Journal: Emmaus Journal
Volume: EMJ 01:1 (Winter 1991)
Article: The Centrality Of The Lord’s Supper In The Life Of The Assembly
Author: David A. Glock

EmJ 1:1 (Win 91) p. 57

The Centrality Of The Lord’s Supper In The Life Of The Assembly

David A. Glock1

A typical Assembly today has many practices in common with most evangelical churches. There is a Sunday service with singing, special music, and a sermon; a strong and enthusiastic Sunday School; a midweek service for prayer and Bible study; special services for children and youth; ladies’ coffee hours; neighborhood growth groups, etc.

There are also similarities in how the church functions and how it is governed. The active participation of a number of gifted individuals in the life of the church is not unique to any group. A plurality of leadership is not unusual, even though the formal governmental structure may be episcopal, presbyterian, or congregational. There is usually a core of faithful participants who influence and execute the functions of the church.

Many differences are superficial. Sermons may vary in length and quality. The music will cover a wide spectrum from chorale to country. But the work and government will still be by the influence of the faithful. Even though there are some shades of differences because of varying backgrounds and traditions, there is a genuine sameness among the evangelical churches today .

But one thing in the Assemblies that is distinctive--perhaps our best distinctive--is the worship meeting. It is known by its adherents as the Breaking of Bread, the Lord’s Supper, or the Worship Meeting. I grew up calling it “Morning Meeting!” It is a different meeting! Its format is different; it is open, unstructured, and has multiple participation. Its focus is different; it centers on the death of Christ, His

EmJ 1:1 (Win 91) p. 58

person, and His work. Its purpose is different; it is for God’s benefit, not ours. It is designed to give praise to God, not to meet the needs of the saints. The results are different; it does not result in a challenge to the faithful, or the teaching of the saints, or the exhortation of believers, but the WORSHIP OF GOD. Above all things, God desires worshippers. The end of man is doxological!

My premise is this. The Assembly movement has made a contribution to the evangelical world far beyond its relative size. This is particularly true in the areas of dispensationalism and eschatology. It is also true in the area of ecclesiology: the multiplicity of spiritual gifts, the equality of all believers within the body of Christ, the priesthood of believers, etc. Yet in the area of the priesthood of all believers in corporate worship, the Assembly movement has not yet delivered to the evangelical world the privilege of the unique worship which we have enjoyed since the early 180...