[sheltonmac]

While not offering an altar call, the pastors at my church will take a moment just before communion to invite people to accept Christ and partake of the elements along with other believers. This has always seemed odd to me, since I had grown up believing that communion was something for relatively "mature" Christians. Thoughts or comments?

[RnMomof7]

While not offering an altar call, the pastors at my church will take a moment just before communion to invite people to accept Christ and partake of the elements along with other believers. This has always seemed odd to me, since I had grown up believing that communion was something for relatively "mature" Christians. Thoughts or comments?

At the Reformed Baptist church I attended the preacher would say if anyone had never come to Christ they should see him after the service.

The bible Presbyterian Church I now attend will on some Sundays (like yours usually Communion Sundays and on holidays ) say something very similar..to see him after the service or call for an appointment to meet with him.

I believe this is a sound way to offer the gospel as it elimates a non sincere emotional response.

[OrthodoxPresbyterian]

While not offering an altar call, the pastors at my church will take a moment just before communion to invite people to accept Christ and partake of the elements along with other believers. This has always seemed odd to me, since I had grown up believing that communion was something for relatively "mature" Christians. Thoughts or comments?

I think it's absolutely appropriate to administer Communion to new Believers. The Sacrament is a Means of Grace (even if we lay aside the Presbyterian doctrine of "Spiritual Presence", and we take a strictly Baptistic view that Communion is observance of a Symbolic Ordinance -- it is still one of God's means of imparting Grace to a believers spirit for a believer to obey the Lord's ordinances!!).

Provided that they examine themselves to confess known Sins, and are submitted to their Elders -- Why should we deny participation in the receipt of sacramental, sanctifying Grace to those who (arguably) need it most, New Believers?

(Not that any of us can do without)

Of course, I should admit in the spirit of Full Disclosure that I'm nearly a Paedo-Communionist myself -- I don't believe in Communing the Infants as some paedocommunionists do, but I don't believe in withholding the Sacrament until the adolescent years, either. In the absence of any Biblical case law on the matter of which I am aware, I advocate the continuance of the Hebrew custom for the Passover Seder -- administering the Supper to covenant Children as soon as they are old enough to explain the meaning of the sacrament to their Elders.

JMHO, as always.

best op