Would I be welcome at the communion table?

[LilLamb219]

Californiajosiah,

This is from the LCMS website (bold emphasis mine to answer your questions):

1. Question: How can we possibly say that all those Christians
from other church bodies are unworthy to receive the Lord’s Supper?
Isn’t that what we are saying?
Answer: Absolutely not! There are two reasons why people can
be refused admission to the Lord’s Supper. The first has to do with
faith and discerning the body. Those who do not have such faith and discernment would commune in an unworthy manner and thereby receive God’s judgment. But the second reason has to do with the need for a fitting confessional unity among those who commune together. Roman Catholic Christians, for example, may be perfectly prepared to receive the Lord’s Supper in their own churches in a worthy manner and so to their own great blessing. But it would be unfitting for them, as confessors of their church body’s error, to receive the Sacrament in our churches.

7. Question: Well, how much correct doctrine does a person
have to know in order to be able to commune “worthily”?
Answer: The question confuses the two ways of looking at a communicant.
As individuals, we do not receive the Sacrament worthily
because we know a certain “laundry list” of correct doctrines.
Repentance, faith in Christ’s words in and about the Sacrament, and
the desire for repentant living in unity with one’s fellow communicant are the components of communing in a worthy fashion.
But communicants are also confessors and members of church
bodies. As such, it is not merely what the individual knows that is in
view. It is the doctrine confessed by his or her church body that is the important thing. We ask those who join our church if they accept the teaching of the Lutheran Confessions even though they may have only studied the Small Catechism. In a similar manner, members of other churches who are heterodox in their confession have bound themselves to a confession, even though they may not know all of its content.

 

[CaliforniaJosiah]

Californiajosiah,

This is from the LCMS website (bold emphasis mine to answer your questions):

1. Question: How can we possibly say that all those Christians
from other church bodies are unworthy to receive the Lord’s Supper?
Isn’t that what we are saying?
Answer: Absolutely not! There are two reasons why people can
be refused admission to the Lord’s Supper. The first has to do with
faith and discerning the body. Those who do not have such faith and discernment would commune in an unworthy manner and thereby receive God’s judgment. But the second reason has to do with the need for a fitting confessional unity among those who commune together. Roman Catholic Christians, for example, may be perfectly prepared to receive the Lord’s Supper in their own churches in a worthy manner and so to their own great blessing. But it would be unfitting for them, as confessors of their church body’s error, to receive the Sacrament in our churches.

I TOTALLY respect that any denomination or congregation can establish whatever policies they so choose - and guests should respect that. My purpose here is not to debate it. But IF I correctly understand it, I disagree with it.

It's also obvious to me that the pastor of the particular LCMS church I'm attending doesn't following this principle - at least as I'm understanding it.

What does "fitting confessional unity" mean? What does "fitting" mean? Whose confession, as determined by what? Unity in what?

7. Question: Well, how much correct doctrine does a person
have to know in order to be able to commune “worthily”?
Answer: The question confuses the two ways of looking at a communicant.
As individuals, we do not receive the Sacrament worthily
because we know a certain “laundry list” of correct doctrines.
Repentance, faith in Christ’s words in and about the Sacrament, and
the desire for repentant living in unity with one’s fellow communicant are the components of communing in a worthy fashion.

Why is that not sufficient?

My denomination isn't being invited or barred from the Sacrament. Denominations can't receive Communion - only people can. So, wouldn't the key point be what the particicipant believes - their repentance and faith? Since the denomination can't receive the Sacrament, why does it matter what a denomination may or may not state?

But communicants are also confessors and members of church
bodies. As such, it is not merely what the individual knows that is in
view. It is the doctrine confessed by his or her church body that is the important thing. We ask those who join our church if they accept the teaching of the Lutheran Confessions even though they may have only studied the Small Catechism. In a similar manner, members of other churches who are heterodox in their confession have bound themselves to a confession, even though they may not know all of its content.

Very few of my Christian friends are officially members of any congregation - much less denomination. What does this policy say to them?

Who determines what their confession is - if it's not them?


Is this policy assuming that when I joined my congregation, I stated that I agree with everything that denomination teaches and does? IF so, the assumption is completely wrong. If the this policy presumes that a Christian's beliefs are indentical with the denomination to which their congregation belongs then, IMO, they are making a HUGE assumption. And what if the person doesn't belong to any denomination? And what if that denominaiton doesn't have any confessions (at least of any binding nature)?


Has the LCMS limited what we need to agree with to the Lutheran Confessions? Not all the other things Lutherans teach or do, just what's in the official Confessions? If we agree on the Lutheran Confessions, then we can all communion? So, all Lutherans are accepted but one has to say "I agree with the Lutheran Confessions" first? How can a person say they agree with the Lutheran Confessions if they have never studied them? How many Lutherans have? How do you know that everyone at the communion rail has studied and completely agrees with everything in the Lutheran Confessions?






- Josiah

 

[LilLamb219]

How can I say I agree with the Lutheran Confessions if I've never studied them?

I'm genuinely shocked that a LCMS pastor would allow you to join the congregation without first having you go through an Adult Inquirers Catechism class for you to learn what the people believe AND CONFESS.

You have a great deal of questions. Perhaps you should take them to your pastor?

 

[CaliforniaJosiah]

I'm genuinely shocked that a LCMS pastor would allow you to join the congregation without first having you go through an Adult Inquirers Catechism class for you to learn what the people believe AND CONFESS.

You have a great deal of questions. Perhaps you should take them to your pastor?

I haven't joined a Lutheran church. I just participate in one. But, as I understand it, this thread is about not being barred from the Holy Sacrament - not joining a congregation.

I DID take the issue of my participating in His Supper, and in spite of the little thing in the worship announcments, I took it directly to the pastor (via an email exchange), as did my girlfriend (who is the daughter an ELCA pastor). I told him my background, that I've been baptized, my basic beliefs, and very specifically, what I believe about the Sacrament. He emailed me back to say I was welcomed to participate (he did the same to Jennifer). He didn't make any notation of the denomination to which my home congregation belongs, nor did he ask me if I had carefully studied the Lutheran Confessions and agreed with everything in them, nor did he ask if I agree with everything the LCMS thinks, says or does. None of that seemed to be an issue for him.

Your post seems to suggest that he may not be in complete compliance with LCMS policy in my regard. He probably isn't with Jennifer either since I doubt she's ever even studied the Lutheran Confessions - I suspect she never got past the ELCA's version of Luther's Small Catechism (I have the LCMS version of it) - which is actually about 90% denomination stuff and only about 10% what's actually in that singular book in the much, much larger Lutheran Confessions. I suspect very few Lutheran laity have studied the Lutheran Confessions - much less understand them and can state that they completely agree with everything in them. But at least the ELCA and LCMS embrace the same Confessions, so maybe that's moot.

BTW, I have studied Lutheran theology - taking a 3 year study using F.Pieper's "Christian Dogmatics" which, I understand, is the usual theology text used in LCMS and WELS seminaries. But, YES, before I would even consider joining this congregation, I would attend a class with the pastor. I did that in the Catholic Church (but didn't join) and in my own church (and did).

In my post, I'm sorry if it seemed I was debating with you. I just had questions about this policy, that strikes me as a tad odd and unworkable. I'm of the opinion that since it's the person taking Communion, not a denomination, that it's the person's heart, faith and beliefs that matters - not the denomination's. And I wouldn't disallow someone just because they don't belong to a denomination or don't know what that denomination officially teaches about everything or even if they do, or agree with everything if they do. But I may be in disagreement with the LCMS on this policy.


Just MY feelings and opinions and questions...
No disrespect intended.


- Josiah

 

[LilLamb219]

Your post seems to suggest that he may not be in complete compliance with LCMS policy in my regard.

My post? Or the copy and paste from the LCMS website posting?

 

[LutherNut]

Josiah,

What would benefit you the most would be to take some membership classes with a confessional Lutheran pastor. Obviously the one at the church you attend is not in line with the official practice and teaching of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod if he allows you communion without inquiring about your refusal to join the congregation. (He sounds like a very good example as to why the LCMS is in the mess its in.)

People join churches because they believe in what that church teaches. If they don't believe it, they don't join. Anyone who joins an LCMS congregation takes such a class where they learn the teachings of the Christian faith from Luther's Small Catechism (there is no "ELCA" or "LCMS" versions - it was written by Luther 500 years ago). All lifeling members of the LCMS have taken catechism classes in their youth and were confirmed before they were able to worthily commune.

Communion is not about what we want or what we feel, but rather what Christ gives to those who are worthy, repentant, and believe in His words. You are all tied up in your own personal reasons for not joining the congregation, but still demand to be communed. (It was you who first approached the pastor with your inquiry, was it not?)

My concern is why don't you join the church if you agree with its confession enough to join with everyone else at the altar and by doing so making a public statement that you do agree with their beliefs? Why would your girlfriend want to commune with the LCMS when she supports the unBiblical ordination of women? If you believe with their beliefs, why don't you join the church? There has to be a reason. If you don't agree with the beliefs of the church, then why are you making a hypocritic statement that you do agree with them by joining them at the altar to commune with them?

 

[Qoheleth]

I'm genuinely shocked that a LCMS pastor would allow you to join the congregation without first having you go through an Adult Inquirers Catechism class for you to learn what the people believe AND CONFESS.

Im not. LC-MS pastors bust the rules frequently and there is no accountability within the districts or at the synodical level.

Its all getting very untenable.


Q

 

[CaliforniaJosiah]

Josiah, What would benefit you the most would be to take some membership classes with a confessional Lutheran pastor.

1. I'm not joining any congregation. Thus, I don't have any intentions of taking a membership class. The discussion here is not what is proper for someone who seeks to be Confirmed in a congregation or to officially join a congregation. The discussion is about a guest being barred from His Sacrament.


2. I have studied, at great length, Dr. Pieper's "Christian Dogmatics." It's a 3 volumn series which is used to teach pastor's theology in LCMS and I believe still WELS seminaries. He was a long time professor of theology at Concordia Seminary - St. Louis back in the 1930's I think. I spent 3 full years studying these 3 books. Partly with the help of my father (who has a doctorate in theology) and my grandfather (a now retired WELS pastor). Does that count? What level of doctrinal training is necessary before a person is not barred from the Sacrament?

Obviously the one at the church you attend is not in line with the official practice and teaching of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod if he allows you communion without inquiring about your refusal to join the congregation.

1. Perhaps. IF the policy is what I understand it is, I'm glad.

2. The discussion here is not whether I want to officially join this particular Lutheran congregation. I don't. I'm a college student, I'm not going to be around for long. My girlfriend and I are guests - warmly embraced guests. This congregation welcomes guests - even college students - and I think that's good. We've been asked to help with the youth group and I spoke with the minister of music about the praise band, but I'm not sure what will happen there, but we have no intentions of officially joining the congregation. Jennifer is a member of her father's church, and I'm a member of my father's church (we're both PK's). No one has asked us to offically join the congregation. But again, the issue of this thread is not about church membership, it's about being barred from His Sacrament.

People join churches because they believe in what that church teaches. If they don't believe it, they don't join.

We may just respectfully disagree on this point. Most of my Christian friends don't belong to any church - and I see nothing in Scriptures that say we must officially register with a congregation or if such membership does not exist, then a church should forbid people from His Sacrament, that people who aren't officially a member of that congregation are to be barred from His Sacrament. We may disagree on that.

In my experience, people attend a church they like. They feel at home, welcomed, embraced. They conclude they can serve Him and His people via this ministry. They are helped by the sermons, inspired by the worship. In my experience, most worshippers in a congregation have little knowledge or commitement to the official Confessions of the denomination to which that congregation belongs (in several cases, there are no binding Confessions to know or agree with). I wonder what percentage of Lutherans have carefully studied the Book of Concord? And what about all the other official teachings, for example, The Brief Statement of 1932?


But again, the issue here is being barred from His Sacrament, not church membership.

Anyone who joins an LCMS congregation takes such a class where they learn the teachings of the Christian faith from Luther's Small Catechism (there is no "ELCA" or "LCMS" versions - it was written by Luther 500 years ago).

I have the LCMS version of Luther's Small Catechism (WITH EXPLAINATION). I've had it for longer than I can remember. I actually brought it to college with me. Jennifer has the ELCA version of it. Ahha, they are different. The reason is simple: VERY LITTLE of what's in either book is actually Luther's Small Catechism (nothing more than a pamphet) - 90% of it is the EXPLANATION that have been given and stuff that has been added. By whom, I don't know, neither book says.

Luther's Small Catchism is probably 1% of the Lutheran Confessions. While I know his Catechism very well, I would, by no means, suggests that that means I know the Confessions! Certainly not! Actually, the only other part I've read is the Augsburg Confession - I've read that. I haven't even read the great majority of the Lutheran Confessions or carefully studied them (I wonder how many Lutheran laity have).

All lifeling members of the LCMS have taken catechism classes in their youth and were confirmed before they were able to worthily commune.

Since the 1960's, the LCMS has welcomed instructed children in the 5th grade and up to commune - BEFORE they even begin Confirmation Classes. CPH publishes booklets for this instruction. It is not the policy of the LCMS that one must be Confirmed before they can Commune.

But the issue here is not Confirmation. The issue is being forbidden from His Sacrament.

Communion is not about what we want or what we feel, but rather what Christ gives to those who are worthy, repentant, and believe in His words.

I agree.

So, if I'm repentant and believe His words, that's not enough? And believing His words, is that in reference to His Sacrament - or does that include the Brief Statement of 1932? I suppose that's the issue here.

You are all tied up in your own personal reasons for not joining the congregation, but still demand to be communed. (It was you who first approached the pastor with your inquiry, was it not?)

This thread is not about joining a congregation. The opening poster revealed no intention of such. I have no desire to officially join the congregation Jennifer and I are attending - nor have we been asked to. The issue here is forbidding from the Sacrament repentant Christians who are in complete agreement with the LCMS on Real Presence.


No, I never said or implied that I DEMANDED to participate in His gift. When we first attended, we did NOT participate in His Sacrament. Both of us respectfully emailed the pastor. This is the policy my father (a pastor) taught me - always speak with the Celebrant first, privately if possible, and respect and follow his counsel. That's what both Jennfier and I did. Neither of us DEMANDED anything, I have no idea why you conclude that we did (??!!). I revealed my background, my basic beliefs, and in some detail, what I believe about His Sacrament. He wrote a wonderful email back to me, and expressed that I'm welcome to participate. I was invited to participate. I have. That's a very different situation than what you are posting about me...

My concern is why don't you join the church if you agree with its confession enough to join with everyone else at the altar and by doing so making a public statement that you do agree with their beliefs? Why would your girlfriend want to commune with the LCMS when she supports the unBiblical ordination of women? If you believe with their beliefs, why don't you join the church? There has to be a reason.

1. This thread is not about joining a particular congregation. My reasons for not joining this congregation has much more to do with me being a temporary college student than any doctrinal issues. But that's an entirely different topic. In most congregations (especially growing ones), most of the worshippers are not official members. I'm kinda at a loss to know what official membership has to do with anything, unless your point is that people who are not official members of that congregation must be forbidden from His Sacrament.


2. What does female ordination have to do with His Sacrament? Is it your opinion that the teaching of Real Presence requires that the pastor of the church be a male? Christ is not present in His Sacrament if the pastor is female? I can think of nothing in the texts about the Sacrament that remotely suggests that.


3. The reason I'm not joining this congregation is mostly because I'm not going to be here for long. And what that has to do with accepting Real Presence or Christ as my Savior or being repentant - well, I'm really lost there.

f you don't agree with the beliefs of the church, then why are you making a hypocritic statement that you do agree with them by joining them at the altar to commune with them?

1. Who said I don't agree with Real Presence?

2. I'm a "hypocrite" for not being barred from His Sacrament?

3. I suspect part of this discussion is BIBLICALLY, why can a repentant Christian be barred from His Sacrament? Is it because he/she hasn't read, studied and agrees to ALL the official Confessions of a denomination (in this case, the Book of Concord)? They aren't officially members of the congregation? They don't agree with all the positions of that denomination (for example, The Brief Statement of 1932)? Is it your position that a guest needs to be in 100% agreement with everything the LCMS embraces or does in order to take communion there? So if you attend the next Synodical Convention, and not all votes go your way, you must be barred from His Sacrament?


When those 13 year olds take Communion in your congregation, are you convinced that they know more Lutheran theology than I do? That they have studied the Book of Concord and agree with it more than I? That they are more repentant, have more faith in Jesus and I? That they agree with all the articles of The Brief Statement more than I do? Convinced enough to bar me from His Sacrament? Enough to call me a "hypocrite?"





- Josiah


.

 

[LilLamb219]

Lutherans don't just view Communion as being between only us and Jesus. There is also the understanding of the fellowship amongst the congregation as well. Since you don't agree with the points of Lutheranism to want to join any congregation, you are giving a false appearance to everyone in that congregation saying that you believe what they believe. The people who commune with you assume that you are in agreement with their beliefs and you are deceiving them by partaking at the same table. You may believe in a Real Presence, but you are not in true altar and pulpit fellowship with them, nor do you care enough to look into being in true altar and pulpit fellowship with them. For you, from what you've written, communion is just between you and God and nothing else matters. Lutherans believe in not only a vertical view but also a horizontal view of Communion and automatically assume that others at the "table" agree with them as well. These things are important to us even though you don't think they are of importance.

 

[LilLamb219]

3. The reason I'm not joining this congregation is mostly because I'm not going to be here for long. And what that has to do with accepting Real Presence or Christ as my Savior or being repentant - well, I'm really lost there.

So, you ARE intending to join a Lutheran congregation after you move (Edited...I just read someplace where you state you are a college student. Are you attending a church on campus or something?)

 

[LilLamb219]

I've also noticed that you've said you are a member of your father's congregation...which one is that?

 

[CaliforniaJosiah]

If the rule is that we read, study, know and agree with the Small Catechism regarding the Sacrament, here it is, in the good Doctor's words, in the Book of Concord.

I agree with every single word.


VI. The Sacrament of the Altar,
as the Head of a Family Should Teach It in a Simple Way to His Household.

What is the Sacrament of the Altar?

Answer.
It is the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, under the bread and wine, for us Christians to eat and to drink, instituted by Christ Himself.​

Where is this written?

Answer.
The holy Evangelists, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and St. Paul, write thus: Our Lord Jesus Christ, the same night in which He was betrayed, took bread: and when He had given thanks, He brake it, and gave it to His disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is My body, which is given for you. This do in remembrance of Me. After the same manner also He took the cup, when He had supped, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Take, drink ye all of it. This cup is the new testament in My blood, which is shed for you for the remission of sins. This do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of Me.
​

How can bodily eating and drinking do such great things?

Answer.
It is not the eating and drinking, indeed, that does them, but the words which stand here, namely: Given, and shed for you, for the remission of sins. Which words are, beside the bodily eating and drinking, as the chief thing in the Sacrament; and he that believes these words has what they say and express, namely, the forgiveness of sins.​

Who, then, receives such Sacrament worthily?

Answer.
Fasting and bodily preparation is, indeed, a fine outward training; but he is truly worthy and well prepared who has faith in these words: Given, and shed for you, for the remission of sins. But he that does not believe these words, or doubts, is unworthy and unfit; for the words For you require altogether believing hearts.



​

 

[CaliforniaJosiah]

This is what the Catechism says is what makes one "worthy" of the Gift: Fasting and bodily preparation is, indeed, a fine outward training; but he is truly worthy and well prepared who has faith in these words: Given, and shed for you, for the remission of sins. But he that does not believe these words, or doubts, is unworthy and unfit; for the words For you require altogether believing hearts.

I believe those words and my heart altogether believes them.


Share the love!


- Josiah

 

[LilLamb219]

I noticed you ignored everything else I've written. Oh well.

 

[DaRev]

This is what the Catechism says is what makes one "worthy" of the Gift: Fasting and bodily preparation is, indeed, a fine outward training; but he is truly worthy and well prepared who has faith in these words: Given, and shed for you, for the remission of sins. But he that does not believe these words, or doubts, is unworthy and unfit; for the words For you require altogether believing hearts.

I believe those words and my heart altogether believes them.


Share the love!


- Josiah

The words "altogether believing hearts" is pluralindicating a fellowship of belief with those with whom you are communing.

 

[C.F.W. Walther]

This is what the Catechism says is what makes one "worthy" of the Gift: Fasting and bodily preparation is, indeed, a fine outward training; but he is truly worthy and well prepared who has faith in these words: Given, and shed for you, for the remission of sins. But he that does not believe these words, or doubts, is unworthy and unfit; for the words For you require altogether believing hearts.

I believe those words and my heart altogether believes them.


Share the love!


- Josiah

Are you a confessed Lutheran that holds a membership in any Lutheran church within the LCMS/WELS community? I'm not asking if you attend a Lutheran church, I'm asking explicitly what denom are you? From what I see you confess no denom. This subforum is just for LCMS/WELS.

 

[CaliforniaJosiah]

This is what the Catechism says is what makes one "worthy" of the Gift: Fasting and bodily preparation is, indeed, a fine outward training; but he is truly worthy and well prepared who has faith in these words: Given, and shed for you, for the remission of sins. But he that does not believe these words, or doubts, is unworthy and unfit; for the words For you require altogether believing hearts.

I believe those words and my heart altogether believes them.


Share the love!


- Josiah

The words "altogether believing hearts" is pluralindicating a fellowship of belief with those with whom you are communing.

I was directed to Luther's Small Catechism regarding His Sacrament. I quoted it verbatum.

While I don't know the German, it seems to me Luther is referring to those at the Communion table, not to denominations. IMO, denominations can't receive the Sacrament, have believing hearts or be worthy - only people can.

There was discussion about what Christian is "worthy" of the gift (worthy of a gift?). Luther seems to answer that clearly in the very place to which I was directed.


- Josiah

 

[Historicus]

United Methodists do believe in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. We state however that it is a "Holy Mystery" as to how Christ becomes present in the actual bread and wine (in, with and under... as you believe, or actually becomes the bread and wine as the Catholic Church believes).

It is not only a spiritual presence, but a true and real presence of Christ.

You can see this most clearly in the early Methodist hymns (which is basically our Eucharistic theology) that were wrote by Charles Wesley.

Come and partake the gospel feast,
be saved from sin, in Jesus rest;
O taste the goodness of our God,
and eat his flesh and drink his blood.

See him set forth before your eyes;
behold the bleeding sacrifice;
his offered love make haste to embrace,
and freely now be saved by grace.

also in our liturgy during the Great Thanksgiving (the prayer of Consecration) you can see our believe in the true (Real) presence of Christ in the Eucharist...

Pour out your Holy Spirit on us gathered here,
and on these gifts of bread and wine.
Make them be for us the body and blood of Christ,
that we may be for the world the body of Christ,
redeemed by his blood.

As was already mentioned you can also read a more contemporary statement published by the UMC called "This Holy Mystery" another good source is John Wesley's sermon "the Duty of Constant Communion".


I just wanted to clarify what we do believe.

 

[LutherNut]

United Methodists do believe in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. We state however that it is a "Holy Mystery" as to how Christ becomes present in the actual bread and wine (in, with and under... as you believe, or actually becomes the bread and wine as the Catholic Church believes).

It is not only a spiritual presence, but a true and real presence of Christ.

You can see this most clearly in the early Methodist hymns (which is basically our Eucharistic theology) that were wrote by Charles Wesley.



also in our liturgy during the Great Thanksgiving (the prayer of Consecration) you can see our believe in the true (Real) presence of Christ in the Eucharist...



As was already mentioned you can also read a more contemporary statement published by the UMC called "This Holy Mystery" another good source is John Wesley's sermon "the Duty of Constant Communion".


I just wanted to clarify what we do believe.

Could you then explain the following passages from the UMC Book of Discipline? It contradicts what you just posted:

"Those who rightly, worthily and in faith eat the broken bread and drink the blessed cup partake of the body and blood of Christ in a spiritual manner until he comes" (Book of Discipline, page 68).

"Transubstantiation, or the change of the substance of bread and wine in the Supper of our Lord, cannot be proved by Holy Writ, but is repugnant to the plain words of Scripture, overthroweth the nature of a sacrament, and hath given occasion to many superstitions. The body of Christ is given, taken, and eaten in the Supper, only after a heavenly and spiritual manner. And the mean whereby the body of Christ is received and eaten in the Supper is faith." (Book of Discipline, page 64)

The Reformed also use the words "Real Presence" but are only talking about a spiritual presence at the altar. That's not what Scripture teaches, nor is it what the Lutheran Church confesses.

 

[LutherNut]

I've also noticed that you've said you are a member of your father's congregation...which one is that?

Forget it, LilLamb. He's been asked several times and ignores it every time. Apparently he's ashamed.