’s Spirit, readers may come to know about His love, grace, and mercy. Through the timeless truths of His Word, they will encounter God’s message of Hope and Good News! Readers simply have to reach for it and read with an open heart.

In another sense, though, being the illustration instead of the teacher requires a much deeper sense of commitment. As a teacher, one can merely deliver great instruction. Living as an illustration means that each part of our lives must line up with the teachings we claim to illustrate. No one will do this perfectly. We fail time and again to properly illustrate the teachings of Jesus. It is important that we are transparent about these times.

But oh, what a powerful testimony being the illustration is. When someone reads the teachings of Jesus in scripture, their heart will be convicted. When they see those same teachings applied in our lives, they will be inspired to give it a go themselves. May our lives be ever-closer to an image which shows off God’s love and mercy! I pray that you draw encouragement from the Word, and that you strive to make your life an illustration of it’s truth.

~ Clay

For those who like to know more….

We have made a presentation to several Missions Committees in recent weeks which outlines in greater detail the specifics of our coming trip to Tachikawa in Summer 2024. Now, we have put together a “PDF Version” of this presentation for those who weren’t able to attend those meetings and for others who might find the added info meaningful.

Thank you for your encouragement and support as we seek to do God’s work in Japan!

~ Clay

Jump to the Week 1 Report –>

Thank you to so many who have encouraged Emily Rachel and I these past few weeks. Fundraising is never fun for me, but meeting with people and talking about how we can partner together to make a difference in Japan is something else entirely. I’m choosing to frame these meetings as the latter rather than the former. To date (January 2024), we are very close to being fully funded for this Summer!

In reality though, the difference between fundraising and partnership is not just semantics. You have a very real role in this work even though you aren’t likely to physically be coming with us on the airplane. The dollars are important, true. Without them, we would not be able to consider going at all. But they are not the most important way you lift us up.

What we really value is your prayer! Prayers for our preparation, prayers for those who we will meet when there, prayers for the Tachikawa members as they prepare for our arrival, prayers for the future interactions between seekers and church members, prayers that the evil one will be thwarted in whatever plans he is making, and any number of other ways that you remember us before the throne of our Lord.

We are beyond humbled and grateful for the way you show the love of Jesus to us and through us. It’s a partnership which we are blessed to be a part of. Thank you!

We are excited to share that we are planning to be in Tokyo next Summer!

The Tachikawa Church of Christ has invited Emily Rachel and me for a six week short-term mission trip. We’ll be helping them by providing outreach through English study for adults and music classes for young families. I’ll be preaching some on Sunday morning, and we hope to be an encouragement to the brothers and sisters there and enjoy the fellowship of believers.

We are making preparations and could use your help. Travel costs are significant, so every dollar helps. The Church of Christ at White Station in Memphis, Tennessee, has agreed to coordinate our mission fund, so if you are able to donate financially, please do so here.

Thank you to all of you who are so encouraging to us with prayers, notes, and comments. We love you!

~ Clay