Confirmation Conversation # 2

Confirmation Class # 2 – Beginning to think about baptism

Last week I wrote a little about what it means to be a Christian. I didn’t, of course, say everything about being Christian, but gave you all a chance, I hope, to think about what it might mean to you to be a Christian. This week I want to write a little about baptism.

All of you, the ones I know, have been baptised, and some of you only in very recent times: what a great celebration that was. Baptism is sometimes described as the gateway into the Christian church, but, it does, have deeper meanings than that as well.  Baptism is the means by which we are united with Jesus Christ in his death and resurrection, and our sins forgiven.

The last statement about sin is a difficult one for many people. Many people do not like to think as themselves as sinners. Being a sinner sounds like something incredibly negative to them, or, at the least, should describe people who murder or steal and things like that. However, we understand sin to be that which separates us from God. The bible tells a picture story to illustrate this, and it is a story that we all know fairly well (The Book of Genesis chapter 3: first book in the bible).

Adam and Eve were in the garden made by God and they were happy and had everything they needed. Coaxed by the serpent, Eve encourages Adam to taste of the one fruit, forbidden by God, from the tree of life. They ate the fruit and then their eyes were open and they saw who they were and how they differed from God: they fell from perfection. After this they were banished from the perfect garden.

The world we live in is not perfect, and neither are we. We are all capable – and I do mean all, myself included – of doing nasty and spiteful things, treating people badly, gossiping, and other less than perfect things. This is part of our sinful nature with which we are born with. Something we all share in: the Adam and Eve that is in us. Like Adam and Eve we turn away from God and do not believe God or trust God. The Christian message is that we cannot place ourselves back in the Garden of Eden, but God in Jesus restores us to a right relationship with God by forgiving our sins through the death of Jesus. At the end of time we will be back in the garden (a place of perfection), but it will be a new one, so says The Book of Revelation chapters 21 & 22 (the last book in the bible: not a bad book, but a bit hard to understand!)

At our baptism we were asked four questions;

Do you turn to Christ?

Do you repent (meaning turning away from) of your sins?

Do reject selfish living, and all that is false and unjust?

Do renounce Satan and all evil?

We, or our godparents, on our behalf, answered ‘I do’ and then we were baptised (washed) in water to symbolize the ‘cleansing from sin that Jesus’ death makes possible’. Having been cleansed from our sin we become new ‘Adams and Eves’. The catch though, is that we still live in non-perfect world, and so we still sin from time to time. Having been baptised though, all we need do now is ask for forgiveness in prayer, turn away from our sin again, and ask God to strengthen us to do better (but more on that later).

Now, that is quite a bit to think about this week. We will have a chat about all this after the 9.30am service on 13 May. This week, May 6, we will chat about last week’s post, ‘Being a Christian’. Until then, please post a thought or a question.

Chris

Confrimation Conversation # 1

Hi all. Confirmation class begins again for 2013

Here begins a blog series for our confirmation candidates, people to be received into the Anglican Church, and general readers. It is incredibly hard to get everyone at the same place, at the same time on the same day for classes. So, I thought we will use the blog and catch up with the whole group a couple of times at church, and other places, over the next few months. There will also be a chance to catch up after the 9.30am service to have a chat about the blog. What I also hope is that some of my regular readers will join in the conversation and share their thoughts and wisdom.

Conversation # 1 What does it mean to be a christian? Over the next few weeks we will explore together issues around church, being a member of the Anglican church, baptism (confirmation), bible, worship, sacraments, and other christian issues as well. Where I want to start today is with what it means to be a christian. For many years we thought being a christian meant belonging, to say, a christian family or going to church occasionally or living in a christian country or being a good person with good habits. However, none of those things are what I think it means to be a christian. Quite simply, a christian is a follower of Jesus. A christian is someone who seeks to take the teachings of Jesus seriously and trys to live in world with a sense of justice, mercy and kindness. We also take, not only the teachings of Jesus seriously, but his life as well. What I mean by that is that we see his death as redeeming (big word: meaning,that by his death - Good Friday - our sins are forgiven: more on that in week or two. We also see his resurrection (rising from the dead - Easter) as bringing new life, hope and the gift of eternal life. As christians we like to celebrate these things with others who value these things as well (the church).

I grew up in a family where my mother was a practicing Anglican Christian. My mother took my sister and me to church regularly. However, it didn't really mean much until I was about 17, and then I became a christian: I took it seriously. Ironically, that was in another church denomination. After a few years I went back to the Anglican church and was confirmed at 21. That was about 28 years ago, and, to be honest, I am still learning about what it means to be a follower of Jesus. Being a follower of Jesus does not mean knowing everything about the christian faith, nor is it about being perfect. It is about following Jesus as we are and for who we are. So, as you thinking about confirmation, think about what being a christian means to you. Some questions: How would you describe a christian person? What is important for you about Jesus?

P.S. Leave a comment on the blog or send me an email about what you think. Also, just to remind you,we will be having a chat about these things after the 9.30am service next Sunday.

connecTing with a New Year

Last night connecT starting back after a summer break. We explored the theme connecTing (a pun, yes) with a New Year. Most of us make New Year's resolutions of some sort. The top 10 for 2013 are the usual we all make: lose weight, do more exercise, spend more time with family & friends etc. All good in themselves. However, using Colossians 3: 1- 17 as the basis, we gave some thought to how we might shape our resolutions by the insights of St. Paul. In Colossians 3 there is a great list of positive things to put on. Each year I give this text some thought, and each year, garment by garment, I try to put on some of Paul's suggestions. I'm still going! What resolutions are for you in Colossians 3 list? Chris