Reconsidering The Lord's SupperExemplo

Meals as Church Planting Movements

In response to Peter’s Pentecost sermon, over 3,000 people were added to the church, and immediately we see the church begin to organize. Pay attention. Do they organize into buildings? Do they form doctrinal statements? Did they immediately raise money or start a campaign? 

Read the account in Acts:

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

The model of Jesus to unite soil, garden, family, and meal continues. This model can survive any time, any place, and any circumstance. God’s wisdom flowed through the disciples and multiplied into a simple grass-roots movement. The meal amongst believers survived when accepted, and it grew under the torment of persecution.

Beloved, we must deeply consider what the Lord’s Supper teaches us about gathering, true community, and a model for ministry. We live in a day in age where the church in America is declining despite fancy buildings, huge budgets, and all the glitz of technology. On the other hand, the church in other parts of the world is much more simple, hidden, and grassroots, and yet it is multiplying under severe persecution.

The only difference … much of the world today knows what America doesn’t. They realize the simplicity of the home, the meal, the soil, and the garden. This is where God started his mission, and this is how the church will literally “plant” and continue to move forward in any time, any place, and under any circumstance.