House Church Communion: A Simple Guide to Celebrating Together
This is an excerpt from Season Five of the Dwellings Podcast where we’re exploring how to forge a new pathway—one shaped by authentic community, accessible spiritual practices, and practical tools for cultivating communities and house churches. In this episode, Kathryn Maack sits down with David Legge to talk about something deeply sacred: house church communion.
Kathryn:
Today, we’re talking about how to celebrate communion in small groups and house churches. Many of us come from traditional church settings and may carry assumptions about what communion is, who can serve it, and where it should take place. David, what’s been your journey in rethinking this?
David:
For a long time, I thought communion had to be done in a church building, by an ordained minister, and only on certain days. But when we return to Scripture, we see that communion in home church settings was actually the norm. In the early church, believers celebrated the Lord’s Supper in homes. It was part of a shared meal, not a formal ceremony. It was accessible to everyone.
Kathryn:
I once hosted a worship night with women from different churches. When we took communion at home, one woman was moved to tears—it was such a meaningful experience for her.
David:
That’s beautiful. There’s something sacred about choosing to remember Jesus in your own space. In fact, the first communion was part of the Passover meal, done in homes with family. In the book of Acts, communion was celebrated “from house to house.” So we can confidently say that celebrating communion in small groups is both biblical and powerful.
Kathryn:
A question we often get is: Who can lead communion in a home setting?
David:
That’s a great question. We need to break away from the mindset that only clergy or church staff can administer it. Anyone in a Christian community can initiate communion, because it’s about the shared presence of Christ. We are all part of the priesthood of believers. So if you're asking, “Can I serve communion in my house church?” the answer is a resounding yes.
Kathryn:
There are differing theological views—some say communion is purely symbolic, while others believe it’s spiritually transformative. What do you think?
David:
Communion isn’t magic, but it’s not just a symbol either. Jesus said in John 6, “Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.” He was speaking spiritually, of course—but communion is a spiritual access point, a way to receive His life by faith. That’s true whether you’re in a cathedral or a living room. House church communion is just as potent and sacred.
Kathryn:
We’ve created a simple communion guide—a tool to help communities get started. David, can you walk us through the four basic steps?
David:
Absolutely. This isn’t a script—it’s a framework. Here are the four steps:
Confess Sin – Take a moment for personal reflection and confession.
2. Bless and Break the Bread – Just as Jesus did, give thanks and break the bread.
3. Distribute and Partake – Share the elements with one another.
4. Pray Together – Close by giving thanks and honoring Christ’s sacrifice.
Kathryn:
Do you take communion every week?
David:
Yes, we try to practice weekly communion in house church. It anchors us in Jesus’ presence. During lockdown, we even did it daily around the dinner table. The early church seemed to center their gatherings around this sacred act. And it’s one of the few practices Jesus explicitly told us to continue—so why not make it part of our regular rhythm?
Kathryn:
One of the joys of being part of Dwellings is realizing that any believer can serve communion. You don’t need a title. You don’t need a stage. You just need a heart that wants to draw near to Jesus with others.
David:
That’s exactly it. Communion is a shared act of worship among believers. And with resources like the Dwellings simple communion guide, people are finding it easier than ever to start.
Kathryn:
If you’d like a communion tool for small groups, visit dwellings.info/pathway to download the free PDF. Keep copies in your home, print them for your group, and challenge someone new to lead communion. It’s simple and meaningful.
David:
Thank you, Lord, for giving us the gift of communion. Thank you that we can celebrate it in homes, in small gatherings, and around dinner tables. Empower your people to experience your presence through this sacred act. May we never take it lightly. Amen.