I search all the information I have and cant find the answer. Can stewards of the church perform communion in the absent of the pastor if so where can I find this information.

-- Anonymous, March 05, 2001

Answers

I believe the Discipline states that only an Elder may perform the Sacraments and Rites which include the consecration the hosts for a Communion Service, marriage, and burial of the dead. However, I once knew of a small congregation where no Elder was present. The pastor in charge, who was at the time a Deacon, took the elements of the Communion to his father, an Elder, to be consecrated. He then took them to his congregation for their Communion Service. I would think the same would apply if no pastor were present. They could be consecrated in advance by any Elder of our church. Another alternative is that a retired Elder be invited for this service.

-- Anonymous, March 05, 2001

Deacons in the African Methodist Episcopal Church can do everything but consecrate the elements of communion. By discipline they are permited, and encouraged, to perform marriages, burials and baptize. If a Deacon is pastoring, they get the elements consecrated for them by an Elder (usually in large quantities, as much as a year's worth) and by discipline they are permitted to serve the elements. If they are working in a church with an elder, they they help the Elder in the serving of communion. The discipline has no emergency measures for the usage of Stewards in that process. The Stewardess Board has been utilized to retrieve empty glasses and to set the Communion table. Licentiates, although licensed to preach, are not permitted to help in serving communion. I had always heard about Stewards and communion, and I think that came from the fact they are called upon to keep the church open in an emergency when an ordained minister is not available but I believe it would be too wide an interpretation to extend that to communion which does have a number of restrictions placed upon it.

-- Anonymous, March 06, 2001

This question hits real close to home for me because I have questions about "who" can give communion? At my church, for several months now we have used a non-AME person (?) to assist our pastor with the communion service, is this proper? I do not find in the Discipline where it states "who" is authorized to give it, other than there is repated reference to "the Elder says".... Elder is defined on page 131 of the Discipline, it is really an unclear area that should be cleared up so that it is understood by all!!

-- Anonymous, March 06, 2001

Thanks so much for your response. I really enjoy this site. You all provide such interesting topics and responses. That's what I love about the AME church.

-- Anonymous, March 06, 2001