In about 2 weeks I'm going to do something. Something I've never done before, something I'm not sure I've even seen done before, maybe once or twice. It's something that most of the good Christians I hang out with don't do, some Christians consider it to be wrong, I've even heard the word "wicked" kicked around. It's something I've given some significant thought to in the past and decided I was OK with but I never thought I'd be in a position to do it. Now I am, or will be. And although some godly folks may not be comfortable with it, may even condemn in I'm going for it!
Yes folks on June 15th I, the Rev. AJ Thomas, will baptize an infant. In fact I'll be baptizing 2 infants, twin brothers. I'm actually pretty excited. That's pretty much the only one (ceremonial type thing) I haven't done yet. As I always do in these situations I turn to my handy dandy "Wesleyan Pastor's Manual." That little book is invaluable. it lays out a nice little liturgy that draws attention to the fact that for Wesleyan's who choose infant baptism it's about a statement of faith in God's preveniant grace and, like dedication, a commitment of the parents to raise them to embrace what their baptism signifies. Anyway, I know where to stand, what to say, how to say it. I know know everything but how to wet the Babies. This is a big deal and if I mess this up I'll feel like an idiot so please give me some advice.
-Should I sprinkle (if so how, just drops off my fingers) pour (onto the theatre floor?) or anoint (I think i've seen a deal where you draw a cross with the water on the babies head.
-What do I keep the water in? We don't have a font so I'm thinking it's just going to be a bowl on the communion table. Maybe I'll try to find some sort of earthenware looking deal. I'm guessing the local anglican supply store would have something holy looking for about $250
Monday, June 02, 2008
Please Help Me Before I Do Something I'll Regret!
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12 comments:
My completely un-theological opinion? If you sprinkle them- it might shock them, and they might cry. I like the anointing. It seems more purposeful and less like you're just flinging water at their heads.
Both my 2 were christened and were both anointed. The minister here at our church anoints too. I think thats the way to go AJ.
PROPS 2 U!!!
I'm with Kelly & Jo on the Cross deal. The cross seems more intentional and holds more symbolism than sprinkling.
I say pour. And have someone hold a bowl near their head to catch the runoff.
I say actually baptize, it'll get you some publicity. and there's no such thing as bad publicity, or so they say
Actually Mat some branches of Catholicism and Eastern Orthodox do actually baptize (if by that you mean immersion) so I'm not sure it;s completely novel however I assume it's not a good choice if you are hoping to keep the baby calm and quiet.
Hey, I'm a Wesleyan pastor and my wife and I got both of our boys Baptised and the two pastor's who did the two Baptisms anointed them. I personally think that Baptizing an infant is just simply using a different term for dedicating him or her to God. Nothing stops that child from being Baptized by immersion when they choose to be as an adult later in life. I think you are right when you say that by Baptizing them (or even using the term dedicate) you are trusting in God's preveniant grace as you raise that child in the way they should go.
so as a child that was born catholic i love this deal :) I think that i would go with the way my priest did. Have the head in your hand and the feet at your ribs. Have a bowl and scoop with one hand and slowly pour water from the crown back and it will fall back into the bowl. I think this is a refreshing idea :) Really at this point we are having the parents committ to raising these children under God's law and entrusting them to Jesus. Eventually there is a decision for the child to make down the road. I totally agree with no sprinkling...that just may be cause for an angry baby lol
Gayla was infant-baptised by RT Benson in the Newington Wesleyan Church. I think the term 'sprinkle' is another way of saying "pouring, with less water". I'm not sure I've ever seen someone flick water at a kid and call it a 'sprinkle'.
I would hold the child in my left arm (I'm right-handed) with the head raised higher than the feet. (good for run-off) A wooden bowl and chalice would work quite well. If I didn't have that, I'd look for something that was made from very simple pottery. After you have pronounced the symbolism and declared the blessing of the Father, Son and Spirit, I would pour a steady stream of warm water from the child's head to their toes in essence 'covering' them. You will get wet and so will the floor.
Get it all on video for the family to have. Better still, post it on YouTube and your Blog for all of us to see how you did.
Tim
Tim - I've never seen a full on flick but I think I have heard of something that may be closer to dripping that pouring.
I love the technique you describe but we wouldn't be able to do it in our facility I don't think. For one the front of the "stage" has extension cords running all over it. I also wonder if the water wouldn't run up the kids nose. And finally I get pretty nervous about dropping a wet kid I'm only holding with one hand.
That said I'll probably opt for a fairly through wetting by hand of the kids head, something between dripping and pouring. If we were in a conducive space I would love to try a more full on pouring though.
Hey man. Just so you know you are filling in for me since I couldn't be there (LOL) I'm glad you are baptizing/dedicating/dunking/splashing or whatever you want to call it. Tell Ceri I said Hi.
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