When was the last time your church celebrated the Lord’s Supper? Last week? Last month? Last quarter? The frequency of Communion varies widely across Christian traditions, and even within denominations. But have you ever stopped to consider why you observe it at the intervals you do?
In a thought-provoking article, Marc Brown challenges worship leaders and pastors to examine the reasoning behind their Communion practices. His insights offer valuable perspective for any worship ministry seeking to align their values with their practices.
How Life Changes Impact Our Worship Values
Brown begins with a personal story that many of us can relate to. After struggling with fitness his entire life, he finally established healthy routines of regular exercise and mindful eating in his late 20s. The result? He became stronger and slimmer than ever before.
Then life changed. A move brought new responsibilities, new priorities, and new stresses. His carefully cultivated habits fell by the wayside as his schedule filled with other demands. What happened? His values shifted. Taking care of his new responsibilities meant more to him than taking care of his body.
This personal anecdote serves as a powerful metaphor for how our worship practices can change when we face transitions. As Brown points out, “the value we place on something is based on its meaning.” We naturally structure our time around what we treasure most. But when change enters our lives, we may surrender things we once valued for something that seems more necessary or meaningful in the moment.
The Sacred Meaning of the Lord’s Supper in Christian Worship
All Christians agree on the profound significance of the Lord’s Supper. Brown references Mark’s Gospel account:
“Then he took the cup, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying ‘Take it; this is my body.’ Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, and they all drank from it. ‘This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many,’ he said to them.” (Mark 14:23-24)
Brown emphasizes that his purpose isn’t to promote any particular theological interpretation of Communion. Rather, he argues that whatever way a church understands the meaning of the Lord’s Supper should directly influence the intentionality and purpose behind its timing and frequency.
Surprising Statistics About Communion Frequency in Baptist Churches
The article presents fascinating research from a 2012 LifeWay Research survey of Southern Baptist pastors that revealed significant variations in Communion practices:
- 57% observed the Lord’s Supper quarterly
- 18% celebrated it monthly
- Only 1% practiced weekly Communion
This wide variation raises an important question: Have these churches thoughtfully determined the meaning and appropriate frequency for the Lord’s Supper? Or have their practices, as Brown suggests, “developed over the course of history and been perpetuated with little reflection or rationale”?
Theological Perspectives on How Often We Should Take Communion
Brown presents two contrasting viewpoints on Communion frequency:
The traditional Baptist (Zwinglian) view emphasizes Communion as primarily an act of remembrance rather than a means of salvation. As Keith Mathison stated, “nature determines frequency.” Under this interpretation, less frequent observation might seem sufficient.
In contrast, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary professor John Hammett offers this perspective:
“If the purpose of the Lord’s Supper is solely for us to remember Christ’s sacrifice, perhaps a quarterly observance would be sufficient, though it could also be asked if we can be reminded of the cross too often. But if the Lord’s Supper is given to us as a ‘means of grace,’ by which believing hearts experience communion with Christ, are nourished spiritually, are encouraged by anticipation of the wedding feast of the Lamb, and are renewed in unity and love by partaking ‘of the one loaf’ (1 Corinthians 10:17) and recognizing the corporate body of the Lord (1 Corinthians 11:29), then such a gift would naturally be something we would desire more frequently.”
Examining Our Worship Traditions With Fresh Eyes
Brown concludes with thought-provoking questions that every worship leader should consider:
- Is any church healthier because it observes the Lord’s Supper less often?
- Has the frequency of Communion fallen prey to new things we have decided are more valuable?
- Are our traditions concerning the periodicity of the Lord’s Supper being kept for the sake of history rather than their meaning?
These questions challenge us to examine our worship practices not through the lens of tradition or convenience, but through prayerful consideration of meaning and purpose.
Bringing Intentionality to Your Communion Practice
As worship leaders, we have the responsibility to thoughtfully consider the elements of our services. The frequency of Communion shouldn’t be determined by “what we’ve always done” or what fits most conveniently into our worship schedule. Instead, it should flow naturally from our theological understanding of what the Lord’s Supper means.
Whether your church celebrates Communion weekly, monthly, or quarterly, the key is intentionality. Have you and your pastoral team prayerfully considered why you observe it at the frequency you do? Does that frequency reflect the value and meaning your tradition places on the Lord’s Supper?
Brown’s article reminds us that our worship practices should reflect our deepest values, not just our habits or traditions. As we strive to be part of God’s kingdom coming and His will being done “on earth as it is in heaven,” perhaps it’s time to reconsider how our Communion practices align with our understanding of its meaning.
For the full depth of Marc Brown’s insights we encourage you to read his original article.
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