As part of his Seminary Research Tim Cheux in the later part of 2020 investigated the difference between Holy Communion (Eucharist) and Fitness (or Sport).
Holy Communion and Fitness are not traditional or immediately compatible partners. The tradition of sharing Holy Communion is focused on Jesus, an exclusive personal relationship and intimate practice of Praise and Worship. Sports and Fitness can be idol worship, elevating the self or activity above Jesus thus removing the possibility of worship.
However, if practiced by making a conscious decision, with accountability, community and prayer sports and fitness can be practiced reverently without conflict to the practice of Worship. It can become the practice of spiritual adoration and holy reflections upon Jesus Christ intertwining the physical body and blood with the physical body and practice of honoring God to use the body God has given you to worship God. That in union with Christ any form of participation in sports and fitness can be a practice of spiritual adoration, Praise and Worship and Prayer if practiced safely, securely and in community with other like minded Christians.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FURTHER RESEARCH
In response to the articles question, are Communion and Fitness compatible, Doctor Greg Linville described some excellent suggestions for how Holy Communion and Fitness could be practiced.
Linville (2020) made the following four suggestions which the author of this paper approves for further research.
- Don’t be bound by tradition…dream, create, lead…create new models.
- Don’t be bound by “the way it’s always been done.”
- Go in confidence that the traditional formal eucharist (partaking of bread & wine/juice) is great and should be partaken in but the spirit of the Eucharist can open many new ways of engagement…such as expanding the bread & wine/juice to a full meal and extended time of fellowship, teaching, prayer.
- Also perhaps an evening/afternoon begins with a sporting/exercise activity and then proceeds with a “Lord’s supper” communion (Linville, 2020).
It is in these areas that further research and study should be completed to gain further insight into how a religious service could be practiced alongside a sports or fitness based activity.
For the original full-length report go to Tim’s Free & Fit website.
