Pastor's Portal

Communion Changes

Rev. David Schmidt

October 1, 2026

Communion Changes

I want to let the congregation know about a change that the Board of Elders and I have decided to implement regarding Communion. We will now offer the Lord’s Supper to children who are entering confirmation instruction, rather than requiring them to wait until after they are confirmed.

This does not mean that every child entering confirmation instruction will automatically be admitted to the Lord’s Supper. Parents who would like their child to begin the process for First Communion will need to make a request to me. The elders and I will then exercise careful pastoral judgment, and children will be admitted only when they have been instructed, examined, and are able to receive the Sacrament in faith.

Participation is entirely optional. Families who prefer to wait until after Confirmation are completely free to do so.

Why this change? For many years our practice has been that young people receive the Lord’s Supper only after completing confirmation instruction. While that tradition has served the church well, we are convinced it is both faithful and beneficial to offer the Sacrament earlier to those children who are able to examine themselves and receive it in faith.

Scripture does not set an age requirement for the Lord’s Supper. What it requires is that communicants be able to examine themselves and discern the Lord’s body (1 Corinthians 11:27–29). The Lutheran Confessions and Martin Luther emphasize faith in Christ’s words, “given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins,” rather than a particular age. Historically, Lutheran congregations often admitted children to Communion once they had been instructed and examined, sometimes well before the modern confirmation age. The Lutheran Service Book Agenda provides an official rite for First Communion prior to Confirmation, and many LCMS congregations already use it.

We also want to avoid treating Communion as a “reward” or graduation prize for finishing confirmation class. The Sacrament is Christ’s gift, not an achievement. Separating First Communion from the rite of Confirmation helps both retain their proper place.

To be clear, this does not replace Confirmation. Children who receive First Communion will still complete the full confirmation program and participate in the public rite of Confirmation. Confirmation remains the time for broader and deeper study of the faith and for publicly affirming the promises of Baptism.

If you have questions or would like to discuss this further, please speak with me. I welcome the conversation.