Communion

[Natt]

I went to a different church this week. The previous church had communion once a year in study group and only members of the church can participate but this other church had communion once a month and all can participate.

What are your views on communion?

[eric]

Natt, in my own personal belief, you dont have to go to church to take communion and there is no set time you have to do it. If someone you know who is a christian and is housebound, there's nothing stopping you or your pastor, from calling on them and taking communion in their home.

But everyone wont agree, because of denominational differences of opinions.

[wildside]

The churches have all kinds of customs, I don't know why people don't just act from what Jesus said at the last supper. Seems simple enough to me.

[Guest Biblicist]

I think it's a denominational thing. I've been the same denom my whole life. We always have had communion once a month, the first Sunday, and it's a service dedicated to communion. Pastor always has a message pertaining to it. It's always a learning experience.

Everyone who has a relationship with the Lord is welcome to participate. After all, only God can judge the heart. . . Pastor clearly states the reasons for communion and what God expects of us to be able to participate, from salvation through going to find a brother you have a problem with and making amends.

I always love communion, since it is an outward sign of our complete unity in the Body of Christ. I like to think of every church taking communion at the same time we are, all eating at the Table of the Lord together. On Earth as it is in Heaven.

[Floatingaxe]

I can't vote. I don't know what you eman by "closed" and "open". Never heard of that in all my years!

[Guest LAW]

Because of dissention within an episcopal church which i attended, many of the members left the church (including me). the communion was every Sunday and was open. I loved it and felt it was a significant part of my worship.

I have joined a group of believers whom i love and respect in a local United Methodist church. Communion is open, but only takes place about once a quarter. It is very informal, although performed from the scriptures. Nevertheless, it would be like comparing apples to oranges.

I do miss the gravity of the formal communion. I felt it was part of my being still and making an effort to listen to God and willfully presenting my doubts and fears and hopes and sins to Him at the altar rail.

[Leonard]

I put 'closed' although we announce our Eucharist is '...open to all baptized Christians who believe in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist.'

[Floatingaxe]

so....what do you mean by closed or open? I know that Communion is open to all believers.

[Guest Biblicist]

so....what do you mean by closed or open? I know that Communion is open to all believers.

Open communion is the practice of Christian churches that allow individuals other than members of that church to receive communion (also called the Eucharist or the Lord's Supper). The phrasing and exact requirements in a particular local church may vary, but membership in a particular Christian community is not required.

Open communion is the opposite of closed communion, where the Eucharist is reserved for members of the particular church or others with which it is in a relationship of full communion or fellowship, or has otherwise recognized for that purpose. Closed communion may refer to either a particular denomination or an individual congregation serving Communion only to its own members.

[Floatingaxe]

OK! Thanks! I voted now!

Open to all believers.

Celebrated whenever--no regular time.