Collection › LCMS Convention Workbook (St. Louis, Missouri) › 1983 · 55th Convention › Page 350
LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1983, Page 350

Scan: The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

330

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THEOLOGICAL DOCUMENTS

May women serve as assistants in the distribution of the Lords
Supper?

While seme might argue that assisting the presiding minister in
the distribution of the elements 1s not necessarily a distinctive func-
tion of the pastoral office. the commission strongly recommends
that, to avoid confusion regarding the office of the public ministry
and to avoid giving offense to the church. such assistance be limited
tomen

Is it fitting tnat moncommuning children jon their parents at the
Communion rail?

The proanety of this practice Is best decidec by the toca! con-
gregation Wnile it provides an excelient opportunity for parents to
educate their children in the meaning of the Lord's Supper anc per-
mits the entire family unit to approach the altar. the practical con-
cerns of decorum and appropriateness for the entire congregation
sould be considered The Key question shoulc be whether. In a
given context tne congregation s focus on the Sacrament ts sharp-
ened or blurred by the presence of children If a Diessing 1s pro-
nounced. perhaps it could pe tied to the childs baptism. test the
impression be given that the benefits of the Sacrament of tne Altar
are receivec apart from the reception of the elements

Is Communion n which the communicant receives only the dread or
ony the wine an aciaphoron tn tne church?

No. The Lord invites us to partake of both His body and His
> ood in the bread and wine The Confessions speak directly to tn's
question whan they assert

Tree car De No GOUD! tat tre use Of parr a Es 1F the

Lords Surper $s godly arc -* accord with ine inshtaton of

Const ara tre words of Pau! For Creistinsn tuted Dot Keds

ananedscctdgso only for pat otine cnurcm put for allo

tne crurcm AD XXII t+

‘

we aso morc tnatit snot io pe aam-nisterec 9 one fore
ony We need rot resort tc tne sDeciOus !earm ng oftne sopn-
ists ang tte Counc of Constance tnat as mucr 5 nciuded
Unaer one form as unger potn Even if t were true nat as
much -§ °C ded under one ‘orm as under por” yet adminis:
tration or one form 1s not tne wnoe order ang ast t.fon as **
was estad-.sneg and commanced by Christ Esnec a 'y do we
condems arc curse in Gog s “ame tnose wn n0% Only Om
note forms Dut even go $0 fa” as autocratical, to promot
congem> arc siander the use of potn as Peres, ac tus set
tnemse.es agarst and over Crest Our Lore arc God. etc
SA. Zot

Does it matter wnether a congregation uses ind:vidual glasses or tne
common cup to a:stribute the consecrated wine?

18

19

20

21

In the absence of a specific Scriptura! mandate. either method
of distribution. when performed in a reverent manner. Is acceptable.
Many Christians prefer the use of the common Cup because of its
symbolism as representative of the oneness of the body of Christ—
the church—and because there 1s reason to believe that Christ used
this method of distribution Any decision in this area is to be marked
by Christian liberty and chanty

What is the propriety of intinction?

intinction refers to the dipping of the consecrated bread into the
consecrated wine prior to distribution While the consecrated ele-
ments offer Christ's body and blood to every communicant. regard-
less of the method of distribution. our Confessions and practice
preserve the model of our Lord's distribution of the bread and then
the wine :Matt. 26 26-29)

is a particular posture to be assumed in the reception of Holy
Communion?

No More important than physical posture 's a penitent heart
and faith which trusts in the word of Christ

Does tne celebration of Holy Communion require a specific liturgical
setting?

Lutherans refuse to be bound by the customs of men (Gala-
tans), while at the same time they support good order in the church
{1 Corinthians) Clearly. good order in tne church 1s not served when
each congregation or organization drafts a different liturgy Perhaps.
especially n this age when novelty 1s often sought for its own sake.
care should be exercised to value highly the worship practices of the
church through the ages The confessors demonstrate great respect
for the liturgical traditions of the church when. in the introduction to
Part || of the Augsburg Confession. they write

dowever. if can read ly be juaged wat reatning contn-

putes $0 much to the maintenance of cianty 1M PUBIC wor

sma anc the cultivator of reverence arc de.ouon among tre

peogie as the proper observance of ceremonies 7 i"e

crurcnes AC. Introcuctan to Part Il 6

Accordingly. Melanchthon said of the purpose of ceremonies
that they are observed ‘that men may learn the Scriptures and that
those who nave been touched by the Word may receive faith and
fear and so may also pray’ :Ap XXIV. 3: Thus all liturgical practices
having the appearance of frivolity and Causing offense are neither
useful nor edifying and should therefore oe avoided

How appropriate is a seder mea! in conjunction with Holy
Communion?

MM

The seder—a ceremonia’ anner which is Teld on the first eve-
ning of the Passover—ca™ on occasion remind Christians of tne Old
Testamert background ang nistorical setting »> which Christ inst-
tuted tne Loros Supper cf pe 5—6) At tne same time tne pastor
snoulc stress the distincte tneologica’ meaning of the Lords
Supper for while the meal probably occurred in the "istoncal
setting of the seder. that of which ihe disciples partook was the very
pody and dlood of the incarvate Lora Tne new covenant had "OW
replaced the olc