Why do some Protestant churches call the Lord’s Supper an ordinance rather than a sacrament?

In Christian theology, the distinction between a "sacrament" and an "ordinance" centers on whether the rite is viewed as a channel of divine grace or as a symbolic act of obedience.

While many denominations, such as the Anglican and Lutheran churches, define the Eucharist as a sacrament—an outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace—other Protestant groups prefer the term "ordinance."12

Churches that use the term ordinance, such as many Baptist and Congregationalist denominations, view the Lord’s Supper primarily as an expression of the community’s faith and a memorial act commanded by Christ, rather than a vehicle that conveys grace ex opere operato (by the work performed). For these groups, the rite is a prescribed practice or ceremony that signifies a believer's obedience to the teachings of Jesus, rather than a ritual that inherently imparts spiritual benefits to the participant.312