Invitations

Prepare printed invitations and e-mail invitations for baptismal services at your church, with blanks for adding the date, time, and name of the person being baptized. A new Christian most likely has an entire circle of friends and family who are still unbelievers. What a great time to reach out to them!

Stand Up, Friends
Make a baptismal service even more personal by asking friends and relatives of the new Christian to stand during the baptism. This request may be verbally stated during the baptism or printe din the program. An alternate suggestion: Before baptizing a new Christian, ask everyone present who has taught, shared a witness, or prayed for him or her to stand during the baptism. This could include acquaintances in Bible study, Sunday school teachers, discipleship leaders, choir leaders, friends, and relatives.

A Meaningful Memento
Create a computer-generated baptismal certificate, inserting a digital photo of the baptism. Add the new Christian’s name, date of baptism, and church information. It may be signed by the pastor, a staff member, deacon, or baptismal committee chairperson. Present the certificate, along with the laminated testimony, as a reminder of this significant occasion.

Audiovisual
One slide of the pre-service audiovisual could announce, “Jake Matheus will be baptized today!” During the baptism display the name of the baptismal candidate on the screen. Even better, show a live video of the baptism.

All Together Now
If immediate family members are being baptized during the same service, an additional minister can join the pastor in the baptistry with them. Individually introduce, individually read testimonies, then baptize them at the same time.

Sunday Morning Baptism
If your church normally baptizes on Sunday evenings, consider celebrating it occasionally on Sunday mornings. Most unsaved people attend during that service, and God can use those testimonies to touch lives.

A CONFIRMING QUESTION “Jake, is it your testimony that you have asked Jesus Christ into your heart to be your Lord and Savior?” can be answered... “Yes, I have!”

Reception
Some churches prepare a celebration reception. In many churches in Germany, friends of the new Christian share encouraging words at an afternoon dessert fellowship.

A Traditional Song
After the last person was baptized, our church traditionally concluded each baptismal observance with the congregation joyously standing to sing the chorus “I Have Decided to Follow Jesus.” Choose an appropriate chorus that fits your church’s personality, and sing for joy to celebrate baptisms!

An Annual Montage
Create a cumulative montage with a video or still photo of each person baptized at your church that year. It should show celebration and joy and could be used in conjunction with a sermon about how God changes lives.

The Time is Now
Yes, salvation is a personal decision. But if many attenders in your church are Christians who have never been baptized, plan an enormous baptism Sunday. Announce ahead of time that many will be baptized on that date, and ask them to make a reservation. Assign a church leader to each baptismal candidate to confirm his or her decision for Christ. The angels will rejoice!