By our baptism we were buried with Christ and shared in His death, in order that just as Christ was raised from death by the glorious power of the Father, so also we might live a new life.
Romans 6:4 (TEV)
Upcoming Baptism Celebration DatesClick on the dates below for pictures of previous Baptism Celebrations!
November 18, 2007
April 20, 2008
August 17, 2008
November 23, 2008
April 19, 2009
4:30pm Orientation for All Being Baptized
Middle School Students Through Adults: Community Room
Elementary-aged Children: Playhouse
5:30pm Potluck, Worship Center
6:30pm Baptism Service, Worship Center
FAQS
What is baptism?
Baptism is a God-given way to publicly declare our dependence on Christ alone for our salvation. It’s not a way to become saved, but rather a beautiful symbol of the salvation we already have.
Who should get baptized?
Christians. After a person begins a relationship with Jesus Christ, whether they’re old or young, they’re ready to follow Christ in baptism. This is the only prerequisite!
Why should I get baptized?
To follow Christ’s example (Matthew 3:13-17)
To obey Christ’s command (Matthew 28:18-20)
To publicly tell others about your faith in Jesus and desire to follow Him (Acts 16:16-34)
To renounce your past and announce your hope of new life in Christ (Romans 6:1-11; Galatians 2:20)
How are baptisms performed at Christ Community?
At Christ Community we follow the practice of baptism by immersion. That means the whole person is placed into a body of water and immersed from head to toe. The word “baptize” literally means “to immerse, dip or plunge”. When a Christian is immersed and comes out of the water, it represents their being united with Christ in His burial and His resurrection, and absorbed into new life in Him. (Romans 6:1-4)
When and where are baptisms performed at Christ Community?
Baptism Celebration Services are conducted three times a year on a Sunday evening and are usually held in the Christ Community worship center. Specific dates for 2007-2008 are listed above. Look out for announcements in the worship folder or the church website for reminders in advance. An hour before the Baptism Celebration Service, the pastors meet with people being baptized for a brief Orientation. They’ll explain the meaning of baptism, answer any questions you might have, talk about telling your story, and show you how you’ll be baptized. It’s important that you arrive on time, and bring with you the person you wish to baptize you, if you have one. Otherwise, one of the pastors will be on hand to baptize you. We also encourage you to invite your friends and relatives to celebrate your baptism with you. There will be a potluck meal to kick things off, so plan on this, inviting your friends and relatives to join you.
Can a family be baptized together?
Yes! If each family member has personally placed his/her trust in Christ for salvation, we encourage families to be baptized at the same time. If you're not sure a child is ready for baptism, click HERE for a helpful tool to engage with them on this topic.
What about being baptized again?
We recommend that you be baptized again if you haven’t been baptized since you became a believer, or were baptized simply to fulfill a church requirement without understanding what baptism means for you personally. It doesn’t devalue a prior experience, but simply reflects your desire to celebrate your new life in Christ.
Will I have to say anything?
Before you’re baptized in the service, one of the pastors will introduce you and everyone else being baptized. As a part of this introduction we’ll give you the option to tell a bit of your story -- how you came to know Christ personally and made this decision to be baptized. You don’t have to say a lot or appear polished. It’s your story, so be yourself and be authentic. You’ll be given some helpful hints about telling your story at the Orientation immediately before the service.
Who will baptize me?
While there will be Christ Community pastors on-hand to baptize you, we invite you to ask a person who has been a part of your spiritual journey to baptize you (the person who brought you to Christ, a small group leader or mentor, a close spiritual friend, parent, spouse, etc.). Be sure to have them come with you to the Orientation before the service.
I’d like to get baptized. What do I do now?
Simply come to the Orientation and bring a completed Baptism Information Form with you. It’s a part of the baptism brochure and can also be filled out below our this web page. And if you forget, we’ll have copies available for you to fill out at the Orientation.
What should I bring?*
· Bathing suit and t-shirt, or a t-shirt and long pants or shorts. We encourage women to wear a bathing suit, or shorts and a dark top.
· Aqua socks or something for your feet to keep you from slipping (if desired).
· Towel.
· Plastic bag or something similar to take home your wet clothes.
· Hairbrush/comb and hair dryer (if desired).
· Change of clothes.
* The person baptizing you should bring these things as well.
What if I still have questions?
No problem! Feel free to wrestle with them and process them with a leader at Christ Community. We also have a more detailed brochure on baptism we can make available if you contact the church office. Pastors Bruce Hoppe or Stacey Campbell are available to answer any specific questions you might have.
If you'd like to do a little more reading about baptism, CLICK HERE to view the handout that we present and walk people through at the Baptism Orientation. Also ... on November 17-18, 2007, in preparation for our first Baptism Celebration Service, Pastor Alan Kraft delivered a message, "Uncovering Baptism". You may CLICK HERE to listen to this message online, or you may order a CD from The Vine's Bookstore in the north lobby.
How do I sign up?
Just fill out the form below, click "Submit," and then come to the Orientation immediately proceeding the next Baptism Celebration.
Name
Address
City/State/Zip
Primary Phone No.
Email
Birth Date (month/day/year)
Parent name(s) (if under 18)
Have you been baptized previously? Yes No If yes, please explain:
Briefly explain why you want to be baptized:
If you were to die tonight and God asked, "Why should I let you into heaven?" what would you tell Him?
Please describe how you became a Christian:
Is there a specific person you would like to baptize you: Yes No
If no, one of Christ Community's pastor will baptize you.
If yes, please complete the following and make sure they come to the Orientation with you:
Their name
Their relationship to you
Thank you!