Whole Mission
Practice 1: BLESS
Desire
1
To join the church in proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ in word and deed. Or more simply, to share the love of God with people we care about.
Definition
2
Utilizing resources developed by the Covenant church, we practice the 5 steps of the BLESS acronym to share the gospel with people in our lives.
BLESS stands for:
Begin with Prayer
Listen with Care
Eat Together
Serve Together
Share Your Story
Scripture
3
“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him.
(Mark 1:17–18)
“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect…”
(1 Peter 3:15)
“Just as a nursing mother cares for her children, so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.”
(1 Thessalonians 2:7–8)
Practice Includes
4
The practice begins with identifying a person or people that you will pray for regularly, that they may come to know Jesus Christ in a greater way. We pray for these people individually and collectively.
After identifying people and beginning to pray for them, each step of the acronym can include a whole host of steps as the relationship unfolds. The BLESS steps, and reflections on these steps using the BLESS journal or similar tools, helps to make sharing Jesus a natural and normal part of our daily lives and relationships.
The focus is not on having all the right answers or using a particular formula to lead someone to Christ. Rather, relationships develop in which it is normal to share things that matter to us - including our faith in God.
God-Given Fruit
5
New believers coming to faith in Jesus.
Decrease in anxiety or fear about sharing your faith.
A life of lived hospitality and welcome that extends beyond Christ followers to others as well.
The humbling privilege of watching the Holy Spirit at work in the lives of others.
Practice 2: Serve With a Mission Partner
Desire
1
To serve people outside the walls of our church with the love and heart of Jesus.
Definition
2
Engaging with local, national, or global mission partners to serve others in Jesus’ name. This gives us a front-row seat to transformation. We see God’s transforming work in the world, and we experience God’s transforming work in each of us, growing servanthood and humility in our hearts.
Scripture
3
Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.”
(Mark 9:35)
“Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.”
(John 13:3–5)
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus…”
(Philippians 2:3–5)
Practice Includes
4
Depending on the mission partner, this practice may include making donations, tutoring, cleaning, organizing, teaching vacation Bible school, providing transportation, visiting newly arrived immigrants, serving hungry neighbors, or traveling to another country to serve one of our global personnel.
The practice also includes prayerful reflection on these experiences and asking God to help shape our hearts with compassion, love, and humility as we serve others.
At the time of this writing, partners to engage with include:
World Relief Chicagoland
Batavia Interfaith Food Pantry
Kane County Young Life
Healing Hunger Backpack Program
Covenant Harbor
Covenant Point
Global Personnel
The Central Conference of the ECC
The Evangelical Covenant Church
These are the organizations that are our formal partners. Many other organizations that are doing God’s work in the world and can be a part of your practice of service in Christ’s name - we encourage you to share those with us.
God-Given Fruit
5
Living sacrificially for the sake of others instead of for our own self-interest.
Praying for the oppressed, who we may not be aware of on a daily basis.
Fellowship with Jesus, who came not to be served but to serve.
Hearts that mirror God’s own heart of concern for the poor and marginalized.
Personal and communal transformation amongst those who are being served.
Long-term relationships that bear witness to God’s redemptive work.