Other Denominations
In other denominations, such as many of the churches of the Anglican Communion, the Lutheran Church, and the Methodist Church, the use of altar rails has remained more common. There is typically no specific regulation concerning their presence or use, although they remain a common feature even in newly constructed churches. Their continued popularity results from a preference on the part of many to assume a posture of kneeling to receive the Eucharist. For those sanctuaries without an altar rail, in some cases a portable rail with attached kneeler is used for those who wish to kneel to receive the Eucharist.
In the Lutheran Church, an altar rail is the common place for a pastor to hear a confession, which generally is required to receive the Eucharist for the first time. A common Lutheran practice from the Scandinavian traditions is to have an altar rail in the shape of a half-circle, the other half of the circle being on the other side of the altar wall- outside, in the cemetery. The two halves symbolize the connection between the current congregation with those gone before.
Read more about this topic: Altar Rails