In
my ministry, people often ask if they will need to get baptized again to
become a member of St. Mary’s. If you
have been baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, then the
answer is no. We don’t baptize people
into the Episcopal Church; we baptize them into the body of Christ - the body
of Christ that spans people, denominations, and countries around the
globe. We don’t think we’re the only
ones going to heaven.
I
was baptized when I was five years old.
As I stood at the front of Trinity Episcopal Church in Minnetonka,
Minnesota, I distinctly remember my little kindergarten mind thinking,
“Something big is happening to me right now.”
Years later, I confirmed my baptismal vows. I didn’t know at the time how important those
vows would become to me as I grew in my faith.
There is more to them but I’m most thoughtful right now about the vows
to “seek and serve Christ in all
persons” and “respect the dignity of
every human being.”
After
a quick search of baptism liturgies for the other mainline traditions, none of
them include the vows above. This speaks
volumes about the way the Episcopal Church sees baptism – not as only something
to be received but as a commitment to a way of life and not only study, prayer,
and resisting evil but seeing Christ in every
person. That is a high bar. Additionally, we promise to strive for
justice which means we work to dismantle the structures that cause suffering -
no small thing.
Another
question I get is about “the rules.” This question makes me squirm a little bit
because I usually feel my answer is inadequate.
Growing up in the Episcopal tradition
was never about following rules to express your faith. I was taught to try to emulate Jesus and get
as close to God as I could and listen for the Spirit’s direction. We believe we are saved by grace and that everything
necessary for salvation is contained in the Bible. Any “rules” we have are about how to live our
common life as Christians and not as criteria for inclusion, forgiveness, or worthiness.
This
does not mean that we have no expectations.
Baptism in the Episcopal Church is not a quick admission pass to
heaven. As the baptized, we receive new
life in Christ and that new life should look different. So maybe a better question to ask is: What is it going to cost me? This question
should probably scare us to death. Standing
up for the scorned got Jesus killed. If
you live in the United States, you likely will not have to die to love like
Jesus but it will cost you something. These
costs are likely related to comfort, status, wealth, or power. What are you willing to lose to love like
Jesus?
Our Baptismal
Covenant, among other things, very clearly charges
us to live rebellious lives. I say
rebellious because when you fully live into this Covenant, it will cause
conflict. These vows are not about
maintaining the status quo.
What
sort of rebellion could we lead with two million Episcopalians in the United
States striving for justice, seeing Christ in every person, and protecting the
dignity of all humans? Let’s wade into the waters of baptism and make
some waves.
For more inspiration, here is a link to
one my favorite African spirituals, Wade in the Water. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uiqQKZZo-Uc
