DOCSLIB.ORG

Baby Dedication

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Baby Dedication DISCIPLINE OF THE BIBLE METHODIST CONNECTION OF CHURCHES Published by The General Conference 2014 3 TABLE OF CONTENTS Letter of Purpose .................................................................................................. 5 PART I – CONSTITUTIONAL LAW ................................................................ 7 Section I Introduction ................................................................................... 8 Section II Statement of Faith ........................................................................ 9 Section III Principles of Christian Living ................................................... 24 Section IV Special Directions ..................................................................... 31 Section V Membership and Leadership ...................................................... 43 Section VI Organization and Government .................................................. 47 Section VII Amending the Discipline ......................................................... 61 Section VIII Constitutional Glossary .......................................................... 62 PART II – STATUTORY LAW ........................................................................ 64 Section I – Organization of Official Bodies ................................................ 65 I. The Local Church ............................................................................. 65 II. The Regional Conference ................................................................ 80 III. The General Connection ................................................................ 99 IV. The Judiciary ............................................................................... 110 Section II – Forms .................................................................................... 113 I. Statistical Report ............................................................................ 113 II. Ministerial Responsibility Form ................................................... 118 III. Church Responsibility Form ........................................................ 119 IV. Lay Missionary Responsibility Form .......................................... 120 V. Ministerial Credentials .................................................................. 121 VI. Instruction Completion Certificates ............................................. 123 VII. Membership and Leadership Removal Certificates ................... 124 VIII. Certificates of Transfer ............................................................. 125 IX. Certificates of Recommendation / Withdrawal ........................... 126 X. Delegate Forms ............................................................................. 127 Section III – Rituals .................................................................................. 128 I. The Celebration of the Lord’s Supper ............................................ 128 II. Baptism ......................................................................................... 133 III. Child Dedication .......................................................................... 138 IV. Baby Blessing .............................................................................. 144 4 TABLE OF CONTENTS V. Wedding Ceremony ...................................................................... 146 VI. The Burial of the Dead ................................................................ 154 VII. The Ordination of Elders ............................................................ 158 VIII. Charge to Incoming Conference President ............................... 163 IX. Reception of a Newly Organized Church .................................... 165 X. Reception of Church Transferring into Regional Conference ...... 166 XI. Reception of Members ................................................................ 167 XII. Reception of Lay Leaders .......................................................... 169 XIII. Reception of Ministerial Leaders .............................................. 171 XIV. Service of Pastoral Installation ................................................. 173 XV. The Dedication of a Church ....................................................... 177 XVI. The Dedication of a Parsonage ................................................. 180 INDEX ............................................................................................................. 183 5 LETTER OF PURPOSE from the Discipline Revision Committee in the Year of Our Lord 2014 To the current membership and future generations of Bible Methodists: Greet- ings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The defining document of the Bible Methodist Connection of Churches, known as The Discipline, was first published in 1970. In the providence of God, the 11th General Conference of the Bible Methodist Connection of Churches, meeting in open session, determined that the Discipline required revision. To that end, the General Conference chose a committee to undertake the task of reviewing and revising the Discipline. Recognizing the enormity of our task and the dangers inherent in it, we, the Dis- cipline Revision Committee, approached this task with godly fear and trepida- tion. Yet, we also engaged this task with prayer, confidence in the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and a determination to revise the valuable work we inherited so that it meets the needs of The Bible Methodist Connection of Churches to organ- ize and function within the 21st century and to fulfill the Great Commission to make disciples (Matt. 28:18-20). Specifically, we sought to revise the Discipline so that it: • States clearly and concisely the doctrine of scriptural holiness and the principles of a holy and righteous lifestyle that are found in Holy Scrip- ture. To that end, statements on doctrine and lifestyle issues have foot- notes which cite the scriptural texts from which they were drawn. • Offers both vision and guidance for the growth of the Connection and the Church at large in the spirit and context of the Great Commission. • Encourages and supports evangelism, revival, and discipleship by all means that are available to the Bible Methodists. • Is easier to use, both for the ministry and for the laity. Specifically, we sought to improve the internal organization of the Discipline. Where deemed appropriate, we sought to rewrite those areas where the lan- guage was archaic, while preserving its original meaning and intent. • Supplies clear statements of the organizational philosophy and policies of the Connection. This includes a governmental framework and organ- ization for efficient, united action within the Bible Methodist Connec- tion of Churches for the spread of the Gospel. 6 LETTER OF PURPOSE • Defines clearly the concept of local autonomy as well as the rights and responsibilities of the local churches, the Regional Conferences, and the General Connection. • Has the organizational flexibility necessary to meet the immediate needs of the Connection as well as the needs of future generations, for as long as God permits us to remain. • Codifies government practices that have been supported by tradition but have not been recorded. • Outlines the qualifications and processes, as well as the rights and the responsibilities of membership, lay leadership, and ministerial leader- ship. • Provides rituals as ministerial resources that are appropriate to the Bi- ble Methodists and which are relevant and usable in the contexts of the 21st century. We recognize that a perfect Discipline is no substitute for the empowering, re- newing presence of the Holy Spirit in our midst. However, a poorly revised Dis- cipline could hinder God’s work for years to come. Therefore, we, the Bible Methodist Discipline Revision Committee, have endeavored to work with all due diligence to revise our Discipline so that it will support all aspects of the work of the Kingdom for the glory of God. For the very precious spirit of unity and common purpose that we have consist- ently experienced in this process, we give God glory and thanks. The Members of the Bible Methodist Discipline Revision Committee PART I CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 8 SECTION I INTRODUCTION I. Name 1. The name of this communion is The Bible Methodist Connection of Churches. II. Statement of Mission 2. The mission of The Bible Methodist Connection of Churches is to glorify God by spreading scriptural holiness around the world through loving God with all our hearts and our neighbor as ourselves, through evangelism and discipleship, and through exemplifying the pattern of holy living taught in the Scriptures. III. Preamble 3. In order that we may preserve and pass on to future generations the biblical doctrine and practice of Christian living transmitted to us as evangelicals in the Wesleyan-Arminian tradition, especially the doctrine and experience of entire sanctification; and to provide organizational structure through sound principles of church government; and to prepare the way for effective cooperation with other branches of the Church of Jesus Christ in advancing God’s kingdom, we, the ministers and lay leaders of The Bible Methodist Connection of Churches, meeting in official assemblies, do hereby ordain, adopt, and establish this Disci- pline as our governing document. IV. Constitutional and Statutory Law 4. The constitution defines the doctrine and foundational principles upon which The Bible Methodist Connection of Churches exists. Because these are our guid- ing principles, changes to the constitution require
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Child Dedication at Open Table Church at Open Table Church We
    Child Dedication at Open Table Church At Open Table Church we dedicate infants/children instead of baptizing them. For questions regarding dedication instead of infant baptism, please see the next section. Child Dedication 1. What is child dedication? a. It is: i. A memorial, a marker ii. A public declaration, vow iii. A means of blessing the child and setting them apart (dedicating/consecrating them) to the Lord iv. A means of blessing, encouraging and commissioning parents v. An opportunity to call the church community to fulfill its role in creating a safe and loving environment where children will come to know Jesus. vi. Cf. Ps 127:3, Prov 22:6, Deut 6:5-7, 1 Sam 1:27-18, Mark 10:13-16, Luke 2:22 b. It is not an ordinance—i.e. a ritual commanded by Jesus. Baptism and the Lord’s Supper (communion) are the only new covenant ordinances in Scripture. 2. Child dedication ceremony outline: a. Help parents and the church recognize that children belong first and foremost to God: The all-powerful God who created everything loves kids. Col 1:15-17 tells us that everything was created by Jesus and for Jesus. Every child was created by Jesus and for Jesus…so we come alongside these parents this morning as they dedicate, as they set apart their children to the Lord…as they say Lord, this child is yours and we want them to choose to live for you. b. Call parents to recognize their responsibility to raise their children in the ways of the Lord: Parents, do you commit to raise these children in the ways of the Lord Jesus, to love them well and to teach them in word and actions what it means to follow God? we do c.
    [Show full text]
  • The Foundational Principles and Policies of a Local Church Operations Manual
    LIBERTY BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY THE FOUNDATIONAL PRINCIPLES AND POLICIES OF A LOCAL CHURCH OPERATIONS MANUAL A Thesis Project Submitted to Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree DOCTOR OF MINISTRY By Daniel John Grabill Lynchburg, Virginia March, 1995 Copyright 1995 Daniel J. Grabill All Rights Reserved 111 LIBERTY BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY THESIS PROJECT APPROVAL SHEET GRADE MENTOR i / ! ~I~ (/ ~~/~READER lV ABSTRACT THE FOUNDATIONAL PRINCIPLES AND POLICIES OF A LOCAL CHURCH OPERATIONS MANUAL Daniel J. Grabill Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary, 1995 Mentor: Dr. Paul R. Fink The administration of a local church often so occupies a minister's time that less than appropriate time remains for study of the Word. An administration manual that would objectify and standardize procedures would help alleviate this problem. The purpose of this project was to design a manual that would answer the need for what to do but would go beyond that to provide a theological base for the procedures. A comprehensive survey of Grace Brethren Churches was conducted to ascertain what has been done and what needs remain. This project has incorporated the best insights and hopefully met the remaining needs. Abstract length: 100 words. v ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The author is deeply indebted to the many pastors and teachers who have influenced his life. One of those has been Dr. Paul F. Fink. One could not accomplish a project such as this without the support and encouragement of his family. For this support I am most grateful. A dear friend, Polly Lewis, has devoted many volunteer hours to typing this manuscript.
    [Show full text]
  • 1 What's the Difference Between Infant Baptism and Child Dedication?
    What’s the difference between infant baptism and child dedication? * Q’s from the pews Sunday, September 8, 2019 * Langford Community Church * Graham Gladstone The question that we have to look at this morning is an important one and one that Christians through the ages have answered it in very different ways. This is definitely one of those areas where people who genuinely love Jesus have differed on the details of following Him. Here’s the question – what’s the difference between infant baptism and child dedication? And why do we do child dedications? Great question and uniquely relevant to us. Many of us probably grew up in traditions where babies were baptised and yet now here we are at Langford where we dedicate children rather than baptising them. And some of you may be wondering – well, what exactly IS the difference? And IS there a difference? And what makes Langford lean one way and not the other? All great questions and I’m glad to be able to explore them with you today. To be honest, every time I talk to parents about dedications, I’ve had this conversation in my own head, so it’s nice to get it out into the open, so that it can be helpful for you too. So let’s dive in and start with the question ‘What’s the difference between infant baptism and child dedication?’ And just a brief terminology thing – what do you call medicine for children? Paediatrics. What do you call a doctor for children? Paediatrician. So what do you think paedobaptism might be? The baptism of children? Paedobaptism is just a fancy word for baby baptism; I’ll try to stick with infant baptism but just in case, that’s what that means.
    [Show full text]
  • Baby Dedication Preparation Packet
    BABY DEDICATION PREPARATION PACKET TABLE OF CONTENTS BABY DEDICATION 4 WHAT IS INFANT BAPTISM? 4 WHAT IS A BABY DEDICATION? 4 ARE BABY DEDICATIONS BIBLICAL? 5 WHAT HAPPENS DURING A BABY DEDICATION? 5 HOW DOES A PARENT SCHEDULE A BABY DEDICATION? 6 BABY DEDICATION CEREMONY 7 PRECEDENT OF PURPOSE OF DEDICATION 7 COVENANT OF PARENTS 7 THE ACT OF DEDICATION 8 APPLICATION TO ADULTS 8 PRESENTATION OF CERTIFICATE AND GIFTS 8 BABY DEDICATION INFORMATION FORM 9 ADOPTED JULY 31, 2019 BABY DEDICATION 2 Dear Friend: Your family is about to take one of the most important steps in your child’s life and we here at Bethel Church rejoice and celebrate with you. The materials enclosed in this packet will help you in preparation for this next step in your child’s spiritual journey. It is important that you to make full use of the information provided and jot down any questions you may wish to ask. This packet serves as a way for you to become acquainted with our theology about infant baptism and to provide some basic instructions about the baby dedication process. Please complete the "Baby Dedication Information Form” and return it to the Church Office. This provides us with information for a Dedication Certificate that we will mail to you. Please note dedications are not a sacrament of the church and may be done privately apart from the congregation on a Saturday afternoon or at other times in the family home. Parents may also schedule the dedication during the Sunday morning worship services. We look forward to hearing from you soon.
    [Show full text]
  • Child Dedication Brochure
    FAQs FAQs 1. How is a child dedication ceremony The church is God’s ordained organization different from baptism? The Bible teaches that intended to aid in spiritual formation (Ephesians belief in Jesus Christ for salvation always precedes 4:11-16). As a general rule of thumb, we would baptism (Acts 2:41, 8:12, 10:47-48). When Christ like to see you attend EBC for at least six months blessed the little children, He invited them to come before dedicating your child to the Lord in a public to Him, not to a baptismal service – in fact, there’s service. no mention of water anywhere in this passage. There is no doubt Jesus welcomes children. In 4. If I’m a single parent, can I have my child fact, He honors and loves children much more dedicated? Absolutely! This is a way for you to than we do, but there is a big difference between commit publicly to do all you can to raise your blessing and baptizing. child without the presence of a spouse. We do, however, encourage you to discuss child dedication At Edgewood, we do not practice infant baptism, with the other parent. We are committed to do all but instead, follow the clear teaching of Scripture we can to support single parents in helping to that baptism by immersion is only for born again provide a Christian foundation for your child. One believers (see the document, “Taking the Plunge” of our pastors would be happy to discuss this in Behold, children are a for more information).
    [Show full text]
  • ABSTRACT Evangelicals, Gay Persons, and Hospitality James
    ABSTRACT Evangelicals, Gay Persons, and Hospitality James Holmes Coston Faculty Supervisor: Kimlyn Bender, Ph.D. This project addressed how the evangelical Church can maintain biblical and theological integrity while showing intentional hospitality to gay persons. The qualitative research occurred in two phases. The first phase involved a survey of evangelical pastors ascertaining their church’s practices and attitudes toward welcoming gay persons into their churches. The second phase involved an intervention with a sample group of lay persons at First Baptist Church, Scottsdale, Arizona, to test a framework by which an evangelical Church might offer hospitality to gay persons. This included an initial assessment of their pre-existing attitudes, a course of study, individual interviews and a post-study assessment. Evangelicals, Gay Persons, and Hospitality A Culminating Project Report Submitted to the Faculty of George W. Truett Theological Seminary Baylor University In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Ministry By James Holmes Coston Waco, Texas May 2018 Copyright © 2018 by James Holmes Coston All Rights Reserved CONTENTS Index of Tables .................................................................................................................v Acknowledgements ......................................................................................................... vi CHAPTER ONE An Introduction to the Project ...............................................................................1 CHAPTER
    [Show full text]
  • Vanderwell, Howard. the Church of All Ages: Generations Worshiping Together
    Vanderwell, Howard. The Church of All Ages: Generations Worshiping Together. Herndon, Va.: Alban Institute, 2008. Van Soest, Bert E. “Admitting Children to the Lord’s Table upon Confession of Faith.” Reformed Review, vol. 4, no. 3 (Spring 1987): 206-13. Venema, Cornelis P. Children at the Lord’s Table? Assessing the Case for Paedo- communion. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Reformation Heritage Books, 2009. (See also several articles in The Outlook, 2005-2007.) _____. “A Response to the Coppes-Gallant Exchange Regarding Paedo Communion.” The Confessional Presbyterian 3 (2007): 235-42. _____. “A Further Reply to Tim Gallant on Paedocommunion,” The Confessional Presbyterian 3 (2007): 247-51. Weima, Jeffrey A. D. “Children at the Lord’s Supper and the Key Text of 1 Corinthians 11:17-34.” Calvin Theological Seminary Forum (Spring 2007): 7-8. Winzer, Matthew. “The True History of Paedo-Communion.” The Confessional Presbyterian, vol. 3 (2007): 27-36. Appendix D Infant Dedication and the Christian Reformed Church – Preliminary Report As a result of an overture from Classis Alberta North to Synod 2007, the question of whether and how to handle the practice of infant dedication in the Christian Reformed Church was assigned to the Faith Formation Com- mittee. Synod affirmed “the church’s commitment to the practice of covenant baptism,” noting that “the practice of infant dedication can never replace the beauty of the expression of God’s covenant of grace communicated in the sacrament of baptizing infants,” and that “the practice of baptizing infants is the normative practice prescribed by the Reformed confessions (Heidel- berg Catechism, Q&A 74; Belgic Confession, Art.
    [Show full text]
  • LBF Church Beliefs
    LBF Church Beliefs Life Bible Fellowship Church 2426 N. Euclid Ave. Upland, CA 91784 | (909) 981-4848 | www.lbf.church lifebiblefellowship lbfchurch 02/20 Table of Contents Mission & Vision .........................................................................................................................................4 Doctrinal Statement ...................................................................................................................................6 Church Leadership ..................................................................................................................................... 7 Baptism .........................................................................................................................................................8 Infant/Child Dedication .............................................................................................................................9 Divorce & Remarriage ............................................................................................................................. 10 Scripture and the Transgender Question ...........................................................................................14 Women in Church Leadership ...............................................................................................................17 The Work of the Holy Spirit Today ...................................................................................................... 22 Christians & Political Action ...................................................................................................................23
    [Show full text]
  • Baby Dedication Ceremony (Order of Service)
    Baby Dedication Ceremony (Order of Service) ministry-to-children.com/baby-dedication-service-some-ideas-for-the-ceremony Tony Kummer May 31, 2007 On mother’s day, our church had a Baby Dedication Service. Many churches dedicate infants and babies because of tradition rather than theology. We want our families to have a Christian vision for their children. We want them to see parenting as a divine responsibility. We believe every child is a gift from God. Baby Dedication Order of Service In most churches, the child dedication ceremony is a smaller event within the morning worship service lasting 10 minutes or less. In our church we often replaced the children’s sermon / ministry moment spot with the baby dedication. Here is our simple order of service: Presentation of the Child & Parents The pastor (or clergy officiating the ceremony) invites the families forward to the front of the church meeting. He then readers the parent and child’s name saying: “It is my great joy to introduce you to these newest members of our church family. (CHILD NAME) is the son of (PARENTS NAMES) and was born (WHEN AND WHERE). These parents have come today to pledge themselves before God and this congregation to raise this child in a way the honors the LORD.” Parental Affirmations The pastor then reads the following affirmations (printed in the bulletin for the congregation to read along). After each statement the parents will respond “WE DO.” Do you today recognize these children as the gifts of God and give heartfelt thanks for God’s blessing? Do you now dedicate
    [Show full text]
  • The Burning Bush
    The Burning Bush ISSN 0219-5984 January 2006 Volume 12 Number 1 Editorial .................................................................................................... 1 THREE HEAVEN AND EARTH MOVING STATEMENTS FROM GOD’S MOUTH SETTLE THE QUESTION WHETHER HIS WORDS ARE PRESERVED........................................ 4 Timothy Tow GOD’S PURITY OR MAN’S PERVERSITY—WHICH? ...................... 5 Denis Gibson THE BLASPHEMY AND DECEPTION OF THE DA VINCI CODE ........................................................................... 14 Jeffrey Khoo and Suan-Yew Quek IS THE PRACTICE OF CHILD DEDICATION BIBLICAL? .............. 25 Timothy Okman Ki MOSES, A FAITHFUL SERVANT OF THE LORD ............................. 34 Arthur E Steele FEBC 30th Graduation Service (May 8, 2005) ........................................ 44 FEBC’s Inaugural Conferment of the Doctor of Theology (ThD) Degree at her 30th Graduation Service, May 8, 2005 ............................. 48 Ordination of Tan Kian Sing................................................................... 52 FEBC-BCEA 2nd Bachelor of Ministry Graduation Service .................. 57 Class Notes ............................................................................................. 59 College News.......................................................................................... 61 THE BURNING BUSH Theological Journal of the FAR EASTERN BIBLE COLLEGE Edited for the Faculty Rev Timothy Tow, MDiv, STM, DD Rev Quek Suan Yew, BArch, BTh, MDiv, STM, ThD Principal, and Lecturer
    [Show full text]
  • READING the BIBLE with YOUR ELEMENTARY-AGED CHILD (This Is a Resource Provided by the Village Church in Dallas, Texas)
    1 2 Be sure to “like” and “follow” us on the new “Grace Church Next Gen” Facebook page for more ideas, updates, and resources! 3 4 5 The Milestone Wheel is designed to give parents a focused plan for the discipleship of their children and to hopefully prevent overwhelming and fearful reactions. While every doctrinal aspect will likely be touched on during every stage of development; we have focused on one aspect to highlight during those years to help parents intentionally focus their efforts in the discipleship of their children. Each age range will have a seminar for parents covering helpful practices and the motivation for teaching their children about this specific area at this specific age range and will be marked by a milestone celebration involving the Grace church community. The goal of this process is not to bring children to salvation (since only God can do that), but we do pray that many children will be saved during these years. Rather the goal is to help parents realize a goal of instilling in their children and modeling for them a healthy fear of the Lord. 6 As this is the first phase, time will be spent in helping parents understand that discipleship of their children is a life-long process and it begins now. This milestone level would involve educating parents in the Milestone Discipleship Process as well as focusing on the goal of this particular stage which is developing a familiarization and positive association with the terms “God”, “Jesus”, “church”, “Bible”, and “pray”. This familiarization occurs through frequent appropriate use of these words and simple celebrations corresponding to the use of the word.
    [Show full text]
  • [AJPS 6:2 (2003), Pp. 219-234] REASSESSING BELIEVER's
    [AJPS 6:2 (2003), pp. 219-234] REASSESSING BELIEVER’S BAPTISM IN PENTECOSTAL THEOLOGY AND PRACTICE Simon G. H. Tan I. Introducing the Agenda The ordinance of Water Baptism and the Lord’s Supper are the two external rites that are virtually observed by all churches. These ordinances originate from the instructions of Christ himself, but not from man nor from the church. Augustus H. Strong writes: By the ordinances, we mean those outward rites which Christ has appointed to be administered in his church as visible signs of the saving truth of the gospel. They are signs, in that they vividly express this truth.1 There are two distinct interpretations concerning the relationship between the ordinance of water baptism and the individual. The first interpretation emphasizes the importance of a faith response. This means that the individual must be able to give a believable profession of faith in Christ before he/she can be baptized. The other interpretation views the baptism simply as an expression of the reality of the grace of God in the life of the individual. Daniel Migliore of Princeton Theological Seminary writes: These two tendencies struggle with each other in the church and theology up to the present. The danger (of the objective reality view) is that it minimizes the importance of the response of faith and seems to disregard the freedom of the Spirit. Viewed purely objectively, the grace of God mediated by sacramental action is depersonalized and reified. The danger of the subjective view (that requires a faith response 1 A. H. Strong, Systematic Theology (Valley Forge, PA: Judson Press, 1979), p.
    [Show full text]