Talk:Open communion

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[edit] Giving communion

Who gives communion?

Varies. In most churches, the minister (or one of, if there is more than one) presides. In some churches, the elders distribute the elements, others it's the deacons, yet more just choose random members or trusted regulars. Some churches only choose men, others choose men and women. There really are no rules set in stone. (Which lends credence to my belief that any believer who could take the Supper in good faith may distribute it in good faith.) Wooster 21:31, 7 Apr 2005 (UTC)

In the United Methodist Church, ordained Elders (pastors) generally administer communion, and may be assisted by deacons (another ordained clergy office) or lay people. Non-ordained "local pastors" are also authorized to administer the sacrament, but only in the congregations to which the bishop appoints them. KHM03 14:34, 20 Jun 2005 (UTC)

[edit] Overhaul

I decided to be bold and do an overhaul of the article. Thoughts, comments, concerns, criticism, and/or outright personal attacks, anyone? ; - ) -- Essjay · Talk 08:46, July 17, 2005 (UTC)

I wonder if we can't tweak the opening..."...open communion is the practice of serving of the elements of communion (also called the Eucharist or The Lord's Supper) to any individual who affirms that they are a Christian." Some denominations/congregations offer the sacrament to anyone, even if they do not affirm Christianity. For them, it is also an evangelical sacrament (as in evangelism, not evangelicalism), or, in Methodist vernacular, a potential "explosion" of Prevenient grace, as well as the sanctifying grace with which most Christians asociate the Eucharist. When I administer the sacrament, for example, I make it clear that there are no barriers to the Feast whose Host is Jesus Christ. I hope that we get atheists, or Hindus, or Muslims, or Presbyterians (whoops!), to the Table, and pray that, as per Luke 24, Christ is revealed in the breaking of the bread.

The overhaul looks fine to me...pretty clear and concise! Just a thought! KHM03 11:02, 17 July 2005 (UTC)

I agree; I was thinking the same, but wasn't up to speed on my Methodist theology. (I was thinking it was Methodism that didn't require baptism; most other traditions (that I know of) do.) I'm going to give it a go. -- Essjay · Talk 11:45, July 17, 2005 (UTC)

Good copyediting JHCC! -- Essjay · Talk 14:52, July 22, 2005 (UTC)

[edit] American churches

This article restricts itself to simply addressing American Protestant denominations, and that doesn't accurately represent Protestantism as a whole. I don't have the expertise to address this, but I added the globalize tag in order to address it. aliceinlampyland 18:34, 7 September 2006 (UTC).