Communion
Posted August 13th, 2007 by Christine
in
I was thrilled to have us partake in Communion together this past Sunday! Even as recently as Friday night at the Leadership Dinner, a number of us were speaking about the importance of this element of worship, and how we'd like to see this available on a more regular basis.
Clearly there is a sensitively to new attendees and seekers, so that they are not uncomfortable. One of the ideas that was discussed, was having a communion and prayer tent sent up in a corner of the auditorium (similarly to what was done at the Women's Retreat for those that were there) - this way it would always be accessible to those who want to partake, but doesn't put pressure on others.
And of course having some moments like this past Sunday, where everyone is involved together in a great time of reflection and communion, is something that I hope we can continue to do from time to time....
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Multiple ways to participate
I liked how, on Sunday, there were multiple ways to participate, reflect and reach out to God.
With several stations, we could choose what to do, or not do anything. And, as a result, I think there was less peer pressure.
I agree that we shouldn't make an environment that makes church feel like an insider club. But, I also think we shouldn't underestimate the desire of anyone, Christian or not, to connect with God on Sunday. If done right, communion and prayer and baptism recommitment stations and reflection walls are inclusive and spiritual, and not ways to exclude others.
I thought it was amazing on Sunday and well done. It felt open and available, and *most importantly* it gave everyone an opportunity to reach out to God in a personal way.
Tanya Reynolds
http://www.tanyamreynolds.com
http://tanyareynolds.blogspot.com
Communion Corner
I like the idea of having a communion corner where people can share communion together without it being a focal point. However, that being said, I think it is important for undiscipled people to see disciples participating in spiritual disciplines and seeing that it is not merely rote behavior.
Sunday's approach was excellent. Definitely the worship was great as were the water, communion and prayer stations. One of the best Sundays since I've been coming to Journey.
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I believe in God because every once in a while, I hear a voice that says, "You're my favorite."
it was good
Yup.. Sunday ... the way we set up the options for communion or not .. was good.
With the topic .. it worked.... I have not gotten any 'negative feedback' about that part... but DO wonder how non-Christian respond to so many going forward to take communion.
As I stated elsewhere
As I just stated in another forum....loved Sunday communion/prayer---loved everything about this past Sunday. Have missed communion....it was why I always looked forward to DEEPER. However, I don't think it would have the same meaning if we did it every week or had a communion corner. I also think that having an explanation about what communion means and why we do it is always important prior to doing it...which I thought Jeff did well with this past Sunday. I think it is also to have options on weeks we have communion...gives some people who don't want to take communion have the option of not just sitting there when it appears that everyone else is taking communion.
Options! Options! Options!
Communion roots
I went to a Jewish worship service when my oldest brother became bar mitzvah'd a few years ago. A meal was to follow the service, celebrating the bar and bat mizvahs (all adults in this case).
But something surprising happened at the end of the service, before the meal began: The rabbi brought out bread and wine. He held up each, and blessed them.
And I thought: Jesus grew up with this! He just took a standard meal blessing and repurposed it!
(So why have we separated it from meals?)
Presactly!
What we did from week to week at our cell church in Michigan changed. Sometimes it was "just social" other times it was discussion, other times it was prayer.
But what always stayed the same is that we always ate together and we always did communion. We took turns leading communion, which meant that even the kids led us (and even the women! Gasp!).
Communion and dinner are good. It's a powerful experience. It is not a mistake that Jesus said, Behold! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone opens the door, I will come in and eat with him and he with me.
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I believe in God because every once in a while, I hear a voice that says, "You're my favorite."
uncomfortable vs. making sense
i love the way we do communion at The Journey. since we don’t have it all the time, it makes it more meaningful and powerful for the people we exist for when we do it. as a believer, i’m in the same boat as many others who’ve said “let’s have it all the time!” but that’s because i understand it and it means something to me.
the decision not to have communion consistently at the journey is less about comfort for seekers, and more about the power of it in context to the teaching or experience that particular sunday.
every time we’ve incoporated communion on a sunday morning it’s because it compounded the central message. we’ve never shied away from having communion if and when it makes sense.
having communion every sunday at the journey [that has a clear and distinct purpose to reach & walk with those who don’t yet know God] would be 100% to pacify believers who are whining for it. in my opinion the argument about seekers seeing believers participate in ritual is bogus. i sat at the river church for a year and watched people stream down to the front to take communion every sunday. it was nothing more than spiritual entertainment. it looked and seemed powerful, but nothing about it simply being there compelled me to want to participate in it. more than anything it made me aware of the difference between me [a fringy visitor] and the hard-core people Jesus really loved.
every conversation i have had about this topic is selfish in nature. WE want communion [me included]. but my non-christian friends who have real questions and pain and emptiness, don’t give a crap if it’s once a week or never. they just hope whatever they experience on sunday is gonna at least be worth getting out of bed for and at best enlighten them to some new understanding of God/Truth/The Universe.
how having communion every sunday is going to help seekers who don’t yet understand the power of it, is beyond me. when we are intentional and connect the dots a bit - it’s so much more likely the people God is desperately trying to reach will actually engage in the taking of communion, grasp a bit of what it symbolizes, and want to do it again for the right reasons.
until those people start telling me they want it more, i think we’re on the right track.
Jon! I agree! I want to
Jon! I agree! I want to see it get back to a meal with friends in a casual setting - something closer to what it was…
Yes!
I think this is what I was getting at with an earlier comment about Passover. Our “communion” has been separated from a very important factor….the meal! I have a feeling that Jesus used the bread and the wine, because he knew that eating together was a necessary and common thing to do.
—brandi
From my background...
I come from a catholic background, so to me, communion was always just another ritual with little or no meaning, just like praying before meals. It has come to mean something more to me over time, but I totally agree with Vanessa - It’s absolutely pointless to have if we’re trying to connect to the seekers (I like that word, btw) on a common level. Communion is something that people can only share significantly if they’re christian. I really identify with what Brandi says too, because sharing a meal is one of the most common things that we do, and is… ‘connection-rich’.
-T
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What if we’re just figments of God’s imagination?