Ask the Pastor

By Pastor Scott Denham of Harvest Fellowship, Shambaugh, IA

Clarinda Herald Journal Publication Date : 02/27/2008

Closed Communion

What do you think about closed communion?

Closed Communion is the practice of certain churches or denominations to serve communion exclusively to their own members. [Some of the reasoning for excluding non-members is to keep the practice from being polluted by those who do not share common faith or specific theology.]

We do need to hold ‘The Lord’s Supper’ in the highest regard. We should only come to the Table with utmost reverence and in true Christian faith. We must not trivialize any aspect of this sacred rite. We must "examine ourselves" and heed the strong, biblical warning by partaking in humility, repentance, and Christian unity (1 Cor 11:27-28).

However, it is my belief that responsibility for determining whether one should celebrate the Lord’s Supper rests with the individual, not with the organized church. Churches that limit communion to its own members do so without clear Scriptural command. To exclude genuine believers from sharing together in this manner is to become discriminating "judges" (Jas 2:4) who attempt to do what only God can do—see the human heart.

While there are many different expressions of the church, there is only, "one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all" (Eph 4:5-6). Does God require an exacting legality—a membership class, for example—before we are able to share in "the body and blood" (1 Cor 10:16) of communion? Not if our conviction is based upon the Word of God.

Can you imagine how awkward it is for Christians to visit a church, knowing that they are in fellowship with the believers present, and yet be denied this central act of shared fellowship in Christ? On what basis? Tradition? Pragmatism? Certainly not on Scripture.

Finally, if our Savior "broke bread" with the traitor Judas, then I think the communion table should be open to all who come—even those who might come with evil intent (Matt26:23-28). Judas bore the responsibility, not Jesus. In this matter, people bear the responsibility of their actions, not the church. Let God be God, and let God be Judge.

--Pastor Scott (www.askpastorscott.com)

See retraction in the next article, "Closed Communion 2"