When people hear the term “closed communion” as it pertains to the Eucharist, Holy Communion, or the Lord’s Supper, it is usually preceived negative, purposely exclusive, or even biggeted. However, this is not the intent of the LCMS. To gain a better understanding on why the LCMS has chosend to pursue closed communion we need to better understand exactly what Lutherans believe when it comes to the Lord’s Supper.

The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS) believes in the Real Presence of Christ in the Lord’s Supper. This means that the LCMS teaches that the body and blood of Christ are truly and substantially present in, with, and under the bread and wine in the sacrament.

Furthermore, the LCMS believes that the Lord’s Supper is a means of grace through which believers receive the forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation. It is a visible sign of the Gospel, a sacrament instituted by Christ himself.

The LCMS also believes that the sacrament should be celebrated with reverence and respect. It is not to be taken lightly, but with a sense of awe and humility. Preparation for the sacrament includes self-examination, confession, and absolution.

In terms of who may participate in the Lord’s Supper, the LCMS practices closed communion, meaning that only those who have been properly instructed in the faith and are in agreement with the LCMS’s teachings on the sacrament should participate. This is done out of a concern for the spiritual well-being of those who partake, as well as a desire to maintain unity in faith and practice.

Overall, the LCMS places a high value on the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, seeing it as a vital part of the Christian life and a means of grace through which believers are strengthened in their faith and receive the gifts of salvation offered by Christ himself.

Matthew J. McDonald 4/10/23