Baptism Day Run Sheet

Decide ahead of time

• Where the baptism happens and where in the service it falls.
• Who has the conversation with each person (Resource 2) and who confirms it is done.
• Whether each person shares their story live, on video, or not at all.
• What people wear in the water and whether you provide shirts.
• Who takes photos and video, and how you ask permission before sharing them, especially for children.
• What each person is given afterward (Resource 5).

Who baptizes

• A pastor baptizes as the standard.
• Only the pastor may invite someone else to take part.
• That person must be a baptized believer who will be part of the person's long-term spiritual journey.
• The pastor says the words. The exceptions are a husband baptizing his wife or a dad baptizing his kids, after coaching.

The week before

• Confirm each person, the conversation and, for children, a parent's consent.
• Tell each person what to wear and what to bring: dark clothes that are modest when wet, a towel, dry clothes, a bag for wet things.
• Encourage them to invite family and friends.
• Coach anyone who will be in the water with you, and any husband or dad who will say the words.
• Check the water: clean, filled, and warm enough.

Set up

• Water filled and at a comfortable temperature.
• Non-slip mat or towels at the steps, in and out.
• Towels for every person, plus extras.
• A private changing space for men and one for women, close to the water.
• Spare dark shirts and shorts in a few sizes.
• A microphone that stays out of the water, with someone to hold it.
• A printed list of names in order, with how to say each one.
• Your words for the water (Resource 4).

Who stands where

• In the water: the pastor, and anyone the pastor has invited.
• At the steps: one helper to steady each person going in and coming out, and to hand them a towel.
• At the microphone: someone to introduce each person by name.
• Photos and video: one named person, placed where they can see the face of the person being baptized.
• Changing space: a host of the same gender to point the way.

In the water

• Tell the person exactly what will happen before you do it.
• Show them how to hold their nose and where to put their other hand.
• Have them bend their knees. Support their back and bring them straight back up.
• Give the room a moment to celebrate before they leave the water.

Spontaneous baptisms: be ready every time

We baptize the same day, and we do spontaneous baptisms. There is no class to finish first. There is always a conversation: the person shares their testimony, and leaders use discernment about whether they have given their life to Jesus.

A spontaneous baptism is only possible if you were ready before anyone said yes. Everything below is getting ready.

Giving the invitation

• Decide ahead of time when you will open the water to anyone who is ready, and who gives that invitation.
• Say plainly what baptism is and who it is for (Resource 1) as part of the invitation.
• Tell people exactly where to go and who they will meet there.
• Say out loud that clothes and towels are ready, so nobody holds back for that reason.
• Decide ahead of time whether you tell the church beforehand that the invitation is coming.

The conversation on the spot

• Have leaders ready and in place before the invitation is given. Decide ahead of time who they are.
• Use the same conversation as Resource 2, kept short: their story, who Jesus is to them, why they want to be baptized.
• Find a spot a few steps away from the crowd so the person can talk freely.
• Decide ahead of time who a leader turns to when they are not sure.
• If the answer is "not today," set the next conversation before the person leaves.

Children

We ask for a parent's consent. A child needs to understand that Jesus loves them, that they have sinned, and that Jesus rose and can save them.

• A parent is present for the conversation and before the child goes in the water.
• Decide ahead of time what you do when a child comes forward and no parent is in the room.

Clothes, towels and a place to change

• Keep spare dark shirts and shorts in a range of sizes, for adults and children, every time you baptize.
• Keep more towels than you expect to need.
• Have a private place to change for men and one for women, with a host of the same gender.
• Have bags for wet clothes.
• Decide ahead of time who washes and restocks everything afterward.

Before they leave

• Write down each person's name and contact details, so follow-up happens (Resource 5).
• Ask permission before sharing a photo or video.
• Make sure they know who will be in touch.

Afterward

• Mop the floor at the steps.
• Collect the towels and wet clothes.
• Hand the list of names to whoever leads follow-up.