Baptism

I've been thinking about baptism a lot recently. Who is it for? What does it do? These sort of things.

While doing my co-ordinated field assessment, I read "Through the Waters" by David Hamilton. I learnt a lot from it (and maybe should re-read it) and it helped greatly with getting my head around the sacraments, even though it focused on baptism.

Now, I have a reasonably 'high' attitude towards the sacraments. I feel they are an important part of the Christan life and maybe aren't used enough, especially communion which, in most churches, happens just 4 times a year. But, in most churches, communion is open to all who are baptised and "love the Lord" (I know that isn't the universal case, as there are some churches where a person can only have communion if they are a member). So, if all can come to the Lord's table and participate in communion, why can't that be the case with baptism?

My rational for baptism (especially for infants) is it is a sign and symbol of God's grace in the world and love for that child. No matter what they do in their lives, even if they reject Christianity, that symbol will always be with them, as God is. If God loves everyone and God wants everyone to know and have a relationship with him, who am I to stand in the way of that?

Now, in infant baptism, it is the parent(s) who take the vows to bring up the child in the Christian faith. But if they seem sincere who am I to stand in the way of welcoming this child into the Christian family? Jesus wanted the children to come to him so the parents of a child brought for baptism can be as much children of God as the baby itself. They may fail in keeping their vows (who of us doesn't mess this up?), they may see baptism as an excuse for a party, but should I judge them; should I stand in the way and prevent God's grace from being freely extended? I don't think I should.

This, I know, is something I need to work on. On one hand, I believe vows taken in front of God should be done in all sincerity and humility. Otherwise, just don't bother. Yet, God's grace transcends these things. God's grace can seek in and get through when least expected. If baptism is a symbol and sign of God's grace, then let the children come, I think.

From the suitcase?

"Can you unpack that, please?"

No, not a box or a suitcase, but a comment, an idea.

Sorry, but when did we start unpacking ideas? Do we neatly put them in cardboard boxes to be brought out when needed? What happened to "could you expand on that?" or "could you explain that, please".

Unpack? Only once I'm back from a trip away, if it's all the same with you, thanks.

Talking or listening?

I can't believe how quickly my first placement is passing. In many ways, it seems only yesterday I began. In others,it feels I've been there for years.

Only yesterday I managed to talk o a couple of ladies I haven't talked to before. I've seen them at church and said hello, but haven't talked really. And it was great - to hear their stories, to share their thoughts, to walk a tiny wee bit of this journey with them. And they seemed to really appreciate me taking the time to talk to them (well, actually, to listen to them). It's not a hardship, I enjoyed this. n these circumstances, it's something I'm good at. Don't know how or where I picked up this skill, or should I call it a gift from God? Of course I should, as that's what it is.

So, it strikes me that a lot of the minister's role is listening to people. Be it chatting over coffee after the service, a quick word on the way out the door, visiting a parishioner in hospital or preparing a funeral, it's all about listening to people's stories. Hearing what's said (and, is often the case) what's not said. It's taking the time to care and share in their lives. Wow - that's an amazingly brilliant, yet daunting prospect. And what a privilege to be allowed into people's lives. To be able to walk with them, in their happiness and pain, as Jesus would walk with them. I am his ears and legs and he needs me to do this walking for him.

God cries

Matthew 18:15 is praying on my mind - “If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offence. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back.".


Isn't that so much easier said than done. It's easier to brood over a hurt, letting resentment build up and relationships break down. It's easier to say it "like water off a ducks back", when really it hurts. It's easier to assume the rational for another doing something and not giving them the right to reply or put things right.

And then relationships are broken rather than healed. People are not restored to one another. God cries as he sees his people suffer when he's told us the way. Have the balls to say to someone "I didn't like the way you said that." or "you really hurt me when you said...". Yes, it takes more balls to deal with the situation as Jesus taught than to keep hurt and pain and resentment to oneself. And God cries.

Church for all or some?

I was talking to a friend the other day about inclusiveness. Apparently there are churches where their focus is on the LGBT community (maybe I live in the wrong place, but is it?!) and we started talking about if you focus on one group, that stops being inclusive.

For me, inclusiveness is that. For all. No one singled out, whether for age, gender, sexual orientation, race, background (need I go on?) etc. It is about building up a community of people who are brought together to worship God and serve him. A group of people who are united in Christ. Everything else fades away.

Now, that is not easy. I appreciate that. I'm not even sure exactly how I'd achieve this, though I think trying to talk to a broad range of people as part of my ministry (in and out of placement and uni) helps. They get to see God values them through me being with them and listening to their hurts, laughter, joy and pain (well, I hope they do).

Yet, I look at many churches and what do I see? A group of people from the same backgrounds, with similar incomes, opinions, educational levels etc. I look at them and think if I was a seeker, someone looking for God (in the shed, definitely in the shed) and that was the church closest to me, but I did not fit into that social world, would I go? Probably not. But I have my own transport and can pick and choose where I worship. That is not an option for many. Then the church fails in its duty to welcome all and be the body of Christ.

Somehow, given this has been something which has bugged me as long as I can remember, I think this is something which will form part of my ministry. I pray for the gifts to make it a true reality.