Lord's Supper & Foot Washing Service Observation

[Bro. Robbins]

So, I visited a church last night that holds their Lord's Supper and Foot Washing Service on the Wednesday night before Easter every year. It's an Independent Pentecostal Church, Trinitarian, but very good people. If you didn't know, you would think you were in any very conservative Assembly of God or Church of God church.

So now you know the scene. There were probably about 400 people there, give or take a couple. The service was beautiful, some moving drama added in, awesome music. They did, as I was brought up, really push in the beginning Paul's admonishment to self examine and make sure you should take of the Lord's Supper before doing so unworthily. A time of invitation was offered, many came to the altar, was really moving.

Then we started the Lord's Supper. One of the reasons I always go, is they really do it respectfully, seriously, and deliberate. It's a special thing to them and anyone that attends. I would assume, from how many in my general area that took of the elements, that the majority of people took part in communion. When the pastor talked about the broken bread, you could hear the wafers crack like thunder, so I'd say almost everyone took part.

However, the second part of the service is dividing up, men and women, into the foot washing. For this church, they preach it's just as important.

Only maybe 100 people took part in that though.... there were even people who wanted to watch, but not take part.

So I left being somewhat confused. Almost 400 people want to take part in Christ's humility and servanthood to go to the cross for their sins.... but when it comes down to remembering our servanthood and humility to one another, only about 1/4 of those folks take part.

This just left me dumbfounded.

[Aquila]

Some people think that feet are gross. Some are embarassed. Some don't like strangers touching their feet (too intimate). Some have foot or toenail fungus and don't want anyone to know. lol

Please understand, foot washing was customary in Christ's day when a guest arrived at your home because of their travels. It's not that customary today. Taking your coat and serving food to guests is about the same culturally today. I don't believe foot washing is a sacrament. Jesus used it as an example of humility and service. Think of it like this... some folks will wash your feet at a foot washing service... but never invite you to their home for fellowship or help you out if your car dies in the church parking lot.

Not to mention, a wafer and a thimble of grape juice isn't "the Lord's Supper". It's a Catholic tradition. The Lord's Supper is actually a full meal enjoyed among believers as a time of fellowship within the body. The bread is broken at the end of the meal (as Jesus broke bread after the meal). The wine (or grape juice) is partaken of after the meal also. The Lord's Supper is obviously best observed in a banquet hall or a small house church gathering.

[rgcraig]

Originally Posted by Bro. Robbins

So, I visited a church last night that holds their Lord's Supper and Foot Washing Service on the Wednesday night before Easter every year. It's an Independent Pentecostal Church, Trinitarian, but very good people. If you didn't know, you would think you were in any very conservative Assembly of God or Church of God church.

So now you know the scene. There were probably about 400 people there, give or take a couple. The service was beautiful, some moving drama added in, awesome music. They did, as I was brought up, really push in the beginning Paul's admonishment to self examine and make sure you should take of the Lord's Supper before doing so unworthily. A time of invitation was offered, many came to the altar, was really moving.

Then we started the Lord's Supper. One of the reasons I always go, is they really do it respectfully, seriously, and deliberate. It's a special thing to them and anyone that attends. I would assume, from how many in my general area that took of the elements, that the majority of people took part in communion. When the pastor talked about the broken bread, you could hear the wafers crack like thunder, so I'd say almost everyone took part.

However, the second part of the service is dividing up, men and women, into the foot washing. For this church, they preach it's just as important.

Only maybe 100 people took part in that though.... there were even people who wanted to watch, but not take part.

So I left being somewhat confused. Almost 400 people want to take part in Christ's humility and servanthood to go to the cross for their sins.... but when it comes down to remembering our servanthood and humility to one another, only about 1/4 of those folks take part.

This just left me dumbfounded.

You know, there was a time on AFF where you would be hounded for attending a trinitarian church.

[Bro. Robbins]

Originally Posted by rgcraig

You know, there was a time on AFF where you would be hounded for attending a trinitarian church.

I'm aware of that... and hounded by it by some of my conservative acquaintances who consider me a liberal... yes, there are circles that I'm considered very liberal.

I minister in Trinitarian churches, especially when we do our leadership workshops, so I figure if I am willing to preach in them (and they know I'm Apostolic), then I don't mind attending one when I couldn't find any Apostolic church doing a Communion and Foot Washing last night. LOL.

[Titus2woman]

Aquila is right about people having different reasons. When we belonged to the ultra con UPC church I took communion and then when I realized that they planned to do foot washing I skipped out. Why? Well... it was a standard that women wear hose and I was barefoot in my shoes under my ankle length skirt... and had the prettiest pedicure with pink polish and little flowers painted on my toes... A MORTAL SIN! So I got gone before anyone could see my feet and worry that my communion wafer would burn me to dust from the inside out.

Don't judge others Bro. Robinson, it's not good for your spirit.

[Bro. Robbins]

Originally Posted by Titus2woman

Aquila is right about people having different reasons. When we belonged to the ultra con UPC church I took communion and then when I realized that they planned to do foot washing I skipped out. Why? Well... it was a standard that women wear hose and I was barefoot in my shoes under my ankle length skirt... and had the prettiest pedicure with pink polish and little flowers painted on my toes... A MORTAL SIN! So I got gone before anyone could see my feet and worry that my communion wafer would burn me to dust from the inside out.

Don't judge others Bro. Robinson, it's not good for your spirit.

Robbins is the name.....

And no judging going on here.... just don't understand why someone would take of the cup and bread and not the humiliation and service portion of the service.... (SIDEBAR: the Bible doesn't condemn judging, but puts parameters on what is Biblical Judging and what isn't, but that's a sidebar and not part of this thread.)

The very reasons that so many say why they don't do it, is why I do. I am a very, very private man... love my own personal space... don't want to touch anyone else, and don't want them touching me. I've lived alone for 17 years because I like my space... I cherish it.

So I make myself take part in Foot Washing Service when I have the opportunity so that my flesh can take the good beating it deserves and I can be put in that place of service, humility and even humiliation that we should be in not only for the Kingdom but also toward one another.

[AreYouReady?]

QUOTE=Titus2woman;1152633]...I was barefoot in my shoes under my ankle length skirt... and had the prettiest pedicure with pink polish and little flowers painted on my toes... A MORTAL SIN![/QUOTE]





QUOTE=Titus2woman;1152633]So I got gone before anyone could see my feet and worry that my communion wafer would burn me to dust from the inside out.
[/QUOTE]

[Bro. Robbins]

What I love about foot washing service... probably most of all... besides it putting me in my place and reminding me I'm not everything I think I am, is how it levels the playing field of servanthood.

In the churches I've always been in over the years, ministry; especially pastors and bishops are elevated. And in many rights, that's how it should be. But sometimes there can be an assumption by the nice suits, flashy cars, sitting on the platform, knowledge of the Word, etc that there is a huge gulf between us (laity) and them (the ministry).

But when all the men go off into a room for footwashing, and every man washes every man's feet or at least just about do... it is overwhelming to me.

A few years ago, I worked for a Pastor that so many held in high esteem. He truly is a great man of God, also been financially successful in business, has a nice home, etc. He's so smart, witty, a man of prayer, and just someone so many admire.

We had foot washing service, and all the men gathered. As we began to wash and pray over one another... many lined up to wash his feet... and he washed theirs as well.

But then I saw him go over to one of our project boys... a child that many in our church overlooked, had no use for, and thought the money used to reach out to was a waste.

And I saw that Bishop get on his feet, untie those dirty tennis shoes of that little black boy, and wash his feet and pray for him. And then look up at the little boy and explain to him that he wanted him to remember the whole purpose that he (my bishop) was on this earth was to love him (the little project boy) and show him the Love of Christ.

I can't tell you how that moved me and others that night....

That's why I NEED to attend footwashing services.... my flesh and ego need to be reminded who I belong to and serve.

[Titus2woman]

Originally Posted by Bro. Robbins

Robbins is the name.....

And no judging going on here.... just don't understand why someone would take of the cup and bread and not the humiliation and service portion of the service.... (SIDEBAR: the Bible doesn't condemn judging, but puts parameters on what is Biblical Judging and what isn't, but that's a sidebar and not part of this thread.)

The very reasons that so many say why they don't do it, is why I do. I am a very, very private man... love my own personal space... don't want to touch anyone else, and don't want them touching me. I've lived alone for 17 years because I like my space... I cherish it.

So I make myself take part in Foot Washing Service when I have the opportunity so that my flesh can take the good beating it deserves and I can be put in that place of service, humility and even humiliation that we should be in not only for the Kingdom but also toward one another.

Then that is good for you. I wash full humans all the time... even the cracks and crevices... and I've washed them alive and dead. I do not need to wash someones pantyhose clad feet to feel humble. I actually think it's kinda dumb (no offense intended to anyone who believes it important). I would think that a more humbling experience for someone who really enjoys personal space would be to invite some unlovely people into your home and cook them a meal and serve it on a regualr basis, or open your home to someone who has none, or go hold a dying drug addicted baby who has no one to love it while it passes.

This is one of my (admittedly many) gripes with organized religion... we have turned what was everyday life in Bible times, like washing the dust off of a travelers feet (after they had trod miles in the desert in sandals) and annointing their cracked bruised feet with oil for healing... Into a ritual done in a controlled enviornment, namely the 'church' and then we see ourselves as 'holy' for participating. And worse then that we see those who don't participate in a negative way. I feel the same way about communion in the way it is served as a sacrament... Better to get together with friends who are believers and remember the goodness of the Lord and His sacrifice and break a fresh loaf of hot crusty bread and have a glass of wine in His name and to His Honor.

Deep and sincere apologies for getting your name wrong. It is one of my biggest frustrations that I am not good with names. Quite embarrasing.

[rgcraig]

Originally Posted by Titus2woman

Then that is good for you. I wash full humans all the time... even the cracks and crevices... and I've washed them alive and dead. I do not need to wash someones pantyhose clad feet to feel humble. I actually think it's kinda dumb (no offense intended to anyone who believes it important). I would think that a more humbling experience for someone who really enjoys personal space would be to invite some unlovely people into your home and cook them a meal and serve it on a regualr basis, or open your home to someone who has none, or go hold a dying drug addicted baby who has no one to love it while it passes.

This is one of my (admittedly many) gripes with organized religion... we have turned what was everyday life in Bible times, like washing the dust off of a travelers feet (after they had trod miles in the desert in sandals) and annointing their cracked bruised feet with oil for healing... Into a ritual done in a controlled enviornment, namely the 'church' and then we see ourselves as 'holy' for participating. And worse then that we see those who don't participate in a negative way. I feel the same way about communion in the way it is served as a sacrament... Better to get together with friends who are believers and remember the goodness of the Lord and His sacrifice and break a fresh loaf of hot crusty bread and have a glass of wine in His name and to His Honor.

Deep and sincere apologies for getting your name wrong. It is one of my biggest frustrations that I am not good with names. Quite embarrasing.

I couldn't agree more!!

I had a couple from church help me when my battery died in my car - - they took me to get the new battery, the husband installed it and I took them to dinner for helping me.

It meant so much to me that they gave up their Friday night to help me. It was humbling for me to allow someone to help me.