Would it be okay to have a small group that takes Communion together?

[Leevo]

I am currently a member at a Southern Baptist Church, and while I love our church, I miss taking the Lord's Supper more often than 4 times a year. My previous denomination did so weekly. I also participate in an online Discord church, where Communion happens once a month, but honestly even this is not frequent enough in my opinion. Whether symbolic or not I think the Lord's Supper is something of upmost import to us as Christians and think it can only serve to draw us nearer to Christ. Would finding/forming a group of likeminded Christians to fellowship and take Communion, whether in person or online, be something that would be okay?

 

[Indentured Servant]

I am currently a member at a Southern Baptist Church, and while I love our church, I miss taking the Lord's Supper more often than 4 times a year. My previous denomination did so weekly. I also participate in an online Discord church, where Communion happens once a month, but honestly even this is not frequent enough in my opinion. Whether symbolic or not I think the Lord's Supper is something of upmost import to us as Christians and think it can only serve to draw us nearer to Christ. Would finding/forming a group of likeminded Christians to fellowship and take Communion, whether in person or online, be something that would be okay?

After having a small group communion, it'll be hard to see the worth of doing it in a pew.

It's something we share, and no leader has to be present.

I've led small group communion before, and it was the most wonderful experience...

We passed around a loaf of homemade bread, and each pulled a piece, then we passed around non-alcoholic wine, (with the option of grape juice).

Each person had a time to express themselves, whether it was a personal, or scriptural.

We laughed, we cried, we enjoyed each other, one guy played acoustic guitar, and it was the most memorable experience for everyone who was there.

There was a youth pastor, (not to lead the event, he was just a part of the group), who was just blindsided by the openness of everyone, and how it affected everybody.

Make sure Jesus is there with you.

 

[Leevo]

After having a small group communion, it'll be hard to see the worth of doing it in a pew.

It's something we share, and no leader has to be present.

I've led small group communion before, and it was the most wonderful experience...

We passed around a loaf of homemade bread, and each pulled a piece, then we passed around non-alcoholic wine, (with the option of grape juice).

Each person had a time to express themselves, whether it was a personal, or scriptural.

We laughed, we cried, we enjoyed each other, one guy played acoustic guitar, and it was the most memorable experience for everyone who was there.

There was a youth pastor, (not to lead the event, he was just a part of the group), who was just blindsided by the openness of everyone, and how it affected everybody.

Make sure Jesus is there with you.

I’m glad to hear it’s something you enjoyed! I sincerely enjoy taking the Lord’s Supper and hope to find likeminded people interested in such a thing if I decide to move forward with it.

 

[seeking.IAM]

I think it depend upon one's beliefs and traditions. Many Christians would require the words of institution by ordained clergy to consider a valid communion. Many traditions might think it an okay fellowship experience but not really being communion.

If you value the sacrament that much, why not attend a church that does likewise?

 

[Leevo]

I think it depend upon one's beliefs and traditions. Many Christians would require the words of institution by ordained clergy to consider a valid communion. Many traditions might think it an okay fellowship experience but not really being communion.

If you value the sacrament that much, why not attend a church that does likewise?

Yeah, I probably ought to have included the caveat that I was seeking answers for more evangelical denominations.

A couple reasons I don’t switch: Primarily being that the only ones I can see myself theologically aligning with enough would be Anglicans, of which there are none within my state at all, at least that aren’t Episcopalian whom I have significant issues with. Secondarily, we absolutely love the church community that we have found and my family is doing well there. I would not want to uproot them unless necessary.

 

[seeking.IAM]

Yeah, I probably ought to have included the caveat that I was seeking answers for more evangelical denominations.

My response is framed by spending most of my life Methodist, and now Anglican. For what it is worth, I did an AI inquiry which yielded this:

No Clerical Prerequisite There is no denominational requirement that communion be officiated by ordained clergy. In fact, the SBC does not have a centralized ordination process—ordination is handled entirely at the local church level. Many churches allow deacons, elders, or even lay members to lead the Lord’s Supper, provided they meet the church’s spiritual and doctrinal standards.

 

[Richard T]

There are some churches that suggest you can take communion alone.