Baptism questions
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I'm planning on being baptized and join my church within the next few weeks. I'm supposed to meet with my preacher next Sunday to discuss this and some other things with him, but I need help with a couple of things that I'm wondering about now.
Are you supposed to become a member of a church before you are baptized or can you be baptized first then become a member?
Second question, there isn't a baptismal at my church so we'll have to go to another church for the baptism. I would like to have a private baptism with just my immediate family present and as few other people as possible. But I'm torn about this because I think it will come off as offensive or rude if I don't want to members of the church to attend.
The reasons I want just my family present is because I want the kids in my family to be able to have a better understand on what's going on. I feel that if there are other people around then the children will get distracted easily. Also, my immediate family isn't very close therefore we don't all get together very often, so I would hope that we could find some closeness in this special occasion.
I've never been to a baptism so I don't know much about it. I know that my preacher is going to baptize a couple of people in a few weeks. But it's just going to be a baptism and nothing else, instead of having fellowship. But I would like to get together at the church before or after my baptism and have some fellowship and just enjoy the company of my WHOLE family present. How can I bring this last part up with my preacher though? Obviously the preacher, his wife and whoever else that needed to be there would be included in the fellowship. I just don't like the idea of just being baptized then leave.
I thought when I was baptized that WAS when I joined the church. Never thought about it before. I never signed papers or anything to 'become a member'. I was baptized in the church I am in now at age 35. It was just that after we got baptized, we started receiving things for members only like ballots to vote on deacons and church related issues. Until we were baptized we didn't get those things sent to us.
As far as the other stuff is concerned, we have a "Celebration Day" and have baptisms, communion and a fellowship lunch afterward or a cookout at the park. And we have our own baptismal.
I understand what you are saying about wanting it to be 'private' but the act of getting baptized is a 'public' acknowledgment of your faith, love for Christ, and belief that He is Lord and savior. It should be shared with your family as well as fellow believers who will be excited to see you join the FAMILY!
I think you should explain as much as you can to your kids then enjoy the time with them. You will not make them become Christians. All you can do is plant the seed in their hearts then begin to pray daily for them.
I don't know about where you will be baptized, but at our church at our baptisms, the pastor steps into the baptismal, says a little about the person, brings them into the baptismal, talks to them a little, then asks him/her about his faith. And with an affirmative answer the person holds his nose and is immersed in the water. Everyone in the congregation is quiet with all eyes on the pastor and the person being baptized. And when they come up from the water, everybody cheers and claps. It's wonderful to hear so many voices cheering you on.
This past Sunday the preacher gave an invitation at the end of church asking for those to come forward that wanted to join the church. For some reason I didn't come forward at that time, I just didn't feel like I was ready. I'm still trying to process a lot of things and get a better understanding on things. I want to become a member after I know that I can be there for other members and help out the church or community in some way. I know that I don't have to be a church member to do that, but that's just how I feel about it.
As for the joining process: the preacher asked the people a few questions in front of the congregation and then we had to raise our right hand if we accepted them to become members. Then there was another part that I don't know about. I think it has something to do with paperwork though.
Your best bet is to ask these questions of the preacher. Not knowing what denomination this is, I doubt we can help with the rules or procedures - if there are even standardized ones.
Every church is different. In RC church you become a member when you are baptized and then affirm that affiliation when you are confirmed. Membership in a specific parish is largely based on where you live. Same with the Episcopal church. Also in the Episcopal church you can be "recieved" into the church if you came from another christian denomination.
Good luck with all your decisions.
Ame
The denomination of my church is Freewill Baptist. I guess I will just wait and see what the preacher says, but it's bugging me now with making my decision on what to do.
I have grown up in a Baptist church and we generally have any baptisms as part of the normal church service with fellowship after the service. Many of the families of the baptized plan on going out to eat lunch afterwards with the pastor and his wife invited to join them and some of the other parishioners often eat with them.
Usually, becoming a member of the church is done right after the baptism but it isn't required. I'm not sure about having the baptism private since I've never seen that done. Congratulations and good luck!
Well in a Baptist church there are a few different ways to become a member. Someone you like you who is chosing Baptism, will become a member of the church by that "public" profession. However people like me who move often, I join a church "by letter or statement", simply I say, I am a believer and I would like to be a member of this church. That is what you likely saw.
As for having only friends and family, hmmm I understand why, but really it is a public show to the church. Yes your kids may get distracted, but that is where parenting comes in. However, some churches do things differently. You could simply just ask your pastor if you can be baptisted in a small setting. Some churches here do mass baptisms, sometimes they do individual ones. If it is just you being baptised, chances are there aren't going to be a whole bunch of people there. I guess the big thing to remember, this isn't about you  YOur kids will get out of it, what you tell them and teach them.
I'm Anglican but a baptism in my church is a public celebration of your commitment to the community and is an opportunity for the church community to welcome you. A private baptism would not be appropriate. However, it can't hurt to ask!
I talked to my pastor yesterday about my baptism. It is set up for July 8th. That's the earliest Sunday that I can do it... next weekend is Father's Day weekend, then the next week I'll probably be out of town and the next weekend July 1st is our family reunion.
It's not going to be a private baptism. In fact, I'm not the only one that's going to be baptized that day. I'm okay with this now, as I've realized that the church members are my family through Christ.
I'm also going to join the church within the next few weeks. But I haven't decided if I want to join the morning that I'm baptized or wait until the next week.
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