Building Healthy Church Communities Part 15

Welcome back to Growing Healthy Church Communities! In today’s episode, we’re considering 1 Corinthians 11:17-34, where Paul addresses the Corinthian church’s misuse of the Lord’s Supper. This passage speaks directly to the importance of unity, reverence, and care for one another in the church community, and it has powerful implications for how we can build a safe and healthy church today.

Transcript

Welcome back to Growing Healthy Church Communities! In today’s episode, we’re considering 1 Corinthians 11:17-34, where Paul addresses the Corinthian church’s misuse of the Lord’s Supper. This passage speaks directly to the importance of unity, reverence, and care for one another in the church community, and it has powerful implications for how we can build a safe and healthy church today.

Paul does not hold back in this passage. He begins with a strong rebuke:

“In the following directives I have no praise for you, for your meetings do more harm than good.” (1 Corinthians 11:17)

Imagine being part of a church where gatherings cause more harm than good! The Corinthians had turned the Lord’s Supper into a time of division rather than unity.

Instead of coming together as one body, wealthier members were feasting while others went hungry, turning the sacred meal into a social class divide. Paul describes this problem:

One person remains hungry and another gets drunk. Don’t you have homes to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God by humiliating those who have nothing?” (1 Corinthians 11:21-22)

For the Corinthian church, communion that is the Lord’s Supper was meant to reflect the unity of the body of Christ, but instead, it had become a selfish and dishonoring gathering.

While most churches today don’t have literal feasting and drunkenness during communion, the core issues that Paul addresses—division, selfishness, and a lack of reverence—can still be present in unhealthy church communities.

So, how do we apply Paul’s teachings to ensure that our churches remain safe, healthy, and centered on Christ?

One of the biggest issues in Corinth was division. The church was split along social and economic lines, where some were honored while others were humiliated.

Paul reminds them:

So then, my brothers and sisters, when you gather to eat, you should all eat together.” (1 Corinthians 11:33)

A healthy church environment is created when we intentionally foster unity by

rejecting cliques and favouritism and ensure that every member, regardless of background, feels equally valued and where no one is overlooked, and everyone is invited to participate in the life of the church.

When we gather to participate in communion we are promoting unity rather than division and creating a safe and welcoming environment for all believers.

Paul was deeply concerned with how casually and carelessly the Corinthians were treating the Lord’s Supper. He reminds them of the sacredness of this moment:

“For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.” (1 Corinthians 11:26)

The Lord’s Supper is a time of remembrance and reflection—not just another routine or social event.

Paul warns against participating in an unworthy manner, stating:

That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep.” (1 Corinthians 11:30)

This doesn’t mean that all sickness is a result of taking communion improperly, but it does highlight the seriousness of approaching worship with the wrong heart.

For us today, this means:

• Creating a communion atmosphere that is focused on Christ, not distractions or personal agendas.

• Encouraging everyone to prepare their hearts before taking communion—through repentance, reflection, and gratitude.

• Teaching the significance of communion, so that it is not taken lightly or out of habit.

When the church treats communion with reverence and honor, it fosters a spiritually healthy environment where believers grow in their relationship with Christ.

Paul gives a direct command to believers before they take communion:

Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup.” (1 Corinthians 11:28)

Self-examination is not about perfection, but about honesty before God. Paul warns that failing to examine ourselves can lead to spiritual and even physical consequences.

So when we gather for communion let’s take time for self-reflection.

Let’s hold one another accountable in love by creating a church culture where confession, repentance, and spiritual growth are encouraged.

As leaders we need to model self-examination, when we walk in humility, the entire church follows.

Paul concludes this section with a simple but profound instruction:

So then, my brothers and sisters, when you gather to eat, you should all eat together.” (1 Corinthians 11:33)

At its core, the Lord’s Supper is about remembering Christ’s sacrifice and reflecting His love. A healthy church community is marked by selfless love, mutual care, and a commitment to serving others.

Paul’s rebuke to the Corinthians was serious, but it was also filled with guidance for building a stronger, healthier church community.

If we apply these lessons today, we can ensure that our churches remain safe, welcoming, and spiritually vibrant.

So as we reflect on today’s discussion, let’s ask ourselves:

Is our church fostering unity through participation in communion?

Are we approaching communion with the reverence it deserves?

Do we take time for self-examination, ensuring our hearts are right before God?

Are finally are we loving and serving one another in the way Christ intended?

Let’s remind ourselves that healthy church is one where people are valued, communion is Christ-centered, and love is the foundation of every interaction.

Thanks for joining me today on Growing Healthy Church Communities! Let’s continue the conversation—how is your church creating a culture of unity, reverence, and love? I’d love to hear your thoughts, and I’ll see you next time!