LCMS and Closed Communion...

[Xpycoctomos]

I know... I know... you probably get a thread like this every month or so (or more?). I apologize in advance. But my question is actually a bit more focused... or... general I suppose than what you are thinking. The question of closed communion is actually a by product of a bigger issue that I was, until recently, completely unaware of in the LCMS. Quoting from a post (I forget whose, sorry ) from the LCMS vs WELS thread:

As was noted above, I think there is a slight difference in how the denomination is viewed. The LCMS sees the denomination as a loose association of congregations (from the bottom, up), each congregation is individually owned, etc.

As a former LCMSer, I didn't know about this (above) until very recently.

I have some questions then. I grew up in an LCMS parish that paid close attention to the practice of "closed communion" interpreted as no one outside of the LCMS may commune at an LCMS parish (with special exceptions that are discussed on a very individual basis beforehand and usually involve lutherans of other synods related to the LCMS through marriage or blood, but since they are exceptions they are not the rule). ANd it is my understanding that this is so according to official Synodal teaching. Clicking here: http://www.lcms.org/pages/internal.asp?NavID=422 it would SEEM that such is basically stated (that only LCMSers may approach except in case of extreme situations).

But then I went to LCMS parishes that said nothing of the sort but only stated in their pew pamphlets that if you believe this this and that and have done this you can approach the chalice. I used to wonder why they weren't kicked out of the Synod for this. Is part of the reason because of this loose centralization and strong individuality of each parish? What MUST an LCMS parish abide by in order to continue to be considered LCMS? Under what circumstances could the Synod revoke the right of a parish to use the synodal label.

Honestly, my questions are not meant to stir up trouble. My mom had just told me the fact I quoted above a few weeks ago and it seemed like such an important fact that I had never been aware of before. So, I am trying to explore this to understand what it means more and, by proxy, what Closed Communion means in the LCMS context.

Thanks in advance,

Xpy

PS: sorry if my questions seem jumbled. Just answer what you will and I will try to focus the thread as it fills in the blanks for me. Thanks a lot guys (and gals)!

 

[dinkime]

this has been something that i wondered about LCMS as well...it seems that if closed communion is that important, it would be "enforced"

 

[usafbrat64]

As far as communion, it does vary from place to place. When I went "home" a few years ago the usher questioned me when I started to go up for communion. I explained that I was a member in abstentia of the congregation, due to the military. After a few moments, he finally let me go.

At another congregation if the usher didn't recognize you as you entered the sanctuary, you were quickly introduced to an elder and had a "talk". A bit intimidating for a visitor!! In that church we did have one family who were not Lutheran, but enjoyed our services. However, they were denied the sacrament at the altar and were given blessings. Unfortunately, the family couldn't deal with it and eventually left.

Our current congregation does have it printed in the order of service the Lutheran teachings on the Eucharist and Pastor makes it clear that you may commune if your beliefs are totally in-line with what is there. If not, you are welcome to come for a blessing.

Perhaps I tend to end up in congregations which are still very conservative. I do have issues with congregations who will let anyone come up, regardless of their beliefs. Which, is one of the reasons I did not change to ELCA as I had once contemplated.

 

[Xpycoctomos]

But I guess I am using the communion issue as an example. What I am wondering, really, is how far does this parrochial freedom go.

I mean, it seems that each parish has a good amount of autonomy and can forego certain elements of LCMS guidelines... but where does the LCMS draw the line and say "You may still call yourself LCMS, and you may not" I mean, a label is a label becuase it means something. But it seems that LCMS has a broader idea of what makes a parish LCMS than, say, WELS.

I use the closed communion as a just an example because it is a very poingant one. So, as an example, I ask, despite what it says on lcms.org (in a rather round about way), MANY LCMS parishes I have visited in my life have a disclaimer in the pews that say nothing about being LCMS but ONLY say "If you believe that the bread and wine are... and .... then you may come up for communion". This clearly goes against the guidelines given on the website. I'm not criticizing that, but rather I am wonder how does the LCMS decide where to draw the line in the sand that can't be crossed. Clearly it is not strictly accoring to their own guidelines... but it must be somewhere... otherwise... (to take it to an absurd point) an LCMS parish could be functionally baptist with no problem. Obviously this is untrue and would never happen (with the synod's knowledge), but how far can they go?

Xpy

 

[DaRev]

You ask a very good question, and I wish I knew the answer to that.

When a congregation enters membership they agree to hold to the doctrines and practices of the synod. The word "synod" means "walking together" or "same path/road". The problem is that there are very few congregations that actually hold to the synodical doctrines and practices. And the synod does not seem to police itself very well.

As I have said before, the letters "LCMS" on a church building mean absolutely nothing. Just becuse the sign says "LCMS" doesn't mean you're entering a Missouri Synod congregation, or even one that resembles a Lutheran church at all. Very sad.

 

[Protoevangel]

My experience has born out that what DaRev says is very true. Here in the Pacific Northwest, the LCMS churches are as open Communion as the ELCA. One pastor I know ended brushing part of the Body that had fallen onto the cover of his Bible, onto the ground, and walked away!

I never saw anything like that when I attended LCMS parishes in the Northeast, or in the LCC in Canada. The differences were like night and day

 

[Xpycoctomos]

THanks for your responses guys. I appreciate it. Now onto the English District! That's a whole other can of worms! lol

 

[TCat]

I am in the English District, and in a large LCMS church. We practice communion each week we state that only those who believe and agree with the statement of about the bread and wine being the body and blood of Christ are welcome to communion.

Of course we have a large, vital growing church, there is no way to monitor every participant, thank God. We have large confirmation classes yearly and large new member classes twice a year, with 4 Sunday morning services only the FBI could keep track of who should and shouldn't commune. I like it that way!

 

[MarkRohfrietsch]

THanks for your responses guys. I appreciate it. Now onto the English District! That's a whole other can of worms! lol

There is two English District Churches here in Ontario, One in Mitchell, the other in Windsor who have LCC Pastors, and I believe that both now practice Closed Communion.

Mark

 

[DaRev]

I am in the English District, and in a large LCMS church. We practice communion each week we state that only those who believe and agree with the statement of about the bread and wine being the body and blood of Christ are welcome to communion.

That is open communion and not in line with the LCMS doctrine and practice.

 

[TCat]

We teach and preach close communion. How all of the deacons who help distribute the elements are to know who is and is not allowed to participate would be a logistical nightmare. The only other option would be not to serve communion which of course is not an option.

I would guess that of the 1000+ people who attend services each week, at least 750 or more take communion, any suggestions to ensure that only the repentant recieve?

 

[DaRev]

We teach and preach close communion. How all of the deacons who help distribute the elements are to know who is and is not allowed to participate would be a logistical nightmare. The only other option would be not to serve communion which of course is not an option.

I would guess that of the 1000+ people who attend services each week, at least 750 or more take communion, any suggestions to ensure that only the repentant recieve?

There is no way to know what is in the heart of an individual, but more can be said to let people know what the communion teaching and practice is. In our church bulletin there is a notice that says "The Lord’s Supper is celebrated in the confession and glad confidence that, as He says, our Lord gives into our mouths not only bread and wine but His very body and blood to eat and to drink for the forgiveness of sins. Our Lord invites to His table those who trust His words, repent of all sin, and set aside any refusal to forgive and love as He forgives and loves us, that they may show forth His death until He comes. Because those who eat and drink our Lord’s body and blood unworthily do so to their great harm and because Holy Communion is a confession of the faith confessed at this altar, any who are not yet instructed, in doubt, or who hold a confession differing from that of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod should first speak with the Pastor before approaching the altar."

 

[Xpycoctomos]

I was criticizing the English District necessarily. It's just that i understand that the English District joined the LCMS with the understanding that they would have a greater amount of autonomy than regular LCMS Churches... however I don't know how much autonomy.

It's very interesting when in the same area of Michigan you can find two Churches under the English District that range from extrememly traditional (to the point of being contraversial) an extremely non-denom seeming church. Those are Zion Lutheran and Epic Church, both in the detroit area. They couldn't get much different and they are both Lutheran- LCMS-English District.

Xpy