Journal: Faith and Mission
Volume: FM 05:1 (Fall 1987)
Article: Implementing Change: A Question Of Baptism And Church Membership
Author: Ray N. Howell III

FM 5:1 (Fall 1987) p. 16

Implementing Change:
A Question Of Baptism And Church Membership

Ray N. Howell III

Pastor of Roxboro Baptist Church
Roxboro, NC

Immerse you, my brother (or sister), in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.”

Throughout my ministry I have attempted to be sensitive to those individuals who joined a Baptist church from another denomination, realizing this often meant rebaptism by immersion. I have always used the above formula, careful to avoid the word “baptize.” My experience has been that a great majority of these individuals personally experienced what to them was a meaningful and authentic baptism, but they were aware that in order to become a Baptist they had to be immersed. Therefore, we would descend into the baptistry and perform the ritual of immersion. Now having been properly initiated, the person would emerge as a full-fledged Baptist. While the experience was sometimes a meaningful act of recommitment, for many it was nothing more than a necessary ritual. I began to feel more and more uncomfortable with the entire process.

Baptism is a beautiful, powerful, and sacred symbol of one’s new life found in Christ. The most appropriate time for this dynamic symbol of rebirth is at the beginning of the new life, the beginning of the Christian pilgrimage. Baptism is not exclusive to Baptists—baptism belongs to the church. I came to the growing awareness that I, a minister of the gospel, was guilty of taking something sacred and holy and downgrading it to a mere initiation rite whereby one became a Baptist.

Another principle added to my discomfort. As Baptists we have long cherished the “priesthood of every believer.” Who then gives us the right to invalidate or question one’s experience of baptism which is validated and authenticated by God alone? I must be willing to respect the integrity of the believer who says, “I have experienced a meaningful baptism,” just as I respect the integrity of the one who confesses, “I have made Jesus Christ Lord of my life.’” From time to time I would share my convictions with some church members, and I found the great majority shared my feelings. While I have never pictured myself as being a crusader, I felt the time was right to initiate a needed change in our church’s membership policy.

Roxboro Baptist Church is in many respects a typical First Baptist Church in a county seat town. The church is a strong, missions-minded, Southern Baptist congregation, giving over 185 to the Cooperative Program. While traditional and conservative in many ways, the church is also open-minded and progressive. Women have served as deacons for many

FM 5:1 (Fall 1987) p. 17

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