General Convention to consider proposal to end Episcopal Church’s baptism requirement for Communion

CallofChrist

Active Member
Supporter
Apr 24, 2012
324
335
St.Paul, MN
✟89,549.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Single
General Convention to consider proposal to end Episcopal Church’s baptism requirement for Communion

The resolution that generated the most discussion, and some of the strongest opinions, was a measure proposed by the Diocese of Northern California that would repeal the Episcopal canon that requires worshipers to be baptized before receiving Communion in Episcopal churches.

Martin Heatlie testified on behalf of Episcopalians in Northern California who researched the issue. “We could not find anything in the Bible or the Book of Common Prayer that required baptism as a prerequisite for receiving Communion,” Heatlie said. When priests say “the gifts of God for the people of God” before distributing the bread and wine, that means everyone, the diocese concluded.

“We all believe that all people are God’s people, so it’s not just the gifts of God for just baptized people,” Heatlie said...
 
  • Like
Reactions: PloverWing

tampasteve

Pray for peace in Israel
Christian Forums Staff
Administrator
Angels Team
CF Senior Ambassador
Supporter
May 15, 2017
25,196
7,287
Tampa
✟767,634.00
Country
United States
Faith
Methodist
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-Others
Interesting, I did not realize the requirement was still "on the books". I have been to several Episcopal churches where it was clearly expressed that anyone that believed, or even if you did not believe but were discerning, was welcome at the table.
 
Upvote 0

CallofChrist

Active Member
Supporter
Apr 24, 2012
324
335
St.Paul, MN
✟89,549.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Single
Yeah that is news to me, too.

One thing that confuses me, though, is that I had to provide info on my baptism, first communion and confirmation before I was received into the Church, but I was never forbidden from partaking of communion before I was received.
 
Upvote 0

PloverWing

Episcopalian
May 5, 2012
4,338
5,024
New Jersey
✟332,494.00
Country
United States
Faith
Anglican
Marital Status
Married
One thing that confuses me, though, is that I had to provide info on my baptism, first communion and confirmation before I was received into the Church, but I was never forbidden from partaking of communion before I was received.

The policy of the Episcopal Church has long been that all baptized Christians (regardless of the denomination/church in which they were baptized) are welcome at Communion. The only controversial bit is whether unbaptized people are also welcome. So, while your church of origin matters for the membership paperwork, it doesn't matter when you come to the Communion rail.

I know that the tradition of restricting Communion to only baptized people goes way back to the early church, and that there is good reason for the tradition. But, with that acknowledged, I welcome the change in canon law. In modern times, we have people in all stages of religious discernment. Some are Christians but are not baptized (such as Quakers). Some aren't sure whether there is a God, but are drawn to search for God anyway. Some have been badly hurt by the church and don't really trust the church any more, but are still seeking God. For people like these, if they come to seek God in my church, I want to welcome them. I believe that God is truly present in the Sacrament, and I don't want to turn anyone away from that.
 
Upvote 0

Paidiske

Clara bonam audax
Supporter
Apr 25, 2016
34,110
19,005
43
Albury, Australia
Visit site
✟1,473,140.00
Country
Australia
Faith
Anglican
Marital Status
Married
Note that I am outside America and therefore not directly affected by the decision.

I would be deeply uncomfortable with this change, because I don't think taking communion should be done lightly. While "must have been baptised" is in many cases a pretty low bar, having a bar at all says that this is something we - and the recipients - should take seriously, as a significant spiritual reality. I would worry that saying that anyone may come with no restrictions at all basically cheapens the sacrament and its place in Christian life.

There are times when an exception should be made; I will note that in fact, I received communion before I was baptised and believe that was pastorally appropriate in my particular circumstances. But allowing for a pastoral exception is quite different than open slather, as it were.

And, I should add, I don't see this as an obstacle to communion, particularly. If someone is in a place where they consider themselves ready and have a heartfelt desire to receive, the answer should be, "Great! Let's baptise you." If they're not ready to do that, then are they really ready to receive communion...?
 
Last edited:
Upvote 0

seeking.IAM

Episcopalian
Supporter
Feb 29, 2004
4,235
4,910
Indiana
✟931,189.00
Country
United States
Faith
Anglican
Marital Status
Married
When priests say “the gifts of God for the people of God” before distributing the bread and wine, that means everyone, the diocese concluded

I disagree with this initiative. Although we are all created in the image of God, not all have chosen to be His people, which is the rebirth that happens in Baptism. I for one prefer that our practice stays closer to tradition of the early Church.
 
Upvote 0

hedrick

Senior Veteran
Supporter
Feb 8, 2009
20,250
10,565
New Jersey
✟1,147,348.00
Faith
Presbyterian
Marital Status
Single
The current rule excommunicates children and youth from a Baptist background. The PCUSA has the same issue. I don’t think either of us actually enforces it. Most PCUSA churches I’ve been at say they welcome all believers.
 
Upvote 0

VincentIII

Active Member
Jul 14, 2020
89
52
55
PA
✟25,916.00
Country
United States
Faith
Catholic
Marital Status
Married
The first time I went to an Episcopal service and asked about receiving Holy Communion as a Catholic, I liked the answer: if you were baptized in any Christian denomination in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, you're welcome to receive Communion. That seems to me a good balance.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Paidiske
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

The Liturgist

Traditional Liturgical Christian
Supporter
Nov 26, 2019
10,923
5,590
49
The Wild West
✟461,179.00
Country
United States
Faith
Generic Orthodox Christian
Marital Status
Celibate
The first time I went to Episcopal Mass and asked about receiving Holy Communion as a Catholic, I liked the answer: if you were baptized in any Christian denomination in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, you're welcome to receive Communion. That seems to me a good balance.

As an interesting comparison, the Assyrian Church of the East will provide the Eucharist to anyone who believes in the doctrine of the real presence.

Now, out of curiosity, what was the position of the Protestant Episcopal Church on this issue in 1892 and 1928? And likewise, the view of the Church of England in 1662, 1799 and 1928? And between the ascension of King William and Mary, and 1799, a date I selected for its visual and auditory elegance (just imagine beginning a sentence, “In the year of our Lord seventeen hundred and ninety-nine, during the reign of King George III and First Consul Napoleon of France...”), was there any variance between the practice of the Church of England and the Non-Juring Episcopalians, and for that matter between either of the two and the Church of Ireland? (And indeed the Protestant Episcopal Church once it came into being?)

And to what extent did pew rents affect cathedral churches and parish membership?
 
Upvote 0

Paidiske

Clara bonam audax
Supporter
Apr 25, 2016
34,110
19,005
43
Albury, Australia
Visit site
✟1,473,140.00
Country
Australia
Faith
Anglican
Marital Status
Married
The amusing thing about that post, @The Liturgist, is the idea that there was ever "the view" of the Church of England, as if such matters have been considered settled and unanimously agreed to!
 
Upvote 0

RickardoHolmes

Well-Known Member
Aug 10, 2015
400
324
✟83,998.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
I always believed that Communion should be limited to those who are Baptized A Baptism is our symbolic profession of faith. I was baptized in a different church, and I am able to take communion in the Episcopal church when I attend.

What I would like to see is the removal of adult confirmation as a requirement for membership for those of us who were baptized in a different denomination. I have never been able to obtain "Official " membership since I never went through confirmation. And the reason was that the church at the time made it near impossible, and frustrated, I walked away.

The Episcopal church might find it easier to attract and keep members if they made a simple profession of faith a basis for membership.
 
Upvote 0

Paidiske

Clara bonam audax
Supporter
Apr 25, 2016
34,110
19,005
43
Albury, Australia
Visit site
✟1,473,140.00
Country
Australia
Faith
Anglican
Marital Status
Married
Here (in Australia) we require baptism but not confirmation for membership. I never got around to confirmation until I applied for ordination, for which it was a hard requirement! (Though I was baptised as an adult).
 
Upvote 0

seeking.IAM

Episcopalian
Supporter
Feb 29, 2004
4,235
4,910
Indiana
✟931,189.00
Country
United States
Faith
Anglican
Marital Status
Married
The Episcopal church might find it easier to attract and keep members if they made a simple profession of faith a basis for membership.

That is interesting. I was considered a member of my Episcopal Church long before I was confirmed. I was considered a member by virtue of regular attendance and giving. I learned this when I was questioned about why I was not voting in Annual Meetings. The Church considered me a member long before I did, long before I finally went through confirmation. In my church, confirmation is only a requirement for holding a position within the church, such as serving on the Vestry or a committee.

I'll add going through adult confirmation classes is a great way to learn more about Anglicanism and The Episcopal Church.
 
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

Paidiske

Clara bonam audax
Supporter
Apr 25, 2016
34,110
19,005
43
Albury, Australia
Visit site
✟1,473,140.00
Country
Australia
Faith
Anglican
Marital Status
Married
You may find, seeking, that although some folks were confused about your membership, you may not have met the formal requirement for membership. (I had a similar experience, only mine played out differently; someone told me I was a member, and then I had to be told that in fact I was ineligible for membership until certain conditions were met!)
 
Upvote 0

seeking.IAM

Episcopalian
Supporter
Feb 29, 2004
4,235
4,910
Indiana
✟931,189.00
Country
United States
Faith
Anglican
Marital Status
Married
You may find, seeking, that although some folks were confused about your membership, you may not have met the formal requirement for membership...

I am not informed enough about church canons to know the official position of TEC, but what I stated is how membership is applied in my parish, from the Rector's mouth to my ears. My Rector is not known to be a renegade for whatever that may be worth.
 
Upvote 0

seeking.IAM

Episcopalian
Supporter
Feb 29, 2004
4,235
4,910
Indiana
✟931,189.00
Country
United States
Faith
Anglican
Marital Status
Married
@Paidiske Your comment inspired me to do a web search of my Diocesan Canons. You may find these of interest.

b. The following terms refer to lay members of the Diocese:

i. A member of a congregation is a member of the Episcopal Church who is currently enrolled in the register of that congregation by reason of Baptism, Confirmation, Reception, or Removal from another congregation, as provided by the General Canons, or by reason of having joined that congregation at its inception.

ii. A confirmed member is a member who has been confirmed as defined by the General Canons.

iii. A communicant member is one who has received Holy Communion in this Diocese or in some other part of the Episcopal Church or in a Church in communion with the Episcopal Church at least three times in the preceding year.

iv. An adult member or communicant is one who is sixteen years of age and over.

v. A communicant in good standing is one who, for the previous year, has been faithful in corporate worship, unless for good cause prevented, and has been faithful in working, praying, and giving for the spread of the Kingdom of God.
 
  • Informative
Reactions: Paidiske
Upvote 0

Deegie

Priest of the Church
Supporter
Jul 22, 2011
283
167
✟401,365.00
Country
United States
Faith
Anglican
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-Democrat
The national canons also state that Confirmation is not required for membership. The regulations are found in I.17.1:

(a) All persons who have received the Sacrament of Holy Baptism with water in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, whether in this Church or in another Christian Church, and whose Baptisms have been duly recorded in this Church, are members thereof.
 
  • Like
Reactions: seeking.IAM
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

RickardoHolmes

Well-Known Member
Aug 10, 2015
400
324
✟83,998.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
I want to thank everyone for the clarifications. I was told long ago by a priest, when I wanted formal membership, that I could not be a member unless I went through confirmation which was impossible, because it was done once a year AND Sponsorship was required. IF I could not find a sponsor on my own, then it would not be possible

I was also told by this same priest that members are accepted by transfer only from Catholicism or Lutheran memberships, because the services/Eucharist were similar.


When I moved to my current city, I started attending an Episcopal church, but I receive no "Membership" benefits...EMails, phone calls, announcements. I do not get newsletters, my name is on no list. In fact, i would bet that no one there, after ten years even KNOWS my name...I assume that I am after 10 years, just someone who shows up and donates money, but not an official member. I generally do not seek memberships, but would if it were at the Episcopal church.
And that is ok. It is about A pathway, an inspiration, a communion with Christ, a way to be a shining light of Christ to the world. People do not have to know who I am. They do need to know who Jesus is though.

I have recently been attending instead, of all things, a Missionary Baptist church. The pastor there is extremely friendly, understanding, and accepting. He asked me what I like about the Episcopal church, I told him basically everything, except how difficult it is to be accepted as a member. Of course ANYONE can become a member of the Missionary Baptist church, but at this point I do not want membership there.

I do not like the service at the MBC as much as the high mass, but the people are so outwardly friendly and accepting. I also do not like the lack of the church calendar.
They do however have an excellent mission and charity program, and have even allowed me to volunteer and help out. That is without being an official "member" SO participation opportunities abound, but it is not the same as the Episcopal church I love.
 
Upvote 0