BAPTISMS
Baptism: We believe that baptism is a visible and outward sign of an invisible and inward relationship to the Trinity, God, the Parent, Jesus Christ, The Redeemer, and the Holy Spirit, the Sustainer. The Trinity is a unique aspect of Christian belief. Baptism is a rite that acknowledges publicly the new life offered to us by our Savior’s life, death and resurrection.
Baptism serves a slightly different role in the lives of different faith traditions. In some traditions baptism is both and a statement of faith and commitment of the parents to raise and educate the child, usually an infant, in the Christian faith and a statement of victory over the power of original sin. In other traditions these two objectives are separated and babies or children are dedicated to fulfill the commitment of parent to raise the child in Christian faith and then at a later time, when the child has reached an age where the child can understand both the spiritual significance of baptism they make a decision to publicly proclaim their identity as a Christian by being baptized. Due to our unique denomination including folks from many backgrounds, we embrace all folks and work with people based on their individual beliefs regarding these issues.
Adult Baptism: Adult baptism is available to anyone who requests it. All individuals interested in becoming in members of the church are required to be baptized Christians. Some new members have never been baptized and find it a meaningful way of publicly claiming their Christian identity as a believer in Christ. Sometimes new members have been baptized as infants and wish to be baptized again and establish publicly their identity as an adult believer. We are open to baptizing an already baptized person again. Other new members are perfectly comfortable with a baptism that took place in another church, whether as an infant or as an adult.
Infant or Child Baptism: We acknowledge that some of our attendees are from church backgrounds where infant or child baptism the practice. Although, the theological statement is slightly different in infant baptism than in adult baptism, it is a public claiming of the responsible adults surrounding the child that it is their intention to raise the child as a Christian and claim the child for Christ.
You need not be a member of the church in order for us to baptize you or your child/ren. Simply contact our church office and a member of our pastoral staff can work with you to see that baptism happens for you or your child/ren. |