Oct 02 2006
The Answered Prayer of a Grandfather
(This post may get me in more trouble with some friends than my recent post on adult beverages.)
Yesterday, in answer to many years of prayers by their grandfather Mutton, four of my five children were allowed to sit and partake at the Lord’s Table.
That’s right. I’m out of the closet. Many of my closest friends have yet to know this but about two years ago I became convinced of covenant communion. I believe that all baptized persons, as a part of the Church of Jesus Christ, should be admitted to the Lord’s Table and partake of that holy meal. I believe the Bible teaches this.
It is a disputed matter, though, and for the past two years I have kept silent on my change of beliefs out of respect for the elders of my church. I have seen this doctrine handled in an ungodly way in other communities in the past. Since the part of the point of covenant communion is that Christ’s entire Body is united in communion at His Table to be divisive in my pursuit of it seemed inappropriate. And so outside of a select group of friends I only spoke with my elders about this change of beliefs and honestly asked them to convince me that the teaching of the church was correct and I was wrong.
Last Sunday evening the elders at Redeemer Presbyterian Church approved the transfer of my family to Providence Church, a local church that shares this belief and as of today I am no longer a non-practicing adherent to covenant communion. The Church catholic, of which both of these local communions are a part, remains undivided and my family has moved from submitting to elders who are being faithful to their vows in the PCA to submitting to elders who are being faithful to their vows in the Covenant Presbyterian Church.
Both churches remain as local links in my sidebar because of this catholic (or universal) nature of the Church. And while there are distinct beliefs and practices that separate us here on earth, we are joined in our Communion in Christ and will be united in an even more special way on the Last Day.
God bless you! As a member or the Episcopal church, we believe that all who are baptised are welcome at the Lord’s Table. I can’t put into words the feeling I get every Sunday when the small members of our parish come to the rail to receive our Lord’s meal. It is truly a blessing. I have really enjoyed your blogs. Keep them coming. My love to all the IL Lansberrys.
Auntie Line