Hi Suzi,

Since we've already exchanged views on this topic, I won't add anything. Interesting, I just noticed a related comment on another blog. It was written by a confessional Lutheran layman/publisher. You can view one of his projects at www.oldsolar.com.

Anyway, he wrote today:

When I was weighing out whether to become Lutheran, I was a member of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A), and attended Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, which was inter-denominational. It's second largest contingent of students was from the Assemblies of God. So I'm not by nature isolationist.

Having become Lutheran as an adult, I think Lutherans have many good reasons not to practice intercommunion with other churches. But there is also a bit of unhealthy isolationism to our church body as well. And people from both outside and inside don't tend to distinguish the healthy from the unhealthy. (People from the inside often go from a "bar the doors" mentality to church growth without a sane middle where they learn to keep their distinctives with civility and friendliness.)

The reason we don't practice intercommunion is that with our belief in the Real Presence comes a reading of 1 Corinthians 11:29 where not recognizing the Real Presence is seen as a grave danger. This is not just a case of saying "Since we disagree on this practice we cannot share it," as if that were a general rule regarding practices. No. It is that we think there is a specific danger in offering the Lord's Supper to those who do not discern its true nature. posted by Rick Ritchie on Chris Williams' blog: http://kamikazewatermelon.blogspot.com/2005/01/services-for-christian-unity-vs-going.html. There is a lively debate going on regarding ecumenism, which would include the discussion of communion.
 

Thanks for commenting, Theresa! I respect and appreciate your viewpoints and links!
--Suzi