Preface to Baptism

THE PREFACE TO THE BAPTISM OF CHILDREN

The order of service for the Baptism of Children is preceded by a preface which is entitled "The Duties of Parents and Godparents". It reads:

"Children who are too young to profess the Christian faith are baptised on the understanding that they are brought up as Christians within the family of the Church.

"As they grow up, they need the help and encouragement of that family, so that they learn to be faithful in public worship and private prayer, to live by trust in God and come to confirmation.

"Parents and Godparents, the children whom you have brought for baptism depend chiefly on you for the help and encouragement they need."

And it concludes with the question, "Are you willing to give it to them by your prayers, by your example and by your teaching?".

To which the parents and godparents reply, loudly and clearly, "I am willing".

The preface makes three points. Firstly, it recognises your desire for your child to become a Christian. Secondly, it offers baptism on the understanding that your child will be brought up within the family of the Church. And thirdly, it emphasises the vital role of the church, the parents and the godparents in your child's Christian formation.

This morning I want to look briefly at these three points and to conclude with some practical suggestions.

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First of all. it recognises your desire for the child to become a Christian. Unlike the Baptist tradition which practices only 'believers baptism' because they maintain that a person must be capable of making a conscious decision, the Anglican tradition, in common with the Roman Catholic and Orthodox traditions, practices infant baptism, mindful that the child is unable to make a conscious decision.

There is no doubt, from a reading of the New Testament, that the early converts to Christianity were adults who made a conscious decision to become followers of Christ. However, it was a natural development that they should also have wished their children to be included in their decision and share in the life of the followers of Christ.

Like all good parents, you want what is best for your child and because you have valued your membership of the Christian church, you naturally want your child to have the opportunity of experiencing the life of that church, and so you have come here today seeking for Baptism, although they are not conscious of what is happening to them.

And this brings me to the second point, namely, that the Anglican Church offers Infant Baptism on the understanding that your child will be brought up within the family of the Church.

If you have no intention of bringing up your child within the life of the family of the Church, you have no right to be seeking Infant Baptism because you are cheating God and you are cheating your child.

You see, the mistake that so many people make is to think that Baptism automatically makes one a Christian. It does not. It merely opens up the possibility for a person to become a Christian by placing them in the right environment. Baptism is not the end but the beginning. The beginning of a process of Christian formation whereby your child becomes exposed to the worship, teaching and lifestyle of Christianity. Only then, can your child be in a position

to make a conscious decision whether or not they wish to be a Christian. This is called Confirmation, when they 'confirm' the intention you are expressing here today and they accept the full responsibility of being a follower of Christ.

Sometimes this happens early in life. Sometimes this happens later in life. It matters not. What does matter is that they are given the opportunity to make a voluntary decision. So often parents and schools try to force the pace of spiritual development and, as a result, young people often only make a half-hearted decision and quickly fall by the wayside.

I make this point because parents and godparents often feel disappointed and think they have failed if their child develops at a different pace from that of their contemporaries, or from that which they did themselves. It does not matter.

What does matter, however, is that you have done your best. And this brings me to the third point which the preface makes, namely the vital role of parents and godparents in that Christian formation process.

Whilst we can rely upon God to play his part in your child's Christian formation, can He rely upon you to play your part? After all, as I am always saying, he does not force himself upon us but rather chooses to work with us.

In particular, the preface suggests three ways whereby you can encourage your child; through your prayers, your example and your teaching.

The power of prayer cannot be over valued. I am reminded of Monica, the mother of St Augustine of Hippo, who used to pray every day for her wayward son. Finally he acknowledged the error of his ways and decided to become a Christian. Unfortunately she died before she could return with him to Carthage where he eventually became the Bishop and one of the greatest leaders in the early Christian Church.

Nor can the influence of example be over valued. After all, Christianity is not just taught but also caught. It is the example of ordinary men and women throughout the ages who have done extraordinary things that has encouraged so many people to take the claims of the Christian Gospel seriously and commit themselves to Christ. It was through the example of Mother Teresa of Calcutta that that arch sceptic, the late Malcolm Muggeridge, became a Roman Catholic, albeit late in life.

And of course teaching is equally important. Not to teach a child the basics of Christianity but to allow them to choose for themselves, is as dangerous as putting a sick child in front of a dangerous drug cabinet and allowing it to choose its own form of medication. It is essential that your child has some yardstick against which to judge the claims of other

religions and ideologies which they are likely to encounter in life.

So much for the "Duties of Parents and Godparents". But the Preface also refers to another group of people who have a vital role to play in the Christian formation of infants who are baptised. It stresses that "as they grow up they will need the help of that family within whose life they are brought up as Christians". In other words, the local manifestation of the Christian church has an important role to play "helping and encouraging" both those who are

baptised as infants, and those who are parents and godparents.

It is not enough just to say at the conclusion of the Baptismal Service that "We welcome you". That welcome needs to be demonstrated in attitude and action.

In conclusion, can I make a few practical comments about bringing up children within the family of the Church?

Firstly, bring your children to church, and do not just send them, else they will think that church-going is something children do but not adults.

Secondly, it is never too early to introduce your child to worship. True they may not understand all that is happening, no more than adults do who come Sunday by Sunday. They are still capable of experiencing a sense of belonging and being loved, in the same way as they know they belong and are loved by their parents at a very early age.

Thirdly, come in good time to allow your child to drink in the atmosphere. If you arrive late and panic you will convey this to your child and it will be a while before it settles down.

Fourthly, since the church has bare boards and not carpets as you do at home, ensure your child has slippers which will reduce the opportunities for noisy disturbances.

Fifthly, bring a cuddly toy which will not make a noise. They can always bring it up to the altar rail for a blessing when you come forward to receive communion, or a blessing if you are not yet Confirmed.

Sixthly, use "The Lord is Here" book which is available at the door of the church to assist your child in following the service. It is full of exciting coloured pictures about what is happening in the service.

Seventhly, sit on the Parish Room side. This will enable you to get up and go into the adjacent corridor, should your child become restless, without feeling embarrassed. If your child is going to worship and activity in the Parish Room, it enables you to remain with your child until it is settled down before returning to your seat without causing a disturbance.

Eighthly, and this is addressed to the congregation, if you see a parent trying to look after two or three children, why not offer to sit with them and help with one of the children?

Finally, don't give up. There will be some days when your child is co-operative, but there will be other days when they play up. Persevere.

Having made these practical comments, let us now listen to that Preface to the service of the Baptism of Infants which recognises your desire for your child to become a Christian; which offers baptism on the understanding that the child will be brought up within the family of the Church and which stresses the vital role, not only of parents and godparents, but also of the congregation, in the Christian formation of infants brought for baptism.