Question:  Dear Greg,

            Most, if not all, mainstream Christian churches do not take an active part during communion in the foot washing ceremony, as far as I know.  Will you set my mind straight on this subject?  Is it a necessary physical action required for salvation, church membership, etc.?  How does God view this?  I’ll appreciate your comments on this.

            Thank you very much,

            Leith

Answer:  Dear Leith,

            Foot washing is not considered by the historic Christian faith to be a sacrament or ordinance – that is, an outward and inward sign of God’s grace.  Virtually all denominations recognize some actions as having such significance – most Protestants agreeing on baptism (whether infant or believer’s) and communion (while the number of times it is offered per year varies).

            Foot washing has never been considered on such a level – by Orthodox, Catholic, or the vast majority of Protestant churches.  However, it is practiced by both Orthodox and Catholic churches, primarily as a way for clergy to be reminded of their call to servanthood and humility, in serving the people of God.

            Within Protestantism some small churches in the Anabaptist tradition have and continue to teach and observe that foot washing is a third sacrament or ordinance.  A few other churches do as well, some Baptists, Pentecostal, and Adventist churches.  In such churches the emphasis can be so strong that church members feel that they must participate in order to be a Christian.

            However, most of Christianity interprets the passage in John 13:14 symbolically – that Christians are to wash one another’s feet in our daily lives, as we serve and give to others.

            In Christ,

            Greg Albrecht