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.