Diana DavisIt’s time to celebrate! The ordinance of baptizing a brand new Christian is a most joyous occasion for a church. Small touches can make a baptism even more unforgettable. As a pastor’s wife, I’ve enjoyed seeing my husband Steve incorporate these baptismal traditions in our church. Can some of these fresh ideas work for your church?
Invitations: When people accept Jesus as their Savior at your church, give them printed invitations to the baptismal service for their friends and relatives. They will be excited to invite many friends – both Christian and lost – to attend. Leave blanks for them to fill in their name and date and time of baptism service.
Read her testimony: Ask each new Christian to write out a very brief, clear testimony about how God saved her. Steve used these three prompts: Before I was saved; how I was saved; now that I’m saved. After introducing the candidate, he would read the personal testimony from the baptistry. This serves as a public testimony and also explains to guests exactly how to be saved.
Ask friends to stand. Encourage friends and relatives of this new Christian to stand as he is baptized. This can be printed in the bulletin or announced during baptism.
A confirming question. “Jake, is it your testimony that you have asked Jesus Christ into your heart to be your Lord and Savior?” can be answered, “Yes, I have!”
All together now. If immediate family members are being baptized during the same service, another minister can join the pastor in the baptistry with them. Individually introduce, individually read testimonies, then baptize them at the same time.
Take a photograph from the side of the baptistry during the baptism. The photograph and laminated handwritten testimony can be mailed afterward.
Sunday morning baptism. Do you normally observe the baptism ordinance during evening worship? Consider celebrating it occasionally on Sunday morning. Most unsaved people attend during that service, and God can use those testimonies to touch lives.
A traditional song. Our tradition was to conclude each baptismal observance with the congregation joyously singing the chorus “Up From the Grave He Arose.” Choose a chorus that fits your church’s personality, and sing for joy to celebrate a baptism.
An annual montage. Create a cumulative montage with a video shot of each person baptized at your church that year. It should show celebration and joy, and could be used in conjunction with a sermon about how God changes lives.
I remember well that very happy day when I was baptized as a new believer. Do you?