A Guide for Christian Baptism
It is the responsibility of each baptized Christian to live out their baptism. This means making every effort to live a life worthy of being called a follower of Jesus Christ. Living as one who truly believes that
Jesus Christ is the Son of God who died on the cross and rose again so that their sins could be forgiven and that they can share in God's eternal kingdom is the calling of each Christian. Such a person expresses that belief by living as an obedient follower and disciple of Christ in a community of believers, a church.
The parents of a baptized infant must provide good spiritual care for them. How do you do this?
By praying for them and praying aloud with them. By reading the Bible to
them. By bringing them to Sunday school and worship. By practicing Christian living themselves,
in their home and family. Parents should also work at their own spiritual growth so that they
will be able to continue to give spiritual guidance to their child as they mature.
The baptized Christian or the family of a baptized infant is not alone in their responsibilities
to live as a followers of Jesus Christ. Each baptized Christian stands as a part of the community
of believers, the whole "Body of Christ" on earth, the Christian Church. This church shares
responsibility for providing a ministry of worship, prayer, teaching, fellowship, and nurture,
that will enable each Christian to grow toward spiritual maturity and wholeness.
This congregation and its leaders have an obligation as a Christian church to provide the most
effective ministry of teaching, counseling, prayer, and worship to all those entrusted to us by God.
Nowhere is this more clearly expressed than in the sacrament of baptism.
This also means that all who call this congregation their church home should
support it and its work, so that this church can faithfully fulfill its ministry in Christ's name.
Because baptism is a public step of identification, the baptismal service normally takes place during the
worship service in the presence
of the whole congregation, rather that privately. A baptism held within the worship service
reminds all involved of their shared responsibilities as expressed within the baptismal service.
It is not appropriate in a worship service to take photographs, therefore NO photographs will be taken during the
baptismal service. Photographs may be taken, however, after the service if so desired by the family.
Also, there is NO fee or honorarium charged for the pastor's officiating at a baptismal service.
If desired, the candidate or candidate's family may make a special baptismal donation to this
church in honor of the occasion.
Please submit your request for baptism at least 4 weeks before the desired date.
The choice of the date for the baptism is not to be made by you alone, but in
conjunction with the pastor and the Worship Ministry of this church.
In addition to the baptismal certificate signed by the pastor, which is given
to the newly baptized, a record of the baptism is also maintained by the clerk of this church.
If there are any questions or concerns about baptism or to scheduling a baptism,
please contact the church study at 547-3626.
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