United Methodists have long struggled with this sacrament. We just do not know what to do with it. How often should it be administered? Some churches think quarterly observance is enough. Some churches observe it only at an early service. We are not even certain what name we should use when referring to it. Is it "The Lord's Supper," "Communion," or "Eucharist?" Does it matter? How should we distribute the elements? Dare we use real wine?

Wesley's "Journal & Diaries II" as edited by Ward and Heitzenrater in 1990 help us understand Wesley's views of this sacrament and his practice of it. The "West Street Chapel" became the site for the first ongoing Methodist administration of the Lord's Supper. So many Methodists showed up for the service on May 29, 1743, that it took five to six hours to serve them all. "I was a little afraid at first that my strength would not suffice for the business of the day…," John had written. But when the service was over at 3 p.m., he found the strength to preach at five, attend a meeting with the leaders of the Society and finally a band meeting. "At 10 at night, I was less weary than at six in the morning," he wrote.

The parents of the Wesleys were ardent advocates of frequent communion. At Oxford with his "Holy Club," John Wesley emphasized attendance at the Lord's Supper, thus earning for them the name "Sacramentarians." With his Oxford colleagues John Wesley not only stressed the need for frequent communion, or even weekly communion, but also for "constant communion." He was a lifelong advocate of "constant communion," and he encouraged Methodists to press for the sacrament in their Anglican parish churches. John and Charles gave and received Communion with considerable regularity on Sundays and festivals, as well as in the visitation of the sick and the visitation of the Societies.

In his letter of 10 September 1784 to "Our Brethren in America," John Wesley "advised the elders to administer the supper of the Lord on every Lord's Day." Such observance conveys the grace of God that confirms to us the pardon of our sins and enables us to leave them, it strengthens and refreshes the souls and leads us to perfection. Thus, it was not only a confirming ordinance but also a converting ordinance.

To Wesley, the Lord's Supper was the means of grace "par excellence." Why? Because all means of grace are used: the word of God is read, preached and meditated upon; several kinds of prayers are central; there is communion and fellowship with God and fellow workers -- all woven together into a delicate tapestry of blessings. He speaks of the Eucharist as one of the indispensable means of grace, a mighty ordinance given by Christ to his church, a real sacrament, a token or pledge, conveying a real grace. Thus his admonition for "constant communion."

Craven E. Williams
President
Greensboro College