In the interest of full disclosure, I can admit to some of my idols:

· wanting to be liked, succumbing to peer pressure

· not wanting to disappoint

· trying to keep everyone happy

That's only the beginning, of course. So what's on your list?

A preacher once said that, "All week long we’re cajoled and seduced to worship all the little mini-gods of our lives. Sunday mornings we come to remember the one true God." (from a recent “StillSpeaking”
Devotional)

I mentioned in the sermon January 13 the line from the early pages of Following the Path by Joan Chittister: Parents, friends, and institutions expend a great deal of effort in the attempt to recruit our lives on behalf of their interests. (p. 8) This is not (normally) a malicious recruitment, nor even
conscious, but as I’ve considered that remark together with the human tendency of creating and adoring ‘idols,’ do you see how naturally and easily even well-intentioned recruitment might in fact lead us to an ill-fitting commitment?

For youth, does this ‘recruitment-commitment’ bring to mind an act that, looking back, you still wonder why you did it? Or, for older people, maybe it brings to mind a time that parents or even spouse said, in amazement, “You did WHAT?!” Or, “You’re going to do WHAT?!”

We must be sure prayer undergirds any “recruitment-commitment” for leadership, tasks, jobs and ministries in the church. It is true that we must practice giving [of time, talents, energy] in order to realize the abundant life Jesus promises. But we must be sensitive to and aware of persons’ gifts, spirit and passions, so we go and grow in the areas God wants us to and has tooled us for.

There was a rumor going around, and it occasionally still gets people’s attention, that I am “no longer baptizing infants” or something to that extent. Of course that’s false. But let me tell you what I do: I do require a meeting with parents or responsible adult/s in advance of the week of baptism. (In fact, this meeting has even been held prior to the birth!!) We go through the baptismal service, item by item. The parents are given a worksheet with the statements they must affirm, and are challenged to consider their vows and their on-going growth as followers of Jesus Christ. One of the benefits of holding this meeting prior to the week-of is that the parents/ adults presenting this child for baptism have time to think and pray about what it is they are vowing to perform. Yes, it does occasionally happen that parents decide, after our meeting, and after giving it thought and prayer, that they are not ready to make such a commitment on behalf of their child.

Part of the baptismal service involves the congregation’s pledge, usually the one on page 44 of the UM Hymnal, that “we will so order our lives after the example of Christ, that this child, surrounded by steadfast love…” We believe that one of the most effective ways the Spirit of God works in the world and in lives is through other people. This liturgical statement affirms the weight of responsibility the Body of Christ has for one another; and we then become accountable for those who, for a long time or short time, are in our realm of influence. When I talk to parents I say that it makes me uncomfortable to expect the people of the church to lie!!
I am convinced that if the people say they “will so order their lives…” that it is in fact their intention to do so. Therefore, if this child is not coming back to church, until, say, senior graduation recognition, perhaps we should wait for baptism until the child is ready to affirm their own faith!

Baptism neither turns God loose to work in a person’s life; nor does not being baptized prevent God’s love from being showered upon and evidenced in a person’s life. Consider: If a person has no access to heaven, “being saved,” apart from baptism, then the baptizing institution & officials have more power than God!! That is not Biblical! The sacrament of baptism is not to be done nor received lightly. Some of my practices of preparation have changed as our culture exerts less influence encouraging parents to fulfill their vows.

If you have questions about 1st UMC-Tipton’s practice of baptism, talk to me. Thank you. Pastor Paul