Who can "consencrate" communion in Protestant Churches

[Dave_in_Dallas]

If I recall correctly in Methodist churches only ordained ministers/elders can consencrate their communion. I assume this is same in Anglican, Episcopal, and Lutheran churches. What about other Protestant denom’s?
Note that I am using the term “consencrate” as each particular denom may use it, not ny the Catholic definition.
Thanks

 

[Cor_ad_Cor]

I think it varies quite a bit by denomination. In the Southern Baptist Church, its usually limited to those with a “pastor” title. In the Church of Christ, it can be any male member of the congregation in good standing.

 

[ANNE_2]

Like the OP stated, its all in the definition of ‘consecrate’, which must be known to answer the question.

CCC - 1412 The essential signs of the Eucharistic sacrament are wheat bread and grape wine, on which the blessing of the Holy Spirit is invoked and the priest pronounces the words of consecration spoken by Jesus during the Last Supper: "This is my body which will be given up for you. . . . This is the cup of my blood. "

Only an ordained Catholic Priest can do this.

 

[JonNC]

Like the OP stated, its all in the definition of ‘consecrate’, which must be known to answer the question.

CCC - 1412 The essential signs of the Eucharistic sacrament are wheat bread and grape wine, on which the blessing of the Holy Spirit is invoked and the priest pronounces the words of consecration spoken by Jesus during the Last Supper: "This is my body which will be given up for you. . . . This is the cup of my blood. "

Only an ordained Catholic Priest can do this.

And of course, this is the teaching of your Church (except that the CC also says Orthodox, PNCC, and some others can, too). And also of course, we Lutherans have a different view of the matter of validity of ordination, not that we don’t accept yours (we do), but only that we we also accept ours (obviously).

Jon

 

[Godith]

I think it varies quite a bit by denomination.

It depends entirely, in my experience. Some churches only allow an ordained person to do that, others don’t have that rule. In my own church, one of our ordained pastors will lead the Communion on a Sunday, but at smaller gatherings like in a homegroup, any believer in good standing, male or female, may officiate. I do it fairly regularly myself (and it’s a great privilege).

The Biblical reference for that practice is in 1 Peter 2, where Scripture refers to us as a ‘holy priesthood’ (v5) and a ‘royal priesthood’ (v9).

 

[amber_lux]

Note that I am using the term “consencrate” as each particular denom may use it

Who may consecrate communion literally depends upon both the definition of “consecrate”, and “communion”, and which group you are talking about.

The more hierarchial the group, the more rules and restrictions there are on who may have communion, and who may consecrate the communion.

Amber

 

[CMatt25]

Like the OP stated, its all in the definition of ‘consecrate’, which must be known to answer the question.

CCC - 1412 The essential signs of the Eucharistic sacrament are wheat bread and grape wine, on which the blessing of the Holy Spirit is invoked and the priest pronounces the words of consecration spoken by Jesus during the Last Supper: "This is my body which will be given up for you. . . . This is the cup of my blood. "

Only an ordained Catholic Priest can do this.

No only an ordained Catholic priest can do this according to the Catholic faith and definition. Which is probably why OP said here on this non Catholic forum in the first place “as each particular denom may use it, not by the Catholic definition”. OP seemed interested in knowing what others believe about it.

 

[Georgia]

In my former church, an independent KJV-only Baptist church, there was no such thing as consecrating the communion. Sure, the preacher prayed, but there was no thought that it became anything more than mere symbols.

 

[ltwin]

In my non-denominational Pentecostal church (meaning we believe in Pentecostal doctrines but are not affiliated with any larger Pentecostal church or organization), I have only ever seen the pastor pray and officiate over the communion with the assistance of other ordained ministers. I suppose if consecration is understood as simply setting apart for a sacred purpose, then that would be what the minister does. However, we do not believe that the bread and wine (in our case grape juice since we teach abstinence from alcohol) actually become the body and blood of our Lord. This does not mean, however, that the ceremony is simply symbolic. It is deeply significant as Christ’s presence is felt in a unique way during communion.

I should note that Pentecostals believe that it is perfectly ok for laymen to celebrate communion in their home. All that is needed is some bread and grape juice and prayer over the elements and the intent of doing it in remembrance of Jesus. I don’t actually know how rare or common it is though. My family certainly never did it outside of church.

Years ago a woman at my church brought a loaf of bread and a bottle of Merlot to church and came to the front of the church to ask the pastor to pray over both as she was going to celebrate the Lord’s Supper in her home that night. He prayed over it and told the congregation that it was perfectly ok. What was so crazy about it though was the Merlot lol. If he thought anything negative about her drinking wine, he didn’t express it in public though. Go figure . . .

 

[RyanBlack]

No only an ordained Catholic priest can do this according to the Catholic faith and definition. Which is probably why OP said here on this non Catholic forum in the first place “as each particular denom may use it, not by the Catholic definition”. OP seemed interested in knowing what others believe about it.

Actually, according to Catholic teaching, priests of the Ancient Church of the East, the Oritental Orthodox Churches, and the Eastern Orthodox Churches all possess valid orders and therefore can confect the Eucharist.

 

[CMatt25]

Actually, according to Catholic teaching, priests of the Ancient Church of the East, the Oritental Orthodox Churches, and the Eastern Orthodox Churches all possess valid orders and therefore can confect the Eucharist.

I was merely reiterating ANNE 2’s post where she quoted CCC and then she said, “only an ordained Catholic Priest can do this”. Under the assumption she meant according to Catholic faiith teaching. So thank you for the correction.

 

[Dave_in_Dallas]

Thank you everyone for your responses, this was exactly the info I was looking for.

 

[4Squarebaby]

In my former church, an independent KJV-only Baptist church, there was no such thing as consecrating the communion. Sure, the preacher prayed, but there was no thought that it became anything more than mere symbols.

Same with my church home. Normally it is the senior pastor, sometimes a visiting cleric/evangelist/chaplain… Sometimes a church elder/Deacon and sometimes the pastor will ask one of the brothers or sisters of the congregation to do it.

 

[The_GreyPilgrim]

By definition they are protestants, therefore they have abandoned any claim to the spiritual decendency that is known as Apostolic succession(2 Tim 2:2).

Hence they really don’t “consecrate” anything. It’s essetially play-acting and mimickry with no real effect. Hence their disbeliefs about the Eucharist are fufilled because of their rebellion. They rob themselves of grace by remaining apart from Christ’s Body.

It’s a terrible shame.

 

[hn160]

It is the Lutheran view that only the Lutherans, Roman Catholics, Orthodox, and some Anglicans who believe in the real presence have the Lord’s Supper. The ones that believe that it is a memorial or a spiritual presence do not really have the Lord’s Supper.

 

[Anna_Scott]

If I recall correctly in Methodist churches only ordained ministers/elders can consencrate their communion. I assume this is same in Anglican, Episcopal, and Lutheran churches. What about other Protestant denom’s?
Note that I am using the term “consencrate” as each particular denom may use it, not ny the Catholic definition.
Thanks

Dave in Dallas,

In my Anglican Catholic Church (Anglo Catholic,) only a Priest can consecrate. The Eucharistic Liturgy is almost identical to the Liturgy of Catholics in Communion with Rome.

In the Southern Baptist Church (the Church I grew up in), there is no consecration. There are no Sacraments.

See The Baptist Faith and Message, VII. Baptism and the Lord’s Supper, Link: sbc.net/bfm/bfm2000.asp#i. The SBC describes The Lord’s Supper as a symbolic act of obedience, memorializing the death of the Redeemer and anticipating His second coming. If you look at the SBC Scripture references for this belief, you will find that John Chapter 6 is omitted.

Yet, some critical things are revealed to us in John Chapter 6, including the revelation that the flesh of Christ is true food, and His blood is true drink; those who feed on His flesh and drink His blood, abide in Him, and Christ in them; and the necessity to eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, in order to have life in us–in order to have eternal life and be raised on the last day.

Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) beliefs regarding the Eucharist/Communion/ Lord’s Supper are problematic, especially given their belief in Sola Scriptura.

Peace,
Anna

 

[KathleenGee]

Only consecrated priesthood in total communion with Christ and all believers in the Church – Mystical Body of Christ can.

The essence of the Eucharist is communion. We experience communion with our Holy Father, bishops in communion with him, and all believers as well as our separated brethren in Christ. This sense of communion leads us to experience communion in all of God’s creation that is good.

 

[SteveVH]

If I recall correctly in Methodist churches only ordained ministers/elders can consencrate their communion. I assume this is same in Anglican, Episcopal, and Lutheran churches. What about other Protestant denom’s?
Note that I am using the term “consencrate” as each particular denom may use it, not ny the Catholic definition.
Thanks

Aside from the issue of valid authority, other than the mainstream liturgical churches (Anglican/Episcopal, Lutheran, etc.), I don’t think “consecration” is even a matter of consideration. Why concecrate something that is only a symbol?

 

[Anna_Scott]

Aside from the issue of valid authority, other than the mainstream liturgical churches (Anglican/Episcopal, Lutheran, etc.), I don’t think “consecration” is even a matter of consideration. Why concecrate something that is only a symbol?

SteveVH,
True. Consecration is not a consideration in non-Sacramental Churches.

It is an issue in Southern Baptist Churches only to the extent that one who has been baptized in a Sacramental Church must be baptized again in the Baptist Church, in order to receive the Lord’s Supper–which SB’s believe is a symbolic act of obedience, memorializing the death of the Redeemer and anticipating His second coming. See The Baptist Faith and Message, VII. Baptism and the Lord’s Supper, Link: sbc.net/bfm/bfm2000.asp#i.

There is an interesting “position” paper on the Southern Baptist Convention website, though it has not yet been adopted by the board of trustees. Final editing is to be made by the chairman of the board.

Southern Baptist Convention Link: imb.org/main/news/details.asp?LanguageID=1709&StoryID=3840

**Position Paper Concerning the IMB Guideline on Baptism
a. Baptism is a church ordinance.

"Baptism must take place in a church that practices believer’s baptism by immersion alone, does not view baptism as sacramental or regenerative, and a church that embraces the doctrine of the security of the believer.

b. A candidate who has not been baptized in a Southern Baptist church or in a church which meets the standards listed above is expected to request baptism in his/her Southern Baptist church as a testimony of identification with the system of belief held by Southern Baptist churches."**

Baptism that meets the SBC guidelines is a prerequisite to the "privileges of church membership and to the “Lord’s Supper.” Link: sbc.net/bfm/bfm2000.asp#i

So, basically, anyone coming into the Baptist church must break ties with Sacramental beliefs, embrace the Baptist system of beliefs (which includes “security of the believer,”) in order to be baptized and participate in the Lord’s Supper. By the time a person reaches this point, they are partaking of a Lord’s Supper that denies clear revelations in Holy Scripture–and, of course, denies Christian Tradition.

It was really heartbreaking for me to finally recognize such a grave error in the Church of my family and upbringing. Most of my family are still in the Baptist Church.

Peace,
Anna

 

[valient_Lucy]

If I recall correctly in Methodist churches only ordained ministers/elders can consencrate their communion. I assume this is same in Anglican, Episcopal, and Lutheran churches. What about other Protestant denom’s?
Note that I am using the term “consencrate” as each particular denom may use it, not ny the Catholic definition.
Thanks

Consecration doesn’t enter into the thinking of many denominations, certainly not among evangelical or Baptist denominations.