Communion Without Baptism?
This summer (2022), the Episcopal Church will convene its once every three years General Convention. Typically, a multitude of resolutions are proposed - some of which enter into the life and practice of Episcopal congregations, and most of which do not move forward. One resolution which has been proposed suggests that the requirement to be baptized in order to receive Holy Eucharist or Communion be removed.
As you might imagine, this has generated significant reaction and response from around the Church. Here are links to several sources including a paper from an impressive gathering of scholars who teach at our seminaries. HERE It argues strongly against changing the practice. Also below is an article from the Episcopal News Service which explores the issue. HERE.
Both sides are strongly persuaded of rightness of their own position, and the proposed resolution has generated a number of questions for me. Here are some of my questions:
*The Church, like most organisms, needs healthy boundaries and identifying marks. Does the requirement for Holy Baptism to partake of Holy Communion strengthen or undermine our boundaries and identity?
*Would this action strengthen or diminish the centrality of Holy Baptism? What about Confirmation?
*Would this increase the trajectory toward Church as a spectator sport with no real commitment required or does it give a wider on-ramp?
*Is evangelism ever an appropriate use for the sacraments?
* Is this a capitulation to a culture of low to no commitment where nothing is off-limits or is this the equivalent of removing the requirement of circumcision to be a Christian? (see Galatians.)
* What about the example of Jesus' baptism as he began his ministry? What about his command to baptize? Also, consider the response of the Ethiopian eunuch and the jailer upon hearing about the Good News of God in Christ Jesus for the first time.
All of these questions and more need to be carefully considered in making a decision like this which is such a break with our tradition. Here is the bottom line for me... One has to ask, "what is the problem they are trying to solve?" I think CWOB is being proposed as a form of welcoming evangelism and suspect the proponents are asking, "how can we grow the Church which seems to be dying - especially in the wake of Covid?" I believe they are asking the right question but proposing the wrong remedy.
The truth is, I believe we need to make the case for faith community ALL OVER AGAIN! American Christendom is gone (TBTG). Perhaps, we need to start with house churches. Who knows?
I'd be interested in what other people think.
