Summary of Contents:

• Baptisms
• Weddings
• Memorial Services

BAPTISM POLICY

FAITH COVENANT CHURCH

Faith Covenant Church, in agreement with the official stance of the Evangelical Covenant Denomination, practices and affirms both infant baptism / dedication and believers’ baptism.  In both cases, baptism is not recognized as a saving event, but rather a significant event in the spiritual life of either an individual or a family.

INFANT BAPTISM / DEDICATION

Second generation Christians baptized their infants as a sign that, as members of Christian families, these infants belonged to a Christian community.  Baptism was patterned after Old Testament circumcision – meant to be a sign that a child is a member of the community (see Colossians 2:11-12).

For those baptized as infants or young children, the ceremony looks forward in hope to the day when the child will choose to follow Christ.  This is a crucial point – each individual must personally decide to follow Jesus by saying “Yes!” to him.

Infant baptism / dedication means that the child’s parent(s) and the church community join together, promising to raise the child to receive Jesus as leader and forgiver.

When a family desires to have a child baptized or dedicated, the parent(s) are asked to commit to the following:

1. They will complete an infant baptism / dedication parent application*, which includes the personal faith statement of the parent(s), in writing.

*This application is due no later than two weeks prior to the baptism/dedication class.

1. They will attend a one hour class, at which time all parents currently desiring an infant baptism or dedication are present.  The purpose of the class is threefold:
1. to provide an opportunity for parents to meet each other, thus strengthening a sense of care and community,
2. to discuss the theology of baptism / dedication as well as the crucial role the family plays in the spiritual life of a child, and
3. to address logistics regarding the baptism / dedication service itself.

Often, a parent or family will be asked to meet separately with the Community Life Pastor, either before or after the class, to discuss any questions the parent or the pastor may have, including:

1. the family’s relationship to the Lord,
2. their commitment to regular church attendance / involvement, or
3. any questions they may have. 

Infant baptisms / dedications typically occur quarterly - in January, April, July, and October of each year.  Exceptions are occasionally made to accommodate special situations (i.e. family members who live in a different country).

If you would like further information on infant baptism/dedication, please contact the Community Life office at 952-890-0602. 

  Infant baptism/dedication parent application

BELIVERS’ BAPTISM BY IMMERSION

The earliest church baptized people who personally responded in faith to God by saying “Yes!” to Christ as leader and forgiver.  By definition, a believers’ baptism candidate is assumed to be at least a mature child, old enough to understand in a personal and meaningful way the commitment s/he is making to Christ.

For those baptized as believers, baptism looks back in faith to the moment when the believer decided once and for all to follow Christ.

If you would like further information on believers’ baptism, please contact the Community Life office at 952-890-0602.

  Belivers's Baptism Application Form

CHILD BAPTISM BY IMMERSION

Children grade 2 and older are eligible for believers’ baptism.  Children grades 2-5 desiring baptism are required to attend a class titled “Stepping Stones.”  This class is taught by members of our Children’s Ministry team and is designed as an age-appropriate opportunity for kids to learn about and discuss faith issues and to prepare for involvement in communion and believers’ baptism.  Topics covered include: communion, baptism, salvation, what it means to be a Christian, and how to talk to my friends about Jesus.  To inquire about Stepping Stones, contact Children’s Ministries at 952-890-3110 x16.

STUDENT / ADULT BAPTISM BY IMMERSION

Students (grades 6-12) and adults seeking to be baptized must complete an application for baptism, including a personal statement of faith, and also meet individually with a pastor. 

SPECIAL SITUATIONS

Individuals outside the Faith Covenant congregation (i.e. individuals who do not regularly attend Faith) who request baptism or dedications will only be accepted where there is a justifiable reason or when one of the following is agreed upon, after talking with a pastor: 

1. they make a commitment to attend hereafter, or
2. they have a natural connection with the congregation through family, or
3. they were married here and declare an active relationship with a church where they can fulfill the vow and be supported by a loving church community.

Records are kept of baptisms conducted at Faith Covenant.  When a family has made a commitment to attend but has become inactive, a request for baptism or dedication of the second child will be conditional upon them becoming active again in the congregation.  All participants in baptism or dedication who have not officially joined will be encouraged to make an official commitment.

bap policy 2.19.09