I read with appreciation Bishop Alan Grundahl’s Post in the September 2025 issue of Canada Lutheran on the subject of lay persons of the church administering the sacrament of communion.
I agree completely with Bishop Grundahl’s observations. In my many years of involvement in the ELCIC and its predecessor bodies, his position has been my position. The long-standing position of the church on this has, at the most, a basis in historical tradition and, I do not hesitate to say, I believe also a basis in the opposition of the ordained clergy, those who are concerned with preserving and maintaining this manifestation of their position in the church. Their opposition is, in my view, a defence of status. And the lay people of the church—the “church”—have meekly accepted this as coming from “the experts.” I have heard no convincing theological arguments in support. Grundahl’s words: “Do we not dare to trust God’s Spirit to guide in this change of practice?” are completely relevant! When this has been raised in the past, changing the practice has, as he notes, been avoided by the mantra “study and delay.” We now have experienced lay people participating in and experiencing the blessings, with the blessing of the church, of receiving the sacraments other than by the administration of an ordained person within a traditional church and worship setting. That continues even now in many congregations. Aside from that, many of us have regularly assisted their minister in administering communion. The people of the church have benefited. Let us now go forward from that by allowing lay leaders to provide sacramental ministry.
Grundahl states in conclusion “May confident HOPE prevail over fear!” Yes!
—Carl Sorensen, Edmonton, AB
Loading ...