Communion Table Styles

Communion is an essential and fundamental part of Christianity and Christian church services. The word “communion” means “an act or instance of sharing” and “a Christian sacrament in which consecrated bread and wine are consumed as memorials of Christ’s death or as symbols for the realization of a spiritual union between Christ and communicant or as the body and blood of Christ,” (Merriam-Webster Dictionary). The concept of communion has several reference points in the Bible such as Matthew 26:26-28:

While they were eating, Jesus took break, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”

And John 6:53-58:

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. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day. For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them. Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your ancestors ate manna and died, but whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.”

The practice of communion during congregational gatherings has occurred in church services since the beginning of the New Testament church and it continues on today. The idea of a communion table has existed for equally as long, deriving from Christ and his disciples breaking bread together around one. Because of large gatherings in church settings, surrounding a table together can be difficult. The communion table, however, is still used as symbolism of the original table of fellowship for the

believers when the communion elements are placed on it. Many communion tables today expand the symbolism by inscribing the verse “…do this in remembrance of Me,” from Luke 22.

A variety of communion tables are crafted today in an assortment of styles to assist churches in this sacred Christian practice. Open style communion tables are a traditional style with an open air center and legs that extend to a table base or to the floor. Many feature an acrylic accent piece with the Scripture verse from Luke 22. Closed communion tables are an enclosed box table, typically with

swinging or sliding rear doors and inner shelving for storage of communion elements. Many of these also include a lock and key for keeping those elements secure between services. Churches that rent buildings or use sanctuary areas for different purposes may utilize a folding table or lightweight table and cover it with a table cloth.

Regardless of the style of communion table you choose for your church home, whether aesthetically pleasing or chosen based wholly on function, the act of communion remains the same and will continue to be a foundation element of church services until Christ returns.