Litmus tests for various Christian groups

[joshuabgood]

The plain coat thing, while definitely a communion litmus test for many churches, is not really used as a test of faithfulness to God by most adherents.

Is this a distinction without a difference?

No. We believe that there are many outside of our specific church organization who are faithful to God.

Would you commune with them? As fellowship with a Christian brother?

[ken_sylvania]

Is this a distinction without a difference?

No. We believe that there are many outside of our specific church organization who are faithful to God.

Would you commune with them? As fellowship with a Christian brother?

If you're asking what I think you're asking - yes, as I learn to know them.

[Heirbyadoption]

No. We believe that there are many outside of our specific church organization who are faithful to God.

Would you commune with them? As fellowship with a Christian brother?

If you're asking what I think you're asking - yes, as I learn to know them.

Ken, would your church fellowship have any objections to you communing with such folks while affiliating where you are at? And would your church fellowship allow those folks to commune with your church fellowship? Not trying to poke any bears, its a real question I have been challenged with myself.

[ken_sylvania]

Would you commune with them? As fellowship with a Christian brother?

If you're asking what I think you're asking - yes, as I learn to know them.

Ken, would your church fellowship have any objections to you communing with such folks while affiliating where you are at? And would your church fellowship allow those folks to commune with your church fellowship? Not trying to poke any bears, its a real question I have been challenged with myself.

If by "commune" you mean "to partake of the communion emblems with" then the answer is that the congregation where I am a member would generally object if I were to partake of communion outside of a setting where participation is restricted to those who are members of and in good standing with a church that holds to Bible doctrines similar to how we understand them. I don't think it would necessarily hinge on whether the members of that other church wear regulation cut suits although a group that has moved away from that practice would probably not make the cut.

JBG defined "commune" as "fellowship with a Christian brother." That type of communion would be welcomed both ways.

[Heirbyadoption]

If you're asking what I think you're asking - yes, as I learn to know them.

Ken, would your church fellowship have any objections to you communing with such folks while affiliating where you are at? And would your church fellowship allow those folks to commune with your church fellowship? Not trying to poke any bears, its a real question I have been challenged with myself.

If by "commune" you mean "to partake of the communion emblems with" then the answer is that the congregation where I am a member would generally object if I were to partake of communion outside of a setting where participation is restricted to those who are members of and in good standing with a church that holds to Bible doctrines similar to how we understand them. I don't think it would necessarily hinge on whether the members of that other church wear regulation cut suits although a group that has moved away from that practice would probably not make the cut.

JBG defined "commune" as "fellowship with a Christian brother." That type of communion would be welcomed both ways.

I understand, thanks. For the sake of discussion and this being an Anabaptist forum/discussion (generally speaking), I wonder if it might be less confusing if "communing" (ie. sharing in communion, ie. bread and wine) and "fellowshipping" are clarified rather than used synonymously, considering that partaking of communion emblems is often restricted to members only or a particular litmus test (historically and contemporarily) among Anabaptists, particular more conservative ones, whereas fellowshipping tends to be far broader and more flexible.. Just a thought for anyone, not directly to Ken.

[ken_sylvania]

Ken, would your church fellowship have any objections to you communing with such folks while affiliating where you are at? And would your church fellowship allow those folks to commune with your church fellowship? Not trying to poke any bears, its a real question I have been challenged with myself.

If by "commune" you mean "to partake of the communion emblems with" then the answer is that the congregation where I am a member would generally object if I were to partake of communion outside of a setting where participation is restricted to those who are members of and in good standing with a church that holds to Bible doctrines similar to how we understand them. I don't think it would necessarily hinge on whether the members of that other church wear regulation cut suits although a group that has moved away from that practice would probably not make the cut.

JBG defined "commune" as "fellowship with a Christian brother." That type of communion would be welcomed both ways.

I understand, thanks. For the sake of discussion and this being an Anabaptist forum/discussion (generally speaking), I wonder if it might be less confusing if "communing" (ie. sharing in communion, ie. bread and wine) and "fellowshipping" are clarified rather than used synonymously, considering that partaking of communion emblems is often restricted to members only or a particular litmus test (historically and contemporarily) among Anabaptists, particular more conservative ones, whereas fellowshipping tends to be far broader and more flexible.. Just a thought for anyone, not directly to Ken.

I agree. I think that tracks better with how a lot of us are used to using the terms. [err, um, make that ("communion, ie. bread and grape juice")]

[Ernie]

I don't think it would necessarily hinge on whether the members of that other church wear regulation cut suits although a group that has moved away from that practice would probably not make the cut.

Nice pun!

I'm curious what types of churches that do not wear the regulation might still make the cut.

For example, would you be allowed to share communion with a church that does not wear suit jackets of any kind normally, but if they wear one, it would be a straight cut suit? Would that work if all other significant factors are in place. For example: the women faithfully veil, wear modest clothing, etc.
Or would the women need to wear a certain kind of covering, cape dress, etc.

[ken_sylvania]

I don't think it would necessarily hinge on whether the members of that other church wear regulation cut suits although a group that has moved away from that practice would probably not make the cut.

Nice pun!

I'm curious what types of churches that do not wear the regulation might still make the cut.

For example, would you be allowed to share communion with a church that does not wear suit jackets of any kind normally, but if they wear one, it would be a straight cut suit? Would that work if all other significant factors are in place. For example: the women faithfully veil, wear modest clothing, etc.
Or would the women need to wear a certain kind of covering, cape dress, etc.

For instance, maybe a Nationwide Fellowship church in Mexico. Or, maybe, depending on circumstances a Baptist church in Russia. I was thinking where no suit is normally worn. Yes, all other significant factors would need to be in place and I'm honestly not sure exactly where the line would be. It would certainly be fringe cases and not routine. But it's simply not routine for us to take communion outside of our local congregation, and certainly not outside our district, unless we're living in another area for an extended period of time.

[Ernie]

I don't think it would necessarily hinge on whether the members of that other church wear regulation cut suits although a group that has moved away from that practice would probably not make the cut.

Nice pun!

I'm curious what types of churches that do not wear the regulation might still make the cut.

For example, would you be allowed to share communion with a church that does not wear suit jackets of any kind normally, but if they wear one, it would be a straight cut suit? Would that work if all other significant factors are in place. For example: the women faithfully veil, wear modest clothing, etc.
Or would the women need to wear a certain kind of covering, cape dress, etc.

For instance, maybe a Nationwide Fellowship church in Mexico. Or, maybe, depending on circumstances a Baptist church in Russia. I was thinking where no suit is normally worn. Yes, all other significant factors would need to be in place and I'm honestly not sure exactly where the line would be. It would certainly be fringe cases and not routine. But it's simply not routine for us to take communion outside of our local congregation, and certainly not outside our district, unless we're living in another area for an extended period of time.

Would you be expected to get permission to commune elsewhere or is that up to the individual?

[Ernie]

I understand, thanks. For the sake of discussion and this being an Anabaptist forum/discussion (generally speaking), I wonder if it might be less confusing if "communing" (ie. sharing in communion, ie. bread and wine) and "fellowshipping" are clarified rather than used synonymously, considering that partaking of communion emblems is often restricted to members only or a particular litmus test (historically and contemporarily) among Anabaptists, particular more conservative ones, whereas fellowshipping tends to be far broader and more flexible.. Just a thought for anyone, not directly to Ken.

Heirby, I assume your church would allow you to commune with other Anabaptist churches? Does your church allow folks from other Anabaptist churches to commune with you?