Reimagining Community (The Church part 22)

Reimagining Community Acts 2:42-47 Communion Frank Viola (Pagan Christianity): The Lord’s Supper, when separated from its proper context of a full meal, turns into a strange, pagan-like rite. The Supper has become an empty ritual officiated by a clergyman, rather than a shared-life experience enjoyed by the church. It has become a morbid religious exercise, rather than a joyous festival— stale individualistic ceremony, rather than a meaningful corporate event. As one scholar put it, “It is not in doubt that the Lord’s Supper began as a family meal or a meal of friends in a private house . . . the Lord’s Supper moved from being a real meal into being a symbolic meal . . . the Lord’s Supper moved from bare simplicity to elaborate splendor . . . the celebration of the Lord’s Supper moved from being a lay function to a priestly function. In the New Testament itself, there is no indication that it was the special privilege or duty of anyone to lead the worshipping fellowship in the Lord’s Supper.” When Israel had departed from God’s original thought, the prophet cried: “Thus says the LORD, ‘Stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; and you will find rest for your souls’” (Jeremiah 6:16, NASB). In the same way, can we shun the vain traditions of men and return to the ancient paths . . . those holy traditions that were given to us by Jesus Christ and His apostles?  In the early church this was called the love (agape) feast. It was a full meal and not a thimble of juice and a cracker. What would that look like today?  Communion was a celebration and not a somber event. What would that look like today in our churches? (Yes, there is a remembrance aspect of the crucifixion but the concentration is on the victory not the torture)  Communion emphasized unity. What if we make peace and reconcile before partaking in the meal? Actually, to not do so is defiling the meal. Who do we need to reconcile with in our church family?  Communion is also about equality- there should be no seating arrangements (hierarchy and status). This also defiles the meal. What can we do to bring more equality to our community?  Communion is also about meeting needs. How can we make the Lord’s table about serving each other? For questions and comments please email us at [email protected] or [email protected]