Over the years, parents in many Christian Reformed churches have been asked by their children, “Why can’t I take Lord’s Supper?” At Hope Fellowship parents have been able to say, “You can, after you share your love for Jesus with the pastor or the elders.” Now, throughout the Christian Reformed Church, parents will be able to say, “You can, because you also belong to God.”
That’s because this year’s CRC Synod decided to open the communion table to all children of believing parents. Participation is now left solely to the discretion of the parents who are in the best position to determine if their child understands the meaning of Lord’s Supper and loves the Lord.
Jewish children have always been included in the Passover Feast, the Old Testament precursor to communion. They eat. They drink. They hear the story of the Exodus. Their faith is nurtured by the meal that symbolizes Israel’s liberation from Egypt. As members of God’s chosen people, they belong at the table.
In the same way, children of believers in the Christian Reformed Church will now be invited to eat, drink and participate in the greatest liberation story of all … Jesus’ death and resurrection. In Christ, they belong to God’s new covenant; therefore, they belong at Lord’s Supper.
But can a child meet the criteria of I Corinthians 11? What if a child “drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner” and “brings judgment on himself?”
It is important to know that Paul wrote this chapter to admonish adults who had turned communion into an eating and drinking orgy. No decorum. No respect. No waiting for each other. Some even got drunk on communion wine!
It is also important to realize that children are very capable of meaningful preparation and participation. Bert Witvoet, former Christian Courier editor wrote, “Children can be asked by their parents whether or not they love the Lord (examine themselves), whether or not they understand the importance of belonging to a loving family and church (discern the Body), whether they understand that by eating the bread and drinking the cup they are saying that the Lord died also for me (proclaim the Lord’s death), and whether they treat each other with respect (wait for each other).”
Finally, it is especially important to remember that communion was never meant to be a reward for good behaviour or a mature profession. It is a means of grace by which God nurtures imperfect people and strengthens the faith of struggling believers, whatever their mental ability or age.
As a child, my mom often gave me a peppermint during communion. That gave me a sense of belonging as the plate passed me by. When the wine came through the pew, I would inhale its fragrant scent and again feel that I was part of this mystical, bonding experience with Christ and the church.
In the CRC, the time for only looking and smelling is over for all children of believers. The time for touching and tasting is here for every child in whom a parent sees an age-appropriate understanding of salvation. In the words of the newly revised Church Order, “Each church shall minister to its children and youth … by nurturing their faithful participation in the Lord’s Supper.” (C.O. art. 63)
The pastoral elders will discuss this change next week and consider its implementation. In the meantime, every parent at Hope Fellowship is encouraged to have a conversation with their children about their love for Jesus, the meaning of communion, and the opportunity to participate fully as young members of God’s covenant.
- Pastor Peter
That’s because this year’s CRC Synod decided to open the communion table to all children of believing parents. Participation is now left solely to the discretion of the parents who are in the best position to determine if their child understands the meaning of Lord’s Supper and loves the Lord.
Jewish children have always been included in the Passover Feast, the Old Testament precursor to communion. They eat. They drink. They hear the story of the Exodus. Their faith is nurtured by the meal that symbolizes Israel’s liberation from Egypt. As members of God’s chosen people, they belong at the table.
In the same way, children of believers in the Christian Reformed Church will now be invited to eat, drink and participate in the greatest liberation story of all … Jesus’ death and resurrection. In Christ, they belong to God’s new covenant; therefore, they belong at Lord’s Supper.
But can a child meet the criteria of I Corinthians 11? What if a child “drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner” and “brings judgment on himself?”
It is important to know that Paul wrote this chapter to admonish adults who had turned communion into an eating and drinking orgy. No decorum. No respect. No waiting for each other. Some even got drunk on communion wine!
It is also important to realize that children are very capable of meaningful preparation and participation. Bert Witvoet, former Christian Courier editor wrote, “Children can be asked by their parents whether or not they love the Lord (examine themselves), whether or not they understand the importance of belonging to a loving family and church (discern the Body), whether they understand that by eating the bread and drinking the cup they are saying that the Lord died also for me (proclaim the Lord’s death), and whether they treat each other with respect (wait for each other).”
Finally, it is especially important to remember that communion was never meant to be a reward for good behaviour or a mature profession. It is a means of grace by which God nurtures imperfect people and strengthens the faith of struggling believers, whatever their mental ability or age.
As a child, my mom often gave me a peppermint during communion. That gave me a sense of belonging as the plate passed me by. When the wine came through the pew, I would inhale its fragrant scent and again feel that I was part of this mystical, bonding experience with Christ and the church.
In the CRC, the time for only looking and smelling is over for all children of believers. The time for touching and tasting is here for every child in whom a parent sees an age-appropriate understanding of salvation. In the words of the newly revised Church Order, “Each church shall minister to its children and youth … by nurturing their faithful participation in the Lord’s Supper.” (C.O. art. 63)
The pastoral elders will discuss this change next week and consider its implementation. In the meantime, every parent at Hope Fellowship is encouraged to have a conversation with their children about their love for Jesus, the meaning of communion, and the opportunity to participate fully as young members of God’s covenant.
- Pastor Peter
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