A letter from Roger and Matthew following discussions at the Church council on our policy on Baptism and Communion.

A Pastoral Letter from Roger Simpson & Matthew Porter

Baptism & Communion

at St Michael le Belfrey

                                                                 Easter Sunday 2009

Dear friends

As you know, we are a church that takes seriously the Great Commission of Jesus: ‘go and make disciples... baptising them... and teaching them... and surely I am with you always' (Matthew 28:18-20).

As we do this, we have seen over the years a steady stream of people giving their lives to Christ, which is great.  We must keep working and praying for more!  But on reflection we may not always have been so good at baptising them, and helping them grow into mature disciples.  These two things - baptism and discipleship - are things we want to pursue more intentionally in the coming months and years.

On the issue of baptism, our records show that many who have come to faith have not gone on to be baptised. We want to change this, because the bible is clear that we mark our love for Christ by being baptised (see Acts 2:38; Acts 8:36; Acts 10:47; Mark 16:16).  We hope, like us, you are anticipating many conversions in the future, which means we should be expecting a lot more baptisms!  These baptisms will include both adults who come to faith and children of believing parents.  In the light of this, we have begun to plan baptisms monthly at one or more of our services. 

In addition to The Service of Confirmation, last month the PCC (Church Council) approved us using the Common Worship liturgy called Affirmation of Baptismal Faith, which allows adults who were previously baptised as infants but accept Christ later, to affirm baptismal promises for themselves as they are sprinkled or immersed in water.   Bishop Martin is happy for us to do this and it will open up new possibilities for those who want to mark their new-found faith in this way.

Once we have come to Christ and are baptised, we don't keep getting baptised or confirmed, or having baptismal faith renewed.  These are one-off things.  We show our continuing love for Jesus through the worship of our lives, our participation in the life of the church, and our corporate worship, especially through sharing Communion.

Through sharing bread and wine at Communion, we identify together - as in baptism - in the death and resurrection of Jesus (1 Corinthians 11:23ff; Luke 22:14-20; John 6:53-54; Romans 6:3-11).  This is part of our Christian discipleship and is a wonderful thing.  So we would like to reiterate that all are welcome at Communion, whatever their age or church background.  As we do this, both children and adults need to develop a growing understanding of what Communion stands for and how it is the special meal of those who love and are following Jesus - of his baptised people. 

If you or your children are not baptised, we encourage you to do so and to take the opportunities coming up.  We know that some parents have taken the decision not to baptise their children and to let them decide later in life if this is what they want to do.  Whilst we understand and respect this position, we still want to encourage children with at least one believing parent to be baptised, symbolising your commitment to bring them up as followers of Jesus (Acts 16:15; Act 16:33) and their inclusion in the life of the church (Ephesians 6:1-3).  If you would like to talk this through with us, we would be very happy to do so with you.

Please continue to pray for St Michaels, as we pray for you, that we will continue to fulfil God's call upon us, welcoming all and proclaiming Jesus Christ.

Yours in Christ

Roger Simpson - Vicar
Matthew Porter - Associate Minister