CCLI
THE MOST OVERLOOKED MOMENT IN YOUR SERVICE W / MICHAEL W. SMITH | Matt McCoy
Does Communion in your service feel rushed, repetitive, or just an extra element in your service? Michael W. Smith sat down with CCLI President Matt McCoy to talk about the heart behind communion and why it deserves more attention in our services.
THE IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNION IN OUR SERVICES
[ Matt ] What was Communion like for you growing up?
[ Michael ] I grew up in the American Baptist Church, and we did it once a month. I didn’ t really know what I was doing. I felt okay about it being a young believer. As I’ ve gotten older and hopefully a little wiser in my faith, examined the Scriptures, I’ ve learned it’ s a Holy thing. It’ s a wow factor for me. It is astounding that He looks at us like we’ ve never done anything wrong, because of the shed blood of Christ. The ability to feel and grasp the magnitude of what He did for us takes us to deeper places.
When you partake in Communion, it’ s obedience. Remembering what He did for us. And how do I respond to that? My response is to walk with God, abide in Him, love my neighbor, love God with all my heart, and be a reflection of Him everywhere I go.
[ Matt ] What role do you see music playing in the sacrament of Communion?
[ Michael ] It’ s a preference, but music can serve a great role if it’ s not interfering with the individuals in your congregation who are trying to have that moment with themselves and God.
THE POWER OF STILLNESS IN WORSHIP
[ Michael ] I was leading worship recently, and all of a sudden it got really heavy. You could sense the presence of God in the room. I started playing in the Spirit, and I just stopped. Nobody moved for five minutes. And it was awesome. We don’ t do enough of that. I was going to just fill the gap. But in the stillness, I think God wants to speak to us.
PRACTICAL TIPS FOR LEADING COMMUNION
[ Matt ] Do you have any tips for leading Communion well?
[ Michael ] You have so many denominations and opinions on what needs to be done. But it doesn’ t need to be rushed. The congregation needs the space and the time to reflect on how important this is. When it comes to Communion, it’ s serious. It may take leaders talking on how it needs to be re-addressed at their church.
Click here to watch the full interview with Michael W. Smith. You can get the resources for Michael’ s new song“ Hymn For Communion” to lead the song at your church on SongSelect and Loop Community.
Matt McCoy Matt is the President of CCLI and the Founder of LoopCommunity. com. He’ s also a worship leader and passionate about building simple, powerful, and affordable technology for churches and worship teams. www. ccli. com 74 August 2026 Subscribe for Free...