Christians annoy me.

Not all of them, and not just Christians exclusively, just to get that straight.

Well, to the point.

I was sat in church this evening, first time I've been in like 3 weeks, and we were looking at Acts 2 v42-47, subtitled 'The Fellowship of Believers'. Aside from the obvious parodies of certain Hobbit-filled texts, we were looking specifically at the idea of fellowship, community, and 'breaking bread' or communion.

The traditional approach from not only the very traditional churches with pews, but also of many other churches too, is that people quietly sit waiting for the bread, then the wine, all the while trying to appear holier than thou just in case anyone notices. I'm sure it works for some people, but I personally find it tedious, and just a little bit annoying.

What is written in the bible sounds to me rather far flung from the church ordeal, as it reads in an English Standard Version of the bible;

42And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

To me, that does not sound like the picture I'm being presented in church, and I'm feeling a little cheated. From what is written there this whole idea of breaking bread revolves around the fellowship, fellowship being defined as;
# A company of people that shares the same interest or aim.
# A feeling of friendship, relatedness or connection between people.
And that fellowship involving eating and drinking together, as happened in the Last Supper of the 4 Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John), and yes reflecting on God's grace, and the sacrifice that Jesus made, but in a sociable manner, with a feeling of friendship. Why does communion have to follow a deathly boring liturgy? Why does it have to be done in silence? Or with background noise from the worship group? Why can't non-Christians join in? Can not a group of friends eating together, sharing their lives, and experiences of God with each other be classed as communion? Is that model not truer to the biblical sense of breaking bread featured in Acts?

Am I saying do away with the liturgical form of communion? Not necessarily, but I am saying that churches need to wake up.

How would people react to a flash mob style communion in a vastly public area, people coming together and sharing life, bread, and a drink? Not necessarily alcoholic in fact most likely not as that may be illegal.

Does the communion even have to be bread and wine/wine-substitute? Can it not be something else staple to society's diet? Pizza and a can of coke maybe? Rice and water? Anything like that.

Why should we conform any longer to a pattern set in a world far outdated, and obviously not working?


I pray that has given you something to consider,
Peace, and God bless.