We like to talk about the importance, the critical vital place of table, of weekly bread and wine. Are you like me...growing up with occasional communion...I suppose it was 2 times a month, maybe 5th Sunday too? And now, after all these years of the regular hospitality of the Host served weekly I can't imagine not gathering around Word without that Visible Word....communion.
But what about this!? Weekly baptism. Now there's a concept. We don't just expect weekly Communion ("Pastor, we don't have anybody to do Altar Guild this Sunday" When this happens...somebody steps in and makes sure the table is set!)....but now...how about expecting Baptism next Sunday? And the next Sunday. And the next Sunday. And the next Sunday. And....
We need the same sense of urgency to pour the water as we do to set the table. Weekly. Because this is where the Spirit does the death and resurrection thing. Paul knew this (Romans 6!) And so do we. And yet.....
Yes, as we heard today....we dare not baptize into this freedom of Christ without walking along side in mentoring, discipling, teaching, partnering with those baptized after the water has dried. But this: we dare not hesitate to baptize because we don't think others are not ready. When the Spirit calls...pour! dunk!
Because I believe we cannot speak the name of Jesus when connected to the elements and not have the Spirit show up to bring new life, we need to set the goal of weekly baptisms. In every congregation. And if that is not going on, then the mission is not being accomplished. Wow.
Take your "Together" stone and pray with it...and let God turn it into Water and Word next Sunday!
Johan Bergh
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