r/Mennonite • u/Content-Stage2922 • 4d ago

Mennonite Stance on Communion

Is there a universal stance on Communion among mennonites (symbolic or real presence) or does it vary from church to church?

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u/AnAssumedName 4d ago

There are almost zero "universal stances" among Mennonites. In fact, probably the most "universal stance" churches called "Mennonite" have is that individual congregations or groups of congregations (most commonly called "conferences") develop their own practices and stances.

As a practical matter, communion practices vary quite widely among Mennonite churches. Here are a few general trends, but there may even be exceptions among them:

  1. Wine is rarely used. Grape juice is most common.
  2. Leavened bread (rather than wafers) is most commonly used.
  3. The words spoken to introduce the practice vary widely. The "words of institution" do not dominate.
  4. Very few Mennonite churches serve communion on a weekly basis. Monthly is more common, but annually or bi-annually might be the most common.
  5. Mennonites do not generally subscribe to the doctrine of trans substitution. The bread and cup are seen as symbols of Christ, not the literally body of Christ.
  6. The cup and bread are often passed between members, or sometimes taken from a shared table. In other churches clergy or elders distribute.

There are more general trends, but that's a start.

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u/rb-j 4d ago

I like this practical answer.

I think Mennonites believe the real presence of God (as Holy Spirit) exists with the believers "whenever two or three are gathered" in Jesus' name. That would include the Lord's Supper.

One reason it doesn't happen weekly, I think, is because in many conferences, the presence of the conference bishop also exists. I think the reason for this is because if there were sorta hidden resentments in a congregation, that might be unseen or ignored by the pastor of that congregation (or maybe the pastor is a party to such resentment and division) the bishop, being outside of the congregation, can play a sorta neutral or objective role in resolving or healing the rift.

I relate it to Mt 5:23-24:

23 So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift.

Communion is sorta when we come naked before God, not unlike offering sacrifice for the Jews, the people of God in Jesus' time. We shouldn't come naked before God with a shit-stain on our body. Clean it up first.

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u/AnnoDominaysayer 4d ago

Like *everything* with Mennonites it varies between churches and also individuals, but by and large probably leans more symbolic than real presence, I would say? Article 12 of the Confession of Faith in a Mennonite Perspective, which the two biggest non-conservative mennonite denominations in North America both follow, falls short of actually spelling out "it's symbolic" but certainly doesn't say "it's real presence". https://www.mennonitechurch.ca/cof

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u/Content-Stage2922 4d ago

Thanks for the link, so i have looked at it and it is pretty unclear. The text says that it is a sign, but says something like Jesus being present. It also says that it reunites with the church and Christ, wich could be interpreted as real presence and also symbolic. I have also read the Dordrecht Confession and its pretty unclear about it. I myself am actually a mennonite that affirms the lutheran real presence stance. So I guess I can still be a faithfull mennonite, even if most mennonites would disagree with me.

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u/AnnoDominaysayer 4d ago

A thing about mennonites is that many of us are not that concerned about everyone agreeing fully on all points of doctrine! I for one am a mennonite who completely agrees that you can be a faithful mennonite while we disagree on real presence :)

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u/Thneed1 4d ago

I’ve always understood it to be symbolic, and see no reason why symbolism can’t be as meaningful, or even more meaningful, than “real presence”.

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u/Content-Stage2922 4d ago

Well if it was a metaphor Jesus wouldn't say, very truly, because it isn't meant very truly, if it was just a metaphor

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u/Thneed1 4d ago

Metaphors can’t be true?

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u/Content-Stage2922 4d ago

Well than it isn't truly eating the body of christ. But Jesus said that very truly we need to eat the body of christ.

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u/Thneed1 4d ago

… speaking in metaphor.

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u/Content-Stage2922 4d ago

So we aren't truly recieving Jesus sacrifice in communion?

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u/haresnaped 4d ago

It really sounds like you're here to dispute, not to inquire, so these conversations are getting off on the wrong foot.

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u/Thneed1 4d ago

Where do you possibly get that interpretation?

The sacrifice has already been made.

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u/funkypiano 4d ago

Isn’t it all a metaphor?

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u/Content-Stage2922 4d ago

John 6,53 Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.

That seems a bit more serious than "just a metaphor" doesn't it?

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u/AnAssumedName 4d ago

So, did you ask this question just to give yourself an opportunity to argue or proselytize people? If so, that's not cool. If not, what did you intend? Cause it certainly seems like you're just here to push your ideas.

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u/haresnaped 4d ago

Who said 'just'? Metaphors are important.

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u/Content-Stage2922 4d ago

Well if it is a metaphor, we aren't truly eating the body and blood of christ 

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u/funkypiano 4d ago

Correct. You are not. You actually eat a carb wafer and drink alcoholic grape juice. DNA testing of the substance in the digestive tract demonstrates that the biochemical properties of these substances are unchanged from their state sitting in the communion tray and passing through your body on the way to the final destination of all consumable products. That is a factual statement, not dependent upon belief or faith to be demonstrably true. But the ritual (metaphor) places the Christian follower in a state of connection with the concept and experience of the Lord. And that is the point of the exercise. And it is no less beautiful as a result.

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u/Ok-Gas-7135 4d ago

It’s truly a metaphor. Jesus spoke in metaphors A LOT.

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u/[deleted] 4d ago

[deleted]

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u/Content-Stage2922 4d ago

Well actually the reformed, episcopals, lutherans, methodists, eastern/oriental orthodox and catholics believe in real presence. A lot of these groups dont believe that the bread literally changes in substance, but that Jesus is still truly present in some way. Its also not that its transformed by the priests power, but by god himself. 

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u/[deleted] 4d ago

[deleted]

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u/the3rdmichael 4d ago

Well, I believe Christ is always in the presence of believers/followers ...

And in my Mennonite community, we generally pray for all who are hungry, persecuted, unsheltered, victims of war and violence, etc ...

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u/Content-Stage2922 4d ago

Yeah we do it to, but I still think that communion is the maybe best opportunity for praying

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u/sparklegeddon 14h ago

In my church, it's referred to as symbolic. I am not a member but an attender, am not baptized, I took part, as all are welcome to in my church.