Baptisms

Baptism is a commitment to follow Jesus, and to be a part of His Church. In the baptism service we make promises, we baptise with water in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and we welcome the person being baptised into the Church family. Anybody who wants to make a commitment to follow Jesus can be baptised at any age. Where children are too young to make the promises themselves, promises can be made by their parents on their behalf, and then confirmed by the child themselves when they are older. 

Baptism Promises

Baptism promises are a central part of the Church of England Baptism service. Promises are made by the congregation and by parents and godparents before the candidates make their statement of faith (through parents and godparents if they are too young to do so themselves). These promises are made publicly and before God, so it’s important that everybody making these promises understands the commitment they are making before they make it. This document aims to help aid that understanding. 

What If We Can’t Make These Promises?

If you’re a parent or godparent and feel that you are not able to make these commitments, please do speak up, as it is important that the promises are made with integrity. If one parent feels able to make the promises but the other does not, then it is OK for only one parent to make the promises. Both can still be involved in the service in other ways. Equally, if a prospective Godparent feels unable to make the promises, they could take on the role of a supporting friend instead. Supporting friends simply promise to do all they can to help and support the parents in the bringing up of the child. 

It is possible to offer a service of Thanksgiving for the Gift of a Child instead of a Baptism. A Thanksgiving does not involve promises, and parents and supporting friends instead simply state that they receive the child as a gift from God, and that they want to give thanks to God for His blessing. (And, optionally, supporting friends may promise to do all they can to help and support the parents in the bringing up of the child). A service of Thanksgiving is a great way to celebrate and give thanks for a child, without making a lifelong commitment to raise them in the community of the church, if you don’t intend to fulfil that commitment.

A Promise To Welcome and Uphold

The first promise is made by the congregation: 

Faith is the gift of God to his people.
In baptism the Lord is adding to our number those whom he is calling.
People of God, will you welcome these children/candidates
and uphold them in their new life in Christ?
With the help of God, we will.

This is a promise to welcome and uphold those being baptised in their new life in Christ. In order to do this of course, the congregation of the Church will need to see the child often, through regular Church attendance at services. If you don’t intend to bring the child being baptised to Church regularly please consider if it’s fair to ask the congregation to make this promise, and if a Thanksgiving service might be more appropriate.

A Promise To Draw Them By Your Example Into The Community Of Faith

The second promise is made by parents and godparents:

Parents and godparents, the Church receives these children with joy.
Today we are trusting God for their growth in faith.
Will you pray for them,
draw them by your example into the community of faith
and walk with them in the way of Christ?
With the help of God, we will.

This is a promise to pray for the child, to be an example to them of a member of the community of faith (i.e. the church), and to walk with them in their faith. If you’re not already a regular church attender and member of the church community, please consider if and how you will be able to fulfil this promise to draw the child by your example into the community of faith. If you’re not already praying for the child and sharing your own faith in Jesus with them, think about how and when you will do this. 

A Promise To Help Them Take Their Place In The Life And Worship Of The Church

The third promise is also made by parents and godparents:

In baptism these children begin their journey in faith.
You speak for them today.
Will you care for them,
and help them to take their place
within the life and worship of Christ’s Church?
With the help of God, we will.

This is a promise to care for the child (as you will have already been caring for them), and to help them take their place within the life and worship of the Church. That means bringing the child with you to Church regularly. This can be a big and costly commitment in a world where there are so many other competing commitments, demands on our time and activities (not least sporting activities). Please consider carefully whether you want to promise publicly before God to make the child’s involvement in the life and worship of the church your top priority. 

Questions?

If you have questions or would like to discuss any of this in more detail, please don’t hesitate to ask and we will be very happy to talk with you. 

Arranging a Thanksgiving or Baptism

If you would like to explore a Thanksgiving for the Gift of a Child, please email priest@fleetwood.church to book in a date.

If you would rather arrange a Baptism and are confident that you want to commit to these promises before the congregation and before God, please email priest@fleetwood.church to arrange the baptism. You will need to complete a form with details of the person being baptized, their parents, and any godparents. Parents and godparents making promises on behalf of a child must have been baptised themselves. 

Thanksgivings and Baptisms are normally conducted as part of our Sunday services at either St David's or St Peter's. There is no charge for these services.