Integrity Spring 1988

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The young woman sitting across from me in the living room of her home looked angry and hurt. "What do you mean you're not going to baptize my baby?"

I wanted to say, "Look, I don't even know you. Only on rare occasions have you come to worship in all my years in this community. If you want your baby baptized, then show me some evidence of your Christian faith!" But I felt uncomfortable and awkward, so I kept things "pastoral."

"No, Linda," I said, "I will be glad to baptize Michael, but first I would like to ask you to come and worship with us for a while. Come and get involved; participate in some way in the life of the church. Then we can discuss the arrangements for baptism."

"Don't you think people can be good Christians without going to church?" Linda asked a bit defensively.

"That may be, but I don't feel I'm in a position to make a judgment on that. What I do need is evidence, signs of faith that show me you will fulfill the baptismal vows you would take. At the baptism you will be asked to confess your faith in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, live a life that is consistent with Christ's teachings, teach Michael the Bible, and demonstrate to him the importance of the private and public worship of God. You're making a commitment to raise Michael in such a way that someday he will make a decision for God and Christ, and thus confirm the baptismal vows you have taken."

Linda held 6-month-old Michael in her arms. The baby looked so sweet and innocent. Why are you being so hard nosed about this? I asked myself. Linda is upset, and you're looking like the bad guy. But another part of me said, Stick to your guns! You know what is right. Don't give in.

"Pastor, it's so hard for Jim and me to get going on Sunday mornings. ...

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