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What is Baptism?
Baptism is about entering the faith and family of Jesus Christ. It is about your decision to bring your child up within a Christian faith community, to ensure that your child will have the freedom, openness and encouragement of learning and exploring an engage Christian faith. If, alternatively, you want to celebrate and give thanks to God for the arrival of your child into the world we can certainly do that in another way with a service of Blessing and/or Naming.
Baptism is not only a commitment you are making. It is a commitment by the Faith Community at Bendigo Central & Axedale UC to create an ongoing relationship with you and your family, to create a safe environment for your child(ren) and all children who are part of our community. In planning for, on the day and after your child’s Baptism your family will be introduced to an Elder from the church. This person, alongside our Minister, will offer you pastoral support and friendship.
Things you might like to reflect on
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your own Baptism and how it may have shaped and influenced your faith and life choices,
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your own faith and how it is that you will nurture the faith of your child(ren),
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your commit to teaching your child the way of Jesus as he/she grows, both through your own example and by being part of the life of the Christian Church.
Baptism of a child and membership
Baptism is about becoming a member of the Christian Church. For that reason, it will always happen in a worship service, not at another time or place. The only exception to this is when there is a serious health situation for the child or one of his/her parents. And in these circumstances contact should be made direct to our Minister, Rev Di Esbensen.
When a child is baptised in the Uniting Church, she/he is listed on the roll of baptised members. If your family are not members of the Bendigo Central & Axedale Congregation this can be discussed with our Minister. Options include transferring your membership from another Uniting Church, becoming members at Bendigo Central & Axedale and other alternatives dependant on your situation.
The Promises
In the baptism service, we ask the parents the following questions:
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What do you ask of God’s Church for (name)?
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We ask that he/she be baptised into the faith and family of Jesus Christ.
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Will you provide for your child a Christian home of love and trust?
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Will you set before (name) the example of a Christian life, and will you pray that she/he will learn the way of Christ?
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Will you encourage your child to grow within the fellowship of the Church, and will you pray that he/she may come to faith in Christ?
What baptism is not
Baptism is not just a social or family ceremony to celebrate the birth of a baby. Baptism is not the label a of a particular Denomination. (The baptism certificate is a joint certificate issued by eight major churches/denominations, and says that we all accept each other’s baptism rites.)
How do I arrange for my child’s baptism?
Please contact Belinda in our Church Office by phone 54413100 or by email standrewsbgo.axe@gmail.com to arrange to speak with the Minister.
Please note in planning for the Baptism of your child(ren) you will need to be flexible regarding dates available, allow time for relationship building and the processes of the church to take place.
You will be asked to come to a Sunday worship service 9.30am, after which the Minister, or another church leader, will discuss the meaning and commitment of baptism with you.
If you understand and accept the meaning and obligations of baptism, your request will be taken to the Church Council for approval.
The Minister will then visit you in your home to explain the baptism service. You will also meet with an Elder who will have a role in the service.
Baptism as an adult or teenager
St Andrew’s Church will normally only agree to baptise adults or teenagers who regularly worship at St Andrew’s Church and have become active participants in the Church Community. There needs to be a commitment to embracing a Christian life of faith, spirituality, justice, love,mercy and inclusion.
People seeking baptism will be asked to attend a series of classes/conversations, which will explore and discuss the major beliefs and practices of the Christian faith, and the life of the Church. Such classes will be run as required.
Adult baptism includes confirmation (laying-on of hands with prayer invoking the Holy Spirit). The person affirms their faith in Christ, and commits themselves to a life lived in the teachings and community of the christian faith.
The vows taken in an adult baptism are:
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Do you promise to follow Christ in your daily life?
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With God’s help,I will seek to love and obey Christ, and grow in my relationship with God through prayer and study of the Bible.
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Do you promise to be a faithful member of the Christian community?
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With God’s help, I will share in the worship of the church and support its work with my time, talents and money.
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Do you promise to participate in God’s mission to the world?
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With God’s help, I will witness to Christ in word and deed, and look for the coming of the kingdom.
A note
Baptism happens once. The Church cannot consider a second baptism for someone who has already been baptised. Instead it offers blessings, confirmation and other ways for the person to rejoice that they have been baptised, and to affirm the promises made for them, or by them, at their baptism.
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