"Respect Heaven Love People"

“Respect heaven love people” is the business motto of Kyocera, a company in Japan. I am in the middle  of writing my thesis (Yes, I am not done yet!) and part of the thesis is to look at organizations and their styles of leadership. 

Kazuo Inamori, founder and President of Kyocera believes that “people have their own will, their own mind and their own way of thinking. If people are not sufficiently motivated to challenge the goals of growth and technological development…there will simply be no growth, no gain in productivity, and no technological development. “ In addition, Inamori believes that tapping the potential of people will require a new understanding of the “subconscious mind.” “willpower,” and “action of the heart…sincere desire to serve the world.” Inamori teaches Kyocera employees to strive for “perfection” guided by their motto, “Respect Heaven Love People” In turn he believes that it is his duty as manager starts with “providing for both the material good and spiritual welfare of his employees.” (Peter Senge, The Fifth Discipline. 139)

As followers of Jesus we are supposed to always be striving for perfection using the principles that Jesus teaches us. But of course, human perfection is a misnomer because we humans we fall short of God’s expectation of perfect. Perfection isn’t about our looks, jobs or lifestyles,  it is about what is in our hearts.  I don’t believe that Inamori is Christian but his way of doing business looks a lot like Jesus’ teachings.

What if this country did business as if we really were “under God”? What if in the United States all US companies' mottos were “Respect Heaven Love People? What if we were all taught that the “action of the heart” is about a "sincere desire to serve the world?” These “what if” questions for some are impossible to conceive because thinking “what if” would mean that just asking  the question would mean change! It is the “what if?” questions that spark conversations about change.

 I don’t think I am going to stop asking “what if?” because we need the conversations. I need to ask, What does God call us to do? What does it really mean to follow Jesus? How are we a presence of God in this community? These conversations are important in the life of the church. James and Evelyn Whitehead in their book, Method in Ministry – Theological  Reflection and Christian Faith say,

 “The metaphor of conversation reminds us that pastoral reflection is meant to be a communal exercise, not a monologue nor a lecture. If only one’s person’s voice is heard or only one group’s concerns are acknowledged, there is no conversation. ..theological reflection as a conversation is not simply an emergency strategy to meet a momentary need. We do not have a conversation – about poverty or consumerism or sexuality or authority – so that we can settle the matter once and for all and be done with the need for such engagement. The conversation is our life together. Such a community dialogue is a habit, both pleasurable and painful, in which our faith is tested and matures. This realization helps us bridge the gap between theological discipline and the everyday life of Christian Faith.” (p4)

Without our conversations, Bethel would not be. Conversations are “our life together.” Conversations are critical and essential for good health. Just in our regular life, if we aren’t in  conversations with those closest to us about our fears, needs, hopes and dreams, our relationships will not grow and strengthen. This is the life of a community of faith, to be in conversation regularly about God’s role in our life and God’s call on our lives.

I will continue to ask the “what if?” questions, not because we are in a stuck place but because we are working on our relationship with God and the community. We strive for “perfection.” We practice loving God and loving neighbor or in Inamori’s words, “Respect heaven, love people.”

 We are doing well. People are coming to Faith Encounters (which by the way is fun and lively!) music is powerful, messages are relevant, worship attendance and giving is up. There is great energy in the air. We are doing well.

I recently received the following from someone who knows our faith community and most recently attended the “Bark A Lot in the Parking Lot.”

“after the "dog show" event on Saturday, as I was walking home, I was reflecting on all that your church does. A little flock with a few people, but you all really do make your presence known. I thought about how friendly people are -- and yes, now, everyone seems to know me -- but I remember back in your early days how you challenged them to be open, friendly and welcoming. And I think that they are.

Then I got this little missive today, about how people act when people come in to their church, sit at their pews etc. And it made me think, again, how welcoming and open

Bethel

is / has become. So I am sending not because you and your congregants reflect that worse of this message...but that they reflect the best of this message. “

Here is the message to which she refers:

One day, a man went to visit a church.. He got there early, parked his car, and got out.

Another car pulled up and the driver got  out and said,"I always park there!

You took my place!" 

The visitor went inside for Sunday School, found an empty seat and sat down.

A young lady from the church  approached him and stated,

"That's my seat! You took my place!"

The visitor was somewhat distressed by this rude welcome, but said nothing.

After Sunday School, the visitor went  into the sanctuary and sat down.

Another member walked up to him and said,

"That's where I always sit!  You took my place!”

  The visitor was even more troubled by this treatment, but still He said nothing.

Later as the congregation was praying for Christ to dwell among them,

the visitor stood up, and his appearance began to change.

Horrible scars became visible on his hands and on his sandaled feet.

Someone from the congregation noticed him and called out, "What happened to you?"

The visitor replied, as his hat became a crown of thorns, and a tear fell from his eye,

"I took your place."

 

For many of you, it is hard to imagine that  Bethel was described as the church above.  It is because of the "what if?" questions and our conversations together in community that we have grown out of the above description.  Thanks be to God!