Aldersgate Experience 1
Connecting Knowing Loving Growing
March 2014
Experience
Confirming a Reservation In today’s society we confirm a lot of things. We confirm reservations made with hotels or rental cars when we travel. We receive confirmation of tickets that we buy to sporting events, shows, or trips by plane. If you make plans in advance, it is smart to confirm those plans. If I make plans for lunch a week or two in advance, I will usually send an email out a day or two ahead saying, “Are we still on?”
But the child doesn’t speak on their own behalf. They do that later when they confirm these promises for themselves. When they do so they will say for themselves that they believe Jesus Christ is their Lord and Savior, and become a full professing member of the Church. In the United Methodist Church, we believe it is important to teach people why this is so crucial. That is why we have Confirmation classes every year.
In the Church we use the word “confirm” and “confirmation” a little differently. I have often talked about how my experience working at Camp Chestnut Ridge confirmed my calling to be a minister. (For more details about this, see this year’s Lenten Devotional book.) Confirmation usually takes place when youth reach 6th or But the Church may be the only place where we say that a 7th grade, although it is open to anyone through age 18. Adults who join the church by making a profession of faith person participates in something called “Confirmation.” will also spend time either in a class or in one-on-one The word confirmation is used the same as it is in society at instruction with the pastor before making a decision large. Literally, we are confirming the promises made at in front of the whole church. But for those youth it is our baptism. In essence, we are confirming a reservation. a crucial time for them to learn the foundations of the Parents, or those who speak on behalf of a child, make a Christian faith. For most of them it is a review because promise “to nurture the child in Christ’s holy church, that they have already begun the process of Christian formation by your teaching and example she may be guided to accept at an early age; but for everyone it is a time to take stock of God’s grace for herself, to profess her faith openly, and to what they have learned and what they truly believe. lead a Christian life.” Meanwhile, the church promises to nurture the child now before them in their care. And Confirmation classes will begin this year on Sunday, they say these words: “We will surround this person with a March 9. Those who decide to be confirmed will join the community of love and forgiveness, that she may grow in church on Pentecost Sunday, June 8. As a church this is her service to others. We will pray for her, that she may be an important time. We are raising up a new crop of people a true disciple who walks in the way that leads to life.” We who are deciding for themselves that they want to be are reserving her spot. No, it isn’t a spot that is exclusive, disciples. They are confirming the reservation their parents or can’t be made later; but that’s basically what we’re do- made for them long ago. I have often said it is one of ing. And I have always believed the sooner, the better. the most important things we do in the life of the church. I Why wait to receive God’s grace and begin your journey hope you will pray for this year’s confirmation class and continue to remember your promises to “surround them with the Church? with a community of love and forgiveness, so they may At baptism, parents are making a promise. The congrega- grow in their service to others. We will pray for them, that tion is making a promise. Even God is making a promise they may be true disciples who walk in the way that leads in baptism to pour out His grace, to love the child uncondi- to life.” tionally, and to adopt them into the body of Christ. Baptism is the rite of initiation into the church. These May the Peace of Christ be with you, Pastor Doug promises are important.