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F.A.Q.
About Holy Communion on the Web
- "What is this about?" -- Holy Communion on the Web is a place for Christians to celebrate the Eucharist (aka "The Lord's Supper") via their computer and an internet connection. They may do so through the written papers and sermons, audio and video presentations linked from the main page. As the months progress more Communion-related materials will be added, so come back often and partake of the blessed Sacrament!
- "Can one really partake of Holy Communion over the internet?" -- Yes! All one needs is some bread and some wine (grape juice will do), faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, and a willingness to accept his Grace. The Eucharist is not magic; it is a means of receiving God's powerful Grace. Just because the elements on your side of the computer are not under my hands when I pray the prayer of consecration does not mean that God cannot or will not "make them be for us the body and blood of Christ." If you eat and drink the elements with your faith focused upon the Real Presence of Jesus, scripture (Ephesians 3:17) tells us that Christ will dwell in your heart anew.
- "What Denomination are you?" -- I am an ordained United Methodist Elder (which is English for the New Testament Greek term "Presbyter," and is the Protestant equivalent of the Latin "Priest"). I am currently serving as the Senior Pastor of a growing suburban United Methodist Church in East Dallas County.
- "Is it ok for me to take Communion with you if I'm not a Methodist?" -- Yes! This is not my table, nor is it a Methodist Table; it is the Lord's table. If you feel drawn to partake of the Sacrament through the materials presented on this website, do not ignore the prompting of the Holy Spirit. Partake, with faith, and give thanks that God's grace is more powerful than our human divisions.
- "Holy Communion is just a memorial meal, right?" -- Wrong. While the Eucharist does contain many aspects of a "memorial," it is far more than "just" a reenactment of the Last Supper. It is a Means of Grace through which Christians, when they eat and drink with faith, receive into themselves the Real, powerful, life-transforming Presence of Jesus Christ. This is not just a mental exercise, it is an outward act of faith.
- "Do you believe that the bread and wine become the literal flesh and blood of Jesus?" -- No. As a United Methodist and a "Protestant-catholic" I believe that Jesus is Really Present in Holy Communion, but that the bread and the wine do not, themselves, change. The Roman Catholic doctrine of Transubstantiation is one way -- but not the only way -- of talking about the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. Along with most Anglicans, United Methodists believe that the elements of bread and wine remain unchanged while, nevertheless, truly conveying -- or "transmitting" -- the body and blood of Jesus. In other words, this approach understands the Elements as being conduits through which the Real Presence of Jesus is imparted to believers; the substance of the bread and wine remain bread and wine, but the substance of the believer is transformed into the Body of Christ when they commune with faith.
- "If I don't agree with you on the nature of Holy Communion is it still ok for me to partake?" -- Absolutely! God is bigger than our differences. If you feel called to partake, then by all means partake. There should never be any barrier to a believer receiving the Grace that Jesus died to give.
- "What does the word "Eucharist" mean?" -- It is the Greek word for "Thanksgiving," and is one of the Biblical terms for "The Lord's Supper." Another common term for the Sacrament is "Holy Communion."
- "Can I partake alone, or does someone have to be with me?" -- While it is always appropriate to celebrate the Eucharist in the company of other Christians, the doctrine of the "Communion of the Saints" tells us that we are always surrounded by a great cloud of glorified witnesses: believers who have already gone on to be with Jesus. This is no where more true that at the Table of the Lord. In a metaphorical sense, the Eucharistic Altar extends beyond every Church and every denomination and every moment in time and space to every other moment. When you receive Holy Communion, wherever and whenever you may be, you are receiving it with Billions of other Christians -- past, present, and future. And, by the wonderful tools of the internet and computer technology, you will be receiving the Sacrament along with myself, my Associate Pastor pastors, and the members of my congregation.
- "What do I need in order to participate?" -- Please click HERE for a simple set of directions to prepare the Table of the Lord.
- "How Did "Holy Communion on the Web" come into existence?" Please click HERE for an explanation for how and why these pages came into existence.
- "Have you given any thought to the Theology of Holy Communion over the internet?" Yes. Read this article.
- "Can I contact you if I have any questions?" -- Yes! Please feel free to E-mail me at: revneal@aol.com
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