Should lay people and deacons preside at eucharistic celebrations? Anglicans traditionally say “no”; Methodists take a more relaxed view. Their differences are having to be worked out in the context of increasing intercommunion between the Church of England and the Methodist Church in England.
A recent report by a joint commission of the two churches, In the Spirit of the Covenant, examines the different views in detail (see pages 50–89). It notes that Anglican tradition has never disputed the validity of the eucharistic celebrations of other churches, even when presided over by people not episcopally ordained.
More on this in my next post.
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