Break More Bread

Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people--Acts 2:46-47

“With whom have you broken bread since last we met?” This is the question that is being posed to those from our church who gather monthly for a time of Leadership Development and Visioning.

The answers to this question have been varied. Some have shared stories of experiences where they, literally, broke bread with a friend, a colleague or a stranger. They have invited others to lunch, supper or coffee and their time became a holy moment as they offered a listening ear, a comforting word or just a refreshing break from a hectic day. Some shared their experiences at Manna House where bread was broken in the form of pancakes for the hungry. Still others have invited neighbors to small gatherings at their homes where they shared messages of hope and offered the bread and the cup to those who wanted to commune around the sacred table.

We often think of “Breaking Bread” in the context of the Sacrament of Holy Communion. As the elements are consecrated, the pastor “breaks the bread” as sign and symbol of Jesus’ act of breaking bread with his disciples at the Last Supper and of Jesus’ shattered body on the cross. But the torn bread is also symbolic of our individual and corporate brokenness. Sharing the “bread of life” both literally and figuratively, gives us the opportunity to bring healing to our fractured world.

As Pastor of Linden Heights, one of my primary goals is to develop a plan of leadership that will be supportive of those who feel called to “Break More Bread.” The Visioning Team has begun to outline ways we can achieve this goal as they work toward “Calling the equipped and equipping the called so everyone feels capable of being a minister.”

As we further define Linden Heights’ ministry goals and objectives, I hope that you will be looking for ways to “Break More Bread.” If you would like to share a bread-breaking experience with the rest of the congregation, please Email or call me. We’d love to hear about the many and varied ways that members and friends of our church are putting their discipleship into action. Jesus has given us a wonderful gift! Let us share this gift with the world!