As Lutherans, Why Do We Practice Closed Communion? ✝️🍞🍷

It’s not a “no,” but a “not yet.” ⏳

Have you ever felt embarrassed 😳 when you brought a friend to church ⛪ and you had to explain that they weren’t able to commune?

Why don’t Lutherans just let anyone take communion? 🤔

It’s important to start with what we believe communion is.

We believe the bread and wine are the actual body and blood of Christ, offering forgiveness, life, and salvation. 🙏❤️

Not all Christians believe this. Many Christians believe that the bread and wine are mere symbols ⚠️ of the body and blood of Jesus.

While there are many wonderful gifts 🎁 we receive from the Lord’s Supper, Paul says in 1 Corinthians 10 that people have been hurt and harmed 😔 by communing improperly.

Since this is so powerful and real, it’s important that everyone understands what this gift 🎁 is before receiving it. (Just like you wouldn’t hand someone the keys 🔑 to your car 🚗 without knowing if they can drive.)

Closed communion is actually a gift! 🎁 We want all Christians to share in this foretaste of teh feast to come, but when they have a full understanding of what’s really happening. 💡

Closed communion isn’t about exclusion; it’s about bringing people deeper into the faith. 

It’s an invitation 📜 to learn more and eventually take part in something amazing. Think of it as a way to ensure everyone receives the full joy and benefits of communion. 😊💫

(And the truth is that every church practices some form of closed communion, even if it's excluding young children. 👶💒)

✨ Closed communion = NOT a “no,” but a “not yet” ✨

Contributor Rev. Harrison Goodman is the Higher Things Content Executive.

Contributor Amelia is a college student and HT’s assistant webmaster.

#higherthings #lcms #lutheran #communion #closedcommunion #lordssupper