First Step (Baptism) Class

Children can’t be baptized until they meet with me or one of the Children's Ministry leaders.

That’s been my rule for the last 10-15 years. Occasionally I would have a child come up to be baptized that neither I nor any other Children’s Ministry Staff person or Volunteer knew. We knew nothing about the child’s Spiritual Journey or temperature and asking “why do you want to be baptized today” would yield the most… interesting responses. None of them all that satisfactory.

Why is this so important to me that each child attend the First Step class or meet with one of the Children’s Ministry Staff members? Because if I didn’t have this rule, about 15-20% of the kids being baptized haven’t yet made conscious decisions to follow Christ. An even higher number of children that we didn’t prepare are getting baptized for the wrong reasons.

How do I know this? For the past 5-6 years, I’ve met with the majority of the kids getting baptized. As I’d meet with these children, 15-20% would make decisions to follow Christ while meeting with me. That alone is reason enough to require the meeting. I also ask every child why they want to be baptized. Easily 50% of children asked answer with one of the two answers:

• Because I want to go to heaven.
• Because I want Jesus to wash my sins away.

I don’t blame them. They’re kids. They can’t know if they haven’t been taught incorrect theology and for many of these kids, their parents don’t know enough to teach them correctly. For me, it’s very important that a child be a Christ Follower before getting baptized. J It’s also important for me that a child know that baptism isn’t their ticket into heaven or their “Holy Sin Bath” either. Not knowing the true meaning of baptism cheapens the experience. Everyone should know why they’re doing what they’re doing.

Sign up here to attend the First Step Class on June 14 at 11 am.

Inspired by Kenny Conley.