Churches are not the same. I've attended megachurches and house churches and believe me there are differences, but I do notice differences, beyond just sharing the Gospel. The particular practice I'm talking about today is communion. Over the years it is one of the standards in the church - large or small - which people haven't really messed with too much. Recently however I saw these new single pass communion trays, one of the coolest inventions for both the big boys and the small.
Exponential Expansion of Opposing Options
Eleven million +/- Christian adults in the US, meet outside an institutional church and over 112 million worldwide. They worship everywhere, parks, coffee houses, beaches, or my personal favorite: a cowboy church who hold their services on horseback. Then there are Megachurches, defined as churches with 2,000 members or larger. In 2012 we have over 1,200 such churches. The biggest of all boasts a congregation of 35,000!
Different Reasons - Same Need
Both types of churches have preachers, music, prayer, and most have communion. Usually it entails 2 different parts, a bread substance of some kind, and some kind of drink. They usually arrive in 2 parts - here comes the bread on a tray, and next the liquid. Some churches line everyone up for the wafer and drink. Some tear of a chunk of bread then pass around a shared cup; great for a living room, or a hundred attendees, not so much with a stadium - or the back of a black stallion.
Have a Drink And a Sandwich
Most churches organize the service so the preacher quotes some verses, briefly explains communion, then everyone eats and drinks at the same time. This is usually an add-on service so to speak, so in the interest of saving time, say measured in minutes not hours. It occurred to me of keeping it to maybe 15 minutes - ok I didn't, but it's my column. All churches use some form of the plain old boring communion tray, but soon more will own the single pass, and fewer will be using the originals.
It's really catching on: no long lines, getting it in people's hands faster gives the pastor a little more time, and it eliminates waste and expense. The single pass communion trays are compact enough for any environment - even horseback. Some of the manufacturers make a somewhat larger version with a small plate built into the center, or smaller groups can add this other little gadget, a slightly dished insert which fits securely down into the that middle opening of the original trays. It's just right for small groups or those with a large collection of the old style tray.
Exponential Expansion of Opposing Options
Eleven million +/- Christian adults in the US, meet outside an institutional church and over 112 million worldwide. They worship everywhere, parks, coffee houses, beaches, or my personal favorite: a cowboy church who hold their services on horseback. Then there are Megachurches, defined as churches with 2,000 members or larger. In 2012 we have over 1,200 such churches. The biggest of all boasts a congregation of 35,000!
Different Reasons - Same Need
Both types of churches have preachers, music, prayer, and most have communion. Usually it entails 2 different parts, a bread substance of some kind, and some kind of drink. They usually arrive in 2 parts - here comes the bread on a tray, and next the liquid. Some churches line everyone up for the wafer and drink. Some tear of a chunk of bread then pass around a shared cup; great for a living room, or a hundred attendees, not so much with a stadium - or the back of a black stallion.
Have a Drink And a Sandwich
Most churches organize the service so the preacher quotes some verses, briefly explains communion, then everyone eats and drinks at the same time. This is usually an add-on service so to speak, so in the interest of saving time, say measured in minutes not hours. It occurred to me of keeping it to maybe 15 minutes - ok I didn't, but it's my column. All churches use some form of the plain old boring communion tray, but soon more will own the single pass, and fewer will be using the originals.
It's really catching on: no long lines, getting it in people's hands faster gives the pastor a little more time, and it eliminates waste and expense. The single pass communion trays are compact enough for any environment - even horseback. Some of the manufacturers make a somewhat larger version with a small plate built into the center, or smaller groups can add this other little gadget, a slightly dished insert which fits securely down into the that middle opening of the original trays. It's just right for small groups or those with a large collection of the old style tray.
About the Author:
One more great idea for churches from the expert on all such items, programs, worship and all things Christian! I've seen the trays and the inserts pretty cheap at most online Christian bookstores. House church leaders and pastor love them - the pony jury is still out. That's my opinion, and I'm usually right. Cheers, be blessed!