Heart To Heart With The Senior Pastor 2

BAPTISM IS A LIFELONG COMMITMENT AND CONSECRATION

Praise the Lord, we have 13 infant/child baptisms, 3 baptisms, 2 confirmations and 10 transfers of membership today! We joyfully welcome all of you to our missional church. It is my hope that you will find this church to be your home as we journey together toward Christlikeness.

I want to extend a special thanks to the parents who have brought their children for infant or child baptism. As Presbyterians, we believe that this is one of the most precious gifts we can give to our children. However, it is important to remember that baptism is not just a one-time event; it is a lifelong commitment and consecration, dedicating our children to God's care and guidance throughout their lives.

By presenting their children for baptism, parents are making a commitment to consecrate them in the ways of God. The most effective way to raise our children as faithful servants of God is for us, as parents, to be faithful ourselves. However, I understand that life can be challenging, and we may sometimes struggle to uphold our commitment to God in our daily lives. For example, our work may consume so much of our time that we neglect our spiritual growth, or we may prioritize our children's education over their spiritual education in Sunday School.

It is crucial to recognize that when children see their parents' faith in action, it greatly impacts their own faith journey. If parents do not practice their faith consistently, their children may grow up feeling disconnected from the church and even blame their parents for baptizing them without their consent.

Therefore, I urge parents not to let this precious gift of baptism become a burden or a source of conflict within the family. Instead, let us strive to live out our faith authentically and intentionally, demonstrating to our children the love and grace of God in our daily lives. In doing so, we can ensure that the gift of baptism becomes a blessing and a foundation for their own faith journey.

As we celebrate these baptisms, confirmations, and transfers today, let us reaffirm our commitment to live out our faith wholeheartedly, both for our own spiritual growth and as a testament to the next generation. May our actions reflect the love of Christ as we continue to grow together in faith and community.

In Missional Spirit,

Pastor Forest