On August 27, Director-in-Chief of Administrative Affairs Masahiko Iburi announced at the monthly meeting of the Kanamekai, the association comprising the head ministers of all directly supervised churches, that Tenrikyo Church Headquarters will sponsor the “Head Ministers Seminar in Oyasato” between April and September of 2001, the 164 year of Tenrikyo. Referring to the head ministers’ need to achieve a firm grasp of the teachings, he said, “Whether we make progress in the path of single-hearted salvation or not depends on the spirit of head ministers and the way they serve as head ministers.” He also said that churches and their head ministers must live up to the expectations of the 380,000 Yoboku who attended the “District Lectures for Yoboku: Action and Progress.”
The seminar will be a three-day program, which will be offered in 19 sessions. Each head minister is expected to attend one session. Consequently, each session will be attended by approximately 900 head ministers, who will stay together at accommodations provided by Church Headquarters. The participation fee is 3,000 yen. More details for the seminar are to be announced.
Director-in-Chief of Administrative Affairs Iburi also announced that Church Headquarters will sponsor such a seminar intended for church head ministers every five years and is also planning to hold another type of seminar that aims to strengthen the faith of church head ministers and refresh their mind as well.
Prior to the meeting, on August 26, the Shinbashira appointed Director-in-Chief of Religious Affairs Yoshikazu Matsumura chairman of the steering committee and Director-in-Chief of Administrative Affairs Iburi vice-chairman.