Get wet for Schools
Â
Having been a youth pastor of a Baptist church for ten years I know only to well the power of baptism, and the rich symbolism it has. <p>
Well I want to encourage you to use this amazing resource sitting in your churches and connect with the local schools in your area. Many schools visit churches as part of their R.E. curriculum and if you offer your church as a place they can visit and add that you will fill the baptismal pool and do a mock baptism as part of the visit they will be interested. The first time we did this we were swamped with letters from the children afterwards thanking us for such a memorable day. Word then spread and other schools wanted to come providing we filled the baptistery. <P>
Sadly I have spoken to some ministers that say it is to much effort with everything else that is going on, but I can assure you that once you have done it and taken the barrage of questions that come after it you will see it as more than worth while. <P>
Stop and think about the symbolism of baptism, death and resurrection, being buried to your old life and rising to a new life in Christ, forgiveness and the gospel all of which you are asked to explain after the demonstration. Things that we are told we can not talk about in schools in the UK or think we can not because of what we read in the papers. <P>
If you want to make the trip a real success take as much of the responsibility for it as possible relieving the teachers of much planning, ask the school what it is they want to get from the trip and build those things into the tour of your church. Use the baptism demonstration near the end of the tour as this is what the children will remember and have some children friendly handouts for each child as this helps when they get back to school. <P>
You may want to offer squash and biscuits before they leave as this always goes down well. This really is an opportunity Baptists should be making the most of, it is what makes the denomination stand out so go on invite some schools, uncover your baptistery and get wet.
Â
