As an example of how easy it is to integrate the Church Healthy approach with other methods-
God has enabled the members of the body of Christ, the church, to help maintain the health it was formed with. Some of the ways we have been enabled for this health maintaining care include – pray for others, love one another, serve one another, bear one another’s burdens, praise God together, encourage one another, forgive one another. As I was reflecting on the promises of 1 Corinthians 12:18-27 I noticed a similarity with the B.L.E.S.S. method and wanted to share a way to live into being a BLESS(ED) church.
B.L.E.S.S is a method of sharing the love of Christ with the world. Dave and Jon Ferguson presented this very accessible and authentic method in their book. The central idea is about being very intentional to bless others outside of the church; Begin with prayer for others, Listen to, Eat with, Serve them, Share your story. You might enjoy listening to this podcast to hear Jon and Dave interviewed. They have continued to strengthen their approach to giving Christian witness and blessing the world in this way.
Just as we share the good news and love of Christ with those outside the church, we must share the love of Christ with those inside the church. With our brothers and sisters in Christ. Here’s what that might look like:
B – begin with praying for one another (consider confessing to another so they can pray for you)
L – listen while bearing one another’s burdens
E – eat with, showing hospitality (or honor) to one another
S – serve one another
S – speak the truth in love to one another
————- adding or removing as desired
E – encouraging one another to love and good works
D – demonstrate Christ’s love by forgiving one another