Who is invited to the Lord’s Table? 

This is the basic question underlying Invitation to Christ, which emerged from the church’s conversations about whether those who come to the Lord’s Table must be baptized before taking part in communion.  Current PC(USA) polity upholds the relationship between baptism and communion by asserting that the Lord’s Supper is a sacramental meal to be shared by baptized believers.  In recent years, several overtures have come to the General Assembly asking the denomination to change its polity by adopting an “open table” policy, whereby baptism would no longer be normative for participation in the Lord’s Supper.

In 2003 the General Assembly referred the matter to the Office of Theology and Worship, which convened the Sacraments Study Group, a body that studied, prayed and worshiped together over a period of three years.  Invitation to Christ is their response to the church. 

Rather than simply say “yes” or “no” to changes in polity, the Sacraments Study Group called the church to a deepening of sacramental life over the next two to four years. To that end, they recommended five simple practices: 

1. Set the font in full view of the congregation.
2. Open the font and fill it with water on every Lord’s Day.
3. Set cup and plate on the Lord’s Table on every Lord’s Day.
4. Lead appropriate parts of weekly worship from the font and from the table.
5. Increase the number of Sundays on which the Lord’s Supper is celebrated.

It is hoped that by entering into these practices and reflecting together on the experience, churches will be renewed and baptismal life and discipleship deepened.

Learn more about Invitation to Christ.

Sharing stories

Congregations share how they are using Invitation to Christ in their church. Read the most recent story, In Jesus' name we are loved and we are forgiven submitted by the Rev. Kennedy McGowan, First Church in Hollywood, Florida. Read other stories or share your stories and photos.