BAPTISM

Lead Pastors are responsible for making sure all people registering for baptism have their registration/contact info sent to Mission Support. This happens automatically when an individual registers with the digital form linked from the CE website or CE weekly email or by using a CE Response Card in the service. Mission Support then provides Lead Pastors with a list of those registered for baptism, current CE baptism t-shirts (required), and sends those being baptized a PDF explaining baptism. Lead Pastors are asked to at least teach briefly on baptism and share the Gospel before the baptism event so that everyone being baptized has a clear understanding of the step they are taking. CE does baptism by immersion. The only anticipated exception is pouring (of water overhead) in the case of someone with a significant fear of drowning, someone with a health condition/back problem that requires them to avoid immersion, or similar situation.

Baptisms are welcome anytime but are required as baptism events at least twice a year in late spring and early fall. These baptism events will be promoted a month ahead of time through all CE communication channels and will occur in the same approximate week(s) at every CE location.

CE requests that only people who are 12 years old and older are baptized (we ask an 11-year-old and younger to be dedicated, see below). We believe a 12-year-old and older has a much better chance of retaining the baptism memory in a way that will help establish them spiritually in their young adult years and beyond. If a parent is insistent about baptizing a child under the age of 12, we do work with them, but do not allow them to be included in the church-wide baptism event (or displayed on video in the services) except in extremely rare circumstances. Allowing one child to be baptized at a younger age opens the door/encourages all other parents to take the same step. If a parent is insistent, a good alternative option is to baptize a child at a different time and place with only their family/close friends in attendance, though this is highly discouraged as they will likely promote it personally on social media. Most parents have happily obliged in combination with utilizing our Child Dedication Experience.

CHILD DEDICATION EXPERIENCE

Lead Pastors are responsible for making sure all people registering kids for our Child Dedication Experience have their registration/contact info sent to Mission Support. This happens automatically when an individual registers with the digital form on our CE website or by using a CE Response Card in the service. Mission Support then provides Lead Pastors with a list of those registered for our Child Dedication Experience, a laminated and personalized prayer/dedication certificate, and a Christian parenting book to give each dedicating family.

A simplified version of the Child Dedication Experience could be done almost anytime, but are required alongside our baptism events at least twice a year in the spring and the fall. These Child Dedication Experiences will be promoted a month ahead of time through all CE communication channels and will occur on the same approximate weeks at every location, although not necessarily the same day.