We Methodist Christians practice and encourage baptism of infants and young children. At baptism we are born in a very particular way into the family of God. We are incorporated into God’s promise of love and forgiveness and acceptance, now and forever in heaven, through Jesus Christ.
Confirmation classes are offered each year for both those young people who are ready to take personal responsibility for the vows made on their behalf at their baptism and also for those young people who have not yet been baptized.
In general, young people who are at least 12 years old, are invited to participate in confirmation classes. However, age is not as important as the readiness of each person.
Following completion of classes on 12 specific topics, confirmands come forward in a Sunday worship service, usually during the Easter season.
All of the confirmands take the vows of a professing member:
- To renounce the spiritual forces of wickedness, reject the evil powers of the world, and repent of their sin;
- To accept the freedom and power God gives them to resist evil, injustice, and oppression;
- To confess Jesus Christ as Savior, put their whole trust in his grace, and promise to serve him as their Lord;
- To remain faithful members of Christ’s holy church and serve as Christ’s representatives in the world;
- To be loyal to Christ through Methodist Church and do all in their power to strengthen its ministries;
- To faithfully participate in its ministries by their prayers, their presence, their gifts, their service, and their witness;
- To receive and profess the Christian faith as contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments.
We baptize the young people who were not baptized previously.
Then, together with the congregation, we “remember” our baptisms”. (We are not so much “remembering” the details of something we may or may not have been old enough to recall, as we are giving thanks for the gift of being born in a very particular way into the family of God.)
Each confirmand then kneels and the pastor lays hands on her/his head. The pastor speaks words that are nearly identical to those said during the laying on of hands following baptism, “The Holy Spirit work within you that having been born through water and the Spirit, you may live as a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ.”
At this time the confirmands are welcomed as full members of the congregation promising to faithfully participate in our ministries through their prayers, their presence, their gifts, their service, and their witness.
What about adults who have not been baptized?
The Lord is ready and waiting for you right now!! Contact the church office or talk with the pastor so we can make plans for your baptism right away.
What about adults who have not been confirmed?
The pastor periodically offers classes for those who would like to know more about our faith and about what it means to be a Methodist Christian. Please call the church office for more information.
