Blessing or Converting?

A number of years ago I came across a fascinating doctoral thesis. Now there’s an oxymoron, “fascinating doctoral thesis!?!” I know, I know…hang on. The thesis was titled: “Blessers versus Converters.”  The study was based on two teams of missionaries who both went to Thailand however with two distinctly different missional strategies. 

The first team, “the converters” went with the sole intention of converting people or evangelizing everyone around them.

The second team, “the blessers” went with the intention of “blessing” people.  They would say, “I’m just here to bless whoever comes my way.” OR “I just want to be a blessing to the people in my community.”

The study followed them for a couple years and here is what they discovered:  

First of all, they discovered that that the “blessers” had a greater social impact than the “converters.” 

Secondly and here is what was so surprising - they discovered the “blessers” had 50x more conversions than the “converters”!!  What!?! In case you missed that: the “blessers” helped 50 times more people find and follow Christ.

Bottomline: the best way to accomplish the Jesus mission is to be a “blesser”!!   

The vision of being a blesser isn’t a new vision, it is in fact ancient. This goes back to Genesis 12…we have been blessed TO BE a blessing. 

You don't need permission to become a blessing. Just bless folks. You don't need to go to Seminary to be a blessing, this isn't for the select few, this is for EVERYONE who says they are in God's Family. Blessing is our Family Business. 

Go and give what you’ve been given. 

“anyone by just giving you a cup of water in my name is on our side. Count on it that God will notice.” -Mark 9:41