Communion table or Lord's table are terms used by many Protestant churches—particularly from Reformed, Baptist and low churchAnglican and Methodist bodies—for the table used for preparation of Holy Communion. These churches usually do not use the term "altar" because they do not see Communion as sacrificial in any way. However, in colloquial speech, the word "altar" is often used interchangeably with "communion table".
Terminology
The use of a simple table, generally built of wood, instead of an altar made of stone reflects these churches' rejection of the suggestion of sacrifice in the rite: they believe that the Passion of Jesus Christ was a perfect sacrifice for sins made once for all. Many Protestant churches that choose not to use the term "altar" may still have an "altar call", in which visitors wish to make a new spiritual commitment to Jesus Christ are invited to come forward to the front of the church. Having or not having a Communion table was a subject of dispute within Scottish Presbyterianism in the 17th century, with the Independents opposing its use. The United Methodist Church states that the term "altar" is often used but the correct terms are "Lord's table" and "Communion table" for the table upon which the elements are placed during Holy Communion. High church Methodists may use the term "altar" exclusively, copying the Anglican usage.
Location and adornment
The table may be very simple, adorned perhaps with only a linen cloth, or with an open Bible or some receptacle to collect an offering. In modern use many Protestants adorn their tables with candles, though the use of candles was historically rejected among most Protestants. Some Communion tables often bear the inscription Do This in Remembrance of Me from the Last Supper, indicating the belief in Holy Communion being a memorial rather than a sacrifice, or the wordsHoly, Holy, Holy as a recollection of the union between the whole of creation in worship. Such a table may be temporary, being moved into place when there is a Communion Service, but generally holds a permanent position of some prominence in the worship space. Instead of a high altar, the sanctuary may be dominated only by a large, centralized pulpit, or there may be no pulpit as in old Quaker meeting houses. Some bring in a Communion table when needed. For example, St Andrew's Anglican Cathedral in Sydney does not have a prominent Communion table. The strongly Evangelical church leadership decided that the table should be placed in a more forward position in the chancel and that it should be easily portable in order that it might be removed when not required for Holy Communion, to clear a space for presentations and musical performances.
