Communion for non-Catholics

[tcfdick]

Southern Baptist here and there is no age limit. We believe that a person who has professed and accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior can take communion, usually after Baptism, but that is not necessary. It's a very serious and personal time when taking communion, so young children are questioned about their belief in Christ and they go to a new believer's class with the pastor of the church for several weeks.

 

[Kallison]

Lutheran here too - we do it in 5th grade. The purpose being that they are at an age to better understand what it means to take communion.

 

[princesspumpkin]

I have questions for those that answered already. What is confirmation? I've heard of it but never quite understood what it means.

 

[BrerMom]

I personally grew up with the idea of not taking communion until you had made a profession of faith, whether that was age 7 or 70.

We belong to a United Methodist Church that firmly believes that every person is invited to the Lord's table. If a person/baby can have solid foods, they are offered communion. I didn't feel comfortable letting our kids take communion at ages one/two/etc., so our kids were the only ones their ages not participating for a while.

 

[Kimberle]

Congrational - up to the parents to decide. No special training or ceramony. Confirmation is generally in 8-9th grade.

 

[tiggerlover]

I grew up Presbyterian and DH grew up Lutheran and for both of us it was in 8th grade after we made our confirmation.

Right now we are in a multi-denominational church because we live in Italy and it is the only church our base offers. Here is is at the parents discretion and many allow their children to partake in the elements. Our DS does not, he will wait until after his confirmation and when he has a better understanding of Jesus Christ and God.

 

[tkd lisa]

Non denominational Christian here. Our church also believes that communion is an individual's choice, after accepting Christ as Savior. Baptism is encouraged as an outward sign of an inward change, but isn't required for communion. We just had a baptism last night, and the youngest child was 5. He was questioned privately to ensure he understood what he was doing, as this is a bit young, but 6 or 7 isn't uncommon in our church.

I was raised Disciple of Christ, and baptism was required before communion. The usual baptism class was taught in 6th grade.

 

[CheshireVal]

I was raised Presbyterian and went through confirmation classes at age 11. After the classes you officially "join the church" and are able to take communion.

I don't remember what exactly those classes were-- we studied the bible and the church doctrine, and I remember learning the Apostles Creed there too.

I think the point behind it is that you really need to UNDERSTAND the magnitude of communion and what it is before you should actually participate.

 

[momof3disneyholics]

I am a Mormon and our children can take it when they become members of the church at age eight.

 

[jx3smom]

Wow, there are a lot of us Lutherans here. When I grew up we had to go through 2 years of confirmation class (7th and 8th grade) and we received communion when we were confirmed. My 3 boys all went to 3 weeks of communion instruction in 5th grade and then received communion. Now it is whenever a parent feels their child is ready and the pastor will assist the parents in preparing the child.

 

[Deb in IA]

Like CEDmom and goofy4tink, we are also Episcopalian.

The official word is that children can receive Holy Communion anytime after they are baptized.

Our children were baptized when they were around 1 year of age, at the Easter Vigil service. I think they were around 3 when they started receiving communion regularly. They started by using the practice of intinction, that is, dipping the host in the wine. Actually, we continue to do that -- personal preference, mostly for hygiene reasons!!!

Another question I've always wondered about: Does your church allow other denominations to receive communion? I know that the Roman Catholic church does not, but our church states that "ALL baptized Christians are welcome to recieve Communion at this altar".

 

[Otto's Doll]

Originally posted by Deb in IA
Another question I've always wondered about: Does your church allow other denominations to receive communion? I know that the Roman Catholic church does not, but our church states that "ALL baptized Christians are welcome to recieve Communion at this altar".

Our church does allow all baptized believers to receive Communion, it does not matter if they are in our denomination or not.

 

[jx3smom]

All can receive in the Lutheran church if baptized. It does not matter what religion you are.

 

[manchurianbrownbear]

At our Baptist church communion is served to those who have accepted Christ as Savior and are in "good standing", criteria taken from I Corinthians 11:28,29.

Several years ago I attended the wedding of a good friend who is Catholic. I'd never seen communion served in a Catholic church. I was in the first row dismissed to receive communion and just followed the crowd! I hope I didn't offend anyone!

When they announced that communion would be served, I frantically looked for the policy and procedure in the program, but never found it. I figured it would be less offensive to take it when I shouldn't than to refuse it when I should have taken it!

 

[SC Minnie]

Presbyterian here. In our church our paster welcomes anyone that has been baptized- regardless of denomination. As Presbyterians we baptize as infants. Children are welcome at communion- most parents wait until their children are about 5-6 (thats when children stay in worship).

My husband is Catholic and I have been to a Catholic wedding and funeral mass and both times it was made clear by the priest that only Catholics in good standing could take communion.

 

[caitycaity]

Originally posted by manchurianbrownbear
At our Baptist church communion is served to those who have accepted Christ as Savior and are in "good standing", criteria taken from I Corinthians 11:28,29.

Several years ago I attended the wedding of a good friend who is Catholic. I'd never seen communion served in a Catholic church. I was in the first row dismissed to receive communion and just followed the crowd! I hope I didn't offend anyone!

When they announced that communion would be served, I frantically looked for the policy and procedure in the program, but never found it. I figured it would be less offensive to take it when I shouldn't than to refuse it when I should have taken it!

your story reminded me of last summer when i was a bridesmaid in a wedding. as it turned out, i was the only non-catholic bridesmaid. we were in the first pew and all the other bridesmaids had to climb over me. talk about embarassing.

 

[manchurianbrownbear]

Do you think anyone has ever converted to Catholicism to avoid embarassment at weddings?!?!

 

[pumba]

My sister in law is the most Christian person ......I mean her whole family is ......and her brother is a minister in Chicago area.......well she went to see him ordained and visited .....and her brother said......no you may not receive here......she was mega insulted.....I mean she was a methodist and he is a baptist minister and he said NO.....I do believe that some day......I hope to be able to see it and feel it.....that all people will be accepted at everyones churches.....mine included.......I am a Catholic.......
our children are baptised when they are small..........and receive the sacraments of First Communion and Comfirmation later on ......like some parishes it is 2nd or 3rd grade....and other parishes are 8th grade.......
Comfirmation is a way of saying YES I want to be this religion and belong to this church.....you are comfirming yourself to God

 

[FloraFauna]

If you are not Catholic, you can still go up to the altar with everyone else. When you get to the priest, you should cross your arms over your chest and bow your head. The priest will then give you a special blessing.

 

[onecoolmama]

The reason the two churches are different is becuase Lutherens blieve that the bread and wine is a representation of the body and blood of christ. So all who believe are welcome. Catholics belive that the bread and wine actaully turn into the body and blood of christ and if you don't belive that ..ie Lutherns who believe it is a representation...cannot receive in their church.