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Hoosier United Methodist News Archives
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March 2004 |
Study seeks better understanding of Holy Communion
PITTSBURGH (UMNS) -- United Methodists are hungry for a better understanding and a richer experience of Holy Communion than what is practiced in their churches.
That's the finding of a study committee that, for the past four years, has been working to clarify United Methodist Holy Communion tradition, theology and practice to give the denomination a positive vision of what the sacrament can be in local churches.
The result of the committee's work is a document called This Holy Mystery: A United Methodist Understanding of Holy Communion, which recently was discussed during the Pre-General Conference News Briefing in Pittsburgh.
The document asserts that the table is open to all who would partake of the sacrament and calls on pastors and other church leaders to alleviate the fears and worthiness concerns through counseling, teaching and prayers for healing.
Delegates attending the 2004 General Conference will be asked to approve the Holy Mystery document as the official interpretive statement of the theology and practice of Holy Communion in the denomination. The document also is intended to help the church be in accord with ecumenical movements in sacramental theology and practice.
The document's portion on grace clarifies the church's Wesleyan tradition and specifies how the sacraments can be best understood as a special but not exclusive means of grace.
What do United Methodists want from Holy Communion? According to information from lay people across the church, they want more than they are receiving. "United Methodist congregations are encouraged to move toward a richer sacramental life, including weekly celebration of the Lord's Supper at the services on the Lord's Day," states the Holy Mystery report.
The document addresses a controversy across the denomination about who is welcome at the table or to whom is the invitation given: Is Holy Communion only for the baptized or is it open to everyone? Who is worthy to receive it?
"Any person who answers in faith the invitation, 'Christ our Lord invites to his table all who love him, who earnestly repent of their sin and seek to live in peace with one another,' is worthy through Christ to partake of Holy Communion," the study says.
This Holy Mystery: A United Methodist Understanding of Holy Communion is available for study and download at the United Methodist Board of Discipleship's Web site at www.gbod.org/legislation/hcfinal2.pdf.
Last updated on 04/19/2004