The Elements of the Table
Do the Dew?
Do you remember the “communion pods” churches used in the midst of COVID? They were shaped like those little shelf-stable coffee creamers and had two layers of tabs. You peel back the first one to access the wafer that was more like styrofoam than bread. Then you peel back the second tab to uncork the overly sweet juice. We were glad to move away from those and to something a little more normal.
More recently, the Anglican Church made headlines (at least ones pastors read) for banning gluten-free bread and non-alcoholic wine (which apparently is distinct from juice) at Communion. What constitutes acceptable elements at the Lord’s Table is a longstanding discussion, in part because of an inordinate desire to push boundaries and try to justify Mt Dew and Doritos for such purposes.
More recently, the Anglican Church made headlines (at least ones pastors read) for banning gluten-free bread and non-alcoholic wine (which apparently is distinct from juice) at Communion. What constitutes acceptable elements at the Lord’s Table is a longstanding discussion, in part because of an inordinate desire to push boundaries and try to justify Mt Dew and Doritos for such purposes.
Regulated by the Word
It’s clear that when Jesus instituted the ordinance of Communion, he used bread and wine (Matthew 26:26-29). He and his disciples were celebrating Passover, commemorating Israel’s exodus from slavery in Egypt. The additional ceremonial moment was foreshadowing the New Exodus Jesus was about to accomplish after the meal through his death and resurrection. However, we don’t insist on “reclining at table,” the bread being unleavened, or being in an upper room for Communion, so why insist on the elements we consume?
I think the parameters of what is permissible for Communion is some kind of bread—unleavened, leavened, multi-grain, sourdough, gluten-free, gluten-laden—and a drink from “the fruit of the vine,” that is grapes. I think what is preferable is a good bread and red wine. I phrase it that way because Scripture ought to regulate how we worship—we are not free to worship God however we want (listen to Pastor Zach’s recent exhortation on this for more). Scripture does not just give norms for worship, freeing us to do what we will so long as it is not forbidden. However, Scripture is not overly prescriptive on this either.
I think the parameters of what is permissible for Communion is some kind of bread—unleavened, leavened, multi-grain, sourdough, gluten-free, gluten-laden—and a drink from “the fruit of the vine,” that is grapes. I think what is preferable is a good bread and red wine. I phrase it that way because Scripture ought to regulate how we worship—we are not free to worship God however we want (listen to Pastor Zach’s recent exhortation on this for more). Scripture does not just give norms for worship, freeing us to do what we will so long as it is not forbidden. However, Scripture is not overly prescriptive on this either.
The Unity of the Table & a Parting Question
Additionally, the significance of bread has been highlighted as we have gone through 1 Corinthians. Paul envisions a loaf of bread in 1 Corinthians 10:16-17, “The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread.” The breaking of bread signifies a meal of unity. Our oneness as a church is on display at the Table. Jesus’ death and resurrection purchased for himself a people for his own possession (1 Peter 2:9 is making that New Exodus, New Israel connection).
There is more that could be said on all of this. There is richness in considering the biblical theology of bread and wine that informs both my thoughts on what is permissible and preferable. But as the pastoral team has wrestled with 1 Corinthians and implications for us as a church as a whole, one thing we are inclined towards is taking another step toward a fuller representation of the imagery conveyed through the bread and cup. A few years ago, we moved away from the COVID communion pods to diced gluten-free bread in cups. We would like to return to pre-COVID communal dishes of fresh bread. As you reflect on what I’ve shared here and our practice as a church, we would appreciate hearing your questions and feedback. In particular, how necessary is it to have gluten-free bread be what we serve?
In all the nuance and details of this topic, we want to keep the main thing the main thing. Namely, when we eat and drink together each Sunday, we are together nourished by faith in Christ as we proclaim his death until he comes. Maranatha! Come quickly, Lord Jesus!
There is more that could be said on all of this. There is richness in considering the biblical theology of bread and wine that informs both my thoughts on what is permissible and preferable. But as the pastoral team has wrestled with 1 Corinthians and implications for us as a church as a whole, one thing we are inclined towards is taking another step toward a fuller representation of the imagery conveyed through the bread and cup. A few years ago, we moved away from the COVID communion pods to diced gluten-free bread in cups. We would like to return to pre-COVID communal dishes of fresh bread. As you reflect on what I’ve shared here and our practice as a church, we would appreciate hearing your questions and feedback. In particular, how necessary is it to have gluten-free bread be what we serve?
In all the nuance and details of this topic, we want to keep the main thing the main thing. Namely, when we eat and drink together each Sunday, we are together nourished by faith in Christ as we proclaim his death until he comes. Maranatha! Come quickly, Lord Jesus!