1996 Book of Discipline: Paragraph 227| General Conference 2000

¶ 227. Care of Children and Youth--1. Because the redeeming love of God revealed in Jesus Christ extends to all persons, and because Jesus explicitly included the children in his kingdom, the pastor of each charge shall earnestly exhort all Christian parents or guardians to present their children to the Lord in baptism at an early age. Before baptism is administered, the pastor shall diligently instruct the parents or guardians regarding the meaning of this sacrament and the vows that they assume. It is expected of parents or guardians who present their children for baptism that they shall use all diligence in bringing them up in conformity to the Word of God and in the fellowship of the Church and to encourage them to participate in preparation for their profession of faith and confirmation at the appropriate time. At least one parent or guardian shall be a professing member of a Christian church; or sponsor(s) or godparent(s) who are professing members shall assume the baptismal vows. They shall be admonished of this obligation and be earnestly exhorted to faithfulness therein. At the time of baptism they shall be informed that the Church, with its Christian education program, will aid them in the Christian nurture of their children.

2. The pastor of the church shall, at the time of administering the sacrament of baptism, furnish the parents, guardians, sponsor(s), or godparent(s) of the child who is baptized with a certificate of baptism, which shall also clearly state that the child is now on the roll of baptized members in The United Methodist Church. The pastor shall also admonish members of the congregation at the time of baptism and at appropriate stages in the newly baptized member's life of their responsibility for the Christian nurture of the child. The pastor shall be responsible for seeing that the membership secretary adds the full name of the baptized child to the church's roll of baptized members. When the baptized child lives in a community not served by the pastor who administers the sacrament of baptism, the pastor is responsible for contacting in advance (where possible) and reporting the baptism to a pastor and district superintendent who serves in the area where the baptized child lives, in order that the child's name might be properly entered on the roll of baptized members in that location. The information given shall include the full name of the child, the date of birth, the date and place of baptism, and the full names of the parent(s), sponsor(s), or godparent(s) and their place of residence and phone number.

3. The pastor shall keep and transmit to the succeeding pastor an accurate register of the names of all baptized children in the charge, including both those who have been baptized there and those who have been baptized elsewhere. This register of baptized children shall serve as the list of baptized members for whom the congregation has ongoing responsibility for nurture in the life of discipleship until they become professing members and accept God's grace for themselves. It shall give the full name of the child, the date of birth, the date and place of baptism, the names of the parent(s) or guardian(s) and their place of residence and phone number, and the names of the sponsor(s) or godparent(s).

4. It shall be the duty of the pastor, the parent(s), guardian(s), sponsor(s), or godparent(s), the officers and teachers of the church school, and all members of the congregation to provide training for the children of the Church throughout their childhood that will lead to a personal commitment to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, to an understanding of the Christian faith, and to an appreciation of the privileges and obligations of baptism and professing membership. The pastor shall, at least annually, building on the preparation that youth have received throughout their childhood, organize them into classes for professing membership and confirmation (¶ 222.3). This instruction shall be based on materials that the youth have already used and on other resources produced by The United Methodist Church for the purpose of confirmation preparation. When youth so prepared shall give evidence of their own Christian faith and purpose, and understanding of the privileges and obligations of professing membership, they may be received as professing members.

5. Youth who are professing members of the Church have all rights and responsibilities of membership within the baptismal covenant. (See ¶ 258.2.) It is strongly recommended that each local church offer for all senior high youth who are professing members of the Church an advanced class of instruction in the meaning of the Christian life and discipleship. It is further recommended that this course, taught by or under the guidance of the pastor, diaconal minister, certified Christian educator, youth worker, or other staff, emphasize the doctrines of The United Methodist Church and the nature and mission of the Church, leading to continued growth in the knowledge, grace, and service of our Lord Jesus Christ. It shall be the responsibility of the pastor to participate in the growth process through interaction and ministry with youth.

6. All children shall continually be nurtured as they grow in ability to profess their faith in God and Jesus Christ.



	1996 Discipline ¶ 227
	¶ 227. Care of Children and Youth--1. Because the redeeming love of God revealed in Jesus Christ extends to all persons, and because Jesus explicitly included the children in his kingdom, the pastor of each charge shall earnestly exhort all Christian parents or guardians to present their children to the Lord in baptism at an early age. Before baptism is administered, the pastor shall diligently instruct the parents or guardians regarding the meaning of this sacrament and the vows that they assume. It is expected of parents or guardians who present their children for baptism that they shall use all diligence in bringing them up in conformity to the Word of God and in the fellowship of the Church and to encourage them to participate in preparation for their profession of faith and confirmation at the appropriate time. At least one parent or guardian shall be a professing member of a Christian church; or sponsor(s) or godparent(s) who are professing members shall assume the baptismal vows. They shall be admonished of this obligation and be earnestly exhorted to faithfulness therein. At the time of baptism they shall be informed that the Church, with its Christian education program, will aid them in the Christian nurture of their children. 2. The pastor of the church shall, at the time of administering the sacrament of baptism, furnish the parents, guardians, sponsor(s), or godparent(s) of the child who is baptized with a certificate of baptism, which shall also clearly state that the child is now on the roll of baptized members in The United Methodist Church. The pastor shall also admonish members of the congregation at the time of baptism and at appropriate stages in the newly baptized member's life of their responsibility for the Christian nurture of the child. The pastor shall be responsible for seeing that the membership secretary adds the full name of the baptized child to the church's roll of baptized members. When the baptized child lives in a community not served by the pastor who administers the sacrament of baptism, the pastor is responsible for contacting in advance (where possible) and reporting the baptism to a pastor and district superintendent who serves in the area where the baptized child lives, in order that the child's name might be properly entered on the roll of baptized members in that location. The information given shall include the full name of the child, the date of birth, the date and place of baptism, and the full names of the parent(s), sponsor(s), or godparent(s) and their place of residence and phone number. 3. The pastor shall keep and transmit to the succeeding pastor an accurate register of the names of all baptized children in the charge, including both those who have been baptized there and those who have been baptized elsewhere. This register of baptized children shall serve as the list of baptized members for whom the congregation has ongoing responsibility for nurture in the life of discipleship until they become professing members and accept God's grace for themselves. It shall give the full name of the child, the date of birth, the date and place of baptism, the names of the parent(s) or guardian(s) and their place of residence and phone number, and the names of the sponsor(s) or godparent(s). 4. It shall be the duty of the pastor, the parent(s), guardian(s), sponsor(s), or godparent(s), the officers and teachers of the church school, and all members of the congregation to provide training for the children of the Church throughout their childhood that will lead to a personal commitment to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, to an understanding of the Christian faith, and to an appreciation of the privileges and obligations of baptism and professing membership. The pastor shall, at least annually, building on the preparation that youth have received throughout their childhood, organize them into classes for professing membership and confirmation (¶ 222.3). This instruction shall be based on materials that the youth have already used and on other resources produced by The United Methodist Church for the purpose of confirmation preparation. When youth so prepared shall give evidence of their own Christian faith and purpose, and understanding of the privileges and obligations of professing membership, they may be received as professing members. 5. Youth who are professing members of the Church have all rights and responsibilities of membership within the baptismal covenant. (See ¶ 258.2.) It is strongly recommended that each local church offer for all senior high youth who are professing members of the Church an advanced class of instruction in the meaning of the Christian life and discipleship. It is further recommended that this course, taught by or under the guidance of the pastor, diaconal minister, certified Christian educator, youth worker, or other staff, emphasize the doctrines of The United Methodist Church and the nature and mission of the Church, leading to continued growth in the knowledge, grace, and service of our Lord Jesus Christ. It shall be the responsibility of the pastor to participate in the growth process through interaction and ministry with youth. `6. All children shall continually be nurtured as they grow in ability to profess their faith in God and Jesus Christ.`
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1996 Discipline ¶ 227