Practical Matters to Consider for the Lord's Supper

Friends,

When it comes to theology, fewer matters in the church are more debated amongst denominations (and especially our own) than the observance of the Lord’s Supper. This blog is not intended to deal with those theological issues. My point in writing this blog is to offer an insight into how I personally handle some practical matters that surround the Lord’s Supper and offer these for your consideration. I could offer some tips on things like "how to handle your deacon when he brings grape soda instead of grape juice to prepare the Lord’s Table" (which actually did happen in my first pastorate) but I’ll just stick to more edifying and, hopefully, common matters regarding the Lord’s Supper. It is my hope that this blog can be a means of others possibly renewing or refining their practice of the Lord’s Supper as well as receiving input from others that can be of benefit to all.

1) Consider Intentional Awareness to the Observance of the Lord’ Supper

The Lord’s Supper really shouldn’t be something we just show up and take without serious consideration. Use your church’s bulletins and Sunday School classes to inform people of when the meal will be observed and how they should prepare to take it.

2) Consider Focusing the Entire Worship Service on the Lord’s Supper

The church that I grew up in observed the Lord’s Supper quarterly in what I term an "add-on" to the worship service that fell on that day. Basically, at the end of the service we took five to ten minutes to observe the Supper and it was over. For me personally, this practice conveyed the idea that the Lord’s Supper was no big deal. Biblically, however, nothing could be further from the truth. In no uncertain terms the New Testament teaches that the Lord's Supper is an issue of extreme importance in the church, as are all means of God’s grace. Informed, prepared Christians who take it properly come into contact with the full covenant ramifications of Christ’s life in the Supper. Uninformed, unprepared Christians take the Supper to their own detriment- including sickness and death (1 Corinthians 11:29-30). Hymns, Scripture reading and prayers should be focused upon the wondrous aspects of the Lord’s Supper. This is especially true concerning the sermon, which brings us to my third consideration.

3) Consider Preaching About the Lord’s Supper before Observing It

I have made it a practice in my ministry to preach about the Lord’s Supper before we observe it. These sermons basically detail what the Supper is, what it means and how we should prepare ourselves to take it. I have actually written several sermons on the Lord’s Supper that I rotate when the day arrives. This helps me to stay focused and prepare to take the meal myself as well as offering a comprehensive understanding of what the Lord’s Supper is to my people so that no one is in the dark about it. And, you can use the time you would normally spend in sermon preparation preparing yourself for the meal. This might sound odd at first, but try it and I believe you’ll find you’ve never taken the Lord’s Supper like you have after you have devoted many hours in preparing and examining yourself for it.

4) Consider Observing the Lord’s Supper in the Morning Worship Service

The church I grew up in as well as other churches I have heard from observe the Lord’s Supper in the evening service. This may be because it is a "supper" and therefore some feel it should be taken in the evening. It might also be that churches don’t want to cause issues with non-members taking the Supper. I can appreciate both these reasons (the last one more than the first), but I have found that observing the meal in the morning service offers many opportunities as well. First, I have more members present in the morning service. Second, I have more lost people in the morning service (and, trust me, when an unbeliever hears a full sermon on the Lord’s Supper and then realizes they cannot take the meal, a deep spiritual impression is left upon their souls).

5) Consider Giving a Time for People to Examine Themselves After the Sermon and Before the Meal

We are commanded in Scripture to examine ourselves before we take the meal. Therefore, the church needs to offer a time for examination to occur. My personal practice is to bring the service into utter silence for a few minutes while we all consider ourselves in Christ. At the end of our examination time, before we come to the table, I will lead the church in prayer using the Lord’s Prayer. The entire congregation is invited to pray it with me.

6) Consider Dismissing in Psalms or Hymns

The gospels record that after observing the meal our Lord and His disciples went out singing hymns (mark 14:26). It seems fitting that our benediction of the meal be in the same order.

7) Consider Doing a Children's Sermon on the Lord’s Supper

If your church observes a "children’s time" during its normal service, consider doing a lesson on the Lord’s Supper. Let them see the bread and the cup while explaining it to them. You can even tell them if they can or cannot take based on their belief in Christ, which offers an evangelistic opportunity during children’s time as well.

8) Consider Walking with the Deacons When they Distribute the Meal

This tip is probably more controversial than the others, but I prefer to walk with my deacons when they distribute the meal. This allows me an opportunity to pray for my people as I go along the pews. It also allows me an opportunity to see who is and who is not taking the meal that I might better focus my prayer and ministry. And, who knows, you might be surprised at what happens when you walk through the congregation. I once had a lost person reach out of the aisle and grab me saying, "I want to be saved- today!"

Feel free to share any practical tips for observing the Lord’s Supper that you perform in your ministry. The Confessing Baptist Blog is a place to strengthen as well as be strengthened.

Blessings,
TJ