The Evangelist’s Blessing

by former Presiding Evangelist Danny Belrose

The Purpose of The Evangelist’s Blessing

The following quotations summarize the blessing’s purpose:

Yale and Brockway draw upon statements in Church History, Vol. 2 and a pamphlet entitled, The Patriarchate, to describe the evangelist’s blessing. (I have taken the liberty of substituting “evangelist” for “patriarch” and revised their use of exclusive language).

The chief purpose of the evangelist’s blessing is to give an authoritative priestly blessing, invoked by a spiritual parent representing God and the church. Other functions are to give comfort, admonition, counsel as to a godly way of life, rededication and reconstruction, and benediction.[i]

An evangelist’s blessing is given for the evident purpose to bring the one so blessed in closer touch with those divine influences which transform the soul and make us more like the Master . . . In other words it secures to the intelligent, sincere applicant more divine light, knowledge, faith, humility, courage, patience, fortitude, integrity of heart, and spiritual strength that the struggle may be a successful one and eternal life be secured. — The Patriarchate [ii]

Note that the phrase “and eternal life be secured” reflects a sacrament/salvific linkage. Compare this with Roy A. Cheville’s statement, which emphasizes the agency and responsibility of the candidate:

Healthy religion does not take choice-making from its members. The evangelist’s blessing is no escape from decision-making. It is no fortune-telling device to unveil the future. In this light I ask you to look well to your expectations as you come to an evangelist for a benediction. If you expect to shift the responsibility to God for decision-making, you will probably be disappointed. If you come wanting some specific promise of personal achievement, you will likely turn away unsatisfied. If you come to escape from realities of life, you will not find the heaven you are looking for. God is not going to do your problem solving. The evangelist’s blessing is not to give us easy answers. It is not intended to predict the itinerary of our lives. Young people of quality do not want this kind of thing. Nor does God. He wants disciples of understanding and ability who choose to go along with him. The prophetic gift in the blessing does well to give counsel that we may understand ourselves and understand God. The blessing will set forth guidelines for life planning. The actual choosing must be ours.[iii]

Cheville’s statement responsibly addresses the prophetic gift of blessing. Prophetic utterance is not exclusively future oriented. It is forth telling more than foretelling. Prophetic ministry articulates God’s revealed truth whether disclosed in the past, present or potential future.

GUIDELINES FOR ADMINISTERING THE EVANGELIST’S BLESSING

Personal Evangelist’s Blessing:

The sacrament of evangelist’s blessing may be expressed in the life of a person on several occasions as wisdom and need dictate. Through the ministry of human touch coupled with spoken words and the quickening Spirit of God, this sacrament can enrich a person’s journey on the path of discipleship. Considerable preparation by both the candidate and the evangelist is vital. Both prayerfully prepare to receive the discernment of the Holy Spirit and both are blessed by its unction. Evangelists are responsible to discern when a blessing is timely and appropriate as well as not appropriate in the life of a candidate:

·         What has stimulated the need for a blessing at this time?

·         What is the candidate’s comprehension of this sacrament? Is he/she willing to enter the covenant relationship integral to the blessing?

·         Is age a factor? Traditionally, the suggested minimum age for a blessing was fifteen years. Present practice includes candidates above the age of 8 years who fully understand the significance of the sacrament.

·         What are his/her hopes and expectations for the blessing?

·         Why has he/she specifically selected the officiating evangelist?

·         What is presently happening in the life of the candidate and how has that informed the need for blessing?

·         If this is a secondary (“Continuing Life Blessing”), how many subsequent blessings has the candidate received and why?

Guidelines for preparation, although differing from one evangelist to another, may include:

·         Dialogue with the candidate. Blessing does not begin with a salutation and conclude with an amen and a transcript. Blessing begins with establishing an informed relationship that moves toward the sacramental experience and continues in the life of the candidate.  How often one meets with a candidate is discretionary. Circumstance does not always provide for extended dialogue, but preparatory engagement with a candidate is preferable and beneficial to both parties. 

·         Keeping a Journal. Both evangelist and candidate can profit from keeping a journal. Recording insights concerning one’s relationship with loved ones, friends, co-workers, etc., insights gained from private reflection and scripture study can be extremely helpful.

·         Biographical Review. Noting and reflecting upon one’s life journey and sharing important experiences in the dialogue process.

·         Disciplined Prayer. Prayerful preparation by the evangelist and candidate is important. Take time for meditation, silence, listening to music, appreciating nature and your place in the created order. Reflect upon personal needs, hopes and aspirations.

·         Scripture Reflection. (Suggested readings may be found in the brochure “Blessings”)

·         Reconciliation. Evangelists and candidates should explore areas within their personal lives where there is dissonance or alienation and take steps to realign relationships accordingly.

·         Clarifying Expectations. Candidates should be made aware that the transcription process is a continuation of revelatory insight. Not only does the evangelist correct grammatical problems and redundancies recorded in the verbal prayer, but also he/she may rephrase, enhance and expand areas of the written blessing for greater understanding.

·         The Setting for the blessing should provide privacy (some candidates include the presence of a close friend or family member), be free of distractive elements, and conducive to worship. Meditation, readings, music, silence are frequently used in preparation for the blessing prayer.    

The Congregational Blessing

FIRST THINGS FIRST: “A Foundational Question”

Need, timeliness, and preparation are paramount considerations for an Evangelist’s Blessing. What is true for an individual blessing is equally true for the corporate expression of this sacrament. Thus, evangelists requested to participate in a Congregational Blessing should ask, “WHY ARE WE DOING THIS?” In other words, what are the needs, hopes, expectations, and level of participation driving this request? Is everyone (or at least a vast majority) on board or just a few?

All worship acts should be transformative. Sacraments are “covenantal” rites wherein candidates are not simply receivers but active participants. They enter into the rite recognizing that the blessing is more than words uttered (and/or transcribed) but inspired affirmation and counsel to be lived out beyond the worship event. 

The pamphlet The Congregational Blessing provides an overview of the blessing’s purpose.  In summary the blessing serves as benediction of empowerment. God’s blessing is pronounced upon the desires of the people to focus more clearly on the congregation’s current needs, call to service and the direction that it should move in the future. The blessing bestows God’s sustaining grace to strengthen the faith of the congregation on its path of discipleship through:

·         Increasing the bonds of love and commitment of each person to Christ and one another

·         Reinforcing the faith of each one in a trusting relationship with God, regardless of personal circumstances

·         Providing a safe environment for reconciliation and the healing of the spirit of each person in the congregation

·         Providing an avenue for persons to grow in personal and corporate relationship with God.

·         Helping the congregation discover its particular missional call in its community. This may entail assessing past and present ministries to discern a particular ministerial focus that can become the congregation’s major role in community life (e.g., helping battered spouses, youth ministry emphasis, etc.). Congregational consultants can work in concert with the pastoral leaders and a team of evangelist to enable the congregation to set short and long-range goals and objectives.

·         Meeting a unique and/or pressing need of a congregation. A congregational blessing need not be exclusively identified with empowering missional objectives. The blessing can focus exclusively on a specific element of the path of the disciple—community, reconciliation, sharing, learning, spirituality, peace and justice. For example, a congregation may suffer from disjunctive relationships and request a blessing centered in reconciliation and healing of the spirit. This may entail evangelists and congregational leaders working in concert with trained conflict resolution ministers

.

A congregational blessing demands time, energy, and personal preparation, which may include:

·         Priesthood/leadership team meetings

·         Congregational analysis (history, program ministry assessment)

·         Gifts and talents assessment

·         Visiting team program

·         Church School classes (preparation/education re: blessing)

·         Letters sent to active and inactive members

·         Planning worship services leading up to the blessing

·         Planned periods of fasting and prayer

·         Family activities — such as family and congregational history sharing.

GUIDELINES FOR A CONGREGATIONAL BLESSING

The Order of Worship:

As with all orders of worship in which a sacrament is enacted, the congregational blessing should be the liturgy’s focal point or climax. The welcome, call to worship, invocation, scripture readings, hymns and homily should thematically compliment the purpose of the worship service and move the worshipper in a meaningful way toward participation in the blessing. Accordingly, the blessing should not be given early in the service.

The Prayer of Blessing:

Preparation: Preparation is vital! The blessing prayer should be well thought out and spirit-led.  Some evangelists are comfortable in offering an extemporaneous prayer of blessing assured by their advanced preparation and the spirit of inspiration. Others prepare outlines or written drafts and draw from these ideas while giving a blessing. Still others prayerfully prepare a written prayer of blessing that is read to the congregation.

Content: The blessing is a culmination of many weeks of dialogue, home-visitation, priesthood and leadership meetings focused upon a particular congregational need. The blessing must specifically address that need and be contextual to the age groups represented. What is God’s benediction to the children, youth, parents, singles, seniors, etc? Sensitivity to these categories may suggest the prayer’s content be organized accordingly. In broad terms the blessing’s content might include:

·         Thanksgiving for past contributions (those who birthed and sustained the congregation).

·         God’s faithfulness through challenging circumstances

·         Affirmations of worth

·         Expressions of God’s love

·         Assurance that gospel principles are being expressed in the life of the congregation

·         Guidance in making adjustments

·         Opportunity for repentance and to experience forgiveness

·         Insight into giftedness

·         Suggestions for continued spiritual growth

·         Counsel for the congregation’s journey

·         Encouragement in the midst of challenges

The following should not be seen as a rigid formula, but represents a basic outline for a prayer of blessing:

Salutation: The salutation address God. It expresses praise and thanksgiving and functions as an invocation. God is always present and need not be summoned.  An invocation serves to invite the evangelist and the congregation to be fully present to God’s Spirit.

The Purpose: The blessing’s central purpose should be stated early in the prayer (e.g., strength to fulfill the congregation’s mission, reconciliation, missionary witness, etc.)

The Petition: A petition for God’s blessing contextual to the age groups and families represented.

Congregation’s Covenant: An expression of the congregation’s commitment to work toward the desired focus (i.e., missional goals, reconciliation, healing, expansion, etc.)

God’s Covenant or Promise: An articulation of the Spirit’s covenant to bless the congregation’s efforts and specific words of counsel and guidance.  This is in essence the central body of the prayer, an expression of God’s desire to strengthen the congregation as a Community of Christ.

Conclusion: The prayer’s amen prefaced by praise and thanksgiving for God’s blessing and sustaining grace.