If your happy and you know it.

One of Katherine's favourite songs for us to sing is "if your happy and you know it." She can only do the clap your hands bit as she hasn't worked out the bit about nodding your head or stamping your feet but loves the song. I came across this article on the BBC news page about an organisation that is dedicated in spreading happiness.

"The world's first membership organisation dedicated to spreading happiness is being officially launched. Action for Happiness, which claims to have 4,500 members in more than 60 countries, says it prioritises healthy relationships and meaningful activities as a means to happier living."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-13046148

It got me thinking about the role of the church in the general well being and happiness of our society/local communities. I don't believe the churches main role/purpose is to make people happy(ier) yet it's ministry should make people feel better about life, themselves and God. Any organisation can do something just to help people but the churches mandate is deeper, it is to bring about salvation and freedom in peoples lives. This should naturally, if we do it correctly, impact the physical and emotional aspects of peoples lives but can't be what we simply measure our success and effectiveness on. Numbers attending and accessing our programme must never be the sole source of justification to running them.

As it states in the article, Action for happiness focuses on "healthy relationships and meaningful activities", which poses the question; If we are to be the church God craves, why isn't the church addressing these needs already? This is not about providing programme to fill the gaps or having programme for programmes sake but the very nature of the church expressing the relational heart of God. We need to ensure that our mission doesn't become a service we provide that makes us look good or make/keep people happy but as a way of exposing people to the fulfilling love of God.

If your happy and you know it clap your hands.

If your happy and you know God, reach out your hands.

Matt