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September 21, 2012
On Communion, Vast Majority Of Southern Baptist Pastors Don't Follow Denomination's Stance
Only 4 percent limit Lord's Supper to baptized church members.
A new survey from LifeWay Research indicates that the vast majority of Southern Baptist pastors observe communion in ways that violate their denomination's guiding faith statement.
The Baptist Faith and Message (BFM), last revised in 2000, stipulates that baptism “is prerequisite to the privileges of church membership and to the Lord's Supper”—the denomination's terminology for communion—which is a symbolic act for “members of the church.” But according to LifeWay's survey of 1,066 Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) pastors, 96 percent of SBC churches allow non-members to participate in communion, and only 35 percent restrict communion who those who have been baptized.
LifeWay emphasizes the stats are a research finding, not a statement on denominational health. “Clearly, though, this survey points out a difference between the beliefs expressed in the [BFM], and the Lord's Supper practices of many Southern Baptist churches," said director Scott McConnell.
Roger S. Oldham, the SBC's vice president for communications and relations, explained to CT that the BFM "is not a creed [Southern Baptists] must embrace" but a "consensus confession" that serves as a "guide in interpretation" of the Bible. SBC trustees and employees are required to affirm the BFM, but not pastors of cooperating churches.
Oldham said that communion has long been debated within the SBC. The BFM reflects a doctrinal consensus among Southern Baptist pastors as recent as 2000, although it "seems clear" its position on the Lord's Supper "may have slipped to a minority position among pastors and churches."
So what does this research finding mean for Southern Baptists? Should the BFM be changed? Or should SBC churches change their practice?
"That is a decision that will be made by the messengers of the convention," said Oldham to CT. "[The study] reveals the diversity of thought among Southern Baptists around a number of important subjects. As this debate continues, I expect to see thoughtful expositions of Scripture being produced that will espouse a variety of viewpoints—but I fully anticipate each essay will appeal directly to Scripture to make the case for the position espoused by its author."
Comments
After becoming a born again Christian, I became a member of a Southern Baptist church and have tended to remain closely aligned with the denomination over the past 40 years as we moved around the country. One of the things that attracted me to the denomination was the emphasis on God, the Bible, and You. Not obeying a lot of rules or emphasis on ceremonial traditions, but developing the personal relationship with God, studying His Word and then applying it to my daily life. My faith and alignment with the Baptist movement has never been about observing some list of church rules or participating in ceremonial rituals.
Posted By: Peter | September 22, 2012 10:40 AM
Well said Peter. Since when did tradition and rules supercede how Christ lived and the example that he set for us. One allegience shouldn't be to denominations but to the Lord.
Posted By: Shannon | September 23, 2012 1:23 PM
As a Baptist Pastor myself, I think one thing that you might need to consider is how you interpret that particular portion of the BFM2000. For instance, when the BFM says that communion is a symbolic act "for members of the church" does that mean members of my particular SBC church, or members of the church universal, the entire body of believers for all time? I've always taken it to mean the latter, though I have no problem with pastors and churches who require particular church membership in order to take part in the Lord's Supper. All in all, I think this story is much ado about nothing.
Posted By: Pastor Jason | September 24, 2012 1:27 PM
I have long dealt with this policy which I view as being Biblical. I have a 10 yr old who has not yet been baptized. When we have the Lord's Supper she ordinarily looks up as if to say "Can I do this?" I realize my response teaches something one way or another.
I have told her that she really needs to publicly profess Christ as her personal Savior and Lord prior to taking the sacraments. But she has assured me she knows and loves Jesus and what He did on t he cross.
I will push Baptism more consistently from now on.
Posted By: Brad O'Brien | September 24, 2012 1:47 PM
I'm an Independent Baptist and we practice that anyone who has professed publicly their salvation, and have been baptised can participate in the Lord's Supper. We also practice an open communion, whereas a person visiting our church can participate in the Lord's Supper, being they meet the requirements. But we don't ask if they are saved and baptised, we just emphasize the requirements.
Posted By: Tom | September 24, 2012 4:48 PM
Ah! Should anyone be excluded? The question of Communion isn't about "man-made traditions" but, rather 1 Corinthians 11:17-34 (and associated references) and the abuse of the Lord's Supper.
This is a question that other parts of Protestantism are asking, too.
Do we abuse the Lord's Supper when we allow non-members to participate in something they don't really know anything about?
This is why some Protestant re-baptize and Roman Catholics withhold Communion from non-members. In both cases, the caution is to ensure "salvation" in the Protestant sense and to protect the integrity of Communion in the Catholic sense.
The purpose the cleansing rituals in the Old Testament where to be able to come into the presence of the Lord in Tabernacle or Temple.
Isn't it our concern now that Jesus has superseded the Temple (Letter to the Hebrews) still to ensure that we either obey the ordinances or receive the sacraments in the holiness and righteousness of God?
Posted By: Bob | September 24, 2012 4:57 PM
I feel a church can hurt itself through "closed" communion. It is sending out a message that can seem based on "rules" or too legalistic. Communion and the partaking of is a very personal experience and is also a time of reflection. God knows what is in an individuals heart, if they partake of communion without God in their heart then they are literally just eating a cracker and drinking some juice, but that is between them and God, who am I to say someone isn't welcome to partake? I also don't allow my daughter to partake yet, when she is spiritually ready she can, but that is my decision as a Mom not a church member. I myself have abstained from communion because I didn't feel my heart was in the right place, but again, it is a personal decision and should always remain that way.
Posted By: Keisha | September 26, 2012 10:05 PM
I belong to an Independent Baptist Church, Born again and Baptized in the church. 5 Years ago I took care of my dying Uncle who was on Oxygen and received Christ 1 year before he died but was on Oxygen Treatment and could not be baptized. The pastor of the church said he could not do a home communion for him because all communions mu8st be administered in the church. I asked about the home bound and the hospitalized..He gave the same answer and refused communion to my Uncle. Now I am home bound and can not attend church. How can it receive commni0on in myh home through the Independent Baptist Teachings?
Please help.
Posted By: Darlene Alber | January 31, 2013 1:03 AM
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