RELEVANT CHILDREN'S MINISTRY

It's important to have a clear process for children who want to be baptized.  Here is the process we follow.

Gospel is shared during weekend kids' service.
We consistently share the Gospel during the weekend services.

Kids who indicate they want to begin a relationship with Jesus are identified.
We ask them to raise their hands during a time of prayer.

Kids who raise their hand are invited to attend a one-session class with their parents. 
When their parents come to pick them up, we pull them aside and have a conversation with the child and his or her parents about the class.

Parents can sign up their child for the class. 

Parents attend the class with their child. 
No drop-offs. We believe it is vital that the parents be involved.

The Gospel and the meaning of baptism is clearly shared during the class. 

Parents are given the tools they need to lead their child to Christ. 

Follow-up conversation with parent and child to see if child has made a decision and is ready or not.

Parents can sign-up their child for an upcoming baptism opportunity. 

Child can be baptized at one of the following times:

• during weekend service in main auditorium
• at our Family Baptism Celebration which is held after a service
• at one of our beach baptisms

Baptism certificate is given to family after the baptism

What is your process for kids being baptized? 

Share your thoughts and ideas in the comment section below.

Do you want to make a big spiritual impact on families?  Try this.

Host a family baptism celebration.  When a child steps across the line of faith and is ready to be baptized, invite the family to a baptism celebration.

Here's some ideas from one we just hosted.  We do these once a quarter after the service.  We've had great reports on the impact it's making in kids' and parents' lives.  Here's a flow and some pictures for ideas.

Encourage families to invite their extended family and friends to come celebrate with them.  Provide them with invitations they can use to invite people.  You can also use this as a time of outreach and encourage them to invite unchurched friends, neighbors, and classmates to come watch their baptism.

Decorate.  Have a table for each family with a name placard, balloons, and cake.


Take some time to celebrate with music, singing, etc.















Invite parents to speak a blessing/prayer over their child.













Share the Gospel and the meaning of baptism.  We put John 3:16 on the cakes as a bridge to share the Gospel.  Many times we will see parents or other families members follow Christ in baptism as well.












Present each child with their baptism certificate. 

Move to the baptistry area.  When each child is baptized, have their family come up and surround the baptistry to show their support.

Close with prayer.