In your September issue, Dr. Joersz opines, “The practice of asking a lay assistant to commune the pastor during the Communion has become widespread and is considered the preferred option.” Augsburg Confession, Art. XIV, rightly teaches “No one should . . . administer the Sacraments unless he be regularly called.” Webster defines administer as “To dispense; to serve out; to supply; execute; as, to administer relief, to administer the Sacrament.” Lay assistants do not have a regular call and may not dispense the sacrament to the pastor or to anyone else.
Daniel Gorman
Ooltewah, Tenn.
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