What does the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod teach regarding who can take communion?
Holy Communion can and should be given to anyone to whom the Lord Himself would give it. These blessed people include those who are baptized, are truly sorry for their sins, recognize Christ’s Body and Blood as present in the gift of Holy Communion, and have the same doctrinal recognition and confession as is taught at St. Paul’s. As such, St. Paul’s does welcome her own members, members of our national Church Body, the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, and members of Churches with whom we are in fellowship. Our Synod recognizes that those who do not fit the above categories may be handled with Pastoral discretion and therefore we ask such folks to simply meet with the Pastor prior to receiving Communion. In general, the “rule” is that we commune those with whom we are in fellowship and allow for discretionary judgment in exceptional circumstances.
