Toolbox For Faith

Logan is a five year old member who enjoys coming to church and especially enjoys giving the pastor a big high five. At our congregation, we have open communion and Logan takes communion.

About six weeks ago when Logan came forward for communion, he did something different that mortified his mother. After I gave him the wafer saying, “The body of Christ given for you,” Logan reached up, gave me a high five and said, “Yeah!” I loved it but tried not to laugh as I moved to the next person, his mother, and saw her eyes squeezed shut as she clinched her hands. I knew what she was thinking—Am I going to survive this child?

Mom and Logan had a long talk after the service with him promising not to give me a high five during communion but, of course, being a typical five year old, he forgot. The next Sunday as he came to receive the bread, I was anxious to see what would happen. As soon as he received the bread, he gave me another high five but must have remembered the conversation with his mother so he gave me a very reserved “Yeah!” His mother, right behind him, nearly collapsed.

Now, I get a high five before and after worship but that was the last high five he has given me after receiving the bread. But we have reached an understanding. Now he looks ups and smiles when he receives the bread.. I know the smile indicates that I will get my communion high five and “Yeah” after the service.