A Three Way Commitment
In any organization one belongs to, there are commitments that must be accepted if one wishes to belong. There are dues, required attendance and a hope for active involvement to help with the workings of the organization. Please note that in the following information we refer to children but baptism is open to anyone of any age.
When one desires their child to be involved in a organization’s activity (i.e. baseball, swimming, hockey etc.), the parents spend time and a great deal of effort ensuring that the child meets the requirements to remain in the activity or team organization.
Baptism can, in a sense, be seen as joining an organization -The Church of Jesus Christ. When you, the parents, desire that your child, whether infant or grown, be baptized, you are indicating that you see value in Christian faith, teaching and community life.
The faith community offers your child the rites to the Sacrament of Baptism but not full membership in the United Church of Canada. Your child, hopefully, will seek this out through the process of Confirmation later in their life.
In the Sacrament of Baptism you, the parent(s), are making claims regarding your faith experiences which you wish to share with your child in a worshipping community. You desire your child to learn about the Christian way to encourage them to grow both in faith and spiritually. With you seeking out the Sacrament of Baptism, it becomes a “Three Way Commitment.”
The Part of God
God has a part in baptism or it is not a sacrament. It is an invisible grace which makes baptism a sacrament. Through baptism we acknowledge God’s presence from the very beginning and throughout the child’s life. This recognition is one of thanksgiving and creates a deeper awareness of God’s presence in the mystery of this child’s life. Thus, baptism not only creates the awareness of God’s mystery, but invites us to participate in it as the child grows in the presence of God.
The Part of the Faith Community
The Faith Community, which is present during your child’s baptism, makes a commitment to the parent(s). It is for this reason that baptism should be celebrated in the presence of the worshipping faith community. It is only in exceptional circumstances that baptism should be administered outside the Sunday Worship experience.
The faith community gathers with you, to celebrate in the joy and the excitement of participating in the baptism. In the Baptismal service the congregation is asked to pledge their support and care by responding “We do, by the grace of God” in response to:
As a baptized and baptizing people, we commit ourselves to support and uphold ____ within the community of faith by; “receiving ________ into this faith community we promise to support, nurture, and to help in the Christian training of all children under our care. We also commit ourselves to be with them as they worship God, love and serve others in seeking justice and in resisting evil.”
This is to say, that the faith community [the congregation] has indicated to you their intention of responsibility and commitment themselves in the child’s faith development. The faith community also is committed to ensuring that there are teachers, a learning center and a Sunday School curriculum for your child. Some volunteers are not only parents but are also actively engaged in the life and ministry of the faith community.
As a faith community all are relied upon to make the community work. We hope that your faith will guide you to participate in the ministry and life of the congregation when a call is issued for help or leadership.
The Part of the Parents
In order for the Sacrament of Baptism to be meaningful and to encourage the mystery of God’s presence through it, the parents' active participation is necessary. Parents are asked four Faith Questions before the Baptismal Vows are asked:
Profession of Faith in God:
“Do you believe in God, who has created and is creating, who has come in Jesus, the Word made Flesh, to reconcile and make new, and who works in us and others by the Spirit?
Commitment to seek Justice and Resist Evil:
“Desiring freedom of new life in Christ, do you seek to resist evil, and to live in love and justice?
Commitment to follow the way of Christ:
Will you proclaim Jesus crucified and risen, in your words and actions?
Commitment to the Mission and Ministry of the Church:
“Will you join with the people in this faith community to celebrate God’s presence, to share in the life, work and ministry of Christ to others?
Baptismal Vows:
Baptism is an important step in your child’s faith journey.
Will you share your faith with _____ growing with them in faith, hope, and love?
And will you encourage them to take their place in the mission and ministry in Christ’s faith community when they are ready to do so?
As part of this Three Way Commitment, each parent must decide what these faith questions mean to them ‘AND HOW WILL YOU TAKE AN ACTIVE PART IN THE CHRISTIAN TRAINING OF YOUR CHILD(REN)? Discussion to explore this will transpire during the minister’s visit prior to Baptism.
As a faith community, we desire you to consider that, “IF YOU OR YOUR CHILD[REN] HAVE NO INTENTION OF HAVING AN AFFILIATION WITH THE FAITH COMMUNITY, THEN YOU SHOULD RECONSIDER YOUR REQUEST FOR BAPTIZING YOUR CHILD(REN). Baptism can never attain its full significance and meaning when any one of these Three Parties fail in their commitment to one another. We are assured that God will not fail us: we must take care that we make every attempt to do the same.
Further Questions Parents can reflect upon in helping you decide whether to baptize their child(ren).
Why is baptism important in your view that you desire this sacrament for your child(ren)?
If you do not already have an active relationship with the Faith Community, will you?
If not, why would you impose such a rite upon your child if you do not believe in or are unwilling to become active in the congregation’s life and ministry of Christ to support your child(ren)’s faith and spiritual development?
