The Lord's Supper and Church Membership

[tcalbrecht]

This is a question about church membership, particularly who should be permitted to take the Lord's Supper?

In our denomination (PCA) the practice is usually to invite all those who are members in good standing of an evangelical church.

Our congregation (via the Session/elders) has, over the years, permitted folks to take communion who are not members of any local church, but have made a profession before the elders. However, they often have steadfastly refused to join the church.

What do y'all think of this practice? Reasons theological and/or confessional would be appreciated.

 

[raderag]

[quote:77fb534c73][i:77fb534c73]Originally posted by tcalbrecht[/i:77fb534c73]
This is a question about church membership, particularly who should be permitted to take the Lord's Supper?

In our denomination (PCA) the practice is usually to invite all those who are members in good standing of an evangelical church.

Our congregation (via the Session/elders) has, over the years, permitted folks to take communion who are not members of any local church, but have made a profession before the elders. However, they often have steadfastly refused to join the church.

What do y'all think of this practice? Reasons theological and/or confessional would be appreciated. [/quote:77fb534c73]

I am in the PCA also. Our Worship bullitan says that you should be baptized and in a church to take communion.

 

[ARStager]

To steadfastly refuse to join a church is bad news. I don't think that we should admit folks to the table if they aren't interested in joining a local church.

 

[gwine]

My wife and I had been attending an EFree church for almost 4 years then started attending an OPC church (our son married the pastor's daughter.) We asked about taking communion but when they found out we were not members of a church we were asked not to participate. That was a sad day for us for I truly believe that all who profess in Christ are commanded to partake.

We did go through membership classe and are members, so it is a moot point now. But as I was doing a lot of reading on this I asked one of the elders whether my mom (who is PC-USA and pretty liberal) would have been allowed to participate and he said yes.

So much for inviting those who are members in good standing of a true Bible-believing church.

Renard and Trevor bark hi to Calvin. They are currently in the house.

 

[Ivan]

Originally posted by gwine But as I was doing a lot of reading on this I asked one of the elders whether my mom (who is PC-USA and pretty liberal) would have been allowed to participate and he said yes.

So much for inviting those who are members in good standing of a true Bible-believing church.

Indeed, this is all very confusing.

 

[gwine]

Indeed, this is all very confusing.

That it is. Later on in the unfolding saga a dear friend of ours joined the church and on the day he publically professed his faith, his mom and (5th) stepdad partook of the sacrament.

Makes me wonder if a fence and tokens wasn't such a bad idea. But, the Lord knows His own.

 

[Ivan]

Originally posted by gwine

But, the Lord knows His own.

[Edited on 1-15-2005 by Ivan]

 

[AdamM]

BCO 57-4. It is recommended, as edifying and proper, that baptized persons, when admitted by the Session to the Lord´s Supper, make a public profession of their faith in the presence of the congregation. But in all cases, there should be a clear recognition of their previous relation to the church as baptized members.

BCO 58-4. On the day of the observance of the Lord´s Supper, when the sermon is ended, the minister shall show:

a. That this is an ordinance of Christ; by reading the words of institution, either from one of the Evangelists, or from 1 Corin- thians 11, which, as to him may appear expedient, he may explain and apply;

b. That it is to be observed in remembrance of Christ, to show forth His death till He come; that it is of inestimable benefit, to strengthen His people against sin; to support them under troubles; to encourage and quicken them in duty; to inspire them with love and zeal; to increase their faith, and holy resolution; and to beget peace of conscience, and comfortable hopes of eternal life.

Since, by our Lord´s appointment, this Sacrament sets forth the Communion of Saints, the minister, at the discretion of the Session, before the observance begins, may either invite all those who profess the true religion, and are communicants in good standing in any evangelical church, to participate in the ordinance; or may invite those who have been approved by the Session, after having given indication of their desire to participate. It is proper also to give a special invitation to non-communicants to remain during the service.

Tom, here are the relevant sections of the BCO. I think the situation you describe would be highly unusual, but probably not in direct violation of the BCO. I think a Presbytery would be very hesitant to second guess in an area where the BCO gives the Session primary authority to govern.

[Edited on 16-1-2005 by AdamM]

 

[ARStager]

Renard and Trevor bark hi to Calvin. They are currently in the house.

Thanks. He's getting pretty lonely here with us humans. 24 hrs ago he was at a shelter with 498538834 other dogs, so we're pretty boring. And the silence freaks him right out.

 

[tcalbrecht]

Originally posted by AdamM

Tom, here are the relevant sections of the BCO. I think the situation you describe would be highly unusual, but probably not in direct violation of the BCO. I think a Presbytery would be very hesitant to second guess in an area where the BCO gives the Session primary authority to govern.

[Edited on 16-1-2005 by AdamM]

Adam,

Thanks. I'm very familiar with those sections of BCO. Morton Smith was the author of that section. I understand it was his intent to allow Sessions to follow the procedure of some Reformed Churches from the continental tradition. In those churches the practice was to permit communion by members in good standing of other churches who have met with the Session and were approved to take communion.

I still do not think it would allow a person who is not a member to partake of communion, since the Lord's table is a privilege of membership in Christ's visible church.

Tom

 

[fredtgreco]

Originally posted by tcalbrecht

Originally posted by AdamM

Tom, here are the relevant sections of the BCO. I think the situation you describe would be highly unusual, but probably not in direct violation of the BCO. I think a Presbytery would be very hesitant to second guess in an area where the BCO gives the Session primary authority to govern.

[Edited on 16-1-2005 by AdamM]

Adam,

Thanks. I'm very familiar with those sections of BCO. Morton Smith was the author of that section. I understand it was his intent to allow Sessions to follow the procedure of some Reformed Churches from the continental tradition. In those churches the practice was to permit communion by members in good standing of other churches who have met with the Session and were approved to take communion.

I still do not think it would allow a person who is not a member to partake of communion, since the Lord's table is a privilege of membership in Christ's visible church.

Tom

Tom,

I might be able to find it later, but I believe that there is a GA case that ruled exactly as Adam has described. You may be right about Dr. Smith's intention, but as far as I know, that is not PCA "law" now.

 

[AdamM]

Tom,

I might be able to find it later, but I believe that there is a GA case that ruled exactly as Adam has described. You may be right about Dr. Smith's intention, but as far as I know, that is not PCA "law" now.

Fred, I think you are right.

For better or worse, the recent trend appears to me to go in the direction of letting a Session have wide latitude in disputed matters. I too would be concerned about long time attenders who will not join the church, but as long as they have professed faith to the Session and are not living in gross sin, I can't imagine in the church today there would be much support at the Presbytery level for charges against the Session.