What is Baptism?

In the United Methodist Church, we believe baptism is an act of God that makes us members of God's family and a baptized member of the local congregation.

Because we believe God acts on our behalf even while we are unable to respond, the United Methodist Church believes all members of your family can -- and should -- be baptized, including the youngest infants.

We believe that baptism makes you a member of our church family. We have "baptized members" including our smallest childen, and "professing members", who have come to the age of reason and taken upon themselves the obligations of church membership.

I was baptized in a different denomination. Does that count?

As United Methodist Christians, we believe we are part of Christ's universal church comprised of Christians of different denominations. When we baptize, we practice Christian baptism, not United Methodist baptism.

If you have been baptized in a Christian Church that baptizes "in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit", we recognize your baptism.

I would like to be baptized, or have my child baptized. What should I do?

Talk with the pastor. He will want to meet with you to discuss the nature of baptism and your readiness for it. The meeting will take around 20-30 minutes

When a decision about baptism is made, a time will then be scheduled for the baptism to take place during morning worship. Baptism is a congregational act, and all the members of the congregation are asked to make a pledge to support you or your child who is being baptized.

Baptism involves a commitment to the other people through whom God works, and it therefore is most appropriate for members of the congregation and those who intend to participate in the congregation.

Only in unusual or emergency circumstances will the pastor baptize at a time other than Sunday morning worship, and at those times will seek to have representatives of the congregation present.

Is there a fee for baptism?

Baptism is a sacrament of the church, and the pastor acts as pastor of the congregation when he baptizes. The pastor is paid a salary by the congregation in order to be available to you when you need it.

Please do not give the pastor a gift, payment, or honorarium when a baptism is performed. As a participant in the congregation, of course, it is important that your stewardship of the resources God has given you includes regular giving in support of the church.