19 Things I Learned From Baptizing 19 People Sunday

11. Baptism is done best when it’s celebration. I’ve been a part of too many baptisms that seemed more like a memorial service. Baptism is supposed to be a celebration. So we celebrated a lot on Sunday. We clapped, we cheered, we even boo-hooed (good tears of course). Baptism is always a cause to celebrate, so celebrate!

12. Always watch your step. Never lose sight of the logistics. Halfway through the baptisms, one of our girls lost her footing coming into the baptistery and almost baptized herself! We had a good-natured laugh about it, but you have to stay aware to ensure no one embarrasses themselves.

13. Baptism is a great way to start off school year. We intentionally put Baptism Sunday at the end of our summer calendar to be a bookend for our summer and a start to our school year. It was a natural pivot and transition from one church season to the next.

14. Baptism carries its own momentum. Because 19 were baptized on one day (something never done in our church history), our people are more excited than they’ve ever been about what God is doing in our church. Baptism is all about celebrating life change. You do that enough, and people begin to see the bigger picture that God is doing something incredible in your midst. That excitement is contagious.

15. Baptism never gets old. Once we knew so many would be baptized at one time, I was honestly worried that it might have gotten old and stale once we got to the end. I needn’t have worried. Baptism done right never ever gets old.