Are you a blessing or just getting

The bombardment of things I must get so that I can be happy is overwhelming. The internet was suppose to connect us with community, but increasingly it just divides us in to tribes at war. All the while it feeds us a diet of self sufficiency and selfishness as the route to happiness.

What has the christian community, that is suppose to be a blessing to the world, got to offer in this context?

Being part of a christian community is so good and that is part of the problem. We connect with others from different parts of society. We gather in large groups with the purpose of being an encouragement to each other rather than having to compete. We eat in each others homes. In an increasingly fragmented world, the christian community is so good and truly connected.

So how could we relearn how we are suppose to be a blessing to those around us? How can we reconnect with our mission to make disciples? How can we put the tools to do this in the hands of followers of Jesus who may not feel like evangelists? In the last couple of days I think I have been introduced to such a tool.

For the last two days I have been on what is best described as a conversation, rather than a conference. Hosted by Ivy Church in Manchester and run by New Thing, the Catalyst Community is equipping us to be a churches that multiply rather than die. So much good content and conversation. But perhaps the best and most useful seems to flip the switch from a church community that is just following the culture and “getting” to remembering how to be a “blessing”. It is simple and follows the letters in B.L.E.S.S.

Begin with prayer – as you go who are you praying for?

Listen – as you go, listen to people, their story is important.

Eat – invite people to eat with with you. It is really intimate and builds relationships.

Serve – find ways to serve and help people

Share/Story – your story has power, share it with people and as you do so you will be sharing the good news of Jesus.

So simple and transferable.