Baptists/Meeting after Communion

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Expert: - 5/11/2010


Question
why is it in some black southern churches that are very tradition, do they think you cannot meet after partaking of communion? i heard a deacon in the church tell the pastor they couldn't meet after communion because in his words"the good book said they broke bread and dismissed!" is this correct? that theology seems very tradition based.

Answer
Ken, that is how the Last Supper went but I do not know what you mean by meeting?  A business meeting?  The simple way to handle that is to have meetings on Sundays  where you are not doing the Lord's Table.  If you do the Lord's Table evey Sunday morning have business meetings Sunday or Wednesday night.  

Technically, no one that I know of does the Lord's Table exactly as it was done in the Gospels.  It was during the Passover meal and sadly, most churches celebrate Easter instead of Passover.  Talk about bad theology.  Besides that they were actually at a meal and the bread was a tad different than the odd little convenient cracker we tend to use.  Shall we debate grape juice versus alcoholic wine?  They also drank out of the same cup and that is practiced in some African churches.  

That being said, it you want to keep with the picture of how the Last Supper went down then indeed you participate it, sing a hymn and leave.  I suppose you could push some things a tad and say that they did not go home but rather to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray and thus had a prayer meeting after so you could do that instead of going to the house.  

What really counts is the attitude of heart and the understanding of its meaning.  It is a memorial of His sacrifice and giving testimony of His return.   I think if we went back to having a church supper and doing it more exactly like they did it would make it more meaning than to hurry up pass the cracker, a sip and run.   

So, I guess what I am saying is that unless we are going to do it exactly as it was done we are all doing man's tradition so how each does it doesn't matter.  Hopefully, I have explained in a way that answers your question.

Blessings to you as you seek His will through His Word!  Maranatha!

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Dr. Ronald E. Shultz

Expertise

I am more of a polemicist than an apologist. I especially desire to answer questions concerning discipleship/holiness, "gray areas", etc. If all you wish is an argument then I am not your man. Sincere seekers only need e-mail me.

Experience

I have ministered in several states since my conversion in 1975. I participate in many forums and have written two books.

Organizations
American Association of Christian Counselors since 2009
Texas Civil Defense since 2008
American Legion since 2002
Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels, since 1994
Life Member NCOA, 1973
Dover AFB Honor Guard, 1971-73

Publications
Poem, "Cowboy Up" published in an anthology by American Poets Society, 2004
Author, Jail House Religion, Xulon Press, 2004
Author, The Power of Holy Women, Xulon Press, 2003
Messianic Literary Corner published 45 poems, 2003+
Tract “Which Way To God” published on http://www.tracts.com/whichway.html, 1998
Several poems published on various web pages, 1997,1998,1999
Author, Metamorphosis, copyrighted, partially published collection of poetry, 1968-94
Article, “Why I Prefer Expository Preaching”, published in Canyonview Bible Seminary's Expositor, 1988

Education/Credentials
Doctor of Theology, Slidell Baptist Seminary, Slidell, LA, 2001, Summa Cum Laude
Master of Theology, Christian Bible College, Rocky Mount, NC, 2000, Summa Cum Laude
Bachelor of Religious Education , Administration minor, Piedmont Baptist College, Winston-Salem, NC, 1982, Cum Laude
Evangelical Teacher Training Association, Teachers Diploma, Winston-Salem, NC, 1982
Other study: Community College of the Air Force, Maxwell AFB, AL - 1975-78
Upper Iowa University, Fayette, IA - 1976-77
Interim Ministry For Today's Churches - 2000


Awards and Honors
Heritage Registry of Who's Who, 2006-2007
Editor's Choice Award, International Library of Poetry, 2003
America's Registry of Outstanding Professionals 2001-2002
Stratmore Who's Who, 2001-2002
Guest Speaker Texas A&M, Commerce, 1999
Gubernatorial Commendation by Texas Veterans Commission, 1999
Dallas VA Certificate of Pride in Public Service, 1999
Guest on the Kevin Bullard radio program KPBC AM 770,1997
Who's Who in the South and Southwest, 1996
Editor's Choice Award, National Library of Poetry, 1995
Who's Who in Poetry, 1992
United States Army Achievement Medal, 1990
Personal testimony dramatized for international radio program Unshackled, 1986
Outstanding Young Men of the South, 1981
United States Air Force Commendation Medal, 1978
Two USAF suggestion awards, 1976
NCO of the Quarter, 1975
Freedom Foundation Award, 1975

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