Communion should have crumbs

Communion comes in many forms.

The minister and church's theology of communion will shape this form.

If you fall into the category that communion is symbolic, then I think you need to explain and use the symbols which the Lord's Supper allows.

One powerful symbol within communion is the physical breaking of the bread.

I get perturbed when communion occurs and the elements are, at least in a sense, representative of what happened to Jesus or a significant identifier to the passion of Jesus, neglected and it seems silly to reject the most visceral enactment of the body being broken.

In short, I think there's significance in seeing and hearing the loaf being wretched apart, especially if it takes a bit of effort to tear it in two.

Why I explain communion to my daughter and every church family should do the same

At my current church, when we have communion, I make a point to go down the front with my eldest daughter, personally give her the bread, and tell her that this reminds us that Jesus loves us.

Sure, communion is more than just that, but it's enough for a four-year-old to start to understand.

I do this because the research suggests that young people stay connected in the church if they are included in what's going on, understand what's happening and witness the significant adults in their both life living out their faith and practicing their faith traditions.

At my various churches, with a varied level of success, I've always tried to regularly allow children to be able to participate in communion, especially as a family unit. Better yet, I've personally tried (as I wrote about here) to help the youngsters understand what's actually going on.

I wonder, how many churches intentionally make room for this?
I wonder, how many churches actively encourage parents too explain what's going on in church?
I wonder, how many parents would be able to, quite simplistically, explain something like communion, baptism or prayer?
I wonder, how many parents, if asked by their children what's going on during church, would respond with a "shh, be quiet!" not a gentle explaining answer?

If it's true, and I firmly think it is, that children stick around, both at their faith and in church, when older people - especially parents - show and include them in things like communion, if the church is not doing a disservice to the entire family if they don't intentionally nurture these faith-forming discussions.

This is the Body of Christ... Ta Da...

Back when I was a younger man I went to a respected theology-of-youth-ministry conference interstate with a few classmates. At one stage the host invited us to share communion and use whatever wording we were comfortable with when passing the elements.

Now, I'm usually the guy who likes to crack the odd inappropriate comment, but on this occasion, someone beat me to it.

In a voice loud enough for the entire lecture room to hear, he suggested "Ta da!"

It didn't go over too well... And the Dean probably wished he invited other students.

But the episode pops into my mind whenever I help serve monthly communion.

Today, off the back of something I did last month, I asked my minister how attached he was to the "official/traditional" wording used whilst administering communion.

When holding the cup for a child to dip the bread, instead of saying "this is the blood of Christ," I said "this is to remind you how much Jesus loves you." I figured, for a child, this would give a better idea of what's going on.

If I did this to everyone, would it ruffle feathers?

For those whom see communion as more than just a reminder, would it seem like I'm cheapening the sacrament?

For those whom love communion due to the ritual, would changing the expected words take them out of "the presence of Jesus?"

But, for those who are unfamiliar with communion, are these words more useful in explaining what's actually happening?

Whining about wine

With Ange and i coming back from wine country i have been pondering, without much resolution, about having wine for communion.

It was first raised at the evening service and has been bouncing around my head even since.

I should clarify that i think the issue isn't one that ought to cause division. Really, the importance of communion is uniting a body of believers together with each other and what God has done in an act of remembrance.

But still... Wine or Juice?

I trawlerd the net and didn't find any solid answers, just the two sides of the arguement. Some said it must be "fruit of the vine" to stick with the manner that the Lord's Supper was instituted and that wine is a powerful Biblical symbol.

We are to be attatched to the vine. Wine was a sign of God's blessing and a gift from God to be enjoyed. Wine is a superior symbol of the sacrafical blood of Jesus.

But, as long as you have communion with the propper mindset, is grapejuice acceptable? With people who struggle with alcohol consumption, the administration of communion to children and those with various allergies, why not use juice? Why bring up potential obsticales to those people partaking in communion?

Personally, i only choose wine on special ocassions such as Easter or Christmas. Partly because it is at these times they are garunteed to be offered, but also because we particularly focus on the central gospel message. Wine seems to focus me more on these seasons and theis significance.

Do i really think it matters? Not really... As long as the sacrament serves as a reminder of what Jesus did and connects you to the local and wider church and it's mission.

But, would i go so far as replacing wine with Coke? No way...

Servants at the table

Over the last few days I've assisted administering communion during the chapel service of the girls school which uses our church.

In doing so I've been reminded of two things...

First, a lot of people (not just the girls during the week) say thank you when receiving the elements. I wonder who the person is thanking. The person serving them or God? I hope it is the later.

Second, with tradition dictating that those who help serve communion are elders or lay leaders of the church, how should the "assistant" be viewed?

It can be viewed as a place of, for lack of a better word, pride or importance. You are up the front of church.

But, in theory, it should be a place of humility. The communion table is not primarily a meal provided by the church, but by God. It is His table which people are going to.

When we view communion in a meal context, the honour goes to the host, namely God.
The most important people are the guests, in this case the congregation.
Those at the table are helping serve the hosts meal. They are at the bottom of the pecking order.

I wonder if this goes through the mind of those who are holding the bread or the cup???

The significance of communion

I’ve written a lot about communion over the years.

Last week I took some of the older youngsters through the significance of communion.

We spoke about how we did communion - the explanation, invitation, collection, consideration and united consumption.

But, more importantly, we spoke about the significance of the sacrament.

It reminds us of what Jesus did.

It reminds us of who Jesus is.

It reminds us of our connection with Jesus.

It reminds us of our connection with each other.

Communion Awkwardness

Over the last few weeks there was a lot of communion about. After all, it was Easter...

I realised two potential moments of awkwardness.

First, the line up. You know, when the church members head up the front to receive communion. When do you go to line up?

If you go up first, you're eager, or in a rush. If you're near the end, what's the delay? Or, how short does the queue need to be before you step up? Can you speak in the line? Do you smile to those going back to their seats? Finally, do you let those on the isle go before you so you don't need to shimmy past? Or do you let those on the outside go first and follow, so they don't shimmy after taking the sacrament?

Second, the wine/juice drink timing. If the church is new to you, and it isn't announced prior, do you assume that you all drink together? If not, what do you do if you consume too early? Do you pretend to go with your empty cup again in unison?

Oh communion, you quagmire or potential awkwardness...

What do you gain by knowing the first time you had communion?

I never knew when my first communion was.

I can guess a location.

Probably.

Whilst communion is significant, as a Protestant, it's just not something that you mark as a memorable occasion.

Even for the first time.

The same thing will be true for my children.

They won't be able to say when they first had communion.

But their cousins can.

Or at least they will be able to find a certificate marking the occassion.

Do Catholics gain something by making such a big deal about their milestone sacraments?

Do Protestants lose something?

Is the height of your sacramental theology balanced?

Currently, I’m attending a baptist church (actually I’m attached to two since I also go to a different one with my daughters every alternate Sunday).

Unsurprisingly, they make a big deal out of baptism. It is kinda their thing.

But, I do wonder about the way churches can vary in the way they handle the fundamental Protestant sacraments - baptism & communion.

In theory, a church will fall somewhere within the range of high to low sacramental theology.

A high sacramental theology will deeply value the structure, meaning and tradition of the ritual.

A low sacramental theology will be more pragmatic and flexible in regards to structure, meaning and the tradition.

I find it interesting when churches mix their sacramental theology across the sacraments, for example, being quite high on baptism, but low on communion (or vice-versa).

Is this a result of churches seeing the central sacraments as completely distinct?

Is this a result of the minister or congregation’s preference?

Ideally, the sacramental theology of a church should align.

Why?

Because the height of a church’s practice will contribute to the appeal of the church.

For those who value liturgy, structure, predictability and tradition, varying the degree that this is employed through two important rituals may cause discontent or disconnect.

Those who are drawn in by the casual nature baptisms are performed may find the way communion is conducted jarring.

Those who are drawn in by the formal nature communion is performed may find themselves placing less significance upon baptism if they are too unstructured.

Forkin the Body

Last week Ange dropped off communion bread to our old church since she had just discovered a recipe for gluten free bread which doesn't taste like cardboard.

The only problem was that i had to draw the curtain to a not-so-well-guarded-secret of the church world.

Pierce the underside of the communion bread with a fork if you are going to be tearing it in two. Do this and the bread will part perfectly every time...

Whenever i tell someone this trick i feel like I'm the bloke under the mask of "Magic's Greatest Secrets Revealed."

The high-five of peace

In many churches, an element of the service (or at least communion) will be the passing of the peace. Usually, this will involve going around those nearby, shaking their hand, and extending to them the peace of God.

For kids, this can be a little weird.

They don't shake hands.

Ever.

With anyone.

But, what is the point of "the peace" anyway?

For me, a large part of it - particularly tying into communion - is to physically establish the communal nature of the gathered church and express goodwill, in the name of Jesus, towards each other.

This doesn't need a handshake.

So, in every church I've ever worked at, with the younger kids - especially the boys - we have the high-five of peace.

Why?

Because, first of all, it's fun... and fun in church is ok.

Second, it means that I get to connect with the kids during the service itself.

Finally, this starts to lift the stigma of "the peace." Once the kids aren't required to shake hands more adults see the value in including the kids in a way that they are comfortable, and actually enjoying, doing.

Then, "the peace," I truly extended to the child.

Five meals

On Sunday night the worship leader made an excellent point, initially made by Mark Driscoll.

Prior to communion he mentioned that salvation history can be summed up in five meals.

1) The eating of the forbidden fruit in Eden.
2) The first Passover meal.
3) The Last Super.
4) The remembrance meal of Communion.
5) The heavenly feast described in Revelation.

I like it when people point out brilliant insights into the bible that i haven't heard before.

Can celebrating the past show our one-ness?

Ephesians 4:3-6 - Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirt through the bond of peace. There is one baby and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

One.

I wonder, in light of this passage, how should this shape the way Christian denominations treat each other’s practices.

I can think of numerous practical reasons churches have split. When I say this, I’m not referring to elements of belief - even though these will affect our practices - but the activities we do and the way we do them,

Baptism.
Communion.
Church governance.

These are the trinity of division.

We have split over the age and method of baptism.
We have split over the frequency, elements and significance of communion.
We have split over the eligibility, authority and longevity of leadership.

But, we are meant to be one.

So, do we show this in our practice?

Do we acknowledge the faith practices of other denominations? 
Or do we belittle them?

Do we insist that things are done “our way?”
Do we insist that they are done the “right way?”

I’ve been baptised, confirmed and married - twice.

Each of these things in my past can be challenged, even discredited, by those of different denominations.

I wonder, what message the church would send about the overriding unity we have in Christ if we openly acknowledge, celebrate even (!), the meaningful steps of someone’s faith journey in the past, just done within the tent of another denomination?

When symbols hurt

Last night at church we had communion and included bread that had no gluten or lactose.

Earlier that day I had a conversation with someone who would have appreciated this since he, like my wife, has an adverse reaction to certain foods.

Our discussion revolved around the numerous objects which the church symbolically uses which may hold negative reactions for some.

If you are lactose intolerant or react adversely to foods containing gluten, communion is probably a struggle. How do you react when the "body of Christ" makes you feel ill?

More simply, what if you despise the taste of wine or grape juice?

If you had an absent or abusive father, how to do respond when you hear that God is your Heavenly Father?

I particularly wonder about the bread example since the number of food in-tolerances are on the rise and, in the past, many of then went undiagnosed.

Responsive awkwardness

It occurred to me once again how the things we say in church services lose guests.

I say once again, because i first recognised it when attending the morning service on my own. At the start i had little idea what exactly i was meant to do and when... and i was meant to be in the church loop!

I had no idea what to say during communion. I couldn't "sing the eternal hymn." Who knew that you had to stand during hymns, or that you could stand prematurely? I didn't know to recite "thanks be to God" after "this is the word of the Lord..." I didn't know to say the "and also with you" to the minister when he informs me that the Lord is with me. I was fortunate if i could mumble the Lord's Prayer! Worse... who decided that you stand after the offering and sing a song which we're all magically meant to know!

Well, I've noticed it again... Liturgical awkwardness.

The moment when visitors, or people new to church, have no idea what's going on.

People mumble words in unison at seemingly random points. No words on the screen, no warning that it may be happening.

Do i have an answer? No, not really. When you go places for the first few times, stuff is different.

When you go to the RSL they turn to a torch each evening and recite a poem. Seems odd to an outsider.

Places have unwritten customs, church isn't immune.

Sims Church questions

I have a file on my computer called "Sim's church."

It is a checklist which I collected when my wife and I were looking for a church a few years ago.

There is not a church on the planet who would check every box, but the file documents some of the things which went through my mind as a visitor.

Some of the questions (and some have far greater value then others) were...

Website/Facebook - Do they have one? Is it quality? Was it easy to find? Does it have the vision statement on it? Is it explained? What links do they have to other ministries/websites? Is it easy to navigate? Is it up to date? What does it have pictures of - Building, people, minister? Do they have previous sermons on the site? Do they tell me what’s coming up? Is there a map on the site?

Parking - Is there any? Is it close? Is there disabled parking? If it were full what number would be inside 4x? Visitor parking?

Welcome/Entrance - Found easily? Disabled access? Welcomed at door? Info sign with times, ph #, minister? Welcome pack? Sounds prior - music? Quality advert - know it’s open?

Notices - Colour? Pictures? Typos? Ministries advert? Written liturgy? Prayer points? Space for sermon notes? Articles from staff? Notes during service - fun, visual, quick?

Building - Temperature - Too hot, too cold? Heaters/fans/air con/windows? Lighting - Natural? Spotlight? All work? Too dark? Bright colours? Distractions? Comfortable chairs? Pews? 80% full? Can we sit together? Where do the people sit- Front/back?

Singing - Quality? Sound good - buzz? Range of instruments? PowerPoint? Typos? Copyright showing? Use of Body in worship encouraged? Age of songs - known hymns? People enthusiastically singing?

Bible - Read? Version? Provided? How many brought own? Valued in sermon?

Kids - Stuff on? Would you know? Included in service? Crèche? Good toys? Safe for kids - OHS? Basketball ring? Tape on hall floor? Stuff done displayed? Primary/HS separate? Youth and children noticeboard?

Preaching - PowerPoint/Visual? Creative? Expository? Applicable? Bible used? Note taking an option? Responsive? Guests? Balance of NT/OT? Length? Interesting? Personal? Appropriate humour? Spot something I didn’t?

Misc - Did it start on time? Finish on time?

How did they do communion?

Age/life stage of minister?

Age range of congregation - 22-35yo?

Giving bags/plate? Giving talk? Enthusiasm at giving?

Men and women involved - leadership?

Mix of men/women in congregation?

Laughter okay?

Are the people jerks?

Quality Morning tea/supper?

Follow up - What given in to fill out? How collected? Contacted - how? Chance to meet minister?

Tomorrow, in light of a similar list which was created in my final Christian Worship lecture, I discovered who the above questions don't matter as much as I thought...

If you want to sing to Jesus, don’t point it here

My last post mentioned one of the differences between Catholics and Protestants - the former especially mark their first partaking in communion.

But, if you want a simple way to recognise a Catholic Church, you need look no further than the cross.

In the Catholic tradition, they have a crucifix, with a representation of Jesus still upon the crucifixion beams.

The difference was triggered in my mind last Sunday when someone mentioned that we should direct our singing to the cross.

The trouble with this, for Protestants, is that the cross is now empty.

As a symbol of the resurrection, the cross is vacant.

Ditto for the tomb.

So, singing to the cross would be singing to an, albeit significant, symbol.

The cross, now, two pieces of wood that point us to the sacrifice of Jesus.

If you want to direct your worship to Jesus, outside of the Catholic tradition, the cross is not the place to point it…

Communervise?

INCLUDING HOLY COMMUNION

If this were on the sign out the front of a church, attached with the advertisement of a church service, then I don't think most people would be more inclined to attend.

Why?

Because, if I weren't a Christian, I would have little idea what the above sentence would exactly mean.

Maybe it's just the way I view things, but perhaps the church overestimates either a)the amount or accuracy which non-believers understand what happens during church services, or b) that everything we do is attractive to an outsider.

Should Christian have faux-Passover?

As we approach Easter I expect that many churches will be doing a Passover memorial meal. I’ve been to plenty, but never personally run one.

But I would have. 

Probably without hesitation.

But, is a Passover meal something Christians should partake in?

Should followers of Jesus imitate a religious feast of another faith?

Further to the point, should they do it and substitute their own beliefs upon another religions sacrament?

How would Christians feel if the shoe was on the other foot?

How would we react if Scientologist had “fake communion”?

How would we respond if Mormons imitated baptisms, stamping their doctrine over the sacrament?

And, why do we stop at Passover?

Why don’t we imitate all of the Jewish festivals? Jesus - being a faithful Jew - also partook in all of them. So, why don’t we do them and cram Jesus in.

Why don’t we commandeer other traditions like Ramadan?

Isn’t the whole practice, the more you think about it, quite insensitive to those whom the practice is still deeply significant?

Tenebrae reflections

The wost i have ever felt after a church service was post a Easter Sunday service four years ago. For some reason the church i was working for decided to not hold an evening service (with the rest of the staff members departing on holidays). I overturned this and organised an impromptu tenebrae service.

I thought it was awful (everyone else thought it was pretty good, even quite moving).

From my point of view, i knew the descent into darkness happened out of order. I knew that one of the readers went before they should have. I worked a 13 hour day and it caught up with me.

Afterwards i just wanted to cry.

This year, i gave it another go.

It went much, much better.

I was more organised and gave the readers individual instructions. I went through the entire service multiple times to ensure that everything would be in order. I printed out the readings, having collected them in advance.

But, when i do it again it will be further tweaked.

The instructions to the readers will include a spiel about adjusting the microphone and waiting until the lights of the previous person are extinguished before getting up.

To add length to the service I'll look to include communion (which is in the original service that i base it on).

I'll be aware of emergency exit lights in the church building (a darkened sanctuary has the mood killed by a bright fluorescent green sign) and cover them (OHS won't mind!).

Finally, I'll make sure i don't take a short cut with the sound. With the intimacy of the service we just used a microphone into the guitar amp. The problem? This is not hooked into the hearing loop and when you are alerted to this midway through the second reading it is too late (sorry Mavis!).