wfn.org | GA Approves Committee Recommendations on Communion

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18-June-1998 
GA98107 
 
 General Assembly Approves Committee Recommendations on Communion 
 
                      by Allison Politinsky 
 
CHARLOTTE, N.C.--The General Assembly approved the recommendations of the 
Theological Issues and Institutions Committee on Wednesday night to allow 
ordained lay leaders to give communion to shut-ins only on the Sunday when 
the congregation celebrates worship. 
   The resolution also ensured that it is the responsibility of the 
congregation to offer communion to the homebound, not the responsibility of 
the individual to ask the congregation to come. 
   In addition, the Assembly agreed to refer the issue of whether baptism 
should be required for communion to the Office of Theology and Worship. 
The study will be reported in two years to the 212nd General Assembly. 
   In Committee discussions earlier in the week several spoke out affirming 
that opening the communion table to all people of faith would "promote 
evangelism and reconciliation."  Others objected saying communion is to 
affirm faith, not to evangelize. 
   Any decision to stop requiring baptism in order to take communion could 
have far reaching implications, not only for the constitution of the 
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) But also for other churches with whom the 
PCUSA has covenant agreements such as the Evangelical Lutheran Church of 
America. 

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