Perhaps you have wondered how Protestant churches emerged in Japan. The Reformed Church in Japan began in Tokyo. It is a confessional Calvinist denomination.
In 1946 the Reformed Church in Japan was formed. Before World War II all Protestants had to unite. They formed one church called the United Church of Christ in Japan. Some congregations with a Calvinist background left this denomination. They wanted to form the Japan Reformed Church.
The Christian Reformed Church in North America sent missionaries. They supported the new denomination. At that time the church had nine pastors and three elders. The Calvinist World Mission has since planted two presbyteries. It also planted almost 50 new congregations since entering Japan in 1951.
The CRCNA focuses on the metropolitan Tokyo area. This is one of the world’s largest metropolitan areas. The Reformed Church in Japan now has 220 congregations. It has between 8000 and 9000 members. The denomination is growing steadily. However the congregations are small. The largest has about 210 members. The smallest has about 10 members.
The Reformed Church in Japan affirms the Westminster Confession of Faith. It established sister church relations. These relations were with the Orthodox Presbyterian Church. They were also with the Presbyterian Church in Korea and the Reformed Church in the United States.
The Orthodox Presbyterian Church works with a presbytery. It assists the Reformed Church in Japan in church planting and evangelism. The OPC provides a professor for the Kobe Theological Seminary.
The Reformed Church in Japan has five presbyteries. They are Northeastern Shikoku Western Central and Tobochu. Northeast Presbytery includes churches in many prefectures. These include Kyoto Osaka and Hyogo. Shikoku Presbytery churches are in Tokushima Kagawa and Ehime Prefecture. Central Presbytery has congregations in Gifu Shizuoka and Aichi. Tobuchu Presbytery has congregations in Saitama Prefecture. It also includes Kanagawa Prefecture and the Greater Tokyo Area.
In 2004 the denomination had presbyterian-synodal church government. It had four districts and a Synod. As of November 2014 the denomination allows women’s ordination. Formerly the church was a member of the Reformed Ecumenical Council.
The Reformed Church in Japan cooperates in mission. Partners include the Christian Reformed Church in North America. Others are the Orthodox Presbyterian Church and the PCUSA. The Reformed Church in Japan maintains friendly relations. These relations are with the Christian Reformed Church in the Philippines. They are also with the Christian Reformed Church in Myanmar.
The Reformed Church in Japan observes in international conferences. These include the World Communion of Reformed Churches. The Reformed Church in Japan continues its mission. It is an important part of Protestant Christianity in Japan. Its history reflects faith and perseverance. It stands as a testament to the enduring power of religious belief. The Reformed Church in Japan is a beacon of faith. It offers a welcoming community to all who seek spiritual guidance.