Posts Tagged ‘Communion’

As a child in an evangelical church, when it came time for “Communion” (which happened once a month, if that, mind you), the plates passed me by. I was told that I was not “allowed” to partake because I was a child. As I grew older, I suddenly became allowed to partake in the Lord’s Supper. I quickly learned that I wasn’t allowed to partake as a child because children simply don’t understand what it’s about, that is, remembering Christ’s death for our sins, but now I did.

I’m not sure I ever thought twice about this. I would say to myself, “Of course, children are immature, and they don’t understand a lot of things, so why would they understand Christ’s death remembered at Communion?”

However, I recently began to question the logic behind this thought. I mean, seriously, how well enough do I understand Christ’s death anyway? It wasn’t until about a month ago when I visited a mainline church in downtown Philadelphia that the error in this logic became more concrete for me. As Amanda and I approached the table, I noticed a small child taking the wafer (now drenched in wine), placing in her mouth, and eating it.

I’ve never seen that before…

But I thought to myself, in God’s eyes, I am just little child. I’m immature. I don’t have complete knowledge. I still miss the mark.

I mean, I’ve read the passage in 1 Corinthians about the Lord’s Supper, and I’ve always assumed that children were excluded. But, as far as I can tell, the exclusion of children from the Lord’s Supper is an argument from silence. And, as far as I know, the Orthodox, Roman Catholic Church, and the Anglican Communion do not exclude children from the table. So why do we evangelicals?

Some would say, “Well…they have to be believers, and you can’t become a believer unless you are able to comprehend the commitment you are making.” That’s fine. But where does Paul say that? Paul is more concerned with people treating Communion lightly, and, as far I’m concerned (and this is somewhat beside the point), taking the Lord’s Supper once a month or once in-awhile is more of treating it lightly than allowing children to partake (actually, in the Orthodox church, if you miss a number in-a-row, you excommunicate yourself…bummer).

Plus, don’t we want our children to know what’s important to us? And isn’t Communion? So, perhaps, children should participate in the Eucharist (in some way) so that they will see what’s important to the covenant body, that is, remembering Christ’s death until he comes. I know some parents who give it to their children, and I know others who simply have their children at the table with them as they partake.

Either way, Communion/Eucharist/Lord’s Supper is incredibly important. It shouldn’t be taken lightly. And this is a reason for having children partake rather than against it. For we, who as a community desire to help raise these children in the ways of Christ, are responsible for showing them that we all need to remember Christ’s death until he comes…children included.

So what do you think?

Post 3 for Everyday Liturgy can be found here.

Also, please take a few moments to answer a quick survey I made about using wine in Communion/Eucharist - click here.