Author: RCCM

Parable of the sower (Mark 4: 1-20) / How to be productive in the kingdom Introduction: Today, we will look at a well-known and familiar parable. Read Mark 4:1-9 first. (vs 13-20 for context) A parable is a teaching method which Jesus uses frequently to teach people who want to follow him. It uses everyday situation to teach life lessons. Teaching from the parable has deep implications for the wide audience – of those who seek and those who follow. From the Gospel perspective, our heart’s readiness to receive the Word is crucial to those who have yet to believe. While in the Christian living perspective – our heart’s receptiveness

Journey to a blessed life with God (2 Peter 1:3-4) I once watched a movie – The pursuit of happiness – with Will Smith as the main character. It is true story about a man’s one year struggle being homeless together with his young son. It showcase the American dream to be successful in the land of opportunity. In the story, Chris Gardner had problems with his wife which ended up in separation. He takes his son on a journey wanting to be a successful stock broker. Before he could do that, he needed to support himself by selling a special machine to doctors while interning at a famous stock

The 2019 Asia Covenant Consultation was held in Pune, India, and we visited the country from October 8 to 12. About 70 participants from Japan, Taiwan, Thailand, South Africa, Nepal, America, and India joined the conference. Pastor Kou gave the main lecture on the theme of “Unity and Diversity in the Church.” Each participating country gave its report, and Taiwan’s Pastor Wu presented on his vision. We also heard presentations on various ministries. Worship was led by Japan’s Pastor Ochiai, Pastor Seino, and Pastor Hiyoshi. During a tour of outreach sites, we visited places in the Equator area where employment training for women and church-based nursery schools were conducted. When the

1 Corinthians 10:27-29 says, “If some unbeliever invites you to a meal and you want to go, eat whatever is put before you without raising questions of conscience. But if anyone says to you, ‘This has been offered in sacrifice,’ then do not eat it, both for the sake of the man who told you and for conscience’ sake–the other man’s conscience, I mean, not yours. For why should my freedom be judged by another’s conscience?” The church is a gathering of people with a common mission. But because it is a gathering of people, interpersonal conflicts tend to arise. Even in the denomination I belong to, there have been

This March, I had the unexpected opportunity of visiting Sansung Church in Daejeon, South Korea. This was thanks to Pastor Ban of Shonan Community Church in Japan. I heard about how, through Sansung Church, Pastor Ban decided to become a missionary to Japan. It was an amazing story of God’s leading and His great plans. Sansung Church is Methodist in affliation and has over 3,000 members. I will try to summarize what I learned about this church: 1) Led by a senior pastor and 14 assistant pastors and staff members, Sansung has grown to two church sites. Not centered merely on programs, the church focuses on making disciples — that

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Churches are expected to do good work that serves and takes root in their communities. Some churches advance social welfare; some offer English or music or sport classes. Other churches reach out to the sick, such as cancer patients. Whatever form this may take, pastors and church members can use their unique gifts and backgrounds to serve the community. For example, the posters below promote a cancer support event. Mr and Mrs Fukuhara, members of IBF church, are involved in this support group called “Philosophy of Cancer, Outpatient Care”. With the help of Nagareyama City, their group will run an admission-free event involving discussions with invited speakers and panelists who