Recently a conservative Reformed denomination (the Christian Reformed Church) voted to allow baptized children in its congregations to partake of the elements of the Eucharist. Children partaking of the elements (called “paedocommunion”) is a practice that dates back to the early church, but has been a matter of theological controversy through many of the Church’s stages, most notably during the early Reformation.
Two examples of objections to paedocommunion are:
-Children are too young to understand the meaning of the sacrament.And two examples of support for paedocommunion are:
-Children are technically not yet official members of the congregation, and the Eucharist is intended for members.
-Participating in the sacrament early in life trains children to keep participating into adulthood.If you are attend church and have children, do they participate in the Eucharist?
-The grace of Christ, communicated in the Eucharist, is available for all who come to the table.
