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BAPTISM POLICY

The New Testament teaches that Baptism is the act by which a person, having openly declared a trust in Jesus Christ and a desire to follow him, is joined to the Christian Family, the church. Baptism involves a personal allegiance to Jesus, a commitment to the life, fellowship and worship of the church and the gift of new life in Jesus.

The ministry of St. Andrew's Church is aimed at bringing people to faith in Jesus as adult believers. We therefore encourage those who come to faith (e.g. through the Alpha course, guest services etc.) to make their commitment to Jesus public in baptism. Baptism is normally administered at a public Sunday service when a large number of people are present, either in the traditional manner of sprinkling with water from the font, or by total immersion. This gives the congregation as a whole the opportunity to welcome new members and to remember their own profession of faith made to God in their baptism.

Adults who are baptized are also encouraged to be confirmed. Confirmation indicates not only that a person has made a commitment to Christ and received the Holy Spirit enabling them to proclaim that "Jesus is Lord", but also that they wish to be an active member of the Anglican Church and a part of the vibrant worldwide Anglican Communion. The Bishop who presides at Confirmation is a powerful reminder and representative of that wider fellowship.

The Church has also from early times baptized children who are not yet old enough to profess faith for themselves, on the grounds of the obvious faith of the parents and on the understanding that the child will receive a Christian upbringing within the family of Christ's church. Arrangements for baptism are therefore only made with those who are already regular and active members of the Church Family.

In line with Anglican tradition, parents and godparents who choose baptism for their children are required to have been baptized and ideally also confirmed or to be fully communicating members of their own Christian Church.

Thanksgiving for the Birth of a Child is offered to those who are either not yet ready for the baptism of their children or who wish to leave that option open until the child becomes an adult and makes their own decision to follow Jesus.

Those who wish to prepare for baptism should contact the Associate Minister in the first instance. Discussion of the spiritual issues and prayer for God's guidance are essential and will be necessary before any dates or practical arrangements are fixed.