Open communion
Open communion is the practice of
Christian churches that allow individuals other than members of that church to receive communion (also called the
Eucharist or the
Lord's Supper). The phrasing and exact requirements in a particular local church may vary, but membership in a particular Christian community is not required.
Open communion is the opposite of
closed communion, where the Eucharist is reserved for members of the particular church or others with which it is in a relationship of
full communion or fellowship, or has otherwise recognized for that purpose. Closed communion may refer to either a particular denomination or an individual congregation serving Communion only to its own members.
In the
United Methodist Church, open communion is referred to as the
Open Table.
Some denominations, like the United Methodist Church, offer communion to anyone, regardless of their religion. Other churches allow members of other Christian denominations to receive communion, but advise non-Christians not to receive.
Generally, churches that offer open communion to other Christians do not require an explicit affirmation of Christianity from the communicant before distributing the elements; the act of receiving is an implicit affirmation. Some churches make an announcement before communion begins such as "We invite all who have professed a faith in Christ to join us at the table."
Open communion is generally practiced in churches where the elements are passed through the congregation (also called self-communication). However, it is also practiced in some churches that have a communion procession, where the congregation comes forward to receive communion in front of the
altar; such is the case in the
Episcopal Church and most other
Anglican churches, the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and the United Methodist Church.
Those practicing open communion generally believe that the invitation to receive communion is an invitation to Christ's table, and that it is not the province of human beings to interfere between an individual and Christ. Some traditions maintain that there are certain circumstances under which individuals should not present themselves for (and should voluntarily refrain from receiving) communion. However, if those individuals were to present themselves for communion, they would not be denied. In other traditions, the concept of being "unfit to receive" is unknown, and the actual refusal to distribute the elements to an individual would be considered scandalous.
Most
Protestant and
Independent Christian churches practice open communion. It is official policy in the
United Methodist Church,
Episcopal Church in the USA,
United Church of Christ,
Metropolitan Community Church,
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), and the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
Notable exceptions include the
Eastern Orthodox Church, the
Roman Catholic Church, the
Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod, conservative
Churches of Christ, and some
Reformed tradition churches. All these typically practice some form of
closed communion.
Southern Baptist Convention churches, due to their autonomous nature, may (depending on the individual congregation) practice open or closed communion.
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Communion*
Closed communion*
Excommunication*
Intercommunion
