It seems fashionable rn to take to Twitter and slam churches practicing communion “virtually” – which generally involves (a) not being in one another’s physical presence and (b) replacing the standard elements with any sort of available bread and drink. (1/21)

Too many false (or unstated/unproven) inferences and false equivalences flying around, along with a spirit of criticism. Maybe those practicing the eucharist don’t need encouragement or defense, maybe you do. Either way, we all want to think clearly and practice faithfully.(2/21)

Four things seem worth mentioning. First, given that food and drink often become contested issues in matters of faith, it is not surprising to see the NT addressing them often. And the consistent teaching seems to be do not judge and do not let yourself be judged by others.(3/21)

Rom 14-15 and Col 2 are huge here. If you feel strongly about how to eat and drink to the Lord, do your thing. But don’t impose your sensitive consciences on the rest of us. Liturgical legalism is still legalism. Back off. (4/21)

Second, it is a false equivalence to assert that because some practicing “virtual communion” have a wrongly and dangerously privatized faith, all practicing communion rn manifest the same faulty ecclesiology (among other issues). Just because we are stuck at home and thus (5/21)

taking communion apart from our congregational family (at the same time as others in our congregation, mind you, and as guided by our leaders) certainly does not mean we think communion is about “me and Jesus” (or “my family and Jesus”). It is a firm sense of the Spiritual (6/21)

union of the church in Christ that guides our practice in this. So by all means critique “me&Jesus” Christianity, but don’t sloppily lump all of us in it. Be more precise. Third, clearly we do not all believe the same things about the Lord’s Supper. This is news to no one. (7/21)

We do not, for instance, believe that the efficacy of communion is determined by or dependent upon the blessing of the ordained clergy. We think this betrays a sad deficiency regarding the priesthood of all believers. We do not find this conviction supported by inspired (8/21)

Scripture, though we respect you who disagree and hope (as in all things) to continue listening to one another so that one day we may reach greater unity. Perhaps we are wrong, perhaps you can convince us, but for the moment we disagree with your reading. (9/21)

Also w/in the realm of general disagreements, we may not hold to your Confession or your denominational standards; we probably don’t find them convincing enough to merit our deference. Again, we may be wrong, but I’m not sure why you’re put off by our refusal to submit (10/21)

in this matter, nor is it clear why quoting these things at us is supposed to do anything. Fourth, whatever exegetical support you think you enjoy should be demonstrated rather than merely asserted. We too have closely read 1 Cor 11. We know that Paul is talking about (11/21)

the church physically gathering. (We actually wonder why some can read this & think it is okay not to take communion every week, but that’s another issue for another time.) We agree that taking the Supper in the physical gathering is normative and best. We do not think (12/21)

taking communion virtually is just as good or satisfying (theologically or personally) when compared to being physically present. But to infer from Paul’s assumption that communion happens when we gather that to take it in this strange form of “gathering” made possible by (13/21)

current technology – which again, we readily admit is not the same nor is it a form of real presence to one another – renders communion something less than what it otherwise is, is at best an undemonstrated assumption. We have always believed that in some sense we commune (14/21)

w/ all of God’s people when on the Lord’s Day we partake in the elements – even though of course we are in the physical presence of only a small minority of the universal church. We think Paul’s comments about being present with fellow believers in spirit while absent (15/21)

in body point in this direction, even if we too might do well to articulate this more clearly. And finally in terms of 1 Cor 11, we think it critical to hear v19 when wrestling with how to apply biblical wisdom in less-than-ideal situations. (16/21)

Perhaps you are not inappropriately trying “to show which of [us] have God’s approval,” but we (or at least I) confess that it certainly seems that way. With that in mind, it is hard to see how you are helping anything. If you want to be critical and if you want us (17/21)

to rethink what we’re doing, do thy worst. Though this thread may indicate otherwise, I am more than willing to be convinced I am wrong. If I am, I certainly want to know. We’re listening, and (as always) we hope we’re ready to be admonished and even rebuked if necessary. (18/21)

And for those churches practicing virtual communion, let’s of course be honest about the dangers, even if we think not taking communion rn is worse. After this is all over, let’s look back and see how we may have been unprepared (theologically and otherwise) (19/21)

for the present moment. One of God’s great gifts in all this is the push to rethink much of what we do and why. By all means, let’s grow in wisdom and faith. But more than anything, to you elders and pastors and ministry teams, the main thing I would say is thanks. (20/21)

Thanks for leading God’s people through this strange time as best you know how. Thanks for your courage and creativity in guiding us toward the presence and gospel of Christ. Lamenting absence, but grateful to celebrate Easter with all in Christ in the morning. (21/21)