Expert: Rev. Robert Woods - 9/28/2010

Question
I pray all is well. I need you to outline for me step by step what the Deacon's role in giving communion.  What are the procedures.  I need it to be very simplistic. If a Deacon gave communion for the first time he can follow these steps without a problem.

Answer
Blessings and thank you for your question.

First of all, anyone can give communion, not just the deacons.  Serving communion to one another is not relegated to any role in the church.

Having said that, I think you are asking for the ceremony of giving out communion.  Different Baptist Churches do this differently.

In my church, I handle the communion elements then pass them on to an elder, deacon or usher, depending on who is scheduled to help.

So let's start with what I do.  First I invite all believers in Christ to join with us in the time of communion.  Then I remind everyone of Paul's words of coming to the table with sin in our heart. (1 Cor. 11:17-30#  We need to ask forgiveness from God and from our brother if appropriate.  

Then I turn to the table, take the elements of bread #which are already on trays# and hand them to the servers.  We usually have our pianist play or have someone sing a special song during this time.  Our servers turn then go aisle by aisle passing the plate.  They do this together so they don't get spread out.  This looks nicer than having them go at their own pace.   When they get to the back they join together and walk down the aisle together to the front.  

I then stand and get all the trays back from them.  The servers remain standing until I get a tray and serve them.  When I am finished serving the servers they sit down.  I place the trays back on the table and wait for the music to finish. #at this point some churches have a deacon then serve the Pastor) I usually have an extra tray with one pita or loaf of bread on it.  I take the bread and talk briefly about the suffering of Christ's body.  Then I break the pita or bread in half and quote Matt. 26:26.  We eat the bread. I say a prayer.

Then we repeat the process again for the cup.  I pass out the trays, servers pass them out to the congregation, then meet in the back and come forward together.  I take the trays back from the servers then I take one tray and serve the servers.  The servers sit down.  I sit until the music is completed.  Then I have a pitcher filled with grape juice and a cup on the table.  I take the pitcher and pour some juice in a cup like Jesus would have done.  I then talk briefly about the importance of Jesus' blood to us.  I quote Matt. 26:28-29, then we drink.  I say another prayer.

Hope this helps.  Blessings