James I. Cook

Why the RCA said yes to baptized children at the Lords Supper

Should children be permitted at the Lord's table?

Thirty years ago that question would not have come up in most evangelical churches. But today many churches have studied that question seriously (see box). And many members of these churches believe baptized children should be allowed and encouraged to participate in the Lord's Supper./p>

Why this shift in thinking? What has prompted the discussion? What issues are at stake?

Lines from Handbook of the Christian Year (Abingdon, 1986) repeat a widespread notion about the meaning of Pentecost: "For Christians, Pentecost commemorated the birthday of the church…" (p. 21).