What is Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ (LCMC) to which Sychar belongs?
LCMC was founded in 2001 in response to a disagreement regarding the nature of ministry with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). LCMC believes in a flat structure of ministry in which all believers are equally called to their unique ministries within the church and the world. LCMC does not put their governing offices over and against the local congregations. Because of this understanding of ministry, we support the ordination of female clergy into the ministry. LCMC is a centrist Lutheran body. We as a church body do not make statements on political issues. We recognize that our members come from a wide political spectrum. We ultimately wish to stay silent on issues that we believe that the scriptures are silent. For further information check out: lcmc.net
What age does Sychar practice First Communion?
There are two answers to this question both short and long.
Short Answer: 5th Grade remains normal practice, the best practice ultimately involves the decision of parents seeking to raise their children in the Christian faith as to when they feel it is most appropriate for their children to receive Communion.
Long Answer: This is a question on which the Lutheran Church has bounced around historically. The most common practice among the earliest Christians was to communion all baptized believers (including infants). The Roman Catholic Church began to modify this at the Fourth Lateran Council in 1215 as they wished for children to have a proper understanding before receiving First Communion. Martin Luther continued holding to the Roman Catholic belief that the age of seven would be best for children to begin receiving Communion. It wasn’t till the birth of the Lutheran Pietist reform movement nearly 120 years after Luther’s death until a believer underwent the rite of Confirmation at the age of 15. Pietism differed from the earliest Lutherans/Roman Catholics on the age of understanding. The proper First Communion age was most recently addressed in a 1973 panel among major Lutheran bodies which compromised these two positions in placing the standard First Communion at 5th Grade.
Short Answer: 5th Grade remains normal practice, the best practice ultimately involves the decision of parents seeking to raise their children in the Christian faith as to when they feel it is most appropriate for their children to receive Communion.
Long Answer: This is a question on which the Lutheran Church has bounced around historically. The most common practice among the earliest Christians was to communion all baptized believers (including infants). The Roman Catholic Church began to modify this at the Fourth Lateran Council in 1215 as they wished for children to have a proper understanding before receiving First Communion. Martin Luther continued holding to the Roman Catholic belief that the age of seven would be best for children to begin receiving Communion. It wasn’t till the birth of the Lutheran Pietist reform movement nearly 120 years after Luther’s death until a believer underwent the rite of Confirmation at the age of 15. Pietism differed from the earliest Lutherans/Roman Catholics on the age of understanding. The proper First Communion age was most recently addressed in a 1973 panel among major Lutheran bodies which compromised these two positions in placing the standard First Communion at 5th Grade.
Who may commune at Sychar?
Sychar has an open Communion policy. One needs not be a member or even necessarily a Lutheran to commune with us. Our Communion participation is a matter of individual conscience whereby one determines both their need for God’s grace and Christ’s presence within the bread and wine as a means to receive this grace.
Is membership required for Baptism at Sychar?
We believe the scriptures command to baptize (Matthew 28:20, Acts 2:38-39) are all inclusive to man, woman, and the youngest of children including infants. These commands describe Baptism as a physical sign of God’s grace intended to convey the promise of salvation unto all its recipients (Titus 3:5-7, I Peter 3:21). The promises given in Baptism are three-fold in nature. The first promise is between God and the child (recipient) to be a presence in one’s life through all circumstances (Colossians 2:11-12). The second promise is between the parents/sponsors and the child to support the child’s raising in the Christian faith through education and participation in worship (Lutheran Book of Worship pg.121). The third promise is between the congregation and the child to help nurture them along with their parents in the Christian faith (LBW pg.124). Because of this promise, it is good practice that Baptism takes place during the Sunday morning service. So membership is not required for Baptism, but maintaining an active presence such as membership within a Christian congregation is an integral part of Baptism.