To Baptize or Not to Baptize: A Practical Guide for Clergy

Building on a firm theological foundation of the gift and grace that is baptism, this book walks pastors through almost fifty case studies drawn from real life around the world, from the run-of-the-mill to the marginal, from the everyday cases to the God-forbid cases. Honing their skills of discernment in this way, pastors will return to their baptismal ministry with a renewed sense of vigor, commitment, and joy in the task of baptizing all the nations in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Case Studies included in this 1.0 Validity1.01 In the name of the Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier1.02 In the name of Jesus1.03 In a substance other than water1.04 Quantity of water1.05 Doesn’t know and can’t find out if ever baptized1.06 Layperson during emergency1.07 Layperson during non-emergency1.08 Self-administered1.09 Denominational double duty1.10 Apostate or immoral baptizer1.11 Convert from the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)1.12 Convert from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons)1.13 Convert from the Jehovah’s Witnesses1.14 Convert from Unitarian Universalism1.15 Convert from Oneness Pentecostalism1.16 Convert from the Church of Christ, Scientist1.17 Syncretistic baptism1.18 “The first time didn’t count”1.19 After “debaptism”1.20 Convert out of and back into Christianity 2.0 Integrity of Witness2.01 Inactive or unbelieving parents request baptism for their child2.02 Godparents uncatechized, indifferent, or unbelievers2.03 Private baptism2.04 Special-request baptizer2.05 Family pressure2.06 Baptism required for employment2.07 Instant baptism2.08 Stunt baptism2.09 Novelty baptism2.10 Virtual baptism2.11 Destination baptism2.12 Special water2.13 Renewal of baptismal vows 3.0 Safety and Permission3.01 Secret baptism3.02 Adult forbidden baptism by the state3.03 Suspected insincere request3.04 Adult forbidden baptism by parents or spouse3.05 Parents disagree over baptism of child3.06 Child forbidden baptism by parents3.07 Teen forbidden baptism by parents3.08 Caretaker other than parents requests baptism for child3.09 Refugee hoping to increase chances of asylum3.10 Jew seeking political protection3.11 Stillbirth, miscarriage, and at-risk pregnancy3.12 Intellectually disabled person3.13 Comatose or insentient person3.14 Household or tribal baptism3.15 Acute medical risk from human contact3.16 Epidemic conditions