Study seeks better understanding of Holy Communion
Study seeks better understanding of Holy Communion
Feb. 6, 2004
By Linda Green*
UMNS photo by Mike DuBose
The Rev. Gayle Felton discusses a study on Holy Communion during the Pre-General Conference News Briefing.
The
Rev. Gayle Felton discusses a study on Holy Communion during the
Pre-General Conference News Briefing Jan. 31 in Pittsburgh. Felton is a
consultant to the United Methodist Church�s Board of Discipleship. A
UMNS photo by Mike DuBose. Photo number 04-051, Accompanies UMNS #044,
2/6/04
PITTSBURGH
- 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 was
discussed during the Jan. 29-31 Pre-General Conference News Briefing in
Pittsburgh, sponsored by United Methodist Communications.
Delegates
attending the 2004 General Conference - the denomination's top
legislative body which meets April 27-May 7 - 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 is also intended to help the church be in accord with
ecumenical movements in sacramental theology and practice.
In
addition, the delegates will be asked to approve a resolution
requesting that teaching resources be developed to give individuals
clear guidance in relationship to the Lord's Supper and that churchwide
agencies provide print and electronic resources for United Methodists
learning their way into vital Eucharistic celebration.
The
resolution encourages the 2004 General Conference to commend to the
United Methodist Church the principles, background and practices in "The
Holy Mystery" for interpretation and use of the services of Word and
Table found in the United Methodist Hymnal and the United Methodist Book
of Worship.
One
of the most important components in the interpretive report is the
section on grace and the means of grace, according to the Rev. Gayle C.
Felton, the author of the Holy Communion document.
United
Methodists have always talked a great deal about grace, but its meaning
may not be clear, especially to those who are most active in the
church, she pointed out.
Felton
said 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.
UMNS photo by Mike DuBose
The Rev. Karen Greenwaldt is the top staff executive of the United Methodist Board of Discipleship,
The
Rev. Karen Greenwaldt, top staff executive of the United Methodist
Board of Discipleship, discusses a study on Holy Communion during the
Pre-General Conference News Briefing Jan. 31 in Pittsburgh. A UMNS photo
by Mike DuBose. Photo number 04-050, Accompanies UMNS #044, 2/6/04
One
of the difficulties, according to Felton, is that the sacrament has
been emphasized less by the church, even though it is part of the
Wesleyan heritage. She noted that John Wesley was both an Anglican
priest and a street corner evangelist, adding that "these two aspects of
Wesley are the two authentic aspects of United Methodism."
What
do United Methodists want from Holy Communion? According to information
from lay people across the church, they want more than they are
receiving. Pastors need to be better educated in sacramental theology
and practice, and church leaders must hold pastors accountable for their
sacramental theology, practice and teaching, according to Felton.
Frequency
of communion also is considered. "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. It also notes that Holy Communion can
be appropriately celebrated on other occasions in the life of the
church, from the congregation to the denominational.
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.
Concerns
about unworthiness are based largely on misinterpretation and false
fears. "Within the United Methodist tradition, people who participate in
the sacrament are assured of the forgiveness of their sins and of
pardon through their participation in the Invitation and the Confession
and Pardon," the document states.
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.
"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.
*Green
is a United Methodist News Service news writer based in Nashville,
Tenn. UMNS is a unit of United Methodist Communications. News
media can contact her at (615) 742-5470 or newsdesk@umcom.org.