Rising From What?

"Wisconsin ELCA Congregation Rising from Painful Post-Assembly Conflict‏" is the title of the latest apology for the heresy of the decision to live outside of the norm of Scripture; the result of the CWA decisions last summer. The article put out by the news service of the ELCA attempts to be a story of conflict turned to renewal and renewal turned to a vision of an even stronger future. After reading the article one has to wonder who would be so naive as to find it encouraging; rather than tragic. All the conflict of the story arose when faithful disciples reacted as they will do when the truth of God is abdicated for the false views of the world. Granted the false view was endorsed by the ELCA at the CWA in words that from "Human Sexuality Gift and Trust"; but that does not change the error. It only brings into the question the continuing legitimacy of the ELCA as a valid expresssion of the Church catholic. Further granted that after some time some people who left the parish returned out of their love for community; but at the price of orthodoxy inflicted upon them by leaders who now stand in the judgement of Mark 9:42. Finally and left unsaid is, "What about those whose discipleship has been diminished or faith impaired who are now wandering without a shepherd because of this imposed heresy by the ELCA?" "What of the members who have been driven out permanently?" For now they have left a former expression of the Church and I pray they have again found a place; an expression of the Church where they may be fed in Word and Sacrament.

Until we reform the ELCA, so that this organization again is faithful to the "canonical Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as the inspired Word of God and the authoritative source and norm of its proclamation, faith, and life" it remains only that; a diminished religious organization.
By God's grace may the ELCA beginning with each congregation and then each synod reform and return to Scripture. Only then will Pastor Sowell's words ring true, ""I am sure St. John is not only going to survive, it's going to thrive." Only then will any congregation, synod or the wider church thrive as God intends; as a community that is the body of Christ; an expression of the Church.

Peace

Pb

Where in Japan are Bob & Chris ? March 31

Bob and Chris are not in Japan. They are on the way back to Aiken, South Carolina. They are on the way home to the place where they love to live and to the people Pastor Bob loves to serve at St. Paul Lutheran church. They were humbled and blessed to be missionaries to the Japan Evangelical Lutheran Church for this unique assignment from the South Carolina Synod. They are thankful for the guidance and support of so many people. They will always remember the loving guidance of Rev. Jerry and Janice Livingston. They treasured the loving cards and remembrances of those praying for them at St. John’s Charleston. They are thankful for the faithful service of Pastor Mark Cerniglia to St. Paul in Pastor Bob’s absence . Now with a deep love and respect for so many Japanese brothers and sisters they are no longer in Japan but in the air and on the way back to Aiken. While they are flying home I thought you might like some information about me; the one called Zen Ben. I am called Zen Ben because that was the name given to me by a wonderful little girl at St. Paul Aiken. But I have another name according to the historic legends of the Church. You may have noticed that even though I look like a Buddhist monk I don’t look very Japanese. I am pictured as a monk sitting in the beauty of nature; but I look more like someone from the Middle East than from Japan. The husband of one of the women Pastor Bob and Chris got to know in Shimizu, Japan knew my other identity and told his wife who then shared the information. He is a Buddhist who knows of my identity from his studies. There is a tradition based in history and perhaps legend that says I am one of those who followed Jesus and even saw him as the risen Christ. That is why I am not Japanese in appearance. I am one of the disciples who people believe took the Gospel to India and beyond after the resurrection of our Lord. I am the image of Thomas. I am the one you know from Scripture as the disciple who wanted proof, who got his proof from our Lord and took the Truth and shared the Good News of Jesus the Christ. So now you know my historic name, Thomas along with my reporting name, Zen Ben. If you want to see me again you may find me on the bottom of the Japanese scroll that Pastor Bob bought from a print shop in Kyoto in 1970. The scroll hangs in his office in Aiken, South Carolina. That is where you may find him very soon. He will be back in the office on April 6th and in worship on Easter serving a congregation that lives the truth written by one of South Carolina’s first missionaries to Japan. “Show me a congregation which is active in its work for mission, and I will show you a congregation which is blessed in its work at home.”Rev. R. B. Peery AM PhD. Pastor Bob will be back home serving and Chris will be worshipping with brothers and sisters active in their work for mission and blessed at home at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Aiken, South Carolina.

Keep praying,

Zen Ben or Thomas ?

Where in Japan are Bob & Chris ? March 23,24,25

“Heaven and Earth will pass away; but my words will not pass away.” Matt. 24:35. Bob and Chris were in Hirosaki, Japan on March 23-25 and were reminded of these words from Jesus in what they experienced in a brief return to the place where Bob came to know, respect and love Japan, its culture and its people. In 1970 as a student from Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio Bob lived for a summer in Hirosaki, Japan in a home stay with the Miyakawa family. He was in Japan as part of the East Asia Studies program as it existed at the time at Wittenberg. Now almost 39 years later Bob was returning with Chris for a day and a half to see the Miyakawa family. In 1970 he came to know love and respect a family that was one of the leading families of Hirosaki, Japan. For three generations they owned the department store of Hirosaki. The building was three floors and sprawled over enough of an area to make it one of the largest buildings in the city. Near the department store was the Miyakawa home. It was a beautiful traditional Japanese home of corridors and richly painted panels surrounded by Japanese gardens. It was a beautiful home where one could simply ponder the beauty and the mystery of Japan while walking along the ponds and gardens. In the home lived three generations of Miyakawa. The first was Chuzo and his wife. Chuzo was the second generation to run the family business. He saw the store inherited from his father through some of its toughest times in the occupation after World War II. At one point the store was taken over by the Allied Occupation and made the headquarters for the US Army in this part of Japan. In 1970 Chuzo had turned over a thriving business to his oldest son and his wife Kikuyo. Kikuyo was an educated woman, a talented fashion designer. She was a tremendous asset to the family business. She was also the person given primary responsibility for hosting a college student from the United States; Bob. Kikuyo and her husband had two children. Shigeki was the oldest and was ten. He would one day take over the business from his father. Momoko was their daughter born on March 3rd the festival after which she was named “peach blossom”. Momoko was five in 1970. Bob & Chris came to Hirosaki this year and found a much different Miyakawa family. In 2009 only Momoko and her perfume shop remain as the legacy of Miyakawa in Hirosaki. Many things had passed away. In 1978 the family had a series of setbacks. The final result was the loss of the business and the tearing down of the historic department store. Today in its place is a parking lot. The building only remains as part of a display of models in a local museum of historic buildings of Hirosaki. The Miyakawa home was also lost in the financial aftermath of events. Today it is a fifteen story condominium. In 1985 ground was broken in the parking lot of the old department store for another condominium building. The lot had been retained and the condominium constructed by the Miyakawa family. Two apartments in that building comprised the homes of Kikuyo and her daughter Momoko. By the completion of the condominium in 1986 they were all that remained of the family in Hirosaki. Kikuyo’s husband died of cancer before the building was completed. Chuzo and his wife had died in the late 1970’s. Momoko’s brother Shigeki and her uncle had moved to Tokyo. The once proud and prosperous family business by 1986 was reduced to a perfume and small dress shop. Kikuyo was still known in the Aomori area and beyond as a fine fashion designer; but in 1996 Kikuyo began having health problems. She spent the next 10 years in and out of the hospital for weeks at a time. Momoko who had taught school after graduating from a local women’s college was now helping run the perfume and dress shop. Then in 2006 her uncle died of cancer and her mother Kikuyo entered the hospital for the last time. As Momoko cared for her dying mother and tried to run the shop she received the unexpected news that her brother had an asthma attack and had died in Tokyo. Leaving her mother’s bedside she returned to Tokyo to take charge of matters and then returned to Hirosaki where her mother, Kikuyo died about one month later. Bob & Chris visited a much different Miyakawa family in 2009 from the one Bob remembered. Today Momoko Miyakawa, a lovely lady; but a lady alone with some of her friends and those who remember her mother, is the Miyakawa family. Today there is no department store, or even fashion design business; but simply a pleasant little perfume store on the first floor of a condominium. It was a stark reminder to Bob and Chris; of the fragile nature of all things in this world. It was a reminder to them of one way to hear Jesus, “Heaven and Earth will pass away; but my words will not pass away.” Matt. 24:35. All things as we know them are temporary except the Word and the words he gave us as the living truth of God’s love. That is in a sense the very reason that Bob and Chris came to Japan for their short six month stay. It was to share the one Truth that does not go away and to see how that Truth is share by faithful servants in the Japan Evangelical Lutheran Church. In a bitter sweet way Bob and Chris had a good visit with the Miyakawa family in Hirosaki; they spent a few days with Momoko Miyakawa and visited the grave site of those Bob remembered who with the family business have long since passed away. Close to the end of their time in Japan they were reminded of the reason they came in the first place; to share the one who said “My words will not pass away.”

Keep praying,

Zen Ben

Where in Japan are Bob & Chris? March 21 & 22

Bob and Chris were at their first youth meeting in Japan on March 21 and a children’s worship service on March 22nd. The first event was for all youth in the Sapporo area and met at Shin Sapporo Lutheran Church. The fun time included extended food preparation for a meal of Okonomiyaki and a desert of crepes and whipped cream as well as a devotion. The group meets once each month with the area Lutheran Pastors. The children’s worship service was the beginning of Sunday activities at Sapporo Lutheran Church. It was bright and early at 9:00 am. Worship was conducted by two members of the congregation and used a power point for the songs. Pastor Bob was asked to give a sermon to the children based upon the days Gospel of John 3:14-21. He did and as with many of his sermons to children he finished the main message by talking about candy and God. He of course had some candy to give out as a tangible illustration. He even gave instructions on how the eat the candy and dispose of the wrapper. When he asked the children what one should do with a wrapper from candy a little child maybe four years of age said they should take it home to put in the waste can. Pastor Bob was impressed that such a young child had been taught to be a good steward of God’s earth. He agreed and reminded the children to never put wrappers on God’s earth; but always in a waste can. Worship and preaching at Sapporo Lutheran Church for the regular service and a time of fellowship afterwards were fine events that completed the formal schedule for this Sunday.

Keep praying,

Zen Ben

Where in Japan are Bob & Chris? March 17

Bob and Chris were back in kindergarten for graduation on March 17. It was St. Patrick’s Day for the Irish; but it was a bigger day for the 22 children who would sing “goodbye dear kindergarten” at the end of their graduation. The class of 5 year olds graduated today form Mebae Kindergarten. This is a ministry of Sapporo Lutheran Church, Sapporo Japan. The children as well as those who will continue in the school the next semester now have a vacation of about three weeks. Then they will be back in school to start the new school year in April. The children who graduated will be moving up to grammar school. Bob and Chris were honored to be asked to attend this special ceremony for the children and the parents; especially those of the graduates. The ceremony included a worship service at the very beginning. Pastor Okada opened the worship service after the procession of graduates with prayer. A verse was read, hymns were sung, and a message was delivered by the principal. The students are mostly non Christian. A kindergarten associated with one of the JELC Lutheran Churches is a service to the entire community and an evangelical outreach at the same time. Though most of those in attendance were not believers they were part of this worship time in the graduation ceremony. In this way the church and the kindergarten are instruments of the Holy Spirit in sharing the Grace of God in Jesus Christ. Learning the stories of Good News and worship are a daily part of the educational process at the kindergarten. It was a special moment to hear the children sing “Jesus loves me this I know for the Bible tells me so.” and to ponder if one day they would be baptized?

Keep praying,

Zen Ben

Where in Japan are Bob & Chris ? March 12

Bob and Chris are now in Hokkaido the northern most island of Japan and in the city of Sapporo; host of the 1972 Winter Olympic Games. Hokkaido is the island of the Ainu; the native people who traded with Japanese and Russians and lived as an independent indigenous people until the Meji restoration that began in 1868. The island is today part of Japan; but remains distinctly different from the rest of the country. The land is open and expansive. It reminds one of the Midwest of the United States. The main crops are dairy products; potatoes and lamb. Horse breeding is done here. The people are independent free spirits who enjoy the beauty of the land and the independence it brings. Hokkaido is also the name of this district for the Japan Evangelical Lutheran Church. This is the last stop on the exchange pastor program for Bob and Chris. In the Hokkaido District they will participate and serve in the ministry of the smallest district of the JELC consisting of eight chapels and four churches. Bob and Chris arrived in Sapporo on March 9th. They were met at the airport by the President of the District and the only female president in the JELC, Okada sensei. They will live at the parsonage of Shinn Sapporo Lutheran Church while in Sapporo. On March 12th Bob and Chris participated in the program of the Mebae Kindergarten at Sapporo Lutheran Church. Sapporo Lutheran Church as well as the kindergarten that is part of it was started by the work of Finnish Missionaries in 1934. The year after the church was established the kindergarten began in 1935. It was built with funds raised by the children of the Finland Lutheran Church. Today the kindergarten has an enrollment of about 45 students. The facilities are immaculate and seem to work extremely well in the program for the children. Bob and Chris participated in the morning worship program on March 12th by teaching the children in both English and Japanese. They began with introductions and lessons about South Carolina. They then taught a lesson on body parts as the beginning of a fun rendition of the Hokey Pokey. Their lesson finished when Bob gave a children’s sermon about God and candy. Before and after the program Bob and Chris enjoyed just being with the children and the teachers and participating in other activities such as clay play and finger crocheting. Bob even participated in skipping robe with the children. Fortunately there are no pictures of this activity. This was not the only day for Bob and Chris to be at Mebae Kindergarten. They have been invited back for graduation on March 17th. They are looking forward to this proud day for the children moving on the grammar school.

Keep praying,

Zen Ben

Where in Japan are Bob & Chris? March 8

Bob and Chris were in both the Tokai and East Districts of the Japan Evangelical Lutheran Church on March 8. They day began early as they left the hotel in the morning to attend worship at Nagoya Megumi Lutheran Church. This was the last preaching assignment for Bob in the Tokai District. The service was preceded by Christian Education for young children in the nave. Bob was invited to greet the children and share St. Paul Lutheran Ch in Aiken South Carolina with them. He first showed them Nagoya, Tokyo, Atlanta, and finally Aiken on a map. Then he spoke about St. Paul, Aiken South Carolina and the families of the church he serves. The 10:30 worship service was well attended with about fifty worshippers. There was representation from all age groups. After worship a luncheon followed in which Bob made another presentation and was invited to answer questions from those in attendance. It was a good time to share our common interests and challenges as Lutheran Christians. Soon however Pastor Bob, Chris and Pastor Tanaka (Pastor of Nagoya Megumi Lutheran Church and Tokai District President) had to head to the subway with luggage trailing behind them. Bob and Chris were towing carryon luggage, computer bags as well as bags for Bob’s vestments and items either bought or received while in Tokai. They looked pretty funny stumbling down the steps of the subway and onto the platform. It was time to catch the subway and then the Shinkansen for Tokyo Station. After arrival in Tokyo Station, two other train transfers and a cab they arrived safely at Tokyo Lutheran Church. Tonight was the very special Service of Ordination in Tokyo for the four new pastors of the Japan Evangelical Lutheran Church (JELC). Bob was humbled and honored to have been asked to participate in the service. He joined the other participating pastors of the JELC in the laying on of hands. He also was given the honor of helping one of the new pastors in the distribution of Holy Communion. As he was putting on vestments before worship he kept repeating in his head, “Christo no chi desu”, “The Blood of Christ”. He remembered how special it was the very first time he was asked to assist a Pastor with Holy Communion. That feeling of awe and humility does not change when one participates in serving Holy Communion to a sister or brother. During worship Pastor Bob also was struck that even though he did not understand the language of what was happening he experienced a very special feeling in some understanding of the meaning of what God was doing this night in the lives of three men and one woman as they became servant leaders to share the Gospel. After worship another grand celebration was held at Tokyo Lutheran Church. Those in attendance offered prayers congratulations and gifts to the new pastors. They will be heading out to their new Calls the end of March. It was late in the evening when Pastor Asano and his wife accompanied Pastor Bob & Chris to their hotel in Shinjuku via one more cab. Thankfully some of the packages that Bob & Chris were trailing as they struggled on the subway back in Nagoya were taken by Pastor Asano to be placed at JELC headquarters for safe keeping. Tomorrow a plane heads north to Sapporo. Pastor Bob and Chris are scheduled to be on that plane as they begin the final ministry assignment in the Japan Evangelical Lutheran Church; the Hokkaido District and Sapporo.

Keep praying,

Zen Ben