đź“ś Summary of Overture 33 (2025): Tightening Requirements for the Admission of Covenant Children to the Lord’s Table
What is Overture 33?
Overture 33 proposes a change to the PCA’s Book of Church Order (BCO 57-2) to increase the difficulty for "young" (not defined) children's admission to the Lord's Table.
Why is this being proposed?
Some churches and voices within the PCA have raised concerns about the practice of barring baptized covenant children from the Lord's Table prior to their making a profession of faith, a requirement absent from Scripture. Overture 33 seeks to formally make young child communion prohibitive by requiring that their examination for admission to the Lord's Table "shall include an evaluation of the young person’s credible profession of faith, the young person’s understanding of the meaning of the Lord’s Supper, and the young person’s understanding of the questions in BCO 57-5".
What would change?
Even though Jesus said "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 19:14), Overture 33 would make it more difficult for young covenant children to come to the Lord’s Table.
What does this mean for our church?
It invites us to reflect on how we nurture covenant children toward growth in grace and the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Why does this matter?
By virtue of their sacramental initiation (baptism), their being addressed as among the saints and as part of the church with corresponding obligations (Ephesians 1:1; 6:1-3), their holiness (1 Cor 7:14) and the kingdom of God being theirs (Matt 18:13-15), they are members of the church—the body of Christ, and as “discerning the body”(1 Cor 11:29) may verily refer to honoring the unity and dignity of the Church—including its weakest members, baptized children are expected to be nourished at family sacramental meals.
Session Resource: Annotated Commentary on Overture 33