Celebrating the sacrament of Holy Communion during Covid-19

A Methodist perspective

Bibliographic Data

ID21492829
AuthorsWessel Bentley (0000-0002-1167-4858, University of South Africa, corresponding author)
Year2021
Volume77
Issue3
Publication date2021-07-14
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueHTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0259-9422 • E-ISSN: 2072-8050
PublisherAOSIS (PUBLISHER • ZA)
DOI10.4102/hts.v77i3.6741
OpenAlexW3178049016
LanguageEN
Citations received3

This article forms part of the change agents special collection. It investigates the way the Methodist Church of Southern Africa (MCSA) has engaged the question of practicing Holy Communion in the context of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) lockdown. Mainly using communiques by the Office of the Presiding Bishop and contributions made by clergy and laity on the practice of online worship services, and Holy Communion in particular, the article not only describes points of contention but also matters for consideration in balancing church polity whilst being contextually present and relevant. The article then celebrates the work of the Doctrine, Ethics and Worship Commission (DEWCOM) of the MCSA in potentially providing a way forward for the denomination that holds polity and relevance together in meaningful tension. Contribution: This research contributes to the ongoing dialogue within the Methodist Church of Southern Africa on how the sacrament of Holy Communion should be practiced in the context of a social lockdown as precipitated by the COVID-19 pandemic

Art · Commission · Doctrine · Eucharist · Faith · Political science · Politics · Polity · Sociology · Theology · Worship · Christian Theology and Mission · Contemporary Christian Leadership and Education · History · Law · Medicine · Philosophy · Religion, Society, and Development

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