Baptism and Confirmation
BAPTISM
The Apostle Paul spoke of being baptized “into Christ” (Rom. 6:3). He may well have meant that we are partakers of the grace of Christ through baptism and initiated into the fellowship that had its origin in Christ.
As United Methodists, we are part of Christ’s universal Church, not just a specific denomination or congregation. We honor and respect the baptism of other Christian churches, and those who choose to join us from another denomination are not required to be rebaptized. This inclusivity is a testament to our belief in God’s universal love and our respect for the diverse spiritual journeys of our members.
In the Methodist tradition, baptism is a ritual and a visible sign of God’s grace. It is a joyful entry into the Christian community and the beginning of a lifelong faith journey. Through baptism, we are cleansed, reborn, and welcomed into the family of believers. While baptism can be administered in different ways, such as sprinkling, pouring, or immersion, in the United Methodist Church of Casa Grande, sprinkling is the usual method.
CONFIRMATION
Although confirmation is not a sacrament in the United Methodist Church, it is an important step along one’s spiritual journey. In the United Methodist Church, Confirmation is an opportunity for people to recognize God’s work of grace in their lives and embrace being disciples of Jesus Christ.
WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW ABOUT CONFIRMATION IN THE UMC?
What does "confirmation" mean?
United Methodists use the term “confirmation” to mark the first time a baptized Christian publicly “confirms” their intention to live the vows of the baptismal and membership covenant and so becomes a professing member of the local congregation and The United Methodist Church.
Can I be confirmed more than once?
We expect that there may be several occasions during one’s Christian life when one may wish to re-affirm or re-profess their commitment to live the baptismal and membership covenant faithfully. Doing so more than once does not change or add to one’s status as a professing member in the Church. So, while we encourage people to re-affirm as they find need, we do not call any subsequent reaffirmations or re-professions “confirmation.”
I wasn't confirmed when I was a teenager. Is it too late for me to be confirmed now that I am an adult?
No, it is not. Remember, confirmation as such is not a process, though preparing for it should involve some kind of process. Confirmation is simply the first time a baptized Christian makes their public commitment to live out the baptismal and membership covenant among us and so become a professing member with us. You may be confirmed at 16, 60, or 92!
I am coming to The United Methodist Church as a confirmed member of a church in another denomination. Do I need to be confirmed again?
No, you do not. While we do ask that all persons seeking to become professing members in The United Methodist Church publicly profess our baptismal and membership vows, we do not call that process “confirmation” for those who are coming to us as “confirmed” or “full” members of other Christian denominations. We, as do many of our ecumenical partners, call it “reception.” We will also offer you a process to orient you to life in our version of the baptismal covenant and in the wider life of the congregation, the district, the conference, and the denomination.