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Relationship Between a Church and Its FollowersWe ought to nurture our minds, first and foremost, in accordance with the spirit of hinokishin and the attitude of hinokishin and, then, reflect the teachings to the world through the practice of hinokishin, so that all of us will be able to work together and help one another in making the Joyous Life World a reality even a day earlier. I should like all of us to continue working in a way that enables us to receive this blessing from God the Parent. Each church ought to be a model place where people who have such a desire gather and work together.133 (1970): Shiroha Grand Church 80th Anniversary
Each of you belongs to a church and that church is, so to speak, your place of birth. I should like you to work hard at your task so you will be able to respond to God's loving care wholeheartedly as the instruments who have the causality of having been drawn to, and thus reborn at, your churches. 147 (1984): 60th Young Men's Association Convention
I think that the sincerity you put into going to your church to offer thanks to God is bound to reach heaven. You might reason that you can offer thanks at home without going to your church. But I am sure you know that when you go to your church, you need to be willing to do so. I feel that this willingness to go to your church will reach God the Parent as an expression of your sincerity. 150 (1987): Harimanada Branch Church
A church is a place where people who have faith in the same teachings gather. It is not intended to be a place where we get together just to gossip and chat. It should serve as a place that reminds us of God the Parent's intention, to which we tend to be inattentive. 140 (1977): Kozukemaebashi Branch Church Sanctuary Dedication Service
At a church, all sorts of people gather and thus, all sorts of minds encounter one another. Some people have the same way of thinking as you do, and others do not. . . . Yet, I believe that we can surely bring about the unity of minds by being singly intent on Oyasama's teachings and pondering and acting in accord with the Divine Model. To do this, of course, we must not neglect to always talk with one another, discuss things with one another, enlighten one another, help one another, convey truth to one another, and settle one another. Further, we must always bear in mind that a clear understanding of the truth of things and events is a basis for unity and that the open-mindedness enabling us to listen to and understand others is a prerequisite. 154 (1991): Autumn Grand Service
A church is an association, so to speak, in which people--despite having varying natures, occupations, nationalities, and racial backgrounds--can talk with one another about the delight of sharing the same faith and make one another spirited. 154 (1991): Autumn Grand Service
Enrichment of Church SubstanceSurely, the enrichment of our church substance can hardly be accomplished in a single day. We must always remember, however, that we first asked for permission to establish a church and God the Parent gave us permission in response. Thus, we have the responsibility to make every effort to receive blessings that make our churches brim with joy, which is the desire of God the Parent and the ideal we have of our churches. How spirited God the Parent will become if we reach the stage where the service is performed in high spirits at every church! Until we reach this stage, we are to continue making steady efforts.134 (1971): Autumn Grand Service
I should like you to be aware that by the enrichment of our church substance, we mean: our willingness to perform the service whenever asked; our joy and excitement that arise from following the instruction "By saving others you are saved"; and our enthusiasm to sprinkle fragrance and do salvation work in order to share our joy and excitement with as many people as possible. 136 (1973): Kajiso Branch Church Relocation Service and 40th Anniversary
The enrichment of the substance of a church depends upon the spiritual growth of those who belong to the church. Spiritual growth can be attained through repairing and fostering. Thus, those who are more advanced in spiritual growth must guide those who have yet to advance, and those who have yet to advance in spiritual growth must be willing to follow the guidance provided by those who are more advanced. The substance of each of our churches will be enriched in this way, consequently adding to the momentum of our activities toward the Joyous Life for all humankind. 133 (1970): Shiroha Grand Church 80th Anniversary
In spreading God the Parent's intention, I find it best to rely on the following set of methods: first, to perform the service and, second, to sprinkle fragrance and do salvation work. I believe so because this set of methods was exactly what Oyasama, while physically present, told the early followers to put into practice and because I feel that now, everliving, She is urging us through Her workings to use these methods. 147 (1984): 20th Meeting for Newly Appointed Head Ministers
I should like all of you to consider sprinkling fragrance and doing salvation work as well as performing the service to be the main pillars of your church activities. Though your churches vary from one another in terms of size and history, I should like every church to maintain these pillars as the core of its activities, firmly upholding them no matter what. I should like you to respond to God's intention by putting these activities into actual practice. 150 (1987): 25th Meeting for Newly Appointed Head Ministers
The blessings our churches are receiving would not be possible without God the Parent's workings, and our church activities can only progress in accord with God's workings. In other words, no matter how much we may depend upon our intellect and creativity in devising our church activities, and no matter how actively we may carry them out, our activities will not last long unless the mind in which they originate is truly rooted in the faith that is single-hearted with God. 133 (1970): Yamana Grand Church
Our wisdom or strength alone cannot bring about the settling of our churches. Only when we receive God's workings can they be settled. Only then will others become convinced of the value of our churches and will our churches deserve to be called models of the Joyous Life for the communities. 144 (1981): Mission Headquarters in America July Monthly Service
If we hope to receive the blessing of the enrichment of our church substance, we only need to follow Oyasama's Divine Model. If only we put the Divine Model into practice, we shall undoubtedly be given this blessing. Please maintain this conviction and do your utmost in following the path so that, no matter how many months and years it may take, our churches will attain the radiance that is in accord with God the Parent's intention. If this blessing is not received despite the efforts we put into following the path, we ought to reexamine the way we carry out our church activities and the way we provide repairing and fostering that are required to promote them. 153 (1990): New Year's message |
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