Ministry with an accent

MINISTRY WITH AN ACCENT

When I arrived first time in the United States in 1977, we were talking in Japanese with Friends. American host family told us “We speak English here in the United States.” with rather hush tone. “Hey boys, Why don’t you start speaking English. After all, that is your purpose here in America? ”  She was right and we tried to speak English with my friends in front of our host mother.

As I enrolled into the college, our teachers had no mercy on our term papers. They expected college level English on each term papers. At that time, there was no computer therefore no spell checker. Our papers were not accepted if there were more than 5 typos. I thought that the college standard was bit high for even some American students. I felt that it was a big deal for me since English was my second language. Nonetheless,  Prior to going to the college in the US. My pastor thought that my English was not good enough for the college education so he introduced a seminary in Tokyo. However, we both underestimated God’s plan and His grace. I was able to survive the US college.

A missionary friend in Japan who sold his business and moved his family to Japan and started the ministry in Saitama prefecture. He was married to a sweet Japanese  lady therefore he can speak conversant Japanese. However, his Japanese was about a 5th grade level. I suggested him to take two years of language training before he starts the ministry. On the contrary to my suggestion, he dove in to the ministry right away.  He tried to communicate the gospel with his Japanese.  The American institutions expect a foreign student to spell near perfect for term papers. This American tried to preach the gospel with 5th grade Japanese. Can you see the irony here?

My point is this.

 Should the US College have a higher standard than the ministry?

 “If you are in the United States, you better speak English Hideki.”

My American host mother said that more than 40 years ago and still echoed in my ears. Missionaries, who came to Japan, have a divine calling; their communication skill should be comparable to the US college standard. The standard should be the same or even higher so that they can communicate the gospel with Japanese. This is called the MINISTRY. Who are they kidding?

 Using a mediocre Japanese for the ministry is not acceptable. Since we are exploring and teaching the Word of God to Japanese as a source of their eternal life. They should have higher standard than a secular College student. Is good enough Japanese really a good enough for the ministry? In my opinion, missionaries should be able to speak fluent in Japanese not Katakoto.(mediocre) Their  communication skills would reflect their attitude toward the ministry. It takes time and effort to learn the second language. I for one am speaking in English as a second language for the 30 years of ministry. People are not listening to our accent; they are listening to our heart. My Friends

Inland Empire Japanese Church : Hideki Kusunoki, former Pastor who still writes with Japanese accent.