Parents and the church working together
Faithfully preparing a child to follow Christ in baptism is an important responsibility entrusted to Christian parents and the church. We believe parents are responsible for instructing their children and overseeing their spiritual development. The church is responsible for sustaining the ordinance of baptism and guarding it from abuse. That is why it is critical for the church and parents to work together in preparing children for baptism.
How do I know if my child is ready?
It is central to the baptism process that the child must be able to give a credible profession of faith. We have found that it is typically better for children under age 10 to wait on baptism. We believe there are children who are younger that could make a credible profession but who may not be ready for baptism. Please note this is a recommendation and not a mandate--we do not have an age requirement. We think that as a parent, you have the best insight into your child's spiritual life. We encourage you to work with your child and the church to determine when he or she is ready to be baptized.
What is the next step?
Our desire is to equip you as a parent to help shepherd your child through salvation and baptism. We ask that you listen to the following audio and thoughtfully talk through the following questions. It is our hope that these resources would be helpful tools for you as you lead your children in this area.
A Parent's Role in Shepherding Your Child Through Baptism & Salvation – Listen
| Download
A Parent's Role Discussion Questions – Download
Baptism Registration
If you feel your child is ready to begin the baptism process, click here to register. Registration involves setting up a time to record your child's video testimony. For their video, we will ask your child to share their testimony and profession of faith in Christ.
If you are interested in learning more about your video and how to prepare, see our baptism video page.