Emerging Church Japan

When I was in Japan i was continually asked if i knew Lowell Shepherd. I still haven’t met him but I like what I hear. In a fascinating interview with emergingchurch.info that i found on the Baker blog, Lowell throws out some great thoughts:

– “The non church movement however, is evidence of the Mission of God being expressed in Japan and I believe deserves a second look by missiologists.”

-“The fact is that the western model of Sunday church meetings, and full mid week programs are wholly incompatible with the Group oriented society that pervades Japan. “

Regarding the emerging church movement in the west, Lowell feels that there is too much talk and “emerging” as a word feels a tad arrogant. He can say that if he wants to.

I was really impressed to meet many young Japanese church planters in Tokyo and in the south. I attended one of their “parties” which involved sitting on mats eating really good Japanese food, discussing spiritual things with all kinds of people – mainly university students, while the DJ was spinning 1960’s James Bond tracks. Loved it!!!!! Cant wait to get back there. The image here is me teaching “Tree By the River” which DJ Kenny Mitchell recorded [he didnt realize he was taping it] in Tokyo and put to music. Its the track called “Movement” on Brooklyn and Beyond and you will hear my voice and my Japanese translator.

DJ Kenny is a big fan of Japan btw and has gone there to encourage the churches quite a few times.

Heres a sample track from the Cross Rhythms site. [MP3] Buying an album will help DJ Kenny get over to our Die Gefaehrten Global Roundtable for Emerging Church Leaders (Germany, Aug 6-8) and we really want him there. Check out his web site and click on audio. Heck – someone just send him $500 and tell him to buy a plane ticket.

And if you have that kind of money to throw around . . . i mean . . . INVEST in emerging church leaders who want to come to our Roundtable in August, let me know i and i can send you some names. the good news is that Trevor McPherson of Underground Railroad has raised a little money and now we can pay half the fare for some of the leaders we invited from Mexico, Turkey, Macedonia and Paraguay. But there are still many countries not represented.

Sorry – didn’t mean to end this post by passing the hat

[ TRICKSY LITTLE KIWI!!!!]
but hey – there is so much criticism about emerging leaders not having enough connection or training and yet very little resources to make it happen. But happen it will. And we hope Japan might send one or two of their leaders also. A Die Gefaehrten blog is in the making but is not fully running yet. Which brings me back to Japan so i can finish off this post on topic.

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