Come to the Table: Revisioning the Lord's Supper

by John Mark Hicks

The premise of this book is that Christian practice of the Lord's Supper as a silent, solemn, individualistic eating of bread and drinking of wine is radically dissimilar from the joyous communal meal in earliest Christianity. The contemporary practice of the supper needs to be revisioned ; according to biblical values. Combining careful Bible study with gentle, practical suggestions, this book provides a valuable resource for enriching and renewing a central practice of Christian faith.

Genres: Theology, Religion, Faith, Church, Nonfiction, Christianity, Christian

205 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2002

Reviews

[Jared Criswell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been looking for a more modern book from the restoration movement on the Lord’s supper that isn’t just a “book, chapter, verse,” reference manual as many of our books tend to be. “Come to the table,” is exactly what I needed. The theological historical insight in this book is simple, yet profound. I actually avoided this book for several months because part of me thought it was going to be a heady slog through technical history. Instead, I am profoundly encouraged by this work. In many ways, this deepened and more solidified my own understanding that has come from a few years of meditating on the supper and its form and function, rather than teaching me anything brand new. I have always said in discussions about the Supper with students I’ve taught, that it’s not that we’re doing it “wrong,” but we’re certainly not doing it “right,” either. I will say that there are a few conclusions that I will have to spend more time on to examine biblically if they hold up. The revisioning that Hicks suggests in light of the Biblical, theological, and historical truths discussed will admittedly be difficult to establish in the structure of my own church context as it stands now. I have hope that there are many who are just as “hungry” as I am for a true full supper experience with my Lord, and that necessary restoration is impending.

[Adam Callis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book with many good insights and practical considerations, though it could've been about half as long. The book is written in 4 parts, and the first 3 parts could be summed up in the book's opening paragraph, which is essentially the thesis statement for the entire book:

"God never intended an altar, though he planned for it. Instead, God intended a table to enjoy the communion of his people. While the altar epitomizes the atoning work of God in forgiving sin, the table epitomizes the experience of communion. The altar, the cross of Jesus Christ, was a means to an end. It was the penultimate act of God in order to bring about, through atonement, the ultimate intent of God, which is communion. The altar was an act of self-humiliation for the sake of the table. The altar, in terms of its goal, serves the table. The altar, by its atoning work, enables the table. Atonement secures communion. The cross grounds the table" (13).

Chapter 11 on Contemporary Practice is very useful and would serve as a good practical resource for a class setting or leadership discussion. For the historical analysis of the relationship between the Word and Table, I much preferred Hicks' work in A Gathered People.

[Ethan Doucet · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is not worth the read. I will admit that it did challenge some of my beliefs, but Hicks did not present an argument that actually encouraged my beliefs to change. Most of the time, his references were to other books/articles that agreed with him. His content should have included more anecdotal data, evidence of this “revisioned” Lord’s Supper working in real churches. This is a great book for conversation (because I have a lot to say about it), but not one that I think is worth the read for 99% of people.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finished going through this for Sunday morning class. I really liked this book despite its CoC slant and rethink everything mantra. I love the recommendations of how communion could be rethought substantively and logistically to make it more interactive vertically and horizontally.

[Laura S · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew from the book’s description that I was on the same page with the author by knowing that the Lord’s Supper was originally a meal around a table…and that the idea of that is much more appealing than sitting in solemn, reflective silence with a cracker and juice! I also had knowledge of it being a sort of covenant renewal, but recognized that my experience growing up in Western culture seriously limits my understanding of what a covenant is and of its deep spiritual implications. An area I had certainly not fully thought out was the genius of the original Lord’s Supper’s potential to take care of so many other issues that naturally come up in our church families.

By removing the altar and replacing it with the Table:
- Hierarchies are leveled (socio-economic, racial,
educational level, etc.)

- Eating together works wonders for building relationships
and healing disunity…in general, I think sharing delicious
food and fellowship helps us to lower our guard and be
more human with each other.

- Concerns some have about women’s roles can be seen
in a different light. Serving at the Table is about “service”
not authority.

- And there’s more! You’ll just have to read it to find out.

I hope my church family will be exploring this for the future. A lot of questions popped up for me: I wonder what pushback members might potentially have? How long of a transition period would be needed to make a healthy transition into “having church around the Table” more regular? Is it realistic or healthy to have a goal of “having church around the Table” eventually replace our traditional Sunday worship service? Would it be better to start off with just bread and juice for a while to establish the meaning behind the meal before opening it as a full, potluck style meal? Would it be a good idea to mix up the seating arrangements? I can see folks naturally gravitating towards sitting beside their already established friends. What if we sometimes drew numbers out of a hat to determine a random seat assignment that would mix things up? What would visitors think? How could we explain it to them and include them in meaningful discussion during the meal? How can we include the kids and teens in this? So. Many. Questions.

I just reached out to a recently made acquaintance to let her know about this book. She and her family are soon to move to another country to plant a church and I wonder what it would be like for a church to be started with this rich understanding of the Lord’s Supper at the very beginning? How neat could that be?! I also had a thought that in my future home, I would like to have an outrageously long table that could fit tons of people. This would not only for general hospitality, but to become more intentional in these fellowship meals for smaller groups / Housechurch. Good stuff!

Of course, going back and implementing the original pattern of the Lord’s Supper is just a part of a healthy and connected church family. Paul had specific occasion to call out some of the early churches who were implementing the Lord’s Supper “the right way”, but were still quarreling and acting unjustly. Hicks also mentions examples of when different church denominational movements tried to implement the Lord’s Supper in a more 1st century way and either got caught up in faulty doctrine or quibbling over minutiae….just more examples of how we adults mess things up by a lack of humility. Got to stay aware of that!

[Donner Tan · Rating 5 out of 5]

My church (Church of Christ) went through a two-month long series of sermons using this book as a guide and framework and what came out of it was a reconfiguration of the Supper as a time of fellowship around the table. We have come to appreciate the richness of the Lord's Supper which though a simple meal encapsulates the multi-dimensions and depths of the gospel story. Set in the context of the church's liturgy, the time of Communion takes on a different character each Sunday as a different event of the Christ's story is read and reflected on.

John Mark Hicks rightly points us to the focus of the meal as Communion, which is the divine creative intent as well as the eschatological goal of the redemption story. Beginning from the creation narrative through the sacrifices in Israel, the table-fellowships of Jesus, the discussion of the Lord's Supper in Paul's letters and the development of the table in church history, Hicks gives us a grand overview of how the Lord's Supper stands within the rich tradition of God's people, ancient and new, as a central practice that anticipates the perfect communion at the marriage supper of the Lamb.

He contends as his central thesis that the 'altar' perspective that has shaped much of Western practice of the Lord's Supper which has tended towards private, penitential introspection should not have overshadowed the 'table' character of the Lord's Supper, which encourages oneness, interaction, hospitality, giving and sharing around a meal. To put it in geometric terms, the vertical orientation of the Lord's Supper should be balanced by the horizontal. Hicks makes the good point that while the cross is the ground for the Lord's Supper, it is the Resurrection that is the focal celebration. We sup at the table not so much to mourn at the foot of the cross, decrying how our sins have brought him there but to celebrate the victory of the Resurrection, as Christ tramples death under his feet!

This is not to exclude the place of laments and confession (which should be there as we draw near as a people to the Holy and Sovereign God) but to really see the Lord's Supper as the culmination of worship and the declaration and experience of God's victory in Christ Jesus.

I regard this book as an important milestone in the checkered history of the Restoration movement that has traditionally placed much emphasis on the frequency (weekly observance) of the Lord's Supper but has not delved much into its theological meanings or its transformative power. Brother John Mark has given us an invaluable gift with his lucid writing that combines theological depth with helpful practical inputs. Read this judicious book and be welcome to the table of mercy and grace!

[Jake · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must-read

Slow to start and repetitive in the early chapters - though probably necessary for some of us who are a bit more entrenched in our ways. The last four chapters provide a clear overall theology, practical steps, answers to FAQs, and clear summary to what the author is calling us to envision and change. More specifically written to members of churches of Christ but I’m sure it will be helpful to Christians in every church.

I found myself feeling more free to celebrate the goodness of the gospel during the lords supper after the authors clarification of what it meant for The Corinthians to eat “in a worthy manner”.

This should be required reading for all missionaries and church planters with the freedom to create new traditions and for all church leaders open to enriching the practice of communion in their congregations.

[Janet · Rating 2 out of 5]

Is it sacrilegious to give a spiritually focused book a rating less than three stars? Author John Mark Hicks shares his perspective that we should move from the solemn practice of the Lord's Supper at the altar to a meal at a table with our community. He also shares ideas on how to make this change happen. I agree with the author's overarching theme yet kept wondering why he wrote a 200+ page book to share this idea. Perhaps it could have been an article in Christianity Today or Today's Christian Living magazine. Also, there was redundancy throughout the book and a surprising number of grammatical errors given that the author has his Ph.D., is a theology professor, and has written quite a few books and articles. I appreciated the author's questions at the end of each chapter that provided readers with the opportunity to reflect and respond either as a group or individually.

[K Betts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Radical, important, Biblical

This book is one of the most radical, important books on church and its life. If implemented practically church could become the church it was always meant to be. Read, but be prepared to be challenged…

[Kevin Manning · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thought provoking

I thought this was an excellent book on the Lord's supper. It did a good job of giving background and insight on purpose and meaning of the supper along with thought provoking ideas that could revolutionize the time we come together.

[Ron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some interesting history on the Lord's Supper. If you don't want to read the details behind what the author believes, there are some great questions and summary at the end of the book.

[TheBibleWithTina]

Jesus Is Delicious. Come And Taste!
Video Length: 45 seconds.
https://youtu.be/di7JirqBZKo

[Luke Hartman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have the same faith heritage as the author (Restoration Movement) where weekly observance of the Lord’s Supper was paramount in weekly worship. Indeed it is often spoke of as *the* reason for gathering.

In practice it often seemed to be a perfunctory token; a small snack confusingly referred to as a meal or feast observed in solemnity.

Hicks’ book give a helpful suggestions to enhance our practice of our rightful emphasis.

The most valuable portions of the book is the encouraging the practice of an actual meal and the walkthrough of “breaking bread” in Luke/Acts.

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

The message is fantastic. The writing style and format could use a little revisioning.

If you want to understand the importance of communion and celebration in the Eucharist... If you want to realize how important charity was to Jesus and how central is was the meetings of the early church... If you want to be astounded by revelations of God's trinity and what it means for creation, ongoing communion, and the eventual everlasting community...

Then read this book. Just be prepared to have to read some parts twice and to be flipping back and forth across chapters to revisit a point that was made early. Hicks writes in an almost steam of consciousness style. There is a WEALTH of information (with sources and biblical references), but it all comes at you so fast and not necessarily in the most innovative order. It's worth the extra work to read it, but just know that there will be extra work.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a great guide to Communion / Lord’s Supper / Eucharist. My favorite section is the comparison of coming to an Alter vs coming to the table, and his argument for why communion should not be considered like an alter. This specifically speaks to a tradition of the Stone-Campbell movement that places communion in the center of the service order therefore emphasizing confession and quietness rather than other denominational traditions who regard the Eucharist as a worshipful response to hearing the Word. I appreciate Hicks approach to thinking about the implications of service order.

[Christopher]

My best friend bought this for me today!

[Brandon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book discussing the practice of the Lord's Supper.