The Highway Forums General Discussion Open Forum Communion Given by LayPerson

Dear Janean,

I'm going to try to answer this the best that I can.

1. 58-3. It is proper that public notice should be given to the congregation, at least the Sabbath before the administration of this ordinance, and that, either then, or on some day of the week, the people be instructed in its nature, and a due preparation for it, that all may come in a suitable manner to this holy feast.

58-4. On the day of the observance of the Lord’s Supper, when the sermon is ended, the minister shall show:

a. That this is an ordinance of Christ; by reading the words of institution, either from one of the Evangelists, or from 1 Corin- thians 11, which, as to him may appear expedient, he may explain and apply;

b. That it is to be observed in remembrance of Christ, to show forth His death till He come; that it is of inestimable benefit, to strengthen His people against sin; to support them under troubles; to encourage and quicken them in duty; to inspire them with love and zeal; to increase their faith, and holy resolution; and to beget peace of conscience, and comfortable hopes of eternal life.

THE BOOK OF
CHURCH ORDER
OF THE
PRESBYTERIAN
CHURCH
IN AMERICA

It was ordained for the continual remembrance of the sacrifice of the death of Christ, and of the benefits which we thereby receive. The bread which in the Lord's Supper is broken, given, and eaten, is meant to remind us of Christ's body given on the cross for our sins. The wine which is poured out and received, is meant to remind us of Christ's blood shed on the cross for our sins. He that eats that bread and drinks that wine is reminded, in the most striking and forcible manner, of the benefits Christ has obtained for his soul, and of the death of Christ as the hinge and turning point on which all those benefits depend.

J. C. Ryle (1816-1900)

The permanent pastoral offices of ministers of the Word and Sacrament are pastors and assistant pastors. When a minister of the Word and Sacrament is called as pastor or associate pastor of a particular church or churches, she or he is to be responsible for a quality of life and relationships that commend the gospel to all persons and that communicate its joy and its justice. The pastor is responsible for studying, teaching and preaching the Word, for administering Baptism and the Lord's Supper, for praying with and for the congregation. With the elders, the pastor is to encourage the people in the worship and sevice of God; to equip and enable them for their tasks within the chruch and their mission in the world; to exercise pastoral care, devoting special attention to the poor, the sick, the troubled, and the dying; to participate in governing responsibilities, including leadership of the congregation in implementing the principles of participation and inclusiveness in the decision making of the church, and its task of reaching out in concern and service to the life of the human community as a whole.

I believe that because of the decline of church discipline, the liberal mega church and parachurch movement and the rest of the influences of our post modern era, we have lost tract of the importance of the local church. I also feel that the office of the ordained minister has been cheapened throughout the church. There seem to be preachers everywhere now days without degrees, who have not gone through seminary or any formal pastoral training and have little command of the scriptures.

I also feel that there are many churches today that simply give the pastor too many responsibilities. The pastors main duty is to administer the sacraments and to proclaim the Word. But we see churches everywhere with close to a thousand members and only one or two pastors. My question is how in the world is the pastor supposed to administer to a flock of that size?

So we find more and more attention drawn away from the main worship service and the Lords Day and placed on smaller ministry groups and functions. People would rather attend a smaller bible study, ministry program or small group where more attention can be placed on them, where they can grow and learn.

This of course ultimately leads to people wanting to hold the Lords Supper at other times and places instead of keeping it in the sanctuary on Sunday administered by those who have been called to do so. By doing this, it cheapens the meaning, it causes confusion and doubt within the body in my opinion.

So my answer is no, I do not believe that anyone other then the pastor should administer the sacraments. Of course, I’m not talking about elders or deacons going up to actually assist in handing out the elements. This is obviously essential.

Y.B.I.C,

Dave.