I have just read an amazing article in the "Leadership Journal, Fall 2009: Your Walls Talk, p.21-23, by Paul Louis Metzger. The author challenges us to rethink forsaking the communion table [and though he didn't include it, I want to include the altar] in our worship in an attempt to make people feel more comfortable; quite the opposite I believe, we are trying to make people feel less threatened. The author talks about what message the communion table sends to the people: 'a symbol of sacrificial love that breaks down cultural divisions and barriers of affinity. It reminds us that life is about being chosen by the Lord for interpersonal communion rather than choosing to consume stuff, and it reminds us we are called to take up our cross rather than seek personal comfort.'[p.22] Sometimes I wonder if we, the leaders, are more timid about worship around the communion table than the congregants? We're told by our denominational leaders how many times its considered appropriate to serve communion. Oh I know its done as a guideline because if it wasn't there in some churches communion might rarely be served, but there are no scriptural commands so why do we feel compelled to observe them and offer the elements of sacrifice and love to our people at every worship experience?. The tired adage, 'it may become a ritual' doesn't fly anymore. I agree with the author that the communion table is to be a time/place where the family can gather together and celebrate the blessings of his love for us, and in the process celebrate our love for each other.
Another place in worship that I feel has been forsaken is the altar, with its accompanying pastoral prayer. In our church the Family Prayer time is a special time/event in the worship service where family is encouraged to gather 'at the foot of the cross' for a variety of reasons, not the least being simply because the Spirit has guided one there. This is a time of family coming together. Attendance there is sporadic, some Sundays there are many, others hardly any'; yet I'm convinced there is never the full compliment that the Spirit is calling. The centuries long training that the altar was only a 'mourners bench' makes it tough to open our people's eyes to the communicative value in gathering there with the family. People are quick to judge why someone has come to altar, rather than opening up their hearts/minds to going there themselves. Now I'm not complaining, just this past week we saw a young teenage girl saved at our altar, and we anointed a young father because his mother has elected not to have more stents and instead has gone home to die among her friends; and people will come when specifically invited. What I am talking about is the 'altar becoming a familiar place of community during the worship; I fear we have become to comfortable in entering worship, finding our seat and then with our posture saying, 'now I'm going to sit here, would you feed me.' Wouldn't it be so enriching if people viewed communion and family prayer as ingredients of worship that they almost couldn't imagine worship not having?
Much of our younger generation is being drawn to sacred symbols, to worship times of interaction. How wise it would be of those who are Christian exemplars to place themselves at the altar during family prayer time, and partake of the elements offered there as a spiritual teaching of those who are younger, so that when they become worship leaders ... communion and prayer time will be enriching family events in worship; and one doesn't just come to worship for the inspirational singing, or the motivational message, but prepared to use all the times/places of worship for praise .. this I long for.
As I read the rest of this journal, my current plans are to continue journaling my thoughts from the articles ... I know that you have limited time, but your thoughts will enrich my understanding. thanks.
Another place in worship that I feel has been forsaken is the altar, with its accompanying pastoral prayer. In our church the Family Prayer time is a special time/event in the worship service where family is encouraged to gather 'at the foot of the cross' for a variety of reasons, not the least being simply because the Spirit has guided one there. This is a time of family coming together. Attendance there is sporadic, some Sundays there are many, others hardly any'; yet I'm convinced there is never the full compliment that the Spirit is calling. The centuries long training that the altar was only a 'mourners bench' makes it tough to open our people's eyes to the communicative value in gathering there with the family. People are quick to judge why someone has come to altar, rather than opening up their hearts/minds to going there themselves. Now I'm not complaining, just this past week we saw a young teenage girl saved at our altar, and we anointed a young father because his mother has elected not to have more stents and instead has gone home to die among her friends; and people will come when specifically invited. What I am talking about is the 'altar becoming a familiar place of community during the worship; I fear we have become to comfortable in entering worship, finding our seat and then with our posture saying, 'now I'm going to sit here, would you feed me.' Wouldn't it be so enriching if people viewed communion and family prayer as ingredients of worship that they almost couldn't imagine worship not having?
Much of our younger generation is being drawn to sacred symbols, to worship times of interaction. How wise it would be of those who are Christian exemplars to place themselves at the altar during family prayer time, and partake of the elements offered there as a spiritual teaching of those who are younger, so that when they become worship leaders ... communion and prayer time will be enriching family events in worship; and one doesn't just come to worship for the inspirational singing, or the motivational message, but prepared to use all the times/places of worship for praise .. this I long for.
As I read the rest of this journal, my current plans are to continue journaling my thoughts from the articles ... I know that you have limited time, but your thoughts will enrich my understanding. thanks.
The protestant reluctance to engage in Communion more frequently has always troubled me. The opportunity to do some serious soul-examination prior to partaking and coming to God with a pure heart is something we need more often, methinks.
ReplyDeleteCheers.