We have a wealth of people considering joining our congregation as members. Three or four times a year we offer an inquirer’s class, which allows candidate members a healthy glimpse into our culture and a knowledge of our distinctives at Providence Church (CREC). We share much with our Reformed brothers and sisters, but there are a few features that move us a bit from the center of contemporary Reformed expressions found in figures like Piper, Keller, Duncan, and other well-known pastors/theologians that shape much of modern reformed/calvinist tendencies in our day.
One of those features that shape our culture at Providence is the practice of weekly communion. For many, this may seem rather strange and catholic-like. But for those more self-aware of the Reformed tradition, the practice of weekly communion is quite reformed; in fact, one might say it is inherently reformed. The Reformation sought to re-train the people in the vocabulary of Scriptures in contrast to a faulty practice they believed was deeply Aristotelian rather than biblical. Therefore, the Reformed tradition sought to bring the Lord’s Supper in submission to the biblical language instead of philosophical arguments about “substance” or “accident.”
During my M.Div., I had the privilege of studying one-on-one with one of the foremost sacramental scholars, named Dr. Keith Matthison. He wrote a fine book on the topic called, “Given for you,” which I strongly recommend. That independent study instructed me greatly in the distinct views among various branches of Christendom. But what is of note here is not so much our understanding of the sacraments in distinction with Rome (a topic for another time), but our practice of the sacraments in relation to its frequency, which was a common debate among the Reformers.
Our congregation adopts the weekly practice for a variety of reasons, but here are ten succinct reasons:
1) Jesus says, “Do this.” We desire to do all that Jesus tells us.
2) Jesus says, Do this “as often” as you drink of it (I Corinthians 11:25). Therefore, when we meet, which is weekly (often) we should “Do This.”
3) The Table builds fellowship (Acts 2:42). It is our desire to be ever-increasing in fellowship with one another.
4) The table builds glad and generous hearts (Acts 2:46). We desire more gladness and generosity in our hearts.
5) The pattern of worship demands what Augustine called the “visible word.” We need word spoken and word tasted.
6) We are all members of one body and drink of one Spirit (I Corinthians 12:13). Therefore, we should taste of that oneness weekly when we gather.
7) Paul says that to partake is to participate (I Corinthians 10:16). We desire to participate in Jesus’ life.
8) The Supper is a gift and we should never refuse a gift from God. Jesus is hosting us at his meal (Rev. 19:6-9)
9) We pray, “Give us this day our daily bread” (Matthew 6:11). If the Lord gives us bread each week and we refuse, are we then refusing his answer to our prayer?
10) We need grace. If the Supper is a means of grace, why would we simply desire it monthly or quarterly?
There are a host of other reasons, but these ten illustrate the biblical logic behind the case for weekly communion.
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