Comments on: The Illustration of the Hypothetical "Common Loaf Denomination" http://sbcimpact.org/2007/09/27/the-illustration-of-the-hypothetical-common-loaf-denomination/ life :: theology :: church :: ministry :: missions :: worship Tue, 06 Dec 2011 17:40:05 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Amy Downey http://sbcimpact.org/2007/09/27/the-illustration-of-the-hypothetical-common-loaf-denomination/#comment-1948 Amy Downey Fri, 28 Sep 2007 15:59:29 +0000 http://www.sbcimpact.net/2007/09/27/the-illustration-of-the-hypothetical-common-loaf-denomination/#comment-1948 In reading this post and comments, I was struck by one thought ... no one has made the connection to Passover. Perhaps the issue of communion and Lord's Supper (purpose, position, presence) could be truly answered if we did so. Passover was celebrated by individual families (or in the case of Jesus the night before He was crucified the spiritual family of Christ). Guests were welcome but it was family driven and led by the father of the home. It was individual, it was autonomous, it was unique. Just my $0.02. In reading this post and comments, I was struck by one thought … no one has made the connection to Passover. Perhaps the issue of communion and Lord’s Supper (purpose, position, presence) could be truly answered if we did so.

Passover was celebrated by individual families (or in the case of Jesus the night before He was crucified the spiritual family of Christ). Guests were welcome but it was family driven and led by the father of the home. It was individual, it was autonomous, it was unique.

Just my $0.02.

]]> By: Roger Ferrell http://sbcimpact.org/2007/09/27/the-illustration-of-the-hypothetical-common-loaf-denomination/#comment-1947 Roger Ferrell Fri, 28 Sep 2007 13:13:12 +0000 http://www.sbcimpact.net/2007/09/27/the-illustration-of-the-hypothetical-common-loaf-denomination/#comment-1947 All, It is interesting that we all seem to use the terms Open Communion and Closed Communion to mean different things. In my experience Open Communion means open to any follower of Christ and Closed Communion means open only to members of that church or denomination. I do not know of any evangelical churches that offer communion to those who are not Christ-followers, but in my thinking this would be a grievious error, giving those who partake a false sense of fellowship with a Savior they do not know and have not acknowledged as Lord. One other note - I hope that those of you who are pastors are taking an opportunity to participate in communion with your families. Periodically I sit with my family and let someone else lead so that I can take communion with my wife and my two boys and explain things to my 5-year-old who has not yet been baptized. This is a tremendous blessing and not only blesses me and my family but reminds our congregation that I am a dad and husband and that they also are priests of the New Covenant! All,
It is interesting that we all seem to use the terms Open Communion and Closed Communion to mean different things. In my experience Open Communion means open to any follower of Christ and Closed Communion means open only to members of that church or denomination.

I do not know of any evangelical churches that offer communion to those who are not Christ-followers, but in my thinking this would be a grievious error, giving those who partake a false sense of fellowship with a Savior they do not know and have not acknowledged as Lord.

One other note – I hope that those of you who are pastors are taking an opportunity to participate in communion with your families. Periodically I sit with my family and let someone else lead so that I can take communion with my wife and my two boys and explain things to my 5-year-old who has not yet been baptized. This is a tremendous blessing and not only blesses me and my family but reminds our congregation that I am a dad and husband and that they also are priests of the New Covenant!

]]> By: Tony Sisk http://sbcimpact.org/2007/09/27/the-illustration-of-the-hypothetical-common-loaf-denomination/#comment-1946 Tony Sisk Fri, 28 Sep 2007 03:05:13 +0000 http://www.sbcimpact.net/2007/09/27/the-illustration-of-the-hypothetical-common-loaf-denomination/#comment-1946 Brother Tim, I have to say, I read this comment: <i>I am a visitor and one that disagrees with others here</i> and I laughed out loud. That is too funny! I think I know what you mean; it just didn't come out quite right. I hope that that isn't the only reason you visit though, simply to disagree. I hope you find our posts edifying and encouraging. I may have communicated badly. When I said friendly cooperation, I did not mean that we would plant churches <i>together</i>. What I mean is that when planting a church in a new area that we would work alongside our denominational cousins and not against them. Everyone, At Hunting Creek, we practice a closed communion, yet I always explain what I mean by that. I emphasize that only believers can partake and humbly request those that have not made a faith commitment to Christ to please abstain. I encourage visitors to partake regardless of denomination, church membership, or mode of baptism, only that they know Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. I also make a big, big deal out of any new believers since the previous Lord's Supper and that it is their first observance. Brother Tim,

I have to say, I read this comment: I am a visitor and one that disagrees with others here and I laughed out loud. That is too funny! I think I know what you mean; it just didn’t come out quite right. I hope that that isn’t the only reason you visit though, simply to disagree. I hope you find our posts edifying and encouraging.

I may have communicated badly. When I said friendly cooperation, I did not mean that we would plant churches together. What I mean is that when planting a church in a new area that we would work alongside our denominational cousins and not against them.

Everyone,

At Hunting Creek, we practice a closed communion, yet I always explain what I mean by that. I emphasize that only believers can partake and humbly request those that have not made a faith commitment to Christ to please abstain. I encourage visitors to partake regardless of denomination, church membership, or mode of baptism, only that they know Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. I also make a big, big deal out of any new believers since the previous Lord’s Supper and that it is their first observance.

]]> By: marie http://sbcimpact.org/2007/09/27/the-illustration-of-the-hypothetical-common-loaf-denomination/#comment-1945 marie Fri, 28 Sep 2007 02:26:15 +0000 http://www.sbcimpact.net/2007/09/27/the-illustration-of-the-hypothetical-common-loaf-denomination/#comment-1945 SelahV, I do not have a blog, but do enjoy interaction with many on their blogs. :) Geoff, wow, what an awesome inspiration in partaking of the elements - to really focus your congregants on the birth, life and death of Jesus Christ! I love it! Our own congregation practices having family communion on Christmas Eve. Each family comes forward for a time of prayer with the Pastor. He then serves them the elements and blesses them as a family. This past Christmas was mine and my husband's first experience with this and it was truly special. Since we were the last ones there, we were privileged to then serve our Pastor and his wife and pray for them. A tremendous blessing! SelahV, I do not have a blog, but do enjoy interaction with many on their blogs. :)

Geoff, wow, what an awesome inspiration in partaking of the elements – to really focus your congregants on the birth, life and death of Jesus Christ! I love it!

Our own congregation practices having family communion on Christmas Eve. Each family comes forward for a time of prayer with the Pastor. He then serves them the elements and blesses them as a family. This past Christmas was mine and my husband’s first experience with this and it was truly special. Since we were the last ones there, we were privileged to then serve our Pastor and his wife and pray for them. A tremendous blessing!

]]> By: Wayne Smith http://sbcimpact.org/2007/09/27/the-illustration-of-the-hypothetical-common-loaf-denomination/#comment-1944 Wayne Smith Fri, 28 Sep 2007 02:09:15 +0000 http://www.sbcimpact.net/2007/09/27/the-illustration-of-the-hypothetical-common-loaf-denomination/#comment-1944 The church that we attend, Celebrates the Lord’s Supper each Sunday. The table is guarded by telling everyone by Scripture what the Lord’s Supper is and who should partake and why. People are asked to examine themselves before partaking Communion. All Baptized Believers are invited to partake of the elements. A church we attended before moving here Celebrated Communion each Month in the evening service and follow the same procedure as stated above. Notice was always given the previous Sunday, for a week’s time for self-examination. In His Name The church that we attend, Celebrates the Lord’s Supper each Sunday. The table is guarded by telling everyone by Scripture what the Lord’s Supper is and who should partake and why. People are asked to examine themselves before partaking Communion. All Baptized Believers are invited to partake of the elements. A church we attended before moving here Celebrated Communion each Month in the evening service and follow the same procedure as stated above. Notice was always given the previous Sunday, for a week’s time for self-examination.

In His Name

]]> By: Wayne Smith http://sbcimpact.org/2007/09/27/the-illustration-of-the-hypothetical-common-loaf-denomination/#comment-1943 Wayne Smith Fri, 28 Sep 2007 01:53:01 +0000 http://www.sbcimpact.net/2007/09/27/the-illustration-of-the-hypothetical-common-loaf-denomination/#comment-1943 Tim Rogers, My question about the church that only observes the Lord's Supper every five years was not asked to be smart or anything. I just wonder how a church can Honor Jesus Christ in this manner. In His Name Tim Rogers,
My question about the church that only observes the Lord’s Supper every five years was not asked to be smart or anything. I just wonder how a church can Honor Jesus Christ in this manner.

In His Name

]]> By: Roger Ferrell http://sbcimpact.org/2007/09/27/the-illustration-of-the-hypothetical-common-loaf-denomination/#comment-1942 Roger Ferrell Fri, 28 Sep 2007 01:52:40 +0000 http://www.sbcimpact.net/2007/09/27/the-illustration-of-the-hypothetical-common-loaf-denomination/#comment-1942 We practice open communion here at Woodland Creek. All those who are followers of Jesus Christ may partake. For those who are not, we invite them to observe. We most often place tables at the front and back of the sanctuary and offer people a time of self-examination and prayer. When they are ready, they go to a table, are prayed for by a deacon or pastor, and given the bread and juice. I think people especially appreciate being prayed for, though it takes a little longer for the service this way. We practice open communion here at Woodland Creek. All those who are followers of Jesus Christ may partake. For those who are not, we invite them to observe. We most often place tables at the front and back of the sanctuary and offer people a time of self-examination and prayer. When they are ready, they go to a table, are prayed for by a deacon or pastor, and given the bread and juice. I think people especially appreciate being prayed for, though it takes a little longer for the service this way.

]]> By: Wayne Smith http://sbcimpact.org/2007/09/27/the-illustration-of-the-hypothetical-common-loaf-denomination/#comment-1941 Wayne Smith Fri, 28 Sep 2007 01:41:25 +0000 http://www.sbcimpact.net/2007/09/27/the-illustration-of-the-hypothetical-common-loaf-denomination/#comment-1941 Tim Rogers, The First Lord’s Supper, of which we celebrate, was given to non-baptized apostles. Why would you deny a Born Again Christian such as Dr. James Kennedy To fellowship at the Lord's Supper in your church? In His Name Tim Rogers,

The First Lord’s Supper, of which we celebrate, was given to non-baptized apostles.
Why would you deny a Born Again Christian such as Dr. James Kennedy To fellowship at the Lord’s Supper in your church?

In His Name

]]> By: Geoff Baggett http://sbcimpact.org/2007/09/27/the-illustration-of-the-hypothetical-common-loaf-denomination/#comment-1940 Geoff Baggett Fri, 28 Sep 2007 01:10:12 +0000 http://www.sbcimpact.net/2007/09/27/the-illustration-of-the-hypothetical-common-loaf-denomination/#comment-1940 Roger, I think the most unique communion that I have ever led was this past Christmas. I tried to make the visual connection between the newborn Christ who became our sacrifice and redeemer. I placed loaves of bread in a manger along with a bowl of juice. After a devotion and prayer, I invited people to come to the manger and partake. It was the most beautiful, most moving communion that I have ever experienced. Here is a <a href="http://geoffbaggett.wordpress.com/2006/12/24/a-very-special-lords-supper/" rel="nofollow">post</a> post I wrote about it on my blog, with a picture and everything. :) Tim, In my area, some interpret "closed communion" as meaning only members of that actual local church. That was the practice of a church where I served previously. I must admit that I do not communicate the necessity of being baptized by immersion before partaking of communion in my church. I only stress the necessity of a personal, saving relationship with Jesus Christ. Now I'm curious about the practices of the churches of our other readers... Roger,

I think the most unique communion that I have ever led was this past Christmas. I tried to make the visual connection between the newborn Christ who became our sacrifice and redeemer. I placed loaves of bread in a manger along with a bowl of juice. After a devotion and prayer, I invited people to come to the manger and partake. It was the most beautiful, most moving communion that I have ever experienced.

Here is a post post I wrote about it on my blog, with a picture and everything. :)

Tim,
In my area, some interpret “closed communion” as meaning only members of that actual local church. That was the practice of a church where I served previously.

I must admit that I do not communicate the necessity of being baptized by immersion before partaking of communion in my church. I only stress the necessity of a personal, saving relationship with Jesus Christ.

Now I’m curious about the practices of the churches of our other readers…

]]> By: SelahV http://sbcimpact.org/2007/09/27/the-illustration-of-the-hypothetical-common-loaf-denomination/#comment-1939 SelahV Fri, 28 Sep 2007 01:02:24 +0000 http://www.sbcimpact.net/2007/09/27/the-illustration-of-the-hypothetical-common-loaf-denomination/#comment-1939 Thank you Marie. your affirmation blesses my heart as did your prayer for me. do you have a blog? selahV Thank you Marie. your affirmation blesses my heart as did your prayer for me. do you have a blog? selahV

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