CLOSED COMMUNION RESOURCES

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The following links will take you to several excellent essays that explain the biblical and historical practice of closed communion.  We recommend them all for your edification.  Links marked with are PDF files.  To view or print PDF files, you need the free Adobe Reader installed on your computer.   

• Closed Communion:  What is It?, Closed Communion:  Why Do We Practice It?, and Closed Communion:  Who Should Commune? by Rev. Jonathon Krenz
• What About Fellowship in the Lord's Supper by Rev. Alvin L. Barry
• Questions About Communion Attendance by Rev. Kevin Vogts
• Why Closed Communion? (from the web site of Trinity Lutheran Church, Austin, TX)
• What is "Closed Communion" and Why do Some Lutherans Practice it? by Rev. Paul T. McCain
• An Explanation of Closed Communion by Rev. Paul T. McCain
• Closed or Close Communion? (from the web site of Bethel Evangelical Lutheran Church, Du Quoin, IL)
• Fellowship at the Altar, Close Communion and the Holidays, and Close Communion and Extraordinary Situations by Rev. Don Engebretson
• Closed Communion Cone-sized Catch 22? by Rev. Larry Beane
• Straight Talk About Closed Communion by Rev. William P. Terjesen 
• The Biblical Practice of Closed Communion in the Light of 1 Corinthians 11:17-34 by Rev. William P. Terjesen
• 1 Corinthians 11:29 -- "Discerning the Body" and its Implications for Close(d) Communion by Rev. Ernie Lassman
• The Difficulty With Closed Communion by Rev. James Roemke
• The Historic Practice of Closed Communion (from the web site of Bride of Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church, Wichita, KS)
• The Unity of the Lord's Teaching and Closed Communion by Rev. Bryan Wolfmueller  
• Step Up to the Altar:  Thinking About the Celebration by Rev. Dr. Joel D. Biermann
• Your Neighbor and Closed Communion by Rev. Dr. Ronald Garwood