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Baptism away from home - 6/19/2008 11:23:39 AM
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stellaluna
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If you sent your kid off to church camp and your kid told you they wanted to be baptized there, what would you say? Would you ask them to wait until they got home? Would you have them baptized twice so that you could witness at least one?
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RE: Baptism away from home - 6/19/2008 11:29:02 AM
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manda59
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It might depend on the age of the child ............. but actually my concerns would be:
- that they might be doing it for the wrong reasons (eg emotional hype)
- that it might be a bit of a waste to do it without having the chance to invite unsaved
friends and family
I personally would suggest that it would be better all-round to be baptised at our home church.
But being baptised twice wouldn't enter into it at all - that sounds bizarre to me and is a non-starter.
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RE: Baptism away from home - 6/19/2008 11:31:12 AM
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Sideways
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quote:
ORIGINAL: stellaluna
If you sent your kid off to church camp and your kid told you they wanted to be baptized there, what would you say? Would you ask them to wait until they got home? Would you have them baptized twice so that you could witness at least one?
What's the point of being baptized twice? The second one is nothing but a photo op. My nieces were both baptized in the hospital (Lutherans do infant baptism), then again in a church with the fancy dress, candles and the whole raz ma taz. Seemed down right silly to me.
As far as wanting to be there, that's a tough one. I'd want to make sure the child understood what they were doing and why. It would be nice to be there, but I'd be hard pressed to tell a child not to get baptized if they really felt strongly led to do it.
One thing, a lot of times younger children will want to get baptized because everyone else is doing it, or because they think it will make their parents happy. So, maybe asking them to wait isn't a bad idea after all.
People, young and old, can get really caught up in the mass hysteria of things like revivals and camps and such. If they really understand and still want to do it in a week or so, then maybe they should wait to come home and talk to their home pastor.
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RE: Baptism away from home - 6/19/2008 11:34:17 AM
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stellaluna
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quote:
ORIGINAL: manda59
But being baptised twice wouldn't enter into it at all - that sounds bizarre to me and is a non-starter.
Your other reasons are exactly why I might consider a second baptism...does the child understand? Are they getting baptized because of everyone else? etc.
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RE: Baptism away from home - 6/19/2008 11:37:41 AM
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manda59
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quote:
ORIGINAL: stellaluna
Your other reasons are exactly why I might consider a second baptism...does the child understand? Are they getting baptized because of everyone else? etc.
If I had those concerns, I'd discourage them from getting baptised in the first place.
The only time I've heard of "second" baptisms is when the first one is infant baptism, and the second is believer's baptism, as an older teen or adult.
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RE: Baptism away from home - 6/19/2008 11:49:35 AM
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SweetLittleErin
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I personally (though my child isnt even BORN yet) would want my child baptized at home. After having an opportunity to talk to the child and make sure they actually understand what baptism is, and not just doing it because their friends are and it seems fun. I would also like the opportunity for family to be there. I think it is a sentimental occasion and being the gushy person I am, personally, would like to be surrounded by family and friends and in our home church. I wouldnt necessarily 'forbid' it, but I would like the opportunity to go to the camp where the child is, visit with him/her, and be present for the baptism. I would NOT appreciate a phone call "Hey mom, can I get baptized? All my friends are doing it."
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RE: Baptism away from home - 6/19/2008 11:52:27 AM
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doinkdom
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I would definitely want to be there...wherever that might be...to witness the baptism of my child, regardless of the form (sprinkle, submersion, squirtgun or firehose).
I consider it part of the family covenant and would want to bear witness to it.
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RE: Baptism away from home - 6/20/2008 11:07:52 AM
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Row1
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happened last yr.
teen stepdaughter was thrilled to do this.
no problems.
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RE: Baptism away from home - 6/20/2008 2:28:57 PM
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PatricksPeaches
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Personally, I think that if the heart of the child is doing it for the right reasons then the place or attendees shouldn't matter. It is between God and the child. Again, if the heart is right. I would definitely talk with the child first and make sure it isn't a "fly by the seat of your pants" thing. Just like salvation, it is between them and God. IMHO
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RE: Baptism away from home - 6/20/2008 2:40:21 PM
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manda59
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quote:
ORIGINAL: PatricksPeaches
Personally, I think that if the heart of the child is doing it for the right reasons then the place or attendees shouldn't matter.
Maybe we differ on what baptism means. To me a fair part of its meaning is that it's a public sign of an inward change - so to me it needs to be public, so that it can be a witness.
< Message edited by manda59 -- 6/20/2008 2:47:00 PM >
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RE: Baptism away from home - 6/20/2008 2:51:52 PM
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laura...
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At camp it is public.
I would never discourage my child from being baptized unless it was by a cult. If I sent my child to a Christian camp I would be quite sure that camp was teaching sound biblical doctrine. Then if my child called me from said camp asking if he/she could be baptized there, I would be absolutely thrilled. Yes, I would miss the opportunity to witness their baptism but IT'S NOT ABOUT ME. It's about their relationship with Jesus Christ and their responding in obedience to the command to be baptized. They may be my child but they are the Lord's child first and foremost.
< Message edited by laura... -- 6/20/2008 2:58:50 PM >
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RE: Baptism away from home - 6/20/2008 2:59:28 PM
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manda59
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quote:
ORIGINAL: laura...
At camp it is public.
I guess we have a different definition of 'public'. I don't regard a private group of people as 'public'.
We will have to agree to disagree on this one.
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"I love Manda's suggestion to just laugh most of it off.."
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RE: Baptism away from home - 6/20/2008 3:11:39 PM
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SweetLittleErin
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quote:
ORIGINAL: manda59
quote:
ORIGINAL: laura...
At camp it is public.
I guess we have a different definition of 'public'. I don't regard a private group of people as 'public'.
We will have to agree to disagree on this one.
I think I'm with you on this one Manda. I feel like it is a public confession to your peers, and I think that its something should be done somewhere like your home church, personally. I dont feel like I am saying exactly what I mean/want to say but yeah....I think Manda and I are on the same page.
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A Glimpse Of Pink
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RE: Baptism away from home - 6/20/2008 3:13:13 PM
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laura...
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quote:
ORIGINAL: manda59
quote:
ORIGINAL: laura...
At camp it is public.
I guess we have a different definition of 'public'. I don't regard a private group of people as 'public'.
We will have to agree to disagree on this one.
When Philip baptized the Ethiopian how public was it? (Acts 8) How about Paul's? (Acts 9) Or, how about the jailer and his family in Acts 16 who were baptized in the middle of the night in their home? The bible doesn't prescribe who or how many witnesses must be present for a baptism.
_____________________________
This is what the Lord says: “Stop at the crossroads and look around. Ask for the old, godly way, and walk in it. Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls. But you reply, ‘No, that’s not the road we want!’ Jer 6:16
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RE: Baptism away from home - 6/20/2008 3:15:07 PM
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laura...
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quote:
I think I'm with you on this one Manda. I feel like it is a public confession to your peers, and I think that its something should be done somewhere like your home church, personally. I dont feel like I am saying exactly what I mean/want to say but yeah....I think Manda and I are on the same page.
A child at church camp surrounded by other children from their church and other churches is certainly a public confession to their peers.
_____________________________
This is what the Lord says: “Stop at the crossroads and look around. Ask for the old, godly way, and walk in it. Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls. But you reply, ‘No, that’s not the road we want!’ Jer 6:16
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RE: Baptism away from home - 6/20/2008 3:16:24 PM
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laura...
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The Ethiopian said, "There's some water. Let's do it now." (my paraphrase)
_____________________________
This is what the Lord says: “Stop at the crossroads and look around. Ask for the old, godly way, and walk in it. Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls. But you reply, ‘No, that’s not the road we want!’ Jer 6:16
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RE: Baptism away from home - 6/20/2008 3:59:56 PM
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manda59
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quote:
ORIGINAL: laura...
A child at church camp surrounded by other children from their church and other churches is certainly a public confession to their peers.
If either of my two were away at church camp, they would be with about 10% of their peers.
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"I love Manda's suggestion to just laugh most of it off.."
Tinkerbell, September 2008
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RE: Baptism away from home - 6/20/2008 4:10:36 PM
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SweetLittleErin
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quote:
ORIGINAL: manda59
quote:
ORIGINAL: laura...
A child at church camp surrounded by other children from their church and other churches is certainly a public confession to their peers.
If either of my two were away at church camp, they would be with about 10% of their peers.
Thats the way it would be here, too. I never went to church camp and the kids in our church who do are not usually with people they know, unless its 1 or 2 of their friends. Usually kids they'll never see again. I just feel like Baptism is a personal thing, yet also a public thing. I think, its a confession of faith, and should be confessed to those you actually know. Since its not required for salvation, I dont think its THAT big of a deal, but thats personally how I see it. Its not like getting saved, do it as soon as your are ready because you never know what will happen. I know at my church the pastor will not baptize anyone without at least a couple of sessions with them to make sure they are earnest, especially children. I dont think there is enough time at a church camp to make sure they arent just following the crowd. I've known too many kids who get wrapped up in the "fun" of it and come away from VBS's and church camps not really having made the change that people think they did. Not saying all kids who get saved and baptized at church camp are that way, but I've seen it before, lots of times.
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~Erin~
Mommy to Isaac, born 7/29, 12 weeks early,
Mommy's Little Miracle Man
<----"Yay! I'm home!
A Glimpse Of Pink
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RE: Baptism away from home - 6/20/2008 4:30:48 PM
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PrincessDonna
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If one of my children were at camp and called home wanting to be baptized, I would make sure they understood what it means. I would also talk to the counselor and find out when it would occur, so that we and my parents could be there. The camp our church kids go to is an hour away and parents are welcome at evening worship services.
I would not want my kids to be baptized without me there.
< Message edited by PrincessDonna -- 6/20/2008 4:37:51 PM >
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RE: Baptism away from home - 6/20/2008 5:27:00 PM
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JimboFletch
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quote:
ORIGINAL: doinkdom
I would definitely want to be there...wherever that might be...to witness the baptism of my child, regardless of the form (sprinkle, submersion, squirtgun or firehose).
I consider it part of the family covenant and would want to bear witness to it.
I agree. I feel blessed to have the memory of the baptism of both my children, both now grown, married, and with their own children.
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RE: Baptism away from home - 6/20/2008 6:12:55 PM
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kohls356
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It wouldn't bother me if mine wanted to be baptised at the camp. I would want to be there if at all possible. I would think that a camp would notify the parents of the children who made decisions and wished to be baptised and give them the opportunity to be present at the baptisms.
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RE: Baptism away from home - 6/20/2008 9:31:37 PM
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DenimDiva
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The church I went to in Indiana sent the kids to summer camp. Some of the kids were baptized in the pool there, with parental consent. The baptisms were held at check out time, so many of the parents brought family members along with them when they picked up the kids.
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RE: Baptism away from home - 6/24/2008 9:21:21 PM
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warriors
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Our church camp dean calls the parents after he has talked to the child. The child then talks to the parents. It is up to the parents if the child is baptized at camp or at church. The baptism takes place at the end of the week when the parents can be there. None of my children wanted to be baptized at camp. But I have had friends kids who did. A few of have done it at camp; others have waited to do it at church.
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RE: Baptism away from home - 6/25/2008 11:51:15 AM
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DaveW
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I am 100% with Laura on this one. It is more about their own personal walk with the Lord and a camp setting is plenty public.
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RE: Baptism away from home - 6/25/2008 2:13:15 PM
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thisistheday
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I agree with those that would respect the child's wishes on this matter. It might be more meaningful for the parent for the baptism to take place at the home church. But if it would be more meaningful for the child to be baptized at camp I would allow that.
Dee
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