From the earliest days of the first century church, baptism has been the door through which people enter the church. As the “Body of Christ” in the world, baptism commissions us to use our gifts to strengthen the church and to transform the world. In the United Methodist Church, we practice “household” and “believer” baptism, which means we baptize people at any age.

You may have heard someone say, “I was baptized Methodist,” or “I was baptized Presbyterian,” which could mean that in baptism they got their identity papers and that was the end of it. But baptism is not an end in itself; rather it is the beginning of a lifelong journey of faith. It makes no difference whether you were baptized as an adult or as a child; we all start on that journey at baptism. For the child, the journey begins in the nurturing community of the church, where he or she learns what it means that God loves us and challenges us to grow. Later, we invite young people to a process called confirmation to confess their faith in Christ for themselves. If you experienced God’s grace and were baptized as an adult or received baptism as a child and desire to reaffirm your baptismal vows, baptism still marks the beginning of a journey in the nurturing fellowship of a loving, learning, worshipping, giving, serving congregation.

Children and infants have been baptized and included in the Body of Christ since the earliest days of the church. Baptism, as a means of grace, signifies God’s initiative in the process of salvation. John Wesley taught “prevenient grace,” the grace that works in our lives before we are even aware of it, bringing us to faith in Christ. The baptism of children, which signifies their inclusion in the church before they can respond with their own confirmation of faith, is a vivid and compelling witness to the grace that goes before us. Infant baptism reminds us that life is a good gift from God and that we belong to God even before we can say, “Jesus,” let alone understand anything about Him.

To baptize infants here, the parents or sponsors should be members at FUMC Brandon, who are actively fulfilling their membership vows. (There are some exceptions to this such as for military personnel away from their home church or when we stand in for another UMC due to family concerns, travel issues, etc. These should be discussed on an individual basis with one of the pastors.) We ask three basic questions of parents or sponsors bringing infants for baptism. The first two are based on the standard questions of membership in this UMC: Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior? (The most important question we are ever asked!) Will you continue to be loyal to this church by your prayers, presence, gifts, and service? (This indicates the personal commitment of the parents or sponsors to our mission and ministry as members of this particular Body of Christ.) The third question relates to the way a parent or sponsor plans to fulfill these vows with their child: Do you intend to raise this child in a way that he/she will one day decide for himself/herself to be a disciple of Jesus Christ?

We believe that in baptism God initiates a covenant with us. The act of signing the cross on the forehead with water in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit represents God’s special mark in our lives. The word covenant is a biblical word describing God’s initiative in choosing to be with and for us in a unique way.

Will Willimon, a United Methodist Bishop, says one of the biggest problems with the baptism of infants is when the church does it indiscriminately. “We must not baptize persons, infants or adults, who have not shown a willingness (or potential willingness) to submit to change…When the church indiscriminately baptizes infants, regardless of adult or church involvement, then the church is debilitated; Baptism always involves discernment and discrimination.” That means that parental intentions and church intentions are integrally involved in baptism.

In our tradition, baptism is not a private affair. The local Body of Christ joins in the commitment to the child. For example, if I was serving as the pastor of a church I didn’t believe could fulfill its end of the commitment to come along side parents and help their child become a fully devoted follower of Jesus Christ, I’d have to take a break from baptizing babies until we got our act together. Thanks be to God, I strongly believe this church can assist parents in fulfilling their responsibilities! Parents or sponsors, too, must have a plan as to how they intend to live out the commitments (Prayers, Presence, Gifts, Service) they make in baptism to God, their child, and this United Methodist Church. If not active here or in another UMC, we will challenge you to make a plan as to how you will live out the vows you make.