Prayer Leader Interview
Prayer Leader OnLine interviewed Claude King, author of Come to the Lord’s Table

Q. Claude, what led you to write Come to the Lord’s Table?
In 1989 God used Richard Owen Roberts (a historian of revival) to introduce Southern Baptist prayer leaders to Solemn Assemblies as God’s remedy for corporate repentance. Recognizing the desperate need in our churches and in the nation for revival, they issued a “Call to Prayer and Solemn Assembly” to the Southern Baptist Convention churches.

Then I got an invitation to help a very sick church in up-state New York. They had dismissed their pastor for sexual immorality. Leaders were in conflict over control issues. Other sins were evident, and people were leaving the church because it was not a very pleasant place. Probably 25 active members remained when I came on the scene. I knew I needed to deal seriously with sin, but I also knew people often are reluctant to confront it head-on.

God led me to announce to the congregation that we were going to celebrate the Lord’s Supper at the conclusion of my visit. I reminded the people of the love of Christ for us demonstrated in His sacrifice on the cross. Then I read from 1 Corinthians 11 about the dangers of partaking of the Lord’s Supper in an unworthy manner. I said, “We only have three days to get ready, but I’ll help you.” Out of love and respect for Christ, they got serious about getting right with God and with one another. The Lord’s Supper observance was a very moving time for us all. One lady who had been attending these services with her parents was the owner of the new age bookstore in town. Seeing that God has a remedy for the guilt and dominion of sin in a person’s life, she said, “I think this is what I’ve been looking for all my life.” Within two weeks she had trusted Christ.

After a godly man served as their interim pastor for six months, this church called a new pastor. They have grown substantially, built a new building, and have a significant and fruitful outreach ministry in their city for Christ.

The very positive response of this church to deal with sin in preparation for the Lord’s Supper encouraged me to write Come to the Lord’s Table to help many other churches in their quest for a spirit of revival. I had gotten the initial idea from an old (1895) book by Andrew Murray called The Lord’s Table. I wanted to prepare a tool that I could put in the hands of a pastor that would guide his church in their return to the Lord around a familiar theme of the Lord’s Supper.

Q. What is a Sacred Assembly and what is the biblical basis for such a gathering?
In the Old Testament we see that God knew His people would tend to depart from Him and from following His commands. God prescribed regular times for His people to renew their covenant relationship with Him. He called these solemn assemblies or holy convocations (“sacred assembly” in the NIV). The prescribed sacred assemblies (or holy convocations) for Israel included the Sabbath (Lev. 23:3) and seven other days of sacred assembly:

1. The first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread beginning with Passover and
2. The seventh day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread (Lev. 23:4-8)
3. The Feast of Weeks (Pentecost, Lev. 23:15-21)
4. The Feast of Trumpets (Lev. 23:23-25)
5. The Day of Atonement (Lev. 23:26-32)
6. The first day of the Feast of Tabernacles and
7. The eighth day of the Feast of Tabernacles (Lev. 23:33-36).
   

Sacred assemblies were times to renew the covenant relationship with the Lord and return to Him in faithful love and obedience. They were times for God’s people to confess and repent of their sins. They were times for worship and sacrifice, feasting and fasting. Even with these regular opportunities to renew fellowship with God, His people tended to depart from Him and from obedience to His commands. God even expressed His displeasure at the manner in which they were celebrating sacred assemblies as ritual rather and renewal (Is. 1:13, Amos 5:21). Spiritual leaders knew that the sacred assembly was a time for corporate repentance in the face of God’s righteous judgments. In Joel 12 we see the prophet calling for an emergency sacred assembly to seek to turn back God’s judgments on the land. A number of national revivals in the Old Testament occurred during a prescribed time of sacred assembly.

The term “sacred assembly” is not used in the New Testament. However, Jesus and His disciples celebrated the Last Supper on one of God’s prescribed sacred assemblies the Feast of Passover. The first disciples were celebrating a sacred assembly when the Holy Spirit was poured out at Pentecost. The Church of our day also needs regular opportunities for individuals and the church to renew their relationships with the Lord to remember and renew the New Covenant relationship they have with Him. I believe the Lord’s Table is one of those ideal opportunities to rekindle our passion for Jesus Christ.

Q. How is it different from a prayer meeting or a Concert of Prayer?
Technically, any time God’s people get together to worship Him and renew their fellowship with Him and with each other could be called a sacred assembly. The Sabbath, for example, was a prescribed sacred assembly (Lev. 23:3). However, in modern usage “sacred assembly” refers to a time where the primary emphases are on confession of and cleansing from sin and renewal of a right love relationship with the Lord.

A prayer meeting or a Concert of Prayer could have this time of renewal as its primary object and could be considered a sacred assembly. However, prayer meetings and Concerts of Prayer usually focus more on prayers of petition and intercession or on participating with God in His worldwide mission through prayer. I would reserve the term “sacred assembly” for those gatherings where our primary concern is a return to a right relationship with God.

Q. What role have sacred assemblies had in Christian history?
The terms “sacred” or “solemn assembly” or “holy convocation” are not nearly as important as the process of renewal that should take place. When churches or geographic areas have experienced a renewal of vitality in religion, the process has taken place regardless of what the meetings were called. In our nation’s history presidents and Congress have issued calls for days of “humiliation, prayer, and fasting” or “a day of national prayer and humiliation.” These days usually were called in response to desperate conditions that were seen as God’s chastisements or righteous judgments on our nation for our sins.
Revival meetings” where the focus has been a serious consideration of and turning from sin also would have functioned as sacred assemblies. Not too many decades ago, evangelical churches would devote two weeks for daily revival services. Usually the first week would call God’s people to get right with God and with each other. Then the second week would focus on evangelistic messages to those who were yet to believe in Christ. This first week’s emphasis on returning to the Lord could appropriately be considered a time of sacred assembly.

Historically, churches took seriously Paul’s admonition to a proper and worthy observance of the Lord’s Supper (1 Cor. 11:27-32). They often would spend at least a day and sometimes a week or more in spiritual preparation for the observance of the Supper. Some would “fence” the Table and not permit people to partake who had not prepared themselves. These precommunion services functioned as sacred assemblies regardless of their title.

Another interesting use of the solemn assembly took place in communities following serious crimes or unexpected tragedy. A murder or rape would challenge a church to stand before God and ask how they had failed as His people to be salt and light in their community that would have averted such wicked behavior. Plague, draught, flood, and other natural disasters often prompted God’s people to call a solemn assembly to seek God’s correction so that their community would once again experience His blessing and protection.

Q. When should a congregation be called to a Sacred Assembly?
Any time a church faces a critical time of decision, a sacred assembly would be in order. The church needs to be in right fellowship with God, if they expect to receive clear directions from Him. If the church becomes aware of serious or pervasive sin among God’s people, a solemn assembly would be appropriate to call for thorough repentance and cleansing. When a church experiences a crisis, tragedy, or significant opposition or even legal action, a sacred assembly would be warranted. If they are experiencing God’s discipline, they need to remove the reasons for His chastisements. Otherwise, they need to express their utter dependence upon God because “the battle is the Lord’s.”

But I believe we also need regular times to renew our fellowship with God and with one another as the Body of Christ. Six of the seven prescribed solemn assemblies in the Old Testament were feast days, not fast days. Sacred assemblies can be wonderful times of celebration and dinner on the grounds! Christmas and Easter are times when our emphasis on Christ’s birth and redemption offer wonderful opportunities to call God’s people to renew their love for their Savior. Homecoming (celebration of a church’s beginning) could become a beautiful time of sacred assembly (and feasting) to remember all the wonderful things God has done in and through the life of the church.

And I believe the Lord’s Supper observance is, perhaps, one of our best times to focus on God’s blessings by remembering what He has done for us on the cross. It also serves as a wonderful and regular time to come clean before God and reconcile every broken relationship. Since the Supper also is a time to look forward to the Lord’s return, it is a time where the bride of Christ can make herself ready for the wedding supper of the Lamb (Rev. 19:7-8). If the church would use this opportunity to get ready for the Lord’s return, we would never be far removed from readiness.

Q. Is this a decision of the pastor alone or can prayer or ministry leaders initiate such an event?
I believe God holds spiritual leaders responsible for the spiritual health of the group they lead. Fathers can call a sacred assembly for their own families (see Jacob’s call in Genesis 35). Certainly, pastors should be involved in a church related event. In most of the Old Testament revivals multiple leaders led together (usually two or more of the prophet, priest, and king or civil leader). However, staff members should be able to call the people they lead to a time of seeking the Lord in a sacred assembly. I’m working with a church now that is going to use Come to the Lord’s Table with their intercessors as a first step in guiding their church in that direction.

Q. How does a congregation prepare for this kind of meeting?
As you can tell, I’ve described a broad variety of sacred assemblies. For the celebration types, the leaders may be able to adequately prepare the events of the day to guide a wonderful time of remembrance, celebration, and renewal. A church might benefit from recording and reviewing its spiritual markers (times and ways God has worked in and through the church in meaningful or significant ways).
An emergency sacred assembly because of a sudden crisis or tragedy is usually one like Joel 1-2 where preparation is foregone. The leader calls the sacred assembly immediately and seeks the help of other leaders and the guidance of the Holy Spirit to know what to do and how to do it. Leaders might, however, discuss possible corporate sins (church or community sins) to present to the congregation for corporate repentance. They might also look in their past for any departure markers (a time when the church or group made a decision or took an action that, in retrospect, they know was displeasing to the Lord).

When the sacred assembly is designed to address sin and departure from the Lord, I believe preparation is almost a pre-requisite. Otherwise, people come unprepared spiritually or with so much sinful baggage that they can’t do an adequate job of getting ready to meet the Lord. On several occasions in Scripture, like the meeting with God at Mount Sinai (Ex. 19), the people spent three days getting themselves prepared to meet with their holy God. This is the reason I wrote Come to the Lord’s Table as a tool to help people get ready for a sacred assembly. I would ask people to examine themselves and get right with God and others in regard to:

• Idols of the heart (do they love anything or anyone more that the Lord.
• Sin, transgressions, offenses
• Sins of omission
• Acts or items that represent impurity or immorality
• Broken relationships, bitterness, unforgiveness
• Conflict or division
• Pride
  . . . and so forth.

Q. Your approach is to include Communion in a Sacred Assembly; why is this important or beneficial?
As I discussed above, I believe Communion (or the Lord’s Supper) provides an ideal opportunity to renew our first love for Christ, reconcile broken relationships, repent of sin, and receive spiritual nourishment for a godly life. I personally prefer to guide God’s people in a time of preparation prior to coming to the Communion table. I prefer to not add it to other events lest it become a mere ritual. Emergency sacred assemblies, days of humiliation and fasting, and many of the celebration type sacred assemblies would not need Communion to fulfill their functions in returning to the Lord.

Q. What is a Love Feast and how does it relate to a Sacred Assembly?
The New Testament alludes to a love feast or agape meal that was celebrated by the early church. Sometimes this meal may have been in conjunction with the Lord’s Supper, but it most likely included more than just the bread and wine of the Lord’s Supper. The Scriptures don’t describe in any detail what took place at these love feasts, so God didn’t see fit to give any detailed instructions for them. Some groups in history have experienced wonderful Christian fellowship during times of a love feast.

In the “Pastor’s Guide” in Come to the Lord’s Table, I have recommended that a church consider holding a love feast and let the Holy Spirit guide them in the details of the event. Here are some of my suggestions for your consideration:

Meal: The meal can be simple or complex. Moravians serve a sweet bun and a cup of coffee for their love feasts. You could have a more extensive meal, a potluck meal, or a full blown “dinner on the grounds.” One key to keep in mind is that the fellowship is to be the emphasis, not the food. Don’t just eat and leave.
Singing: The service should be light and more spontaneous than structured. Consider conducting a hymn sing and sing requests, favorites, or songs that focus on the love of Christ and our unity and Christian love for one another.
Testimonies: Invite testimonies of what God has done in the past four-week focus on the Lord’s Table. Start by asking members to share testimonies around their table or in a small group of about eight. These should be voluntary so don’t just go around the circle. These could include victories won over sin, lives changed, relationships reconciled, deeper experiences of the love of Christ, experiences from a date or outing with the heavenly Father, experiences during the walk with Jesus (Week 3, Day 3), insights gained into the sacrifice of Christ, feelings and memories of the Lord’s Table service itself, and so forth. After members have shared in small groups, call for some testimonies to be shared with the large group.
Affirmations: Too often we fail to say thank you or to affirm what God is doing in and through those around us. Provide an opportunity for public “thank you’s” or for affirmation of what members see in the lives of others that is a blessing. Invite people to finish this sentence: “I thank God for ___(name)____ because . . .” You might even recognize some groups of people for a group “thank you” (like teachers, workers with preschoolers, ushers or others who may seldom get a thank you from the Body of Christ for their ministry to the Body). Think of other ways for members to express love and appreciation for the members of the Body of Christ.
Love Offering: If you decide to give opportunity for a love offering, announce the opportunity early in the Lord’s Table study or at least by the time of the Lord’s Table so people will have time to reflect, pray, and prepare. Invite members to consider giving a special love offering above their regular giving to express an extra “thank you” to Christ for His sacrifice. Decide in advance how you will use this special offering. You might use it for benevolent needs of church members (like the church in Acts did with gifts like that of Barnabas, Acts 4:32-37). You might use it for a special mission project. You might give it to a church on the mission field or to a needy church in your own city. If you are willing to manage it, this could be more than just money. People might choose to give other things of value for use by others in the Body of Christ or things that could be sold (like jewelry, a used car, stocks, volunteer service for a particular project, etc.). You might even suggest that people who have identified an “idol of the heart” that they need to give away (not something that should rather be destroyed because of its wickedness) might bring that as their offering. This offering could include a boat, a collection, “toys,” material things that have captured one’s love, etc. Whatever you do, let this be a matter of joy not obligation. Encourage your people to have fun deciding what to give and joy in blessing others as they use the gifts to show God’’ love to one another.
Prayers: Invite volunteers to stand and pray prayers of thanksgiving, praise, adoration and love to Christ for His love and for the blessings of the past few weeks. (Come to the Lord’s Table, pp. 106-107)

Q. If the congregation or pastor is not ready for such an event, can a prayer or ministry leader use Come to the Lord’s Table with a team or small group?
One of the tragedies in the history of Christianity is that we have been divided over our beliefs and practice of the Lord’s Supper, Communion, Holy Eucharist, or Mass—such a beautiful memorial given to us by our Lord. Because of this, I hesitate to give instructions that might violate a particular church or denomination’s practice of this ordinance. I believe a group of any size or make-up could benefit from the devotions and spiritual self-examination in the book. I would, however, encourage a leader to consult with his or her pastor or priest regarding a proper celebration of the Lord’s Table in their church’s tradition.

Q. What resources may be helpful regarding sacred assemblies and corporate repentance?
I recommend my own book, Come to the Lord’s Table (Final Command Resources. 2001). This is a 112-page workbook for individual church members to prepare themselves for a celebration of the Lord’s Table. Available in bulk quantities at discounted prices at www.FinalCommand.org

Fresh Encounter: God’s Pattern for Revival and Spiritual Awakening by Henry T. Blackaby and Claude V. King. (LifeWay Press, 1993). This 98-page workbook introduces God’s pattern for revival and helps God’s people understand their need for repentance in order to be catalysts for spiritual awakening. A Leader’s Manual, Leader’s Kit, and other related resources are available from LifeWay Christian Resources 1-800-458-2772 or at www.lifeway.com.

A pamphlet entitled “The Solemn Assembly” by Richard Owen Roberts is available from International Awakening Ministries, P. O. Box 232, Wheaton, IL 60189 (www.intl-awaken.com 1-630-653-8616. Two books by Roberts (also available from IAM) that may be of special help and interest to pastors are: Revival! and Sanctify the Congregation: A Call to the Solemn Assembly and to Corporate Repentance. The latter volume includes the text of “The Solemn Assembly” pamphlet.
 
Q. Claude, write a prayer we can pray with you for congregations which desperately need the renewal of a sacred assembly.
Holy Father,
We confess that we (Your people and Your churches) have departed from You. We don’t love You like we should. We are not serving as Your salt and light for our culture. We live so much like the rest of the world, they have no desire to know the God we claim to love and serve. Forgive us. We’ve brought shame and disgrace to Your Kingdom and Your name because of our sinful ways.

Lord, invite us to join You at our Lord’s Table. Remind us of Your great love for us that You so clearly demonstrated by sending Jesus Christ to an agonizing death on the cross so we might be forgiven. Help us remember the height from which we have fallen and enable us to have the heart and will to return to You as our first love.

Help us to no longer be satisfied with our lukewarmness but to seek after a hot passion for You and Your Kingdom. Reveal our impurities and sinful ways by the work of Your Holy Spirit. Guide us to a complete agreement with You about our sinful ways, and enable us to thoroughly repent and return to You. Restore us to a right relationship with You. Fill us with  Your presence and power once more. Then use us as Your witnesses to “win for the Lamb that was slain the reward of His sufferings.”