Hi all,
This is my first post on this forum, so it is a bit scary! I have felt very troubled over our current situation regarding Baptism. I give you some brief background to our situation. My husband and myself are Christians and have been for some time now and we have 3 beautiful children, a girl 8yrs, a boy 6yrs and a girl 3yrs. I grew up in the Catholic Church and am a Confirmed Catholic, and Confirmed in the Uniting Church. My husband became a Christian in his teens and was Baptised (sprinkled) and Confirmed in the UC. During the years, we became involved in the Church of Christ and we were encouraged to become members, but to do so we both had to get Baptised again by the full dunk. This didn't sit with us very well at the time, but eventually agreed. To this day we regret having a full immersion Baptism on the basis to become voting members of the Church. Currently we are worshipping members at our local Baptist Church, but we would call ourselves non-denominational Christians. Our older 2 Children have since been enrolled in our local Catholic School, M in year 3 and A in Kindy. They are very happy there and the environment is a very strong caring Christian Community. M, my eldest, has always been a very Spiritually aware child, and calls herself a Christian. She wanted to take part in the First Communion but couldn't because we haven't had her baptised only dedicated as what they do in the Baptist Church. M was considered too young to understand what Baptism was all about and could not get baptisted in the Baptist Church until she was an adult. We agonised over this dilemma and decided to get our children Baptised in the Catholic Church. That way, our family could be members of the many denominations that accept child baptism if we move,(although in the case of our daughter it was more of a believer's baptism)and in the future if our children desire adult or rebaptism they may do so if it is their choice. The Baptism Ceremony was beautiful and meant so much for us and our children. In fact, our children were still raving about how wonderful the Baptism was days after the event. It was very meaningful. Our assistant pastor came to support our family, but he said that didn't aggree with what we did - understandably so being part of the Baptist Church!! We have not told our Senior Pastor as yet, wondering whether it is better to not say anything. But since that comment from our assistant Pastor, I felt that we done the wrong thing. I have talked to God so much about this. But being from many different church situations, I am very passionate about unity and to us as Christians to know what binds us together is far more powerful than what can tear it apart. I feel that Satan is having a field day while I am feeling I've done the wrong thing. This is something we should be rejoicing about. I'd love to hear your thoughts, ideas, advise etc....
This is my first post on this forum, so it is a bit scary! I have felt very troubled over our current situation regarding Baptism. I give you some brief background to our situation. My husband and myself are Christians and have been for some time now and we have 3 beautiful children, a girl 8yrs, a boy 6yrs and a girl 3yrs. I grew up in the Catholic Church and am a Confirmed Catholic, and Confirmed in the Uniting Church. My husband became a Christian in his teens and was Baptised (sprinkled) and Confirmed in the UC. During the years, we became involved in the Church of Christ and we were encouraged to become members, but to do so we both had to get Baptised again by the full dunk. This didn't sit with us very well at the time, but eventually agreed. To this day we regret having a full immersion Baptism on the basis to become voting members of the Church. Currently we are worshipping members at our local Baptist Church, but we would call ourselves non-denominational Christians. Our older 2 Children have since been enrolled in our local Catholic School, M in year 3 and A in Kindy. They are very happy there and the environment is a very strong caring Christian Community. M, my eldest, has always been a very Spiritually aware child, and calls herself a Christian. She wanted to take part in the First Communion but couldn't because we haven't had her baptised only dedicated as what they do in the Baptist Church. M was considered too young to understand what Baptism was all about and could not get baptisted in the Baptist Church until she was an adult. We agonised over this dilemma and decided to get our children Baptised in the Catholic Church. That way, our family could be members of the many denominations that accept child baptism if we move,(although in the case of our daughter it was more of a believer's baptism)and in the future if our children desire adult or rebaptism they may do so if it is their choice. The Baptism Ceremony was beautiful and meant so much for us and our children. In fact, our children were still raving about how wonderful the Baptism was days after the event. It was very meaningful. Our assistant pastor came to support our family, but he said that didn't aggree with what we did - understandably so being part of the Baptist Church!! We have not told our Senior Pastor as yet, wondering whether it is better to not say anything. But since that comment from our assistant Pastor, I felt that we done the wrong thing. I have talked to God so much about this. But being from many different church situations, I am very passionate about unity and to us as Christians to know what binds us together is far more powerful than what can tear it apart. I feel that Satan is having a field day while I am feeling I've done the wrong thing. This is something we should be rejoicing about. I'd love to hear your thoughts, ideas, advise etc....
