missions
Communion Points Us Forward and Backward at Once
By Christianity Today
· June 23, 2026
· 1 min read
Even if you’ve been involved with Christianity and the church for many years and have taken the Lord’s Supper countless times, you might not recognize the meal’s emphasis on the future. Each time believers in a local church break Communion bread together, they remind one another that the “already-bu
Key takeaway The post Communion Points Us Forward and Backward at Once appeared first on Christianity Today.
Why this matters
The concept of Communion pointing both forward and backward simultaneously highlights the intricate relationship between the past, present, and future in Christian theology. By participating in the Lord's Supper, believers not only remember Christ's sacrifice but also look ahead to the fulfillment of eternal life. This dual emphasis is particularly significant in the context of missions, where Christians are called to embody the values of their faith in their interactions with others. As they engage in outreach and evangelism, the observance of Communion can serve as a powerful reminder of the ultimate goal of their efforts: to bring people into a deeper relationship with Christ and to look forward to the promise of eternal life. The "already-but-not-yet" tension inherent in Communion can thus inform and motivate Christian missionaries as they navigate the complexities of their work.
About this story
Original reporting by Christianity Today . Jesus Give surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
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Category: missions ·
Published: June 23, 2026 ·
Source: Christianity Today ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Even if you’ve been involved with Christianity and the church for many years and have taken the Lord’s Supper countless times, you might not recognize the meal’s emphasis on the future. Each time believers in a local church break Communion bread together, they remind one another that the “already-bu
When was this published? This article was first published on June 23, 2026 by Christianity Today and curated for Jesus Give readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Christianity Today. To learn more about how Jesus Give selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more missions coverage from Jesus Give, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .