Need to Belong to Church for Christening?

[Anonymous]

Although DH & I were members of a Methodist church in our hometown, we haven't attended church since we moved to DC. Now that DS is here, we would like to have him christened. Does anyone know of a church that will be willing to do the christening even though we aren't members or is it considered rude to even ask? Prefer a Methodist church near upper NW.

[Anonymous]

I'm a member of a Methodist church in Fairfax, and we joined when we got my older son baptized (I had previously been raised Catholic, but didn't want to raise my son Catholic).

I think what you'll find is that different Christian denominations view baptisms differently, but for MOST of them, when you get your baby baptized, you are making a representation that you want to raise the child "with God" (for lack of a better word). So, if your plan is just to get the child baptized, and never go to church again, I think you'd meet some resistance from most Christian denominations. (Unitarians can be pretty flexible though). Each denomination (and even each individual church) can have their own idea about what standards are appropriate for them...

For example, I think Catholics have a more rigid idea of what baptism means... if I recall correctly, you are making a representation not only that you will raise the child "with God," but more specifically, that you are committed to the Catholic Church, and will raise him Catholic. So, I would think that most Catholic churches would want you to JOIN the church if they were going to baptize your child.

In my own experience, I found our Methodist church to be quite flexible on this subject (part of the attraction for me)... but still... I think from the church's point of view... baptizing a child means you are representing that you want to raise your child a certain way. I think they would find it odd (and possible offensive) if you wanted to just do the baptism, but nothing else. Presumably, you are baptizing him because YOU have certain ideas about how YOU (as parents) want to live.

So... for me, while I felt some mild pressure to join the church... it was no biggie for me. I had been to services there, and liked it... and so even though I wasn't a member... it made sense to me that they would ask me to join. The pastor made it clear to me that it wasn't required.

I don't know if that's helpful at all. In short, I don't think you have to be a member of a church to have your baby baptized. But I think there is a presumption that if you're getting your baby baptized, its because you want to find your way back to a church that you like.

[Anonymous]

I think you should ask yourself WHY you want to have your baby Christened. Is it because you believe in original sin? Is it to appease your more religious parents? Or is it becuase you want your child to have a more religious upbringing (e.g., Sunday school, etc.)?

I don't think there is any bad reason to Christen, but it may help you answer your own question. If you want to be part of a church community, my suggestion would be to wait on the baptism (for a few weeks at least), and go attend services at a few churches near your house. If you find one you like, then inquire about getting the baby Christened.

[Anonymous]

I would love to join a church, but feel so overwhelmed with new baby, that it doesn't seem practical at the present time. Does that sound totally odd?

[Anonymous]

No, it doesn't. I totally know what you mean.

When I met with the pastor from Fairfax United Methodist (about the baptism), he asked if I was interested in becoming a member. I paused, and he said, "You know, we'd like to have you, whenver you want to come. Even if its months and months between visits. We don't believe in making religion hard."

I was sold.