I know it has been awhile since I posted and I am disappointed in myself for that. The usual culprit (aka school, work, clients) are still consuming most of my days and nights. However, this past week I had the opportunity for a first in my life and the lives of many with me. The Highland elders read a statement two Sunday's ago about women's role in the church, their conclusions after 10 years of study, and how that was going to be fleshed out in the Highland community. It was very well written. You can read it on Mike Cope's blog. Therefore, this past Sunday was the first time for women to serve the Lord's Supper. I told Mike that I wanted to serve my church in this manner. I have been longing for years to be acknowledged and used within the body. Therefore, I wanted to support the elders in this decision. We arrived a few minutes early in order to express interest and I was assigned a row. I was so excited...this is more than just managing trays from my perspective. It is communing with the body, connecting with people through a smile, pat on the arm, or just eye contact. However, this was more difficult than I thought for several different reasons.
As I was about to pass the offering tray a woman who was sitting in the farthest corner of the church, looked up at me and asked, "Will there be men serving this morning?"
I answered, "I believe so, maam."
She replied, "I only accept communion from men."
Therefore, when we went to pass the bread and the juice I switched places with another man. As I passed the trays people kept their eyes down and frowns on their faces. At first I wondered if it was because I was serving them or if this is what men experience every week. After asking around, this is what men experience every week. To me this is such a shame...communion is just that ... time to COMMUNE together. When Jesus was on earth, it was festive meal and continued to be well after his death. However, we have created it to be so individualistic and solemn. It just seems so contrary to the intentions that God created it for.
Needless to say, this was a special blessing. I am excited to serve my church family in this capacity. I hope that through my service and the service of other women we can embrace as family as we commune together in many respects.
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About Me
- Sara
- I love to find ways to capture moments that will only come once in a lifetime. My philosophy is that it is better to do it now than to regret it later! Email me at darlingbydesign(at)gmail(dot)com for more information.
2 comments:
Dear Sara,
Just read your blog...I am so proud of your heart and your desire to serve God in his body. What strange rules we make up to make ourselves acceptable to GOD. But each of us has "buttons" that we don't even realize until they get pushed and suddenly we are uncomfortable or threatened because the worship or experience in the body is not what we are used to.
I think most people in a congregation are sincerely taking the Lord's supper with as much seriousness and sacredness as they can muster up. I think from the teachings thru the years that they feel God would "strike them " or at least not accept their worship that day if they were not spending the time praying, reflecting on Christ, and examining themselves. Any comments or eye contact or experience with another person would mean they were not taking the experience seriously and therefore not acceptable.
I'm sure that Highlands has done a lot of teaching on the "community" involved, but I think the other mentality will override it. It even feels disrespectful to me if I try to look at others or have any kind of "community" instead of "individual" activity during it. So the emotions of frivolous, sacrilege, disrespect must somehow be changed.
Somehow I think all are needed -- remembering Christ, repenting, reconciling with another member, and rejoicing. but it will take teaching and time -- and the work of God's Spirit in our hearts.
Thanks for being used by HIM. love, mom
Sara,
Good to hear from you. Hope you are doing well! I just read your post from last year. I am so glad you are getting to experience the opportunity to serve. We have long neglected females and their talents.
I am glad you are in a place where you can be used. Keep serving the Lord! Do not get discouraged by anything other people say about your gender in church.
God is much bigger than all of us. He knows your heart.
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