An Explanation of Our Communion Practice

While some churches invite all who are present to receive the Sacrament ("open communion"), we follow the historic Christian practice of "closed communion". We invite all who are members of our congregation (Christ Lutheran) or visitors who belong to our WELS fellowship to receive the Lord's Supper with us. If you have no church membership or belong to a different fellowship, faith, or even a different Lutheran church body (e.g. ELCA, LCMS, etc.), we ask that you please refrain from communing. In asking this, we in no way mean to judge your faith or imply that you are not a Christian or "not good enough for us"! It's just that God's Word teaches us to regard Communion as an outward expression of unity in all areas of the faith. In other words, when we commune together, we are confessing publicly that we are all one in what we believe and profess (all the teachings of God's Word, not just a few basics). That's the kind of unity that the Word demands of Christians before any outward expressions of fellowship may take place. (See, for instance, 1 Corinthians 1:10, Romans 16:17, and 1 Corinthians 10:17.)

There are other reasons for "closed communion" as well:

• God's Word warns that any communicant who does not recognize that the body and blood of Christ really are present in the Sacrament is sinning and brings judgment on himself (see 1 Corinthians 11:27-29). It wouldn't be loving for us to let that happen - as it might if we offered the Sacrament to all, even to those who may not understand what is involved.
• Scripture also requires that each communicant examine him or herself spiritually (1 Corinthians 11:28) before receiving the Lord's body and blood together with the bread and wine. There are many who are not able to do that due to their youth, lack of instruction, or other reasons.

We believe that it's obedient to our Lord and his Word and loving for everyone concerned that we practice "closed communion." We hope that you understand and we trust that you will respect our practice.