Ann and Jim were just...
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Ann and Jim were just ordinary parents who recently were blessed with the gift of a little son. Ann`s family never went to church and were not involved in any type of denomination. Jim`s family had slight roots in the church that stemmed from his grandfather. In the eyes of many it was time to present their son to the church in the fashion of baptism. They made an appointment with the pastor. They followed through and discussed with him their intentions. The pastor shared with them all of the surrounding
ommitments that they were in fact making along with the congregation. The pastor did his best to help the couple realize all that was being said and done in this sacrament and this presentation to God. The pastor further explained to them that a tradition of the church was to have one member of the congregation be a sponsor of them as parents and the child.
The day of the baptism and the time of presenting their child to God came. Ann and Jim were nervous but made a decision that they would follow through to the best of their convictions the commitment surrounding the sacrament. They would be in worship and follow through with nurturing their child in the faith. Jean was the sponsor chosen by Ann and Jim to stand with them. She felt nudged by God`s Spirit that she could have much to do with this child as he grew. There was something more than could be seen.
ourteen years later, Jean stood as sponsor for this child to become a member of the church. Twenty-two years later, Jean sat in the front pew at annual conference to share in the ordination of a new United Methodist pastor.
Reprinted from "Emphasis, Volume 23, Number 4, 1993.
- Rodney E. Smith
ommitments that they were in fact making along with the congregation. The pastor did his best to help the couple realize all that was being said and done in this sacrament and this presentation to God. The pastor further explained to them that a tradition of the church was to have one member of the congregation be a sponsor of them as parents and the child.
The day of the baptism and the time of presenting their child to God came. Ann and Jim were nervous but made a decision that they would follow through to the best of their convictions the commitment surrounding the sacrament. They would be in worship and follow through with nurturing their child in the faith. Jean was the sponsor chosen by Ann and Jim to stand with them. She felt nudged by God`s Spirit that she could have much to do with this child as he grew. There was something more than could be seen.
ourteen years later, Jean stood as sponsor for this child to become a member of the church. Twenty-two years later, Jean sat in the front pew at annual conference to share in the ordination of a new United Methodist pastor.
Reprinted from "Emphasis, Volume 23, Number 4, 1993.
- Rodney E. Smith
