Pr. Peterson has a well written dialogue about unity and fellowship specifically in regards to Holy Communion. I am thankful to have not been faced with the challenges facing people of different Christian faiths. This matter will continue to be of grave importance. I fear it is a stumbling block for many who visit our congregations.
Consider that these visitors may have exposure to other congregations where they either offer "celebratory" feasts a few times a year or offer a sacrament of true presence that is open to all in the face of scriptural condemnation of such practice. Then they come to this closed communion practice. Much worse, they sit through an entire Divine Service which leads and points to the Sacrament and then are denied the very thing the worship leads to.
I am a strong believer in NOT bringing friends and relatives who you wish to motivate to conversion to the Divine Service. They require basic instruction in the elements of faith and the rubrics we practice before they should witness it. How can anyone who has not received the Gospel understand the mystery of the incarnation much less the presence of Christ in the sacrament?
Consider these words. They speak well to how best to approach our Christian brothers in love and not with law. By rejecting their admission to the Sacrament they have the law. They most need the Gospel to know that we are concerned for the welfare of our brothers and their salvation.
