GS 2025 Article 175 – Overture RSW 2024: Infant Baptism Form
1. Material
- 1.1 Overture from RSW 2024 (proposed originally by Aldergrove, and submitted via CPE) (8.4.3.4).
- 1.2 Letters from the following churches: Arthur (8.5.9.1), Attercliffe (8.5.9.2), Barrhead (8.5.9.3), Calgary (8.5.9.4), Carman East (8.5.9.5), Coaldale (8.5.9.6), Dunnville West (8.5.9.7), Edmonton (Providence) (8.5.9.8), Fergus (Maranatha) (8.5.9.9), Flamborough (Redemption) (8.5.9.10), Houston (8.5.9.11), Kerwood (Grace) (8.5.9.12), Langley (8.5.9.13), Neerlandia (8.5.9.14), Niagara South (8.5.9.15), Ottawa (Jubilee) (8.5.9.16), St. Albert (8.5.9.17), Tintern Spring Creek (8.5.9.18), Willoughby Heights (8.5.9.19).
2. Admissibility
- 2.1 The overture was declared admissible
- Grounds: It was submitted on time and is placed on the agenda of GS 2025 by a regional synod.
- 2.2. The letters from the churches were declared admissible.
- Grounds: They were submitted in time and interact with an overture to GS 2025.
3. Observations
- 3.1 The overture originates from the Aldergrove CanRC, submitted via Classis Pacific East to RSW 2024, and forwarded with recommendations by RSW 2024 to GS 2025.
- 3.2 The overture proposes a revision to the Form for the Baptism of Infants, citing several concerns with the existing form as currently found in the Book of Praise:
- 3.2.1 Many of the sentences are long and contain multiple clauses.
- 3.2.2 The Form is too lengthy, particularly in the case of churches where many baptisms take place annually.
- 3.2.3 The language of the Form is overly formal and does not sound like anything else spoken in the worship service.
- 3.2.4 There is in some cases a lack of clarity, a problem with the logical flow or a clumsiness from offering a series of Scripture quotations.
- 3.2.5 There are some phrases and sentences which could communicate incorrect ideas.
- 3.2.6 The prayer before baptism is awkward as a way of addressing God.
- 3.2.7 Other churches with whom we have fellowship have revised our form in use.
- 3.3 RSW 2024 in their recommendations to GS 2025 recommend appointing a committee for the purpose of proposing to the churches a revised Form for the Baptism of Infants.
- 3.4 From the correspondence, the following:
- 3.4.1 Arthur opposes the overture indicating that they had seven baptisms and the previous two years they had around fourteen baptisms per year. Not once during this time did a member of the congregation make any mention of the form being “not conducive to public reading”, or “stilted” or anything alike. They also find that the reasons given in the overture are subjective in nature.
- 3.4.2 Most of the churches who responded to this overture were opposed to the adoption of this proposed new Baptism Form. Some of the churches opposed wrote that if a new form was to be considered, it should be a product of the work of a committee. Only a few churches wrote in favour of the proposed revision of the form.
- 3.4.3 Some churches point out the importance of maintaining the historic language of the Form, which connects us to the catholicity of the Church through time.
- 3.5 The overture includes a proposed revised text for the Form for the Baptism of Infants and indicates the possibility of a separate proposal for a shorter form in the future.
4. Considerations
- 4.1 Synod notes the concerns raised by Aldergrove (via CPE and RSW) regarding the existing Form for the Baptism of Infants. Some of the concerns regarding sentence structure, clarity, and potentially outdated language appear to have merit and warrant careful consideration.
- 4.2 While the original Aldergrove overture already provides a proposed revised text, the process for revising Liturgical Forms within our federation has historically involved careful study and deliberation by a committee mandated by a general synod, followed by review and feedback from the churches. This process ensures that any changes reflect the collective wisdom and consensus of the churches and are faithful to Scripture and the Confessions.
- 4.3 The concerns raised in the overture regarding language, clarity, and length would certainly apply to the Form for the Baptism of Adults as well, given its similar structure and wording in many parts. A review should therefore encompass both forms.
- 4.4 Given that Liturgical Forms are interconnected and may reference or allude to one another, any proposed changes to the Baptism Forms should be reviewed for their potential impact on other liturgical forms (e.g., the Form for the Celebration of the Lord’s Supper, which sometimes alludes to the promises made in baptism).
- 4.5 Appointing a dedicated committee, as recommended by RSW 2024 and supported by various churches, would provide the necessary time and expertise for a thorough review of the Forms for Infant and Adult Baptism, allowing for careful analysis of the existing text, evaluation of the overture’s suggestions and input from the churches, and the development of a proposed revised text.
- 4.6 Such a committee should be comprised of individuals with sensitivity to pastoral needs, expertise in biblical languages, theology, church history (particularly concerning the development of the baptism forms), and the use of the English language in worship.
5. Recommendations
That Synod decide:
- 5.1 To thank the Aldergrove CanRC, Classis Pacific East, and Regional Synod West 2024 for the work done in studying and proposing possible improvements to the Form for the Baptism of Infants and proposing a way forward towards defining and implementing these improvements;
- 5.2 To appoint a three-person committee to review the existing Forms for the Baptism of Infants and Adults as found in the Book of Praise. This committee should be comprised of individuals with sensitivity to pastoral needs, expertise in biblical languages, theology, church history (particularly concerning the development of the Baptism Forms), and the use of the English language in worship;
- 5.3 To mandate the committee to:
- 5.3.1 Study the Forms for the Baptism of Infants and Adults in light of the concerns raised in the overture and any other input from the churches regarding clarity, language, length, and logical flow, while ensuring faithfulness to Scripture and the Confessions;
- 5.3.2 Consider the relationship between the Baptism Forms and other liturgical forms, particularly the Form for the Celebration of the Lord’s supper, and assess any potential impact of proposed revisions;
- 5.3.3 Propose revisions to the text of the Forms for the Baptism of Infants and Adults;
- 5.3.4 Submit a first draft to the churches for feedback to the committee, no less than 15 months before the next general synod;
- 5.3.5 Submit its report and proposed revised text to the churches no later than six (6) months prior to the next general synod.
(See further GS 2025 art. 183)