Ok...so I MUST take communion or I'm going to hell?

[Momo-P]

Kind of a strange topic, but that's how someone just made me feel. ._.; Basically another kid and I got into a discussion about communion (it all just started as a simple question as to why Catholics call church "mass" instead of just church), but...ya. It became something more. Before I knew it he was yanking this verse out on me:

And [Jesus] took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.â€

[Kaligraphic]

Bread and wine can't save your soul. Jesus is saying "Remember me when you eat and drink". Bread and wine have symbolic meaning, but, really, the communion that is important is the communion of the spirit. This same scripture does not describe a ceremony, but a meal. The body that was broken was not Jesus' physical body, but the body of Christ, of which all we believers are members.

The word communion comes from a Latin word which means sharing in common. The Greek word that we associate with this is typically translated as fellowship. What we're looking at there is a common meal where the disciples would all eat together with Jesus and with one another. It's this fellowship that's important, and the recognition that we all have within us pieces of the body of Christ. That's why Jesus tells his disciples to remember Him in their fellowship. If you aren't conscious of Christ, you'll likely miss out on what he's saying through people.

Likewise, wine symbolises covenant and celebration, telling us that our fellowship need not be oppressingly solemn, but rather that the joy of the Lord should be present, for by His blood, he has rescued us, putting to death our old selves, resurrecting us into newness of life in Christ Jesus.

The ceremony isn't to be a chore, but was created to remind people of these things. The gospel itself is that Jesus' blood wipes out all offences between us and God - without cost, without necessity of any act, work, or ceremony, without condition. Anything which you would have to do to get the benefits of Jesus' blood would make it no longer free, which would mean that your own works gain for you righteousness. As it is clearly stated in the Bible that the only thing that pleases God is faith, such a work that would gain for you righteousness is therefore an impossibility. God has reconciled you to himself; he has not set before you conditions to the blood of Jesus.

I suppose the point of this post is to say that the Christian walk is not a walk of rituals and traditions, but of walking in faith and in the love of God, knowing that He loves us more than life, and coming to understand His goodness. For this reason do we love God, the Bible says - that He first loved us. Walk with God. Come to know His goodness more and more. Abide in Him and in fellowship with His saints, and you'll be fine.

[GeneD]

Hey Momo. I partake in communion at my church every now and again and obviously at Easter. We use grape juice and wafer type biscuits. As Kali says, communion won't save you and if you're a Christian who doesn't practise it you're definitely not going to hell. To me it (as mentioned in the verse you quoted) is a command, but more like a tender request from a God who loves us very very much and gave everything for us.
Just a friendly warning: be careful of patterns or rituals, they can suck the fire out of you and make things seem like chores (trust me, been there, done that, still battling the fruits of trying to do Christianity by schedule.) I think my church does communion on an irregular basis as the Spirit leads them to avoid too many patterns. You can always ask the Spirit to remind you to try communion every once i a while or set a date every few months for yourself. Anyway, i hope this helps and you don't feel condemned about it. A friend once told me that while things like communion and baptism (amongst others) don't affect if you're going to heaven, but they do matter to your relationship with Jesus and your quality of life here on Earth. Good luck with your decision and discovery of communion!

[Momo-P]

Just a friendly warning: be careful of patterns or rituals, they can suck the fire out of you and make things seem like chores

Oh trust me, I know. Hence why I felt so upset over it. It's not to say that buying some grape juice and crackers is really hard, because it's not, but...I'd feel like I was just doing it because Christ said to do it. Is that totally wrong? No, we should do stuff because God commands us, but at the same time it was all done to remember Him. On my own I remember Him always, I always am grateful He died for me and for my family and friends--no amount of wine or grape juice or whatever could change that.

I even know I've heard of churches who only perform communion once a month or so, probably to, as you just said, avoid making it a ritual. Otherwise you do start to feel as if you don't really care and that's not how God should be. Unfortunately it's very hard to avoid...

Bread and wine can't save your soul. Jesus is saying "Remember me when you eat and drink". Bread and wine have symbolic meaning, but, really, the communion that is important is the communion of the spirit. This same scripture does not describe a ceremony, but a meal. The body that was broken was not Jesus' physical body, but the body of Christ, of which all we believers are members.

So if I'm understanding this right, that almost means you could pretty much eat and drink anything and still remember Jesus? I'm not trying to say this to back out of anything here, but that almost sounds like the message you're sending me. *sweatdrops*

I have spoken with my mother over this and her view was kind of the same Kaligraphic, saying that in the end I'm saved and that's the most important aspect, but I always can't help but worry. When Jesus tells you to do something I believe I should do it, but that still wouldn't take away the "what's the point?" feelings. Not to mention there are people I know who may not take communion and then I'll worry for their sakes. I don't think my boyfriend does for example, and while I can ask him to start doing it, he obviously may feel similar to me or something.

Course I suppose worrying about him and other people is better than just freaking out over my personal issues, but that doesn't change the problems with the situation.

[EricTheFred]

I'm trying not to preach what my church teaches, because that is what your friend was trying to do, and I don't see the point. I do want to clarify, though.

Note that I don't necessarily believe anyone is going to hell for failing to partake in any particular sacrament, but I do believe we are commanded to partake in Communion. You need to realize that difference over interpretation of this and several other rituals is precisely why we have so many denominations in Christianity. So, arguing about them in an inter-denominational forum like this is pointless, and to my mind, counterproductive. Let's just understand what we respectively believe.

It may be that in Catholicism, failing to take Communion does lead to damnation. I don't know. In Lutheranism (my faith) there is no act or failure to act that damns someone other that the failure to accept salvation. Unlike the Catholics, we don't believe in 'Deadly' sins. However, we have a large number of things, such as the commandments and the sacraments, that we are commanded by God to observe. We don't do it because we're afraid of punishment, we do it because we love our Lord and wish to follow his commandments. He said "Do this", not "Do this if you feel like it." So, we do it. This may be what your friend was trying to explain. It's about obedience, not salvation.

We stay out of the argument between wine or grape juice, between duly-blessed wafers baked under kosher-like conditions and store-bought loaves, between one cup and many, because none of these are vital in our eyes. But regardless of the ingredients, we join in a ritual meal at the communion table every so often (in some congregations, every Sunday,) in which the cup and the bread are the menu.

[Gabriel 9.0]

I don't recall anywhere in the Bible that says you go to Hell for not doing communion. Some of the scriptures in my sig , tell you what is needed in order to go to Heaven.

[Ashley]

Jesus said, "if you love me, keep my commandments" (John 14:15). Micah 6 also sums it up well: "And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." (Micah 6:8)

I believe that outlines the attitude we are to have concerning the ordinances: we're to do it based on our faith and our love for our Lord, not because we "have to" or so other people will think we are holy.

I do not wish to offend our Catholic members, but I do not believe partaking of the sacraments is necessary for salvation; but as Eric said, that is a denominational difference to be expected.

So if it is not necessary for salvation, why should we do it? Because Jesus asked us to; because if we love Him we will do as He asks; because it is a unifying element in the church to draw the body together; because it links us to the thousands of other Christians from all time.

Now I go to a Baptist school, I have attended Baptist churches my whole life, and most of them only take it once per quarter. I understand their reasoning, but I personally wish to partake of it more often, because it is such an important, sacred thing to me. And for practical reasons: because I'm a student, I travel A LOT (I spent every weekend in November in a different city, for example), and when churches do it so infrequently I usually end up going months, if not years, without partaking of it. I'm sure by all accounts this is considered "too infrequently" but there's really nothing I can do about it if the churches I attend choose only to offer it one Sunday every three months.

I disagree with the attitude "if you take it often it loses its meaning"--I'm not denying that this happens, only that it happens to EVERYONE who partakes of it "too often." Just be careful not to judge our brethren based on what is not good for us--that's taking over the role of the Holy Spirit in their life and I don't know about you, but I'm not better than God at that. ^^;;

By the way, so far this has been a pretty good discussion, but let's endeavor to keep it that way, okay?

[termyt]

No act you commit or fail to commit either condemns or saves you. You are saved because of your faith in the actions taken by Christ in your place.

So failing to take communion does not condemn you if you, in good faith and after study of the scriptures, you feel no need to do so. Every church I’ve ever attended has done some form of this remembrance of the Last Supper. Not every church does it at every service, though.

That aside, however, I should point out that, even though I believe it to be unintentional, you have insulted many if not most of the membership here, myself included.

I don't care for wine or stale bread...so what? Grape juice and a cookie or something? Then what's even the point? Couldn't you just take any food or drink and pretend? And sheesh, it's definitely not like I'm going to forget Jesus died for me...*sighs* But it does say "do it in remembrance of me", so I guess I can start some weekly ritual, but now it almost feels more like a chore...

The Last Supper remembrance is a very important ritual. It does not save you and not doing it does not make you a heretic, but it is important, none-the-less.

It is not about eating cookies or drinking wine. It’s not about the quality of the foodstuffs. It’s about the sacrifice Christ made for you with out which all hope for mankind is lost. It is the very foundation of our belief system.

Just like calling the US flag “some rags sewn together” would likely offend all those who have seriously pledged allegiance to it, calling Communion “Grape juice and a cookie or something” makes light of the significance of the service as if all those partaking are engaging in wasted behavior for no good reason.

So you don’t care for wine and stale bread. Is that what Communion is? Certainly not. It is the memorial for the greatest act of love of committed by any man to another. I, quite frankly, wonder why anyone wouldn’t want to memorialize it.

I took no offense and I pray no others do, either - I like to encourage all who have questions to ask them freely, so, in the end, I am glad you asked it and I am glad for the answers you have recieved.

[K. Ayato]

The important parts of taking communion are, as everyone here has stated, remembering the Lord Jesus and how he offered up His body and blood for our salvation. The other most important thing is that you examine yourself (as described in I Corinthians 11:28). What Paul is saying in that verse is that the Corinthians would sometimes come to observe the Lord's supper with the wrong attitude or have some sin still in their hearts. Some even came just for the food they used. He said if that was the case, then they're not coming for the right reason and shouldn't come at all. Communion is not a command, nor is it a ritual, but we as Believers should still participate in it with our hearts in the right place.

[Mr. SmartyPants]

I hope that uh... we don't start debating Transubstantiation. >_>

[EricTheFred]

A lot of well-reasoned and thoughtful posts. I love how level-headed this group generally stays when the subject gets touchy. Hard to believe we're a bunch of nutcase otakus, ne?

Ashley, about your concern with missing communion due to travels (understandable, if your church communes so seldom.) I don't think there's a single pastor out there who would be offended if someone called them up ahead of time , explained that they are travelling, and asked, "Are you serving communion this Sunday?" , "Can baptized believers from other congregations join in?" and/or (if it's a concern for you) "Do you use wine or grape juice?" Just a suggestion.


Termyt,
Thanks for managing to put into words what I was thinking but couldn't come up with a way to say, without sounding like I was ticked off. I wasn't, since I do understand that, for those who don't have the tradition, it really doesn't seem important. But... I couldn't come up with a reasonable-sounding response. Again, thanks.

[Gabriel 9.0]

Jesus said, "if you love me, keep my commandments" (John 14:15). Micah 6 also sums it up well: "And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." (Micah 6:8)

I believe that outlines the attitude we are to have concerning the ordinances: we're to do it based on our faith and our love for our Lord, not because we "have to" or so other people will think we are holy.

I concur. People are supposed to keep the Commandments and the testimony of Jesus out of love for God, not to look good.

[LadyRushia]

I believe that, as people have mentioned before, it's all about having your heart in the right place. My church doesn't have Communion that often, but every time I take it, it's a very meaningful and special thing. I don't think it's good to see it as something that you "have to do" because then it loses its meaning. Also, I don't think that taking Communion too often will turn it into a ritual as long as you take it with the right intentions.

[Denimcat]

All I really have to add to this is that Baptist churches typically -do- have communion. ^^; Mine does it the first sunday of every month and at certain holidays.

[EricTheFred]

I believe that, as people have mentioned before, it's all about having your heart in the right place. My church doesn't have Communion that often, but every time I take it, it's a very meaningful and special thing. I don't think it's good to see it as something that you "have to do" because then it loses its meaning. Also, I don't think that taking Communion too often will turn it into a ritual as long as you take it with the right intentions.

I think there may be a misunderstanding in the idea that someone does it as something they "have to do", like taking out the garbage or cleaning the litterbox. To Catholics, Lutherans, Anglicans, and Orthodox (I don't know who else, but these I do know) it is a commandment of Jesus and we obey it joyfully, not as some kind of drudgery. We do it because our Lord gave us this meal and we accept it in gratitude and reverence. However, as good servants, we do not turn our nose up at what our Lord gives us, complaining that we don't like the flavor or that the bread is stale or such.

[mechana2015]

All I really have to add to this is that Baptist churches typically -do- have communion. ^^; Mine does it the first sunday of every month and at certain holidays.

Thats what the non-denominational church I went to did.

[Puguni]

I'd like to begin by saying that there is a low Catholic population at CAA, and I am regrettably not very learned in its doctrines.

That being said, maybe you should seek a Catholic priest. I don't see how non-Catholics are going to help you in a very Catholic question.

[Okami]

At my churches, we partake of Communion weekly. Personally, I find it a great reminder of what my focus is to be throughout the week, what Jesus did for me, and looking into myself to figure out where I've fallen short and how I could begin to correct myself, with God's help, of course. It's a time of reflection. And, as many other have said, it's all about having the right mindset. Jesus commanded this of us, but if we don't do it, we're not going to go to hell for it. As it has also been said, Communion does not bring salvation, Jesus does.

(I'm a Non-Denom, btw)

That's just my two cents, if it actually added anything here, I wouldn't know. ^^;;;

[Ashley]

Ashley, about your concern with missing communion due to travels (understandable, if your church communes so seldom.) I don't think there's a single pastor out there who would be offended if someone called them up ahead of time , explained that they are travelling, and asked, "Are you serving communion this Sunday?" , "Can baptized believers from other congregations join in?" and/or (if it's a concern for you) "Do you use wine or grape juice?" Just a suggestion.

Well, usually when I travel, I visit with my Lutheran boyfriend. Some of the churches we attend (he is a student too, so we are often in one of 4 cities) will allow me to partake after I had a discussion with the pastor. Others have pulled me aside and told me personally, or made it explicitly clear in the bulletin, that I was not welcome at the table. I respectfully understood and did not wish to offend, but it did grieve me a bit. Whenever the have a more open policy I gladly participate, wine or grape juice. But yes, there was one year where I did not have the opportunity to commune at all!

That being said, maybe you should seek a Catholic priest. I don't see how non-Catholics are going to help you in a very Catholic question.

You don't have to be Catholic to study Catholic doctrine, especially now with the advent of the internet. I know I myself have had to study a lot of it for my theology degree, and I'm sure some of the others of us--especially my fellow seminarians--have studied it, too. Not to say that we are experts by any means, or that we don't sometimes misunderstand it, but if we let only Catholics explain Catholic doctrine, and only Protestants explain Protestant doctrine, none of us would learn from the other.

[EricTheFred]

Well, usually when I travel, I visit with my Lutheran boyfriend. Some of the churches we attend (he is a student too, so we are often in one of 4 cities) will allow me to partake after I had a discussion with the pastor. Others have pulled me aside and told me personally, or made it explicitly clear in the bulletin, that I was not welcome at the table. I respectfully understood and did not wish to offend, but it did grieve me a bit. Whenever the have a more open policy I gladly participate, wine or grape juice. But yes, there was one year where I did not have the opportunity to commune at all!

I like the statement we print in our bulletin every Sunday. "All who are baptized in the name of Christ and have received instruction in the meaning of Communion are welcomed at the Lord's Table." We don't say baptized in a particular church, or instructed according to specific dogma. That's the way I wish all churches could be, but of course, I suppose that's me trying to impose my theology over theirs. They have their reasons, whether I agree or not.

[Mave]

1) I don't keep track of how often I do the Communion and think it's fine. I do it whenever the church I go to does it, including the random churches I visit whenever I travel.

2) No church has ever denied me participation to the Communion and has always left it between me and God. They do emphasize the meaning of the ritual and that whatever they believe makes you a Christ follower should be observed but they've never strictly forbade anyone.

3) This is the first time I've ever heard anyone describe the Communion as the partaking of stale bread and I feel slightly bothered. This has nothing to do if it's bread, crackers, wafers but pls remember that stale connotates crappy to some of us.

It's one thing to be cautious about rituals (I totally agree, don't let it suck the fire out of you) but pls don't completely disregard them either. With that said, I think Catholics have many rituals with the right intentions (No, DO NOT get into the "you can still be wrong with the right intentions bla bla yadda yadda" argument because I don't intend to entertain it). My point is WE should take responsibility of how meaningful the ritual is to us and it's as good as we treat it to be.

I believe that no ill will was intended in your post so pls don't worry. But Momo, I wonder if you may have read too much into what that kid was trying to say because your interpretation of Communion or Hell comes off rather dramatic. Did he blatantly say that to you or is that more of what you concluded for yourself?

Also, be careful not to stereotype Catholics based on this kid alone.

[minakichan]

We had a pastor from some tiny Southeast Asian island nation (can't remember which) come speak at our church, and since they uh, don't have bread or wine there, they used pinapple juice and papayas. =D

I don't think it's something to really make a big deal of. There are a lot of other topics that really deserve HEATED DEBATES AND HURT FEELINGS more than Communion, I think. It's nothing to make a 95 Theses over. At any rate, I'm fairly certain that there are some people who might be physically incapable of taking Communion, so I don't think God would be so cruel as to restrict people from Heaven because of something like that. Personally, I haven't been baptized, so I can't take Communion, so I don't think I'm going to Hell for it, but at the same time, if you can take Communion, it's good, right?

[ADXC]

Yeah, Im not really adding anything onto the disscussion because I pretty much believe everything thats been said here. I believe it won't send you to hell for not taking it, I believe it should be taken because Jesus wants us to in remembrance of Him, and I believe it doesn't really matter how often you take it as long as each and everyday that you never forget what the Lord Jesus Christ has done for you (Dieing on the cross for your sins so that you may have eternal life.). But it is nice to be able to take communion every week though. And also you don't have to take communion at your church if you don't want to, why you can have it in your own house as long as you keep a time of reverence and remembrance.

I believe the purpose for communion is so we never forget Jesus and what He did for us. But this is not to say you won't forget Him if you don't partake, just that it helps us to clear our minds from the hussle and bussle of daily living and focus on the Lord. And prayer goes along with this very much so. Because the path to destruction can come from forgeting what the Lord did for you. And Im just glad we live in a country where we are allowed to take communion and thank God for it.

[Roy Mustang]

You don't have to be Catholic to study Catholic doctrine, especially now with the advent of the internet. I know I myself have had to study a lot of it for my theology degree, and I'm sure some of the others of us--especially my fellow seminarians--have studied it, too. Not to say that we are experts by any means, or that we don't sometimes misunderstand it, but if we let only Catholics explain Catholic doctrine, and only Protestants explain Protestant doctrine, none of us would learn from the other.

This is something that I agree with very much.

Now about Communion and the Catholic church. Of all the years that I gone to a Catholic church, I have never been force take Communion after I came the age to receive Communion.

I do receive Communion every time that I go to church, but I only receive the bread and not the wine, since it wouldn't be good to mix wine and the meds that I have to take.

I have seen people not take part in Communion at my church at all.

So you shouldn't worry about what this kid says. If its the same kid that you talk about in another thread, all I can say is this. Just don't listen to what he has to say, since he is not being that good of christian acting like that, since he judging others in their ways and that is something that you don't do as a christian.

[color="Red"][font="Book Antiqua"]Col. Roy Mustang[/font][/color]

[Puguni]

You don't have to be Catholic to study Catholic doctrine, especially now with the advent of the internet. I know I myself have had to study a lot of it for my theology degree, and I'm sure some of the others of us--especially my fellow seminarians--have studied it, too. Not to say that we are experts by any means, or that we don't sometimes misunderstand it, but if we let only Catholics explain Catholic doctrine, and only Protestants explain Protestant doctrine, none of us would learn from the other.

I understand where you are coming from, but more often than not you will not find someone who is well educated in a religious doctrine. That's why by default one would consult someone who is definitely an expert.

I guess it was obvious that there would be theologians here, but I take perceptions of Catholics very seriously, especially if it can be so easily marred by one mistaken believer (You could say this about Christianity in general, really).

I was more worried by what Mave brought up, that people would make grave stereotypes about Catholics because of one person. Rather than having perceptions distorted more by people who weren't too sure, I thought it would be more appropriate for one to consult someone who studies the subject for life.

[Momo-P]

Ok, ok, ok. Lets just start with this...

I'm very sorry if I insulted anyone. I didn't mean for it to come off that way, but I guess you must understand how I was feeling at that time. Just as you were annoyed over my "hostility", the same can be said for me. I had just spoken to someone who had made me feel like I was the spawn of satan over something so small...

I mean, I'm not saying communion is small to make light of what Jesus did for me, if anything that almost insulted me when people said that. How much I've cried over Him...honestly all my point is, communion isn't really mentioned the Bible. You hear about it once or so, and then we focus on not sinning and helping each other and so on. For someone to slip up and forget it or something...it happens. In fact I'm pretty sure everyone here has experienced that situation. Where you forget a detail, have it brought back to you, and act out in some frustration and annoyance because you were so use to your life.

Granted it's not a good way to behave, but that's just human nature I guess. Not to mention if you've acted that way at anytime in your life, then I suppose I'm requesting that you all just be more understanding.

So again, I'm sorry, I really I am. I was upset and bothered at the time I wrote that and I believe it shows well.

I guess I'd also like to point out one small thing. Everyone here was so mad over the stale bread part? Blame it on my past experience with communion. Back when I was ten or so, I attended a Lutheran church. I really didn't like it to begin with, the pastor was one of those put-you-to-sleep sort of guys, but my dad grew up Lutheran so that's where we went. In the end? Ten was their age for starting communion, and boy oh boy...I'll never forget in a hundred years.

I believe the bread was actually made there, but it tasted so badly. It was like you couldn't let it melt in your mouth, but you couldn't chew on it either. I guess the best way to describe it is the Everlasting gobstopper from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. There was just no way to get rid of it and that made it hard to swallow.

As for the wine? Oh, it was real wine, and I actually WANTED it considering the texture of the bread. At the same time though, the taste was so just so gross. Even now I don't believe I'd do cartwheels over wine, but I think being ten contributed even more to that factor.

So ya...I'm sorry. There's my explanation for my anger and my distaste toward the food stuffs. Course I probably wouldn't mind unleavened bread if it was the real thing (I think I've had that before and it wasn't half bad), but still...I'm not 100% sure if that was definitely unleavened bread, but I am 100% sure I didn't like the taste of what was given me. ^^;

[Sakaki Onsei]

Hey, no fears, Momo. I think we all can agree that in a lot of respects this is sometimes a bit of contention with people. But, here, that's something you shouldn't have to worry about.

I think I should mention my experience with communion things.

I had dinner at a pastor's place once a month for about a year a few years ago. Everytime we would gather at the table for dinner, before we ate, communion happened. It was informal, but it worked well.

I guess the lesson is that communion can happen at anytime, where two or more are gathered.

[Stephen]

What some people fail to mention, is that the Bible advises people to *NOT* take communion if your heart is not right with the Lord. Too many times I see churches want everyone to take part, even if they have unsaved people in the crowd.

[EricTheFred]

What some people fail to mention, is that the Bible advises people to *NOT* take communion if your heart is not right with the Lord. Too many times I see churches want everyone to take part, even if they have unsaved people in the crowd.

You probably want to leave this one be. "Unsaved" is a whole different theological discussion, although I don't personally feel like arguing it at the moment.


Momo,
I'm sorry for the terrible experience you had. A competent pastor (such as the one who lead my kids through first communion classes) would have made this a far different, far better experience. Although, the bread might be just as bad: in our congregation the bread used for First Communion is baked by the kids themselves during their final class.

In my family there is good evidence about what kind of damage an inept pastor can do to the children of the church. Out of my father's six kids, born to life-long Lutherans and raised in the Lutheran church, the four older kids are also life-long Lutherans, but the youngest two have joined a Baptist church and a Non-denominational church respectively, and say all kinds of rather hurtful things about the church they were raised in. The rest of us point at one particular pastor who was at our church during the years these two were going through communion classses and confirmation classes. We didn't realize what a bad job he was doing of education until my little sister was in high school, and started getting into theological rows with my father, and we discovered just how little she actually knew (and how much bad information she had.) She and my little brother still have a large number of very mistaken things they believe about Lutheranism. My father now tells me he regrets having left their education to the pastor instead of taking it up himself, which on the one hand seems a reasonable regret, but on the other hand seems somehow wrong.

On the other hand, I thank God that they left us for other church families, rather than leaving the faith. It is far, far more important that they have remained Christians and it is trivial that they are no longer Lutherans. The Lord can find the way for us we can't do it for ourselves, it seems.

[GeneD]

First I have to say that this is a very interesting thread and it totally rocks that everyone is staying so cool about it.

I'd also like to mention that you can always practise communion on your own if you're travelling a lot or churches you are visiting are not allowing you to partake with them. I believe, like prayer, communion can and should happen in private and in a community.

Then i have a suggestion; why don't we get a Communion thread or something in the Christian Growth section? I know it's obviously not the real thing, but we do have digital chocolate etc. and Christmas parties with nog (even though it's in the Goof off section). Maybe it will present a place for those who missed communion due to travels or whatever, or even just for anyone else to "take" communion and express their gratefulness to Jesus for what he did for us. Just a thought