Should Unrepentant Christians Participate In Communion?

Q: Should Christians who are openly unrepentant in sinful practices, like scamming or stealing, take part in communion, even if they profess faith in Jesus?

A: This is a question that needs to be answered on two ends. First of all, you would hope that the individual would recognize, 'I'm not right with God. There's something really interrupting my fellowship with God. I've allowed sin to interrupt my fellowship with God. I need to get that right before I partake in communion.' So there's the self-regulation of the table.

However, I think it may very well be appropriate for the church leadership to address the situation. If someone in the church is in known, notorious sin, it's entirely fair for the church leadership to talk to that person and say, 'You shouldn't partake in communion until you get this right.' We all understand as pastors that there are hidden sins among our people. But hidden sins are just that—hidden. They are not open scandals. When things are open, known, and clear, they need to be dealt with. Part of that dealing with it may involve preventing someone from participating at the communion table.

This is for their own sake, as Paul is very clear about the consequences of partaking in an unworthy manner. They are heaping condemnation upon themselves.