The Congregational Blessing

TEAM of Blessing
by Ririfatu Mariteragi

A congregation is more than an organization. It is a living organism, a group of individuals who form community. As an organism, the congregation shares equally its functions and responsibilities between all of its members according to their gifts and callings. This includes children, youth, young, middle, and senior adults, friends, and strangers. They are all a vital part of the spiritual growth and expansion of the congregation. Being together in the presence of the Spirit--sharing as member/friend, serving with others on committees, commissions, or the leadership team--is one of God's purposes for his people. This is one indication of a congregation being alive and healthy, and growing into the likeness of Christ as they are transformed into a community of Christ. No one should be left out or be there for his or her own glory. All are called as servants of Christ to minister to “the least among them.”

When evangelists help a congregation understand the nature of the sacrament of blessing for the congregation, it begins with a message of the worth of persons. "God so loved the world that he sent his only begotten son” to save the people, the poor and the rich alike. Most often, evangelists refer to the congregation as a community. This is not only what we are to be, but it is the identifying name of the church. It is a way of living God's will together through the ministry and life of his son. God's intention for his people and for all humankind is to give all people the opportunity to return freely to him in order to become the person that he created at the beginning of the creation. God loved what he created and placed everyone into this world with purpose.

We are created for partnership with God and those who are beside us as neighbors. We are learning and preparing ourselves in faith and in prayer so as to strengthen the bonds of that partnership and to be awakened in our spirits to the presence of the spirit of God. We share the true meaning of this relationship in deeds of love. This is very relevant to the life and ministry of the congregation. This is a part of the congregational blessing. It is God's intent to work with those who are ready to respond to the call and who, through experiences with him, enrich the spiritual growth of the whole. As the congregation continues to seek to live together in harmony of purpose and in the spirit of sharing and respect, God will pour out even greater blessings upon them.

"I am longing to pour out greater blessings than you have ever known if you, my people, will open yourselves through preparation, study, and prayer. Look especially to the sacraments to enrich the spiritual life of the body. Seek for greater understanding of my purposes in these sacred rites and prepare to receive the confirmation of the presence of my Spirit in your experiences of worship."

The evangelist has been called into this office to express God's presence and God's love to all humankind through the ministry of blessing. God has used them according to their gifts and their response to the Spirit throughout the years and they have gained an understanding of God’s intent in fulfilling the purposes he offers those who follow him. "They are experienced, mature, trusted, spiritually vigorous ministers of Jesus Christ."

Evangelists as a TEAM of blessing share in the life of the congregation as spiritual companions, apostolic witnesses, teacher/learners, and a pastoral presence. They are ministers of the people, nurturing them in their spiritual growth and encouraging them to offer themselves in service according to their competence. In this way persons gain confidence in themselves, and are freed from the bondage of low esteem and unfulfilled dreams. God waits for us at the crossroads and many will be found willing to meet him there.

Evangelists as a pastoral presence are healing ministers in creating an environment of love, hope, and peace, where there is a spirit of trust among the people. The TEAM of Blessing shares in experiences of faith-building through classes, preaching, testimony, and worship. From their living, they share testimonies of their experiences with God. They bring the people together in the spirit of fellowship, appreciation, and celebration.

The pastor and the leadership team, including the priesthood, come together to share in the spirit of ministry, inspired by the Spirit and sensitive to the needs of the people. The evangelists can help in this prayerful consideration. With the assistance of the evangelists, the leadership team can share with the members why the congregational blessing is so relevant to the life of the congregation. There is a period of preparation that is very important for each individual, household, family, and the congregation as a whole. This is a time for the sacramental experiences of the blessing. Depending on the size and the needs of the congregation, the preparation could take from two to six months. There are some congregations that have taken up to a year in preparation. Congregations who feel the need might divide the Evangelist’s Blessing for the congregation into several parts:  part 1, blessing of the children and youth of the congregation; part 2, blessing of the households and families; part 3, blessing of priesthood ministers; and part 4, blessing of the community of the congregation. Such blessings have been most successful when they have been given by different evangelists at four different services. Other congregations have received such blessings as a part of the single congregational blessing.

In order to fully develop the meaning and nuances of the congregational blessing, members and households alike receive a written copy of the blessing. Like the personal life blessing, there are many guiding principles in the congregational blessing. They need to remember, study, and reflect upon the blessing in order to respond to the Spirit that would lead them into responding to the blessing. The experience of preparation, the sacramental experience of blessing and the results in service will help the congregation in their spiritual growth. If ever the congregation is to experience the fulfillment of the blessing, it will be as they seek to become a blessing.