---
title: New book by the late Kato Tsunehiro addresses the challenges of evangelism in Japan
url: https://www.faithfulnews.com/en/new-book-by-the-late-kato-tsunehiro-addresses-the-challenges-of-evangelism-in-japan
published: 2026-11-10T20:49:23+00:00
language: en
section: World Church
source: https://christianpress.jp/%e5%8a%a0%e8%97%a4%e5%b8%b8%e6%98%ad-%e8%91%97%e3%80%80%e6%97%a5%e6%9c%ac%e4%bc%9d%e9%81%93%e8%ab%96%ef%bc%88%e4%ba%95%e3%83%8e%e5%b7%9d%e5%8b%9d%ef%bc%89/
organizations: Kanagawa Church Union, Kamakura Yukinoshita Church, Reform Presbyterian Church Council
publisher: FaithfulNews
---

# New book by the late Kato Tsunehiro addresses the challenges of evangelism in Japan

A new volume titled 'Japan Evangelism Theory' by the late theologian Kato Tsunehiro has been published, offering reflections on the current state of the church in Japan. The book, reviewed by Katsu Inokawa, compiles eight lectures and one academic paper delivered between 1977 and 1992. These texts were originally presented at the Kanagawa Church Union Elder Training Conference, the Believer Training Conference, and the general assembly of the Kamakura Yukinoshita Church, as well as written for the Reform Presbyterian Church Council's quarterly journal. The publication arrives two years after Kato's death, a period during which the author of the review frequently contemplated how Kato might have approached the difficulties facing the church today.

The central theme of the work is a persistent sense of crisis and passion regarding evangelism in Japan. Kato argued that the primary barrier to effective ministry is the human condition of sin. He posited that when the church understands the 'sensitivity to sin,' its message becomes a spiritual appeal that resonates with the believer's inner life. This approach transforms the proclamation of the cross into a message of healing for sin, aligning with the preaching traditions of earlier figures such as Masahisa Uemura and Tokutaro Takakura. The book emphasizes that the church must function as a 'community of comfort,' a concept Kato maintained from his first theological collection in 1973 through his final work in 2023.

The text outlines specific duties for the presbytery, or elder board, which is tasked with exercising the 'power of the keys' entrusted by the resurrected Christ. This authority involves the discipline of forgiving sins and engaging in 'comforting dialogue' with individual souls. Kato stressed that elders must undergo rigorous training as disciples of the Lord, focusing on pastoral care, the examination of baptism candidates, and church life training linked to discipline. He further highlighted the importance of forming a comforting church based on the sacraments of baptism and the Lord's Supper. This training is intended to occur across multiple regional churches rather than within a single congregation.

In his later years, Kato identified more strongly as a translator of Trunzisen's 'Pastoral Theology' than as a translator of Boren's 'Homiletics.' He expressed deep pain over the Japanese church's failure to become a true 'church of comfort.' He defined this ideal as a 'church of sinners' who live by the Lord's mercy and repentance. The ultimate goal is to lead those who have sinned to touch the Lord's mercy, turn to repentance, and live within the fellowship of the church. Kato argued that this requires the church to touch the life of Christ through preaching and the sacrament, enabling it to stand with flexible strength. The book serves as a voice of encouragement and inquiry for those struggling with the challenges of evangelism and church formation in Japan.