My Journey to Baptism

At our church, those getting baptized are asked to share their testimony beforehand. I had this typed out beforehand, but decided to talk instead of read. So this is the thought-out, not-rambling version. :-)


This isn't my first baptism.

I grew up in the Methodist church which believes in baby baptism. So on September 19, 1982, at just under six months old, I was baptized. From there I grew up in a Christian home, was involved in church, went to a Nazarene university. I never knew anything different.

Then, shortly after my wife and I were married I went to membership classes at her home church, which I had been going to with her for several years. In one of those classes they mentioned that you had to be baptized as an adult to be a member.

I didn't understand. I was already baptized, why did it matter when it was? They said it didn't make a difference in you being saved, but they still considered it a necessity as a mature Christian to make that public declaration. I didn't express it in the class, but I got defensive. What was wrong with my church? What was wrong with all the people there I grew up with? What makes you more correct than them? I didn't agree, I thought my baptism should "count" and while I kept attending there, I didn't pursue membership any further. 

Fast forward a year or two later and my wife and I were now living in Columbus and we're in the membership class at Linworth. There it was again. Baptism. That one 20-something years ago doesn't count.

Now that I heard it a 2nd time it started to break down the walls I had built up, albeit slowly. I talked about it with my wife several times. She asked questions about Methodists and baptism that I realized I really didn't know the answer to. I told her I thought they might have rebaptized us when we were made church members but we both agreed that if was part of a ceremony and especially if I didn't remember it doesn't really count either.

But still even as the idea made more sense and I read over Jesus' words about baptism, I resisted.

I still felt like getting baptized would be admitting that my home church, my parents church, the denomination both of my families have been in for decades was wrong.

But then, finally, earlier this year I started to get it.

I realized that this was never about that other church. This has all been about me and God. How I wanted to be right. How I didn't want to be told what to do.

Throughout my adult life I have made choices, about what college to go to, about what major to choose, about my career path by myself. I would pray about it, but I wouldn't really listen. I often felt that "divine discontent" that something wasn't right and that I could be in a better place. But I always tried to pick the way and figure it out myself.

Then this Easter, we went to church with my Grandma at Fohl Memorial United Methodist Church in Navarre, Ohio. It was a wonderful service. Great music, a touching message and we enjoyed being there with my family. But the thing that stuck out to me most was the baptism. There was a baby only a few months old that was baptized. She was upset and crying, not really enjoying herself.

I realized I was still like that baby. Fighting for what I wanted when there was something so amazing going on around me. I wasn't truly understanding and accepting the love and grace God has for me and the plan He has for my life.

So finally, after 30 years of stubbornness, I started giving up control to God, and admitted to Him as well as myself how terrible I am at making decisions. How I don't know know what I'm doing. How I need his direction and want to follow his plan. And this time, I'm actually going to stop and pay attention.

And so as a symbol and declaration to Him, myself, and all of you. I'm here, being baptized for the first time as a willing follower of Christ. I'm humbled and excited to be here today and to see where God takes me and my family from here.