The Church Letter issued on May 7, 2000. United Churches of Christ, Koishikawa Hakusan Church, Hironori Furuya "The Relay of Pastors, which is NOT easy though"
Firstly, our family thank to the Lord and you, the church members, from the bottom of our heart for the invitation to Koishikawa Hakusan church, after the eight years work as a pastor for Himeji church. When I moved from Himeji church, I was given by the Lord the prayer of Reinhold Niebuhr as below,
God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.
Amen.--Reinhold Niebuhr
At the threshold of 21st century, what was made clear as the church with the long history of traditional evangelistic faith were, though it was a sudden turning point for myself, that we shall aim at keeping the tradition and challenging for the reform with recognizing each other that mutual acceptance and cross-support may enable us to united together, which is the reality this prayer has in depth indeed.
Fortunately, our children are elder enough; first son, Hironori studies at a High School in Niigata Prefecture, second son, Hiroya is in a high school in Yamanashi Prefecture; thus we assumed no obstacle against move from Hyogo Prefecture to Tokyo.
At first, I reported it in the board meeting of Himeji Church, without telling anyone else beforehand. I just cannot forget the disturbance and the shock of the board members at that time. I knew that I betrayed the peoplefs expectation and would say good-bye by the selfish reason of my own; I asked the Lord repeatedly "the Lord, how can I do it?h Being notified this proposal all of the sudden, the board members discussed among them while I was leaving the place, then, they proposed to take this matter up again afterwards. Subsequently, an extraordinary board meeting was held for this agenda. They kindly understood that my intention was unavoidable, but they noted that it should be resolved in the general membersfmeeting; therefore, they wanted me to set on the schedule for it. Furthermore, it was suggested I should inform this matter as soon as possible to any persons with sickness, disabled persons and persons living in distant place. Likewise, it was confirmed that the Pastor should first inform it to the persons who should be comprehended as first to know in the context of the church management.
Until published in the weekly report afterwards, it was ordered to keep this issue secret within the board members, but it leaked, as if raindrops are leaked from the roof, little by little from somewhere. However, the board members kept this secret without divulging at all. Contacting with the Koishikawa Hakusan church with respect to the general meeting for my resignation, I prepared for the Christmas service of Himeji Church. I knew it was the church members that had bitter and sad thought on the back, much more than I did. While sharing futility and sadness, it was mostly valuable that the baptism applicant was given, we saw it the dignity just as a branch given from Jesse's root was.
"Do you desert us?" I deeply recognized the difficulty of Church management while seeking the answer that can be justified, but which was always in vain. I bowed and apologized over and over again, and finally considered it would last until they gave up. Without doubt, however, the greatest obstacle was whether the succeeding Pastor would be given to the Himeji church. I understood the role and mission of the local church at that time. I heard that they would consent to my resignation when my successor is given, and I intently wished the courage to overcome this difficulty. Preparation for the answer to the Koishikawa Hakusan church was processed in this way. I knew that it was expressed gtransferh (tenkin) by the people that do not know church system and communicated so. However, my resignation was accepted by the Himeji church before my successor was given there, which I considered as the victory of the faith of the church members of Koishikawa Hakusan Church.
As Mr. Shohei Niisato pastor gave luring in the ceremony for my inauguration, it was naturally difficult to scout a pastor in his 40's from local church. Moreover, whereas to invite new person with the same conditions was simply beyond imagination, the Lord gave new pastor to Himeji church as well.
Here, I want to follow pleasantly to the call granted by the God