Offering Communion (Lord's Supper) In People's Homes

[T-Bone]

What are your views when it comes to given communion to shut in's in their homes and not in the church?  If you are okay with offering it to them in their homes...then who is authorized to offer it to them?  Can any church member or does it have to be an ordained person?

Share away!

 

[The Real Bob]

What are your views when it comes to given communion to shut in's in their homes and not in the church?  If you are okay with offering it to them in their homes...then who is authorized to offer it to them?  Can any church member or does it have to be an ordained person?

Share away!

I did it all the time at homes, nursing homes, etc. for those unable to get to church.

I was ordained, and was the only one in the church that did it. I guess I never thought about others doing it.

Of course, if they weren't Steeler fans, it took me a while to get around to them since they were less important.

(cough cough.....just kidding.)

 

[ALAYMAN]

Me and my pastor discussed this not too long ago.  I'm from the "liberal" camp on this issue, believing that those who are desirous to be contributing members of the ekklesia ought to be able to receive the Lord's Supper.  As to who can offer it, I believe that so long as the pastor authorizes/delegates it, it's all good, which is how I feel about baptism as well.

 

[Izdaari]

Well, it's hard to argue against it, since it was the practice of the 1st century church.  8)

And unless we have a belief, as the Catholics do, that a priest is required in order for transubstantiation to happen, I can see no reason for restricting who may officiate. We believe in the priesthood of all believers, do we not?

 

[RedeemedYote]

I don't see why it couldn't be done by others. Don't see anything in Scripture that says it must be done in a building with a leaky steeple built into it, and that it must be done by those whom other people have said have special privilege.

 

[Ransom]

If I were a Roman Catholic or other sacramentalist, I'd have no problem with the priest bringing his pyx along while visiting shut-ins.

However, it seems to me that biblically, the Lord's table is a communal meal - it's something the church takes part in together.  For the sake of those who cannot come to church on those Sundays, though, I think the gracious thing to do would be to bring the elements to them, either by the elders themselves or another delegate who comes on their instructions. It should be an official function of the church, though, not just a couple friends getting together to observe communion.

 

[JrChurch]

I am with those of you who think it would be a proper function of the church.  But if the church member's grandson answers the door and hollers, "Hey, Granny, your meals on wheels is here," then I would reconsider. 

 

[Bob]

What are your views when it comes to given communion to shut in's in their homes and not in the church?  If you are okay with offering it to them in their homes...then who is authorized to offer it to them?  Can any church member or does it have to be an ordained person?

Share away!

When I was in the church of Christ, and you missed church, they would come to your house and offer it to you. But communion is supposed to be a kind of meal among the gathered brothers and sisters.  I understand the "Offering it to them" mentality (Alayman uses that terminology), but I think that it misses the essence of what it is.

Now, if several elders or church members would offer to come to someone's home and gather together and invite Christ to meet with them, I would be ok with it.