I want to understand the issue better. I assume that many of the FMC churches are providing the Lord's Supper on a monthly basis (like my GMC church) as opposed to at all services, and I also assume that frequency is a matter of decision on a church by church basis. Because of this 1) the Lord's Supper (meaning and power and importance within the conducting of a service) is diminished due to this infrequency, thus 2) congregations and our giving glory to God isn't being fully served
There are many FMC churches that practice the Lord's Supper monthly, but from what I've seen it is far more common to be quarterly.
I would agree that the importance of the Sacrament is partly because of infrequency. Because of the holiness/revivalist influences on the FMC that inclines the practice of the denomination to be much less sacramental inline with it's Methodist heritage that the GMC.
Oh wow, I didn't realize. I fully agree with you and your call to return to the ways ascribed to the roots of Methodism in doctrine and practice, and pray that the brothers and sisters in your denomination also prayerfully take heed.
Amen. the prayers are appreciated. The heart of returning to the Table is the constant reminder of the grace Christ has showed us, and we all certainly need that in our day and age!
What does this look like for younger ministers who are often entering already established church communities? Do you know anyone who’s moved a church from infrequent to weekly Communion?
I know several churches where they have led their congregations into weekly communion. A lot of it is conversations with parishoners, and weaving sacramental realities into the foundation of sermons and other times of teaching. That builds the groundwork for moving in that direction.
As I mention in the article, the biggest advantage we have in the FMC is that it is already built into our BOD, it's just now recognizing what's there and implementing it. It's not an easy battle, but one worth fighting.
I want to understand the issue better. I assume that many of the FMC churches are providing the Lord's Supper on a monthly basis (like my GMC church) as opposed to at all services, and I also assume that frequency is a matter of decision on a church by church basis. Because of this 1) the Lord's Supper (meaning and power and importance within the conducting of a service) is diminished due to this infrequency, thus 2) congregations and our giving glory to God isn't being fully served
Is there something I'm missing/misunderstanding?
There are many FMC churches that practice the Lord's Supper monthly, but from what I've seen it is far more common to be quarterly.
I would agree that the importance of the Sacrament is partly because of infrequency. Because of the holiness/revivalist influences on the FMC that inclines the practice of the denomination to be much less sacramental inline with it's Methodist heritage that the GMC.
Oh wow, I didn't realize. I fully agree with you and your call to return to the ways ascribed to the roots of Methodism in doctrine and practice, and pray that the brothers and sisters in your denomination also prayerfully take heed.
Amen. the prayers are appreciated. The heart of returning to the Table is the constant reminder of the grace Christ has showed us, and we all certainly need that in our day and age!
What does this look like for younger ministers who are often entering already established church communities? Do you know anyone who’s moved a church from infrequent to weekly Communion?
I know several churches where they have led their congregations into weekly communion. A lot of it is conversations with parishoners, and weaving sacramental realities into the foundation of sermons and other times of teaching. That builds the groundwork for moving in that direction.
Of course prayer is #1 in the process as well.
https://fmliturgy.com/initatives/ has a PDF with a step by step process on how to start moving in this direction.
As I mention in the article, the biggest advantage we have in the FMC is that it is already built into our BOD, it's just now recognizing what's there and implementing it. It's not an easy battle, but one worth fighting.