These are findings from the February 2009 Presbyterian Panel survey on sacraments.
Three-quarters of members, elders, pastors and non-pastoral ministers are part of congregations that celebrate the Lord’s Supper once a month. Seven in 10 ministers and three in five members and elders prefer monthly celebrations. On the other hand, one-third of ministers, but only about one in 10 members and elders, would like their congregation to celebrate the Lord’s Supper weekly.
In addition to preferring monthly Lord’s Supper celebrations, many Presbyterians believe that both adults and children who have not been baptized should be able to participate in the Lord’s Supper.
Three in five members, elders, pastors and non-pastoral ministers believe adults who have not been baptized should “definitely” or “probably” be permitted to participate in Lord’s Supper celebrations. Half of members, 55 percent of elders, and three in five pastors and non-pastoral ministers believe children who have not been baptized should “definitely” or “probably” be permitted to participate in Lord’s Supper celebrations.
About one-third of members, elders, pastors and non-pastoral ministers oppose permitting participation by children who have not been baptized. The rest are “not sure.” One-quarter of members and elders and about one-third of pastors and non-pastoral ministers oppose participation by adults who have not been baptized. The rest are “not sure.”
The Presbyterian Panel is made up of randomly chosen Presbyterian church members, elders and ministers who respond to questions on different topics four times a year. The Panel assembles a representative sample every three years and provides a way for church leaders to learn the opinions of rank-and-file Presbyterians.
