“It is not the outward form, but the inward faith that makes the ordinance precious.” – Charles H. Spurgeon
“The value of a sacrament depends entirely on the spirit in which it is used.” – J.C. Ryle
“Let us not cling to the signs to the neglect of the things signified.” – John Calvin
There’s a post going around lately about those little communion packets. You know, the ones with the peel-back lid and the tasteless wafer sealed under crinkly plastic. The writer reflects on how sterile and convenient they feel, and how that symbolizes everything wrong with the modern church. He’s poetic and heartfelt, but he’s also off.
I get that many people do not like the communion packets. They taste bad. They are hard to open. They do not match the tradition that we come from. There are many reasons why people do not like the packets.
But I think we need to slow down a bit. Let’s not confuse our communion traditions and preferences with incorrectly applying it to spiritual compromise.
The Church Does Have Issues
I do agree with the writer that the American church has issues. Christians in America are more about comfort than the cross. We do tend to lean toward ease over endurance. If the apostle Paul was alive today, we would get a letter from him! But to make the connection between the compromise of the church and communion packets is just off.
Because here’s the thing: convenience isn’t automatically compromise.
Convenience Is Not The Issue
The author alludes to the idea of Christians being too comfortable in our air-conditioned churches. But those are two different things. Just because something is comfortable does not mean that we have compromised.
If the church were to base its spirituality on avoiding anything convenient, then we’d have to get rid of more than just communion packets. We’d have to remove our comfy chairs, shut off the air conditioning, tear out the baptismal (with the heater), and go worship and baptize outside. We’d need to walk to church instead of driving. And if we were really serious, we’d toss out our microphones, projectors, computers, and sound systems too. While we’re at it, let’s throw out the Bibles on our phones. And if we are really going to equate inconvenience with spiritual maturity, then what are we all even doing in America? We should all be off in Asia, Africa, or the Middle East living in difficult environments while living for Jesus.
The church has always embraced helpful tools that make worship more accessible. No one thinks less of the gospel because it’s preached with a microphone. No one thinks less of fellowship because we sit in climate-controlled rooms. Back in the day, no reasonable person would say the Bible shouldn’t be read because it was copy on a printing press instead of by hand. When Jim Elliot was martyred while attempting to evangelize to the Huaorani people of Ecuador, no one said he was less spiritual because he flew by plane to the location instead of walked or took a boat.
The early church met in homes, not because it was harder, but because it was available and practical. Jesus himself used what was available: an upper room, a borrowed colt, five loaves and two fish. Convenience does not automatically equal compromise. Practicality isn’t unspiritual, it’s often how God works. To me, it makes no sense to say something like, “We shouldn’t do this because it is convenient.” So why should a communion packet suddenly signal that something is broken?
And if I may go on a tangent for a moment, why would someone complain about juice coming from a plastic packet when the Bible doesn’t even talk about juice? Wine is the less convenient path! Wouldn’t grape juice be a sign of compromise more than the type of cup? Tangent ended.
The Writer’s Real Issue
I believe the real reason the writer complains about the packets is because he doesn’t like to use them. They fall outside of his preferences for how communion should be done. And if that is what he thinks, that is perfectly fine with me. If you don’t like the packets, I don’t blame you. You are allowed to not like them. Just don’t take your preference and try to make other people feel less spiritual because they do it a different way (Romans 14 anyone?).
Why We Use The Packets
Like many churches, we started using the communion packets during COVID. At that time, it was really the only way we could do communion while also respecting people’s desire to not spread germs in large groups. We are obviously past the scary times of the virus, but that does not mean we can’t continue to be wise. Personally, I would rather not have to touch something that 25-50 people have already touched and then use those same hands to eat something. That is just me. Many might be fine with it while others are more hesitant.
But germs are just one of the lesser reasons we continue to use the packets. The main reason is convenience. It dramatically decreases the preparation time. The deacons used to get to the church an hour before the service just to fill up the communion cups. And that is when our church was about 1/3 of the size! Additionally, packets make it easier to pass them out. So, yes, convenience is a major factor in why we continue to use them.
The Real Focus Of Communion
The power of communion isn’t found in the packaging. It’s found in the person of Christ. Whether we pass a fresh loaf or peel back a foil lid, the point remains the same. Jesus gave his body, poured out his blood, and he calls us to remember.
I’ve seen people take communion from a packet with tears in their eyes. There was true reverence in that moment. Even when the juice came from a plastic cup. I’ve also seen more liturgical forms of communion involving a shared cup and real bread. This did not make communion better from a spiritual perspective. If the condition of our hearts is casual, it won’t matter whether we break fresh bread or peel back plastic. But if our hearts are focused on Christ, even a cellophane-covered wafer becomes a holy moment.
Conclusion
Yes, let’s call the church to deeper devotion. Yes, let’s avoid a shrink-wrapped version of Christianity. But let’s not confuse the tool with the problem. The real danger isn’t the plastic. It’s the plastic faith that settles for appearance instead of surrender.
Let’s tear the plastic, if we must. But more than that, let’s open our hearts to Jesus Christ and live out with authentic faith.
And, if I may add one more thing, instead of complaining about conveniences, let’s thank God for them. God has blessed us in so many little ways and we take them for granted too often. I have traveled to many places around the world and seen impoverished churches that worship with a tarp as a roof or in tiny, hot, secluded rooms. Personally, I am very grateful to God for air-conditioning in our church! So instead of trying to make the blessings seem like curses, let’s accept them with grateful hearts and remember that it is God who gave them to us.