Trinity 13
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus,
Over the past couple of weeks, we’ve discussed the liturgy of the Lord’s Supper in Bible Class. One topic that naturally arises is closed Communion.
The topic of closed Communion is often sensitive, and explaining this practice needs to be done with patience and charity.
Recently, the President of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS), Matthew Harrison, wrote an article in the Reporter about closed Communion titled “Close, closed, close(d) Communion: Three words, one meaning.”
The purpose of the article was to explain why the LCMS maintains the practice of closed Communion.
Harrison writes,
There are three simple but main points to closed Communion:
Concern that the recipients know “what they seek” and “why they come” (Luther’s Large Catechism, “Of the Sacrament of the Altar”), and therefore receive Christ’s body and blood for their benefit (forgiveness), not harm (1 Cor. 11).
The New Testament requires unity in doctrine and doctrinal practice (1 Cor. 1:10, etc.).
There are exceptional cases that require pastoral discretion.
These are three essential points to consider, and I hope you will consider reading Harrison’s article in full (link below). A common theme throughout these points is love, that one would know what they are coming to receive and to their benefit, that we’d be united in confession, and that pastors be able to care for God’s flock in times of extenuating circumstances.
To read the article in full, please follow this link: https://reporter.lcms.org/2024/close-closed-closed-communion-three-words-one-meaning/
If you ever have questions on this topic or others, please get in touch with me.
God be with you,
Pastor Rogness
