Question
During a heavily attended Mass, is it appropriate to send a [Communion] minister to the rear of the church to distribute communion, or does that diminish the symbolism intended to "approach the altar"?
--Hmmmming in Houston
Answer
I think you have answered your own question! There are psalm texts which also support this, "I Will Go Up to the Altar of God," is one line which sticks out. Sometimes we do things for convenience rather than for the sake of symbolism. We are meant to process and see each other: the Body of Christ receiving the Body of Christ. We are also asked to stand during this rite of receiving communion [GIRM 21].
Space does not allow a thorough and detailed explanation here, but several books, published by LTP, on the communion rite support the need for a well-planned reception of communion for the faithful.
What are the theological, historical and pastoral reasons? Just to make it go quicker seems to smell of "fast food" and our American cultural need for quickness