POLICY AND PRACTICE FROM FAITH CRC OF NASHVILLE, TN
Background
In the sacrament of the Lord's Supper, the Holy Spirit assures us believers of the benefits of belonging to Christ's Body and also assures us that "he who began a good work in you will be faithful to carry it to completion until the day of Christ Jesus" (Phil 1:6) .
In his letter to the Corinthians, St. Paul gave the following warning to those who would approach the Lord's supper. "A man ought to examine himself before he eats the bread or drinks the cup. Anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself' (1 Cor 11:28-29). This examination is not to see whether a believer has sinlessly obeyed the commands of God or is perfectly joined to the other believers who form Christ's earthly body. Rather with Calvin we understand this examination to be an inward look to see if we are resting on the salvation purchased by Christ and that we endeavor and aspire with all our hearts to day by day increase in our faith once begun (Institutes IV.xvii.40) and in the righteousness that living faith produces.
The invitation to the Lord's Supper in the Psalter Hymnal reflects this as well: All who are truly sorry for their sins, who sincerely believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior, and who desire to live in obedience to him, are now invited to come with gladness to the table of the Lord (p 975).
In the past, we in the CRC, have added other non disciplinary restrictions to the Lord's Supper as well, namely, adult comprehension and assent to the confessions of the church and acceptance of adult responsibility in the church. These restrictions for full adult membership have their validity and place. However, these restrictions need not be added to the biblical requirements for admission to the Lord's Supper.
A child's faith may be expressed differently from that of an adult, but it is no less true faith. Children who have genuinely discernible faith, who can discern the Lord's Body in the sacrament and who fit the Biblical requirements for taking the Lord's Supper should not be denied access to the Lord's Table solely because they are not adults.
Policy Statement
In light of this background, as well as the decisions and discussions of recent synods of the CRC, it is the policy of Faith Church that covenant children should be encouraged to make a public profession of faith as soon as they exhibit discernible faith and are able to discern the Lord's Body in the Lord's Supper. On the basis of this profession of faith, they are to be invited to the Lord's Supper, and with all the communicants will be reminded that "whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes" (1 Cor 11:26).
Children so admitted to the Lord's Supper will be considered professing, but not voting members in the congregation. They will be expected to renew their commitment to Christ and assume adult responsibilities in the church on reaching adulthood. If at that time, they fail to embrace the commitment of full membership, the elders may grant a yearly extension of the Lord's Table or take disciplinary action, whichever seems best for the believer and the Church of Christ. .
Guidelines
Discern readiness and encourage participation
As primary shepherds, parent or sponsors should take active responsibility for discerning a child's readiness for this step. Readiness consists in the expression of love for Christ, sorrow for sin, and a desire to live a godly life, as well as an interest in taking the Lord's Table. Elders are encouraged to discuss this on shepherding visits where appropriate.
After readiness on the part of the child is determined, the child should be encouraged to pursue admission to the Table. It is important that children be encouraged only and not pressured into this decision. The elders shall help determine that the decision is free from undue pressure from parents or peers.
Admission to the Lord's Table is not based on age but on an appropriate and discernible content of faith. Some children mature faster than others, both mentally and spiritually, and will be quicker to grasp the fundamental understanding of faith that we feel is needed for participation the Lord's Supper. On a practical level, children will generally be a minimum of 8-10 years old before they can comprehend and express the fundamental confessions of faith.
Educate children
It is the Elders' responsibility to establish a procedure to insure proper preparation for the child who is to make profession of faith and partake of the Lord's Supper. This will be done through a series of classes outside of the regular Sunday School program and will usually be led by the pastor. The classes will be about 45 minutes and meet seven times. Optimal class size is 4-6 children and the classes may be grouped to contain children of similar age or aptitude.
These classes will help a child understand and explain:
1. The sacrament of Holy Communion. Since this policy is primarily concerned with communion, it is critical that the children understand what the sacrament means and what it signifies for them to partake in it.
2. Faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. This would entail an explanation of Christian living appropriate to their age. It would include the outline of faith as found in the Apostle's Creed, outline of prayer as found in the lord's Prayer, and the outline of moral responsibility as found in the Ten Commandments.
The structure of the classes will follow the three points of the Heidelberg Catechism on Sin, Deliverance and Gratitude.
Private Profession: The Elders' Interview
Upon completion of the classes, the child and their parents should meet with the elders at the church or in the child's home. The purpose of the meeting is for the child to give an adequate account of their faith and to demonstrate adequate knowledge of the Lord's Supper and the tools of the Catechism. The elders will vote on receiving the profession. As in all membership interviews, the tone will be pastoral.
Public Profession and Reception
Public profession of faith will take place in a public worship service, ordinarily at a service that includes the sacrament of the Lord's Supper. The children will make public profession of their faith using an appropriate form.
