Communion Policy

Below is the Communion Policy that you’ll find in our pews. It explains who is welcome to join us for the sacrament and why. Please contact our church if you have any questions about communing with us.

In today’s service, we’ll be partaking of the Lord’s Supper, and, while we would love for you to share in our communion, we also recognize that the Bible says that if received “in an unworthy manner” it leaves a person “guilty” and under “judgement” (1 Corinthians 11:27-30). Additionally, the Bible says that pastors are those who “are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account” (Hebrews 13:7). So, for your own sake and the sake of our pastor, we sincerely ask that you follow this biblical advice: “Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup” (1 Corinthians 11:28).

To help you examine yourself, we have put together a list of questions based on the Bible’s qualifications for receiving the Lord’s Supper. Please ask yourself and reflect on these questions each time you desire to receive Holy Communion. If you can answer “yes” to all of the questions, you are encouraged to receive the Sacrament with us. If you cannot answer “yes” to all of the questions or if you are uncertain of their meaning, please refrain from communion by staying in your seat or coming up to the altar and crossing your hands over your chest to receive a blessing. If you have questions, please speak with the pastor after the service. Here are the questions:

  • Are you baptized? (1 Corinthians 12:13 & 1 Corinthians 10:17)
  • Do you know that you are a sinner and are you sorry for and desiring to refrain from thoughts, words, and actions the Bible recognizes as sin? (Matthew 18:15-20)
  • Have you sincerely attempted to reconcile any grievances others have with you, and have you forgiven those who have sinned against you? (Matthew 5:23-24 & 1 Corinthians 11:17-18)
  • Do you believe that the Bible is the Word of God and is entirely true? (2 John 10-11)
  • Do you have faith in Jesus and his saving work and believe that you cannot be saved by any efforts of your own but only through Jesus? (1 Corinthians 11:26)
  • Do you trust that in the Lord’s Supper you receive the forgiveness of your sins as well as the true body and blood of Jesus under the bread and wine? (Matthew 26:28)

Thank you for taking the time to examine yourself and prepare yourself for communion! If you are uncertain about what some of those questions mean and whether or not you should receive communion, please refrain from partaking today and talk with the pastor after the service.