The Baptismal Covenant: A Proclamation of Grace and Faith
 
The Baptismal Covenant reflects God’s word to us, declaring our adoption through grace, and our word to God, affirming our response of faith and love. Those who are part of this covenant form the community we know as the church. As such, services of the Baptismal Covenant are held during the public worship of the congregation where the individual will hold membership, except in extraordinary circumstances. These services are most appropriately positioned in the worship order as a response following the reading of Scripture and its exposition in the sermon.
 
Candidates for Baptism
Baptism is open to persons of all ages. Infants and others unable to make the vows themselves are presented by Parents, Sponsors, or Godparents. When candidates can speak for themselves, Sponsors may also participate in their support. Parents, Sponsors, and Godparents should be members of Christ’s holy church.
 
Those baptized as infants or young children, before they can take the vows for themselves, affirm their personal profession of faith in a service known as confirmation. For those able to take the vows at the time of their baptism, confirmation is not necessary, as they make their public profession of faith at the font.
 
The Unrepeatable Nature of Baptism: A United Methodist Understanding
In the United Methodist tradition, baptism is a sacred and unrepeatable act because it is God's initiative, not ours. It is a sign of God's grace freely given, a covenant that declares God's steadfast love and faithfulness. Through baptism, we are incorporated into Christ's holy church, initiated into the body of Christ, and marked as belonging to God forever.
 
 
This understanding is grounded in Scripture, which teaches that baptism is a once-for-all event. As Paul writes in Ephesians 4:5, "There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism." In Romans 6:3-4, Paul explains that through baptism we are united with Christ in his death and resurrection. This profound union with Christ is permanent and does not require repetition, for God's grace and promise do not fail, even when we falter.
 
United Methodists reject the idea of rebaptism, emphasizing that the efficacy of baptism is not dependent on the worthiness or understanding of the recipient but on the reliability of God's promise. While humans may struggle with faithfulness, God remains steadfast, and the gift of grace given in baptism endures.
 
Instead of rebaptism, the United Methodist Church offers opportunities for baptized individuals to reaffirm their baptismal covenant. Through services of reaffirmation, individuals are invited to renew their commitment to Christ and remember the grace that has been at work in their lives since their baptism. This practice honors the original act of baptism while allowing individuals to respond anew to God's call in their lives.
 
This belief also reflects the inclusivity of God’s covenant. Baptism is not dependent on age, understanding, or human merit; it is a gift of God’s grace extended to all, regardless of their stage in life. For this reason, the United Methodist Church baptizes infants as well as older children and adults, trusting that God's grace is at work from the beginning of life and throughout our faith journey.
 
Thus, the unrepeatable nature of baptism in the United Methodist tradition is a testimony to the trustworthiness of God’s promise, the sufficiency of Christ’s work, and the ongoing presence of the Holy Spirit in the life of every baptized believer.
 
Parents, Sponsors, and Godparents are required to meet with the Pastor before a baptism date can be scheduled. Please complete the Baptism Registration Form to register the individual for baptism. Additionally, we encourage Parents, Sponsors, and Godparents to watch the informational video below prior to your appointment.