Changes

When I was baptized at age 13 and joined the Yarrow (B.C.) MB Church, things were different than they are today. Let me mention a few of those differences.

I had to give my baptismal testimony, first to the church council and then to the whole church – in German.

The church members were invited to ask me questions regarding my faith.

I was baptized outdoors, in a place fondly called “The Jordan”.

I was baptized “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost” ending with a congregational “Amen”.

When I and the other candidates were accepted into the church, we knelt in front of the congregation and a prayer of blessing, ending with “May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it” (1 Thessalonians 5: 23–24) was spoken over us.

We were asked to promise to avoid a number of things considered a sin in those days; things like attending movies, smoking, drinking and mixed bathing.

The communion wine was served in a communal cup.

After the communion service, we greeted one another with “a holy kiss”.

There was no question as to becoming members at the same time as baptism. There was no question as to the mode of baptism, except in extreme cases of hardship; it was always by immersion.

Today we have different customs.

Testimonies are given to care groups and then to the whole church.

Very often, church members are asked to give words of encouragement and Scripture to the baptismal candidates.

An indoor baptismal tank is used.

The words of blessing at the baptism are not as formulaic.

The commitment that is invited is one to a life of discipleship, rather than an avoidance of certain activities.

Communion is served in different ways.

We greet each other with hugs, rather than kisses.

We are debating when “membership” begins and what forms of baptism are acceptable for membership.

Are the changes we’ve made to our baptism ritual important? Have we changed in the right direction?

I personally am happy with some of the changes that have come about in the last decades; not so happy with others. The sense of legalism is gone. That’s a good thing. There is an openness to accepting people who perhaps don’t have it all together spiritually. That also is good. However, let’s be careful that the changes we make contribute to the spiritual well-being of people who are being baptized and joining the church, as well as the well-being of people who have been part of the church for a longer time. Let’s make changes for the right reasons, not because of convenience.

This issue features a report on the recent study conference “Rite and Pilgrimage: Baptism and Church Membership”. Read what happened, and what people have to say about it.