Church Meeting on Infant Baptism

Opening Remarks

Let me make a brief statement on why we are having this meeting and then our goal tonight is to talk, pray, and begin a discussion on what this all means for Covnenant Life moving forward.

In brief—my theology on baptism has changed. What I believe baptism is saying and who baptism is for among other things, has changed.

I believe that baptism is for professing believers and their unprofessing children. I think this is the precedent set forth in scripture and nowhere do I see that precedent undone.

If there are theological questions you have tonight we have space and time for that, but I don’t want to launch right into talking about those things.

My first concern is that our enemy the Devil, does not get into our meeting on the back of our fears, anxieties, or anger. We love each other here. That is still true. So tonight, let’s all be careful to honor Jesus as we talk together.

Secondly, I want you to know that I love you. I am not trying to escape our church. There is nothing for me to escape. The possibility that I will no longer be your pastor because of this changed belief is something I’ve run from.

I can honestly say, that I believed that the baptism of believer’s children is scriptural about a year ago.

After a long period of study I came to embrace it and I rejoiced in it—until I started thinking of the consequences of this belief. I have been in the SBC my entire Christian walk and I continue to love the SBC and this progression of my faith means that I no longer align with core Baptist principles.

But most of all—the consequence that made me hit the brakes full stop and to turn around is you, my family and friends. And your children who I love.

Because of what God has built here I decided to reject what I saw to be true in the and I convinced myself that I was wrong and I found the best baptist argument I could and I said, “I believe this.”

But God did not let me rest in that. Again and again this topic came up in my study, conversations, and my own mind was drawn to it over and over again as I read the scriptures in my own personal study with God. I can’t unsee it and I’ve stopped fighting it and I rejoice in it—as we should when we see God’s word say somthing.

And finally, I decided that I cannot run from what I cam convicted of, but must deal with it honestly.

It is my absolute surety in God’s sovereignty and goodness that is a comfort to me now and what I have been praying and will continue to pray is a comfort to you soon. While this is surprizing to us, it is not to God and He is using it for His glory and our good.

Lastly, I want you to know that there are good options moving forward. While this could mean that our church stops meeting it doesn’t automatically mean that. This is a decision for the church to make as a whole. Our church is elder led, but this is a whole church decision.

Josh Turner and the SBCV love our church. We are an SBC church and if Covenant Life wants to continue as an SBC church it has the full support of the SBCV, Staples Mill, and North Wake in that endeavor.

So I don’t want you to panic and think, “Great, because Jacob has changed his theology now we are going to lose our community.”

Before this meeting is over Dave and I want to lay out some options for us to think about, pray about and decide on. No decision will be made here tonight. This is the first conversation.

Questions/Comments/Concerns

What questions, comments, concerns do you have?

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Options to Consider

Continue on as we are. The church is more than the pastor. Covenant Life will continue with it’s mission and continue meeting as a church and will look for a new lead teaching pastor to come in.

With Jacob in his role while that process is taking place—obviously not baptizing any children along the way.

With Jacob out of that role if the church thinks that this is innapropriate.

We disband the church but not the fellowship. Pastor Jim is aware of this situation and speaking into it. He is a faithful, good shepherd. A gifted teacher and is worthy of being imitated as a follower of Christ. As many families as are willing could start to go to Staples Mill and join that body together. That is also an option. Our main concern is that every family be worshipping somewhere

And part of us talking about this together is that there very well may be other options.

A Word from Dave

How Dave is feeling about this and what he feels like he wants to do moving forward.

How We Proceed

Church will process this news further and pray about which options are best.

Both Dave and Jacob are open and available this week for any questions, concerns, thoughts, etc.

This Sunday we will meet together again after church to discuss again once everyone has had time to pray and consider.

Next Tuesday we will vote on the direction to move in. If more time is needed we will wait until next Sunday.