Communion question...

Officially, you should be a member of an LCMS congregation or one of the churches in fellowship with the LCMS in order to commune.

Belief in the Real Presence of the Body and Blood of Our Lord in the Sacrament is not the only criterion for admission to the sacrament. We see communion as a shared confession of faith, that those who commune together believe the same things. Ideally, this would be exactly the same, though in practice we obviously recognize that there is a spectrum of confession within the LCMS.

Some pastors admit to the sacrament on a case by case basis.

To the credit of their catholicity, I've never seen any LCMS minister, in practice, require membership in an LCMS congregation before allowing a fellow Christian to partake of Communion. The Lord invites all baptized Christians to His table, so I would follow His command unless actively prevented by the minister.

I know in theory the LCMS practices Close Communion, and maybe in tiny churches where everyone knows everyone they are able to do so. In the LCMS churches I have attended most are welcome at the table unless they are being disciplined. A statement is read communally regarding our beliefs at the beginning of Communion. I have explained to my guests that they should not commune if they do not or are not sure they agree with our statement of faith.

Mediaeval said:

To the credit of their catholicity, I've never seen any LCMS minister, in practice, require membership in an LCMS congregation before allowing a fellow Christian to partake of Communion. The Lord invites all baptized Christians to His table, so I would follow His command unless actively prevented by the minister.

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Ministrymama said:

I know in theory the LCMS practices Close Communion, and maybe in tiny churches where everyone knows everyone they are able to do so. In the LCMS churches I have attended most are welcome at the table unless they are being disciplined. A statement is read communally regarding our beliefs at the beginning of Communion. I have explained to my guests that they should not commune if they do not or are not sure they agree with our statement of faith.

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Doing such is at odds with the constitutions and bylaws of both the LCMS and LCC.

My pastor let me take communion before I was actually a memeber; but this was after many conversations.

VolRaider said:

I read in the GT section that the Missouri Synod has closed communion to only their own denomination, like the RCC, EOs, and OOs. I read that one had to agree with the Real Presence of Christ in the Sacraments to partake in Communion. I assumed that meant accepting consubstantiation, a term first associated with Lutheranism. Then I was told Lutherans do not recognize consubstantiation, at least not modern day Lutherans. I was told they leave how Christ is present as a "mystery," which is what I believe as well.
Which leads me to this question - can I receive Communion in a Missouri Synod church since I accept the Real Presence? If not, then what would be the reason? The RCC, EOs, and OOs believe they are the one and only true Church of Christ - does the Missouri Synod believe this as well?

I HAVE receive Communion in a Missouri Synod church. My daughter's godparents are both Lutheran.

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The term consubstantiation is only associated with Lutherans by non-Lutherans. It isn't merely modern-day Lutherans, but all Lutheranism has always rejected any metaphysical construct, including consubstantiation.

It would be easy to fill many pages with the declarations of the Confessions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, and of her great theologians, who, without a dissenting voice, repudiate this doctrine [consubstantiation], the name and the thing, in whole and in every one of its parts.

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-Charles Porterfield Krauth


Jon

In general the pastors are usually looking for an agreement on doctrine, not just the real presence before they want to give communion.

Some LCMS pastors in practice don't do this and give communion to any baptized Christian.

You would likely have a hard time with many pastors in the LCMS as you could not claim to be in agreement with their doctrines but make your home church a Methodist Church.

VolRaider said:

I read in the GT section that the Missouri Synod has closed communion to only their own denomination, like the RCC, EOs, and OOs. I read that one had to agree with the Real Presence of Christ in the Sacraments to partake in Communion. I assumed that meant accepting consubstantiation, a term first associated with Lutheranism. Then I was told Lutherans do not recognize consubstantiation, at least not modern day Lutherans. I was told they leave how Christ is present as a "mystery," which is what I believe as well.
Which leads me to this question - can I receive Communion in a Missouri Synod church since I accept the Real Presence? If not, then what would be the reason? The RCC, EOs, and OOs believe they are the one and only true Church of Christ - does the Missouri Synod believe this as well?

I HAVE receive Communion in a Missouri Synod church. My daughter's godparents are both Lutheran.

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The practice of "close" communion allows for some local parish flexibility, so your experience may vary from parish to parish. In my parish, Lutherans from other synods more often than not are allowed to communion, since we are the only Lutheran Church in the area. OTOH, there are lots of Methodist churches, and there are differences in beliefs between Methodism and Lutheranism not only on the Eucharist, but in other things as well.

In short, it would just depend on the parish and the pastor.

Jon

VolRaider said:

I read in the GT section that the Missouri Synod has closed communion to only their own denomination, like the RCC, EOs, and OOs. I read that one had to agree with the Real Presence of Christ in the Sacraments to partake in Communion. I assumed that meant accepting consubstantiation, a term first associated with Lutheranism. Then I was told Lutherans do not recognize consubstantiation, at least not modern day Lutherans. I was told they leave how Christ is present as a "mystery," which is what I believe as well.
Which leads me to this question - can I receive Communion in a Missouri Synod church since I accept the Real Presence? If not, then what would be the reason? The RCC, EOs, and OOs believe they are the one and only true Church of Christ - does the Missouri Synod believe this as well?

I HAVE receive Communion in a Missouri Synod church. My daughter's godparents are both Lutheran.

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"Sacramental Union" is the official term designated by Confessional Lutheran congregations and doctrine. It states that both the literal elements and real presence of Christ Jesus's body and blood coexist in perfect union through the Eucharist. Not unlike water and the real presence of the Holy Spirit coexist in Baptism.

Consubstantiation predates Lutheranism and is a regurgitated terminology that resurfaced during the Counter-Reformation.

Guests are welcome to approach the pastor's quarters and submit a statement of faith or confession of faith for participation in the Eucharist. Preferably, you should already be in an active membership with a LCMS congregation.

1 Corinthians 11:17-34 (The Lord's Supper) is the reason why Lutherans practice "close" communion out of Grace towards those who could unknowingly drink judgement onto themselves, not understanding the significance of the authority behind the Eucharist.