The Time Is Now: Preparing Candidates for Baptism and Confirmation in the United Methodist Church

By Gift Machinga

With this guide on baptism and confirmation in The United Methodist Church, Rev. Dr. Gift Machinga provides an essential resource for the church in Africa. The book is intended to motivate pastors to consider the ministry of education and to guide pastors and lay members in preparing their people for baptism and confirmation.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Discipleship Resources
• Release date: Sep 1, 2016
• ISBN: 9780881778311

Book preview

The Time Is Now

Preparing Candidates for Baptism and Confirmation in The United Methodist Church

Copyright © 2011 Discipleship Resources International. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the publisher except in brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews. For information, write Discipleship Resources International, 1908 Grand Avenue, Nashville, TN 37212.

Discipleship Resources International™ and design logos are trademarks owned by Discipleship Ministries® of The United Methodist Church. All rights reserved.

Unless otherwise noted, all scripture quotations are from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Scripture quotations marked NKJV are taken from The New King James Version / Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, Copyright © 1982. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Cover and interior design: Karin Wizer

Cover photo: Jeff Oliver:

Typesetting: PerfecType, Nashville, TN

ISBN 978-0-88177-867-0

Contents

Foreword

Introduction

Chapter 1: The Meaning and Significance of Baptism

Baptism as a Sacrament

Baptism as Entrance into the Church

Baptism as a Sign of Repentance

Baptism as Identification with Christ

Baptism and the Holy Spirit

Baptism as a Vocation

John Wesley and Baptism

The Question of Infant Baptism

Chapter 2: The Administration of Baptism

Officiating Officer

The Baptismal Mode

Baptismal Formula

The Use of Water in Baptism

Chapter 3: Confirmation: Its Historical Background

What Is Confirmation?

Its Biblical Roots

Church Fathers and Confirmation

Confirmation Among Non-Catholics

Chapter 4: The Meaning and Purpose of Confirmation

Full Professing Membership Status

Commitment to Service

The Gift of the Holy Spirit

Confirmation and Baptism

Chapter 5: Preparing Candidates for Baptism

Survey on Baptism

Training Curriculum for Baptism

Curriculum Overview

An Example of a Baptism Class

Chapter 6: Preparing Candidates for Confirmation

Training Curriculum

An Example of a Session on Confirmation

Proposal for Effective Instruction

Chapter 7: Processing Candidates for Baptism and Confirmation

Qualifications

Conclusion

Appendix A

Appendix B

Appendix C

Notes

Foreword

Few people are endowed with the ability to put their thoughts together for the benefit of others in a book. Rev. Dr. Gift Machinga has done just that. This guide on baptism and confirmation in The United Methodist Church fills a glaring lacuna in the literature related to our context here in Zimbabwe. There has been a constant call for helpful material in the area of Christian Education. Nothing can supersede material that is meant to form and shape church members as they get oriented into the mainstream of the church. Solid membership is formed as one is taught the meaning of baptism and responsibilities of a full church member. The guide will go a long way in aiding our clergy and laity as well as Sunday school teachers in the process of educating the whole church.

One unique aspect of this resource is the provision and guidance it gives to the pedagogical process for orienting those being inducted into full membership. The questions make a vital foray into the area of church polity and other segments. The section on questions that must be answered by the candidates will set a uniform standard of what should be expected.

It is my hope that we shall find this guide helpful as we minister together in our church. I commend this resource for use in the church at all levels.

Bishop Eben K. Nhiwatiwa

Resident Bishop

Zimbabwe Episcopal Area

Introduction

Baptism is one of the two sacraments observed in The United Methodist Church, while confirmation is a rite that is widely practiced and expected of every member of the church. Traditionally, the two were administered on the same day, with confirmation taking place soon after baptism. This has since changed. Separating baptism and confirmation has necessitated the need for training before one is confirmed. The United Methodist