In reply to Janet Frisch.

This idea (that your faith is between you and Jesus) is a very American thing, but not Christian. Yes, faith is personal but not private! You don't merely believe that what is said of Jesus is true; you believe that Jesus IS TRUE! See the difference? And Jesus never once says "keep it inside, it's between you and me, leave your pastor out of it."

The Pastoral office has been scandalized over the past few decades, that's for sure, by both pastors who scandalize the office, and others who decide that the pastors are nothing more than employees of the church. Both are horrible. Pastors are God's called servants, set apart as representatives of Jesus Himself to preach the Scripture and Administer the Sacraments.

I encourage you to read the Pastor's Ordination Rite in the LSB Agenda or the Pastor's Installation Rite, also found in the Agenda. They vow to some pretty hefty things! No member who is under the care of a pastor should ever expect the pastor to break his vows, not ever. When a pastor is forced to provide communion to anyone because "it's between me and Jesus" he is not only doing a horrible disservice to the members, but he is breaking his vows and being unfaithful to Jesus.

Inasmuch as Paul was involved with the communion practice and who should or shouldn't commune (1 Corinthians 11), we pastors are also called to be involved. It may not be comfortable or "inviting" or "inclusive", but whoever said it has to be? Not Jesus, that's for sure.