What if the church took with utmost seriousness that baptism is the gift of a new identity taking a lifetime to grow into? And, what if that identity includes God's call to a way of life made visible in how Jesus lived his? This book is a response to these questions in relationship to the church's practice of baptizing children. This book's underlying premise is that how the church helps parents prepare for baptism is vital to how the whole family lives its baptismal identity throughout life, as well as to the renewal of churches themselves. In the last several decades, institutionalized Christianity has found itself renegotiating its relationship with a culture that often has churches on the defensive for practices that are little changed from an era now past and insufficient as a witness to life as Christ's disciple. This book urges a reconsideration of what churches offer parents seeking baptism for a child, offering a transformed vision of such a ministry as well as a practical guide for putting it in place in the life of churches. Pastors, educators, and leaders will find a pathway to follow that promises to be life changing for all involved. ""With pastoral wisdom and theological depth, David Batchelder shows us a new way to prepare parents for the baptism of their children, where wondering is a spiritual discipline, conversation replaces curriculum, and knowing comes through the body. Long on hospitality and rich in symbol and ritual, the process he describes promises to deepen the faith of all who take part and renew the church's sacramental and missional life. Thanks be to God "" --Kim Long, Associate Professor of Worship, Columbia Theological Seminary; Author of From This Day Forward: Rethinking the Christian Wedding ""Beyond rules, beyond doctrine, there is a way of living. Batchelder walks us into the vast baptismal landscape and we see its topography as if for the first time. Attending to parents seeking their children's baptism, he recovers a vision and presents practical guidance for beginning and sustaining the lifelong journey of baptism. Here is a renewed way of being church that involves us all."" --Jennifer L. Lord, Dorothy B. Vickery Professor of Homiletics and Liturgical Studies, Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary ""Batchelder is offering a great gift to the church. For years he has 'lived out' and 'thought out' the sacramental life with others and now offers to the church an invitation to return to the gifts and practices handed down to us by our ancestors. It's not just a book church leaders should read, it's a resource that can guide us all into a deeper life of faith and formation and should be kept in arm's reach."" --Chip Andrus, DMin, Pastor, South Salem Presbyterian Church, South Salem, NY David B. Batchelder, pastor of West Plano Presbyterian Church, Plano, Texas, is active in the renewal of worship in the Church with particular attention to its sacramental practice. In addition to numerous articles on all matters pertaining to worship, he is the author of All Through the Day, All Through the Year: Family Prayers & Celebrations.
