I am grateful to God for my elders.
I was especially grateful for them as represented by the one who got up before the assembly this morning to read some announcements and deliver a shepherd’s prayer. The worship hour was already going long, but after two announcements that were vital for our church family to know, he said (approximate quote):
“From time to time, I get people asking me where scripture authorizes a baby blessing service like the one we’re having tonight. Of course, these people worship in unauthorized church buildings, listen to an unauthorized full-time minister and many other things … but I’d like for us to see exactly what scripture says on the subject.”
Then he read Mark 10:13-16 …
People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them.
When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”
And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.
He concluded, “Let’s be the hands of Jesus in blessing the babies of 2007 together here tonight.”
Then he prayed a shepherd’s prayer.
I said an especially heartfelt “Amen!”
Blog In My Own Eye 
Amen.
wonderful Shepherd indeed!
You are blessed.
We are blessed with wonderful shepherds!Oh, and speaking of babies, I got the awesomest voice mail from my older sister late this afternoon! Actually, it was my 4-year-old nephew (w/mom coaching him in the background!) saying, “Guess what Aunt Lacey, I’m gonna be a big brother in September or October!”Just thought I’d share that here!
Was there a sprinkling too ? 🙂
Keith I was sorta joking in my first comment, but now that I think about it, I believe there may have been liberties taken in just what Jesus said. He said don’t hinder those who want to come, not bring all the infants so they can be blessed. Shouldn’t all children who want to come to Jesus be baptized, shouldn’t they be of age to know what they want? Or is blessing a new baby the same as blessing a new home? If we are to bless infants by laying on of hands, what would be wrong with a little holy water on those hands? is catholicism making a come back? If an elder wanted to exorcise demons would that be acceptable in your congregation ?Blessing the infants may make the parents feel better, but is that all it does? Just asking, not Judging.
Isn’t it funny how often the “authority” question comes up when somebody doesn’t like something. Kudos to that Shepherd!DU
laymond, you can always bring a smile to my face and I appreciate you for that!No, there was no sprinkling … and no liberties taken with what Jesus said and did. My church family was encouraged to get to know these babies as they become children and to commit themselves individually to become a part of the children’s maturation in the Lord – up to and past the day when (hopefully) each will declare his/her own commitment to Christ in confession and baptism.I don’t know that anyone literally laid hands on anyone (though it’s possible; the elders stood behind the parents as a prayer of blessing was led, and an occasional hand on a shoulder is almost inevitable!).And if there were evidence of demons in our church family, our elders would be among the first I would contact to deal with the threat.
And, by the way, you can hear all but the first song of the service (“Jesus Loves the Little Children”) through the links on this page: < HREF="http://www.pvcc.org/shop_sermons.html?sermonsite_action=view_sermon&sermonsite_sermonid=22056" REL="nofollow">Baby Blessing<>.
Keith; all babies are a blessing, I am sad to say not all parents are. When my grand children were baptized they were welcomed into the family and told they could depend on their church family, just like their blood family. I wondered then if that was a fact. I would die for my grandkids, I don’t know how many Christian brothers or sisters I can say would do that. and to tell the truth how many of them I would die for. I hope your church does take an active part in the care of their children, and children who are not a part of your church as well.
Not only are people with a high level of personal mastery
able to influence others, their commitment could also
be an example and they could also take on leadership in the
organization.