Talk:Open communion

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)

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)

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).

Merge

Since it has been proposed on the Eucharistic discipline article that there is a need for sections on open and closed communion and because the this page doesn't contain much information anyway (and because it falls under the broader heading of Eucharistic discipline), I am proposing we merge it into a section of Eucharistic discipline article. Thoughts? -- jackturner3 02:12, 6 May 2007 (UTC)

Independent Churches of Christ

I removed Independent Christian Churches/Churches of Christ from the list of denominations that practice open communion, because the individual churches are militantly autonomous. Nothing I've read implies that the "open communion" is a universal practice.jonathon (talk) 02:40, 24 September 2008 (UTC)

Gnostic Churches

I segregated out Gnostic churches,into a sentence of their own.There are several other churches with this theology, some of which are distinctly a-Christian in their theology. jonathon (talk) 02:40, 24 September 2008 (UTC)

Churches of Christ and other denominations

The Churches of Christ practice open communion as well as Presbyterians, Disciples of Christ, Church of the Nazarene, United Church of Christ, and the United Methodist Church as well as most Evangelical Lutheran Church in America practice open communion. Ashbeckjonathan 00:55, 15 May 2013 (UTC)

I think that the International Churches of Christ also practice open communion. Ashbeckjonathan (talk) 17:42, 26 December 2013 (UTC)

Open communion in Philippine schools?

Generally, Catholic schools in the Philippines from the grade level to college are non-denominational. Non-Catholics and non-Christians are welcome provided they participate in all related activities, including religious activities. But I wonder why some Protestants, namely Anglicans/Episcopalians and Methodists, are allowed or volunteer themselves to receive the Eucharist when they attend Masses? Is this socially OK? It's true there are Christian non-Catholic students namely in all levels of Adamson U, Ateneo de Manila, De La Salle University, U of Santo Tomas, De La Salle College of Saint Benilde, San Beda College, San Sebastián College-Recoletos, St. Louis University.

Conversely, in schools and colleges/universities of specific Protestant denominations, Catholics and other Protestants who are members of other specific denominations, even Nontrinitarians are also welcome and they do participate in the academical and religious aspects. But are Catholics allowed to receive the Eucharist/Lord's Supper in, for example, Anglican and Methodist services they attend, even the other Protestants? It's true there are Christian non-Protestant students in namely all levels of Adventist U of the Philippines, Central Philppine U, Filamer, Philippine Christian, Silliman, even Trinity U of Asia. Make these clear for anyone to read by responding. Santiago Claudio (talk) 11:56, 27 July 2015 (UTC)

point form?

would anybody mind if I converted the list of churches to point form? it is rather hard to read in paragraph formFeldercarb (talk) 00:53, 2 April 2017 (UTC)