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Truth for EternityI should like to make a point of saying that the fact that the truth of a church name is granted as the truth for eternity throws an important light on the significance of our churches and, depending upon the way we look at it, we can derive delight from it. Though it may have been earlier followers who asked for permission to establish a church and were granted the truth of a church name in response to their sincerity, this truth is not the concern of those followers alone, for it was granted as the truth that would last for endless generations. Those of us who take over and serve this truth would do well to take delight in this assurance and strive to settle the truth deeply in our minds, generation after generation.132 (1969): Ushigome Grand Church Head Minister Installation Service and 80th Anniversary
Churches and the Jiba As a Single BreathA Divine Direction instructs: "The truth of Church Headquarters and the truth of the churches: these are a single breath." (Osashizu, December 13, 1906) Church Headquarters and churches are connected as a single breath. These must not be separated from each other. We must never separate them. When Church Headquarters breathes in, churches also breathe in. If Church Headquarters breathes out, local churches also breathe out. The movement of single-hearted salvation is maintained by a single breath. If this breathing is not in unison, we shall not receive the blessing of a healthy path. . . . I should like you to keep your mind of sincerity firmly bound to the place where the Parent is, so that you will never be separated from Oyasama. I hope that you will exert yourselves spiritedly for the everlasting growth of the churches you have been entrusted with.150 (1987): Tenrikyo 150th Anniversary Doctrinal Seminar
What are the implications of the fact that permission to establish a church is granted upon receiving the truth of the Jiba? One is that churches are inseparable from the Jiba. Another is that we must not forget that churches exist because the Jiba exists. 154 (1991): Kojimachi Grand Church Sanctuary Dedication and Head Minister Installation Service
My intention in proposing that churches be built in a way that enables us to face Jiba when we pray is that I should like all of us to understand clearly that the source of churches lies in the Jiba. 154 (1991): Bando Grand Church 100th Anniversary and Sanctuary Dedication Service
If you live far away from Jiba, you cannot rush to Jiba every time you have a problem. At such times, however, you can hurry to your church where you can have the comfort of leaning upon God the Parent. Indeed, our churches came into existence because people, desiring to have such a place nearby, joined their sincere efforts in establishing them. Our churches must have an atmosphere that makes one feel as if one is in Jiba. 146 (1983): 18th Meeting for Newly Appointed Head Ministers
The Jiba and churches are different with regard to truth. Yet, the truth of a church comes into existence only through receiving the truth of the Jiba. 146 (1983): 18th Meeting for Newly Appointed Head Ministers
Useful Hints for Church Head MinistersOur Parent teaches us: "At each church, there is a person who is its core. Understand well. That person should be the first to understand My heart." (Osashizu, October 31, 1900) I should like church head ministers to respond to this request of the Parent with great excitement and strive to serve in the role for which they are responsible.136 (1973): Autumn Grand Service
A Divine Direction instructs: "If the leader goes astray, everyone else will go astray. If the leader serves in joy each day without going astray, truth will prevail. But if the leader is depressed, depression will prevail. When depression prevails, nothing will come out of it." (Osashizu, July 15, 1901) With respect to our churches, this Direction tells us to be clearly aware that the mind of their core is of vital importance. 136 (1973): Autumn Seminar for Newly Appointed Head Ministers
Church head ministers are responsible for their churches. Their responsibility can be compared to the responsibility parents have for their family. Parents have the responsibility for, and the role of, raising children. By the same token, church head ministers have the responsibility to nurture people belonging to their churches by providing them with spiritual guidance. 142 (1979): Opening of Akita Diocese Office
Once you head ministers, who are the core of your churches, have firmly settled your minds, I am sure that the minds of your followers will also settle. I should like you to remember that before you urge all of your followers to settle their minds, you must first settle your own minds. 147 (1984): 20th Meeting for Newly Appointed Head Ministers
Church head ministers need not be concerned about how to be the core of their churches. Rather, they should concentrate on making efforts to nurture themselves so that followers will consequently come to rely on them as the core. 155 (1992): New Year's message
I feel that you head ministers have to take more pains than anyone else at your churches. I think you are greatly mistaken if you suppose that you can get away with taking things easy. It is you head ministers who must take the greatest pains. It is also you head ministers who must go through the most rigorous training given by Oyasama. 154 (1991): 33rd Meeting for Newly Appointed Head Ministers
Being a church head minister does not alter the fact that you are Yoboku, God the Parent's instruments. All of you, on top of being Yoboku, were given the role of a head minister. It is important to remember, however, that you are Yoboku before you are church head ministers. 155 (1992): 35th Meeting for Newly Appointed Head Ministers
Some people tell me that when they get depressed, they go to their churches in order to see the head minister or his wife because it somehow helps them put their minds at peace. You must create such an atmosphere at your churches. 155 (1992): 35th Meeting for Newly Appointed Head Ministers
I should like to request you, not so much to hold on to any particular joy, but to keep looking for one joy after another during your journey. Not every day will be a clear day during your journey. Thus, if you wish to maintain the "mind like clear skies" at all times, even on a rainy day or a windy day, you have to make an effort to search for joy. You church head ministers ought to take it upon yourselves to become skillful at discovering joy. 154 (1991): 33rd Meeting for Newly Appointed Head Ministers |
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