In my day job, I have the privilege of serving on the faculty of Virginia Theological Seminary, where I
am a member of the Department of Practical Theology and teach courses that emphasize lifelong
Christian formation. As you might imagine, baptism and baptismal ecclesiology - the way our baptismal
theology shapes being church - loom large in my work.
In August 2021, I taught, Foundations of Ministry to our entering M.Div. and M.A. students. One of the
assignments was a group project to design a 90-minute Adult Formation session on a topic of their choice,
using a method of practical theological interpretation I had introduced. I was thrilled when one group
chose to focus on "understanding the Baptismal Covenant - what it is, what it means, and how it applies to
daily life."
With their permission, Baptized for Life is now sharing this remarkable resource. You will find a well-
researched, theologically robust, and pedagogically creative formation session that can be adapted for
your congregation. It will help people make the vital connection between baptism and mission, bringing
new joy and vitality to ministry and daily life.
Lisa Kimball, Ph.D.
Director, Baptized for Life/Vida en Abundancia
Osmer’s Framework Application to an
Adult Formation Session
Kris Boyd, Cory Irwin, and Redmond Self
PRXT 500: Foundations for Ministry
August 30, 2021
Baptismal Feast Day Resources
Understanding the Baptismal Covenant
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I. Descriptive-Empirical: What is going on?
Trinity Church is an Episcopal parish that mirrors trends found within the larger church body.
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Like 75% of Episcopal congregations, Trinity has an average Sunday attendance of under 100
people. The community is overwhelmingly white (90%) and college-educated (56% with at least
an undergraduate degree). 55% of congregants are women, though Sunday attendance skews
higher. 66% of the adults in the congregation are aged 50 or older. 59% of the congregation is
married, and 21% of attending adults have a child aged 18 or younger at home.
Trinity’s rector works with a volunteer lay leader to plan and implement a regular Forum as a
means of adult education and formation. The two rely in part on the liturgical calendar to
sequence their offerings and provide thematic sessions that correspond to seasons or holy days.
In planning for Forum on or around All Saint’s Day, a time when the parish typically celebrates a
Baptism each year and the Church draws attention to our shared identity and mission in Baptism,
the pair would like to engage participants in exploring the connection between the Baptismal
Covenant and each member’s call to engage with the church’s mission. Their hope is that an
introductory session could help congregants reinforce (or, where needed, recommit to) bridging
worship and discipleship, faith and practice. Doing so would strengthen the local church’s
incarnational identity and help people better encounter the good work of God already at play in
daily life and the wider world.
II. Interpretive: Why is this going on?
Data Sets and Demographic Information
“Fast Facts from Parochial Report Data 2019.” The General Convention of the Episcopal
Church. n.d. Accessed August 25, 2021. https://extranet.generalconvention.org/
staff/files/download/28746.
The Parochial Data Report summary provides general statistics on The Episcopal Church,
including trendemic data on the number of active participants, average Sunday attendance, and
congregational size.
Goodhew, The Rev Dr David. 2020. “Facing Episcopal Church Decline – the Latest Numbers.”
Covenant. October 19, 2020. https://livingchurch.org/covenant/2020/10/19/facing-
episcopal-church-decline-the-latest-numbers/.
1
Pew Research Center. “Members of the Episcopal Church.” Religious Landscape Study. 2014.
https://www.pewforum.org/religious-landscape-study/religious-denomination/episcopal-church/ (accessed
August 25, 2021)
2
Goodhew highlights membership trendlines for The Episcopal Church over the last 20 years and
provides recommendations for ways to offset continued decline in the coming years. Suggestions
include embracing demographic diversity, finding ways to foster community, and church
planting.
Pew Research Center. “Members of the Episcopal Church.” Religious Landscape Study. 2014.
Accessed August 25, 2021. https://www.pewforum.org/religious-landscape-study/
religious-denomination/episcopal-church/
The Pew Forum provides survey-derived data on demographics, beliefs and practices, and social
and political views. Sample sizes ranged from 435 to 500 respondents.
Mission and Baptism
Dozier, Verna. The Dream of God: A Call to Return. New York: Seabury Press, 2006.
Dozier crafts a Biblically-based argument to call contemporary Christians towards re-
engagement with God’s dream for the Kingdom, one which moves away from clericalism and
institutionalism and towards the church providing support for Christians to follow Jesus into the
world of their everyday lives. Of note: (A) “The church is the people of God. It takes two forms,
the church gathered and the church scattered. We gather to break bread as a community, to hear
our story, and to recommit ourselves to the dream of God. We scatter to live in that dream.”
(108) (B) The people of God are called to act as “ambassadors… in every part of life.” (114)
Episcopal Diocese of New York (n.d.). Concerning Baptism: Baptism, Reaffirmation of Vows,
Confirmation, Reception, Renewal of Vows. Accessed August 25, 2021.
https://www.dioceseny.org/administration/for-clergy/liturgical-and-
sacramental/concerning-baptism/
The Diocese of New York provides a detailed page on the theological and biblical significance
of Baptism in both historic and contemporary settings with detailed explorations of various
facets of the Sacrament (i.e. community, Eucharist, confirmation, etc.). The site is particularly
accessible for a general, non-academic audience.
Faith and Leadership. “Ian T. Douglas: Our Job Is Not to Keep the Church in Business.”
December 11, 2018. Accessed August 25, 2021. https://faithandleadership.com/
ian-t-douglas-our-job-not-keep-church-business
Bishop Douglas, a former professor of church mission, gives an interview on what it means for
the church to follow Jesus in contemporary society and what role bishops play to that end. He
notes, “As the body of Christ empowered by the Holy Spirit in the Pentecost, we are included in
that project of God to restore all people to God and each other in Christ…”
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Johnson, Maxwell. Images of Baptism. Scotts Valley, California: CreateSpace Independent
Publishing, 2013.
Johnson’s book addresses a number of topics, from Baptism as a means of participating in
Christ’s resurrection to its connection to the work of the Holy Spirit. Most useful for this
exercise is the chapter dedicated to Baptism as a means of incorporation into the Body of Christ,
which explores items related to community, priestly ministry, and worship (with emphasis given
to the Episcopal Church’s celebration of All Saints Day and the vigil for the same feast) (see pgs.
109-138).
Podmore, Colin. “The Baptismal Revolution in the American Episcopal Church: Baptismal
Ecclesiology and the Baptismal Covenant.” Ecclesiology 6, no. 1 (2010): 8-38.
This article outlines origins of The Episcopal Church’s baptismal ecclesiology and the role that
the baptismal covenant plays in relation to the church’s commitment to social action.
Vibrant Faith. “All Called.” Accessed August 28, 2021. https://www.vibrantfaithprojects.org/all-
called.html
From their website, the All Called project “seeks to help people discover their callings. It is focused
on engaging the uninvolved and unaffiliated in the discovering meaning and purpose in life through
their daily experiences. This is the way we come to understand our callings throughout life.” It
provides resources for group and individual exploration through eight windows (or lenses) through
which calling can be viewed: as you are today, caregiving, life transition, loss, relationships,
sacrifice, serving the world, and work.
Virginia Theological Seminary. “Baptized for Life: An Episcopal Discipleship Initiative.”
Accessed August 29, 2021. https://baptizedforlife.org/
According to the Baptized for Life website, the “initiative is driven by a conviction that
congregations, with God’s help, can form lives of meaning and purpose; identifying,
embracing, and sustaining each person’s Christian vocation.” The resource draws heavily
on the process of the catechumenate, the church’s ancient practice for preparing
individuals for Baptism and the discipleship derived therein.
Williams, Rowan. “Baptism.” Being Christian: Baptism, Bible, Eucharist, Prayer. Grand Rapids,
Michigan: Eerdmans Publishing, 2014
William’s essay on Baptism addresses the meaning and practice of the sacrament in a simple,
pastoral approach. Of note: (A) “[Y]ou might expect to find Christian people near to those places
where humanity is most at risk…” (B) “[T]here is a constant rediscovering, re-enacting of the
Father’s embrace of Jesus in the Holy Spirit.”
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World Council of Churches (1982). Baptism, Eucharist and Ministry: Discussion of ecumenical
views of Baptism.
As a foundational document of the current ecumenical movement, Baptism, Eucharist and
Ministry establishes common ground on which Christians of various denominations and
expressions can think about and communicate Baptism. The source is particularly good for
exploring common definitions and the sacrament’s theological underpinnings.
Williams, Howard Kently. n.d. “Episcopal Church Foundation Vital Practices - Vestry Papers –
Liturgy, Music, & Leadership - Baptismal Covenant.” www.ecfvp.org.
https://www.ecfvp.org/vestry-papers/article/322/baptismal-covenant.
Canon Williams reflects on the words of the Baptismal Covenant and the specific application
they have to black Episcopalians and those who minister within predominantly black
communities.
III. Normative: What ought to be going on?
Baptism has a number of effects on the baptized.
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(selected)
● It leads to spiritual rebirth. (John 3:3-10)
● It prompts spiritual awakening. (Romans 8:37-39)
● It initiates us into the Body of Christ. (I Corinthians 12:12-13)
● It transforms the whole person. (Romans 12:1-2)
● It makes the baptized into a new creation. (2 Corinthians 5:17)
● It turns the baptized from darkness to light. (Ephesians 5:8, Colossians 1:11-14)
● It offers salvation. (Titus 3:3-7)
The Baptismal Prayer draws directly from scripture to situate the act and its effects. (BCP 254)
● Through this prayer we acknowledge baptism as a death to sin and resurrection in Jesus
Christ. Baptism is a rebirth into the Church and unification with the Holy Spirit. This is
further analyzed in the catechism (see below).
Baptism enables each recipient to be an inheritor of God’s Kingdom. (BCP 858)
● All baptized persons are adopted children of God, members of the Body of Christ, and
inheritors of God’s kingdom.
● We are given the outward sign of rebirth through baptism; inwardly we receive the
spiritual grace needed for union with Christ and new life through the Holy Spirit.
2
Episcopal Diocese of New York (n.d.). Concerning Baptism: Baptism, Reaffirmation of Vows, Confirmation,
Reception, Renewal of Vows. https://www.dioceseny.org/administration/for-clergy/liturgical-and-
sacramental/concerning-baptism/ (accessed August 25, 2021)
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● We are required to renounce Satan, repent, and accept Jesus Christ as our savior. We are
reminded of these vows through participation in the liturgy and renew them when
witnessing a brother or sister’s Baptism.
● Infants receive Baptism to share membership with Christ from an early age. The promises
made on their behalf by their parents and sponsors must be stewarded by the Church
community so that the infants are raised with the knowledge and spiritual skills needed to
follow Christ. The Church community has a critical corporate responsibility to honor the
promises made through Baptism.
The Baptismal Covenant serves as a normative statement for members of the church. (BCP 304-
305)
● The Covenant details the ways in which Christians are called to follow Christ in church
and in the world. We are called to reaffirm the tenets of our faith as stated in the Nicene
Creed. We make a spoken, communal commitment to live into discipleship by repenting
of sin, resisting evil, proclaiming the Good News, and striving for peace and justice while
respecting the dignity of every human being.
Ministry (Mission) is a calling of all the baptized. (BCP 855)
● All persons in the church – lay persons, bishops, priests, and deacons – are ministers.
● Lay persons “represent Christ and his Church” by bearing witness wherever they are
through the gifts given them by God.
All Christians, by merit of their Baptism, assume a three-fold duty. (BCP 856)
● Each baptized person is called to “follow Christ,” participate in “corporate worship,
“work, pray, and give for the spread of the Kingdom of God.”
Christian experience of community, both within the church and in the broader world, can be
lived within specific biblical expressions.’
● Matthew 10: The Gospel provides instruction for how the Apostles are called to engage
with the world around them (i.e. start locally, help people realize God is closer than they
expect, be generous, connect with others, etc.), which can serve as a model for how
Baptized individuals can express their own callings in their daily lives.
● 1 Corinthians 12: This passage identifies different gifts that members of the Body of
Christ might hold and highlights how each of those gifts is important to our collective
living into the Kingdom of God. Specific attention is given to how these gifts can be
manifest in different roles (i.e. apostles, teachers, healers, helpers, etc.), so that each
member of the community, regardless of title or position, can be actively engaged in
ministry.
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IV. Pragmatic: How might we respond?
TRINITY CHURCH ADULT FORUM
MISSION AND THE BAPTISMAL COVENANT
An Introductory Session
SESSION ORGANIZATION
FRAMING THE SESSION (WHAT, WHY, HOW)
What: Assist the adult parishioners of Trinity Church to develop a deeper understanding of the
Baptismal Covenant -- what it is, what it means, and how it applies to daily life.
Why: This session is designed to better equip all members of Trinity Church to live into the
church’s mission as they are called to do by virtue of their Baptism.
How: One 90-minute adult formation session situated on or around All Saint’s Day.
OBJECTIVES
Through this session, participants will be able to:
(A) articulate the expectations for Baptized individuals that are outlined in the Baptismal
Covenant and
(B) apply understanding of the Baptismal Covenant in actionable ways in their daily lives.
MATERIALS NEEDED
1. Tables and chairs to support average Forum attendance plus 10.
2. Coffee, tea, light snacks
3. Projector and screen
4. PowerPoint presentation mirroring activity sequence (see plan below)
5. Sound system (microphones for two presenters and one for participant speakers + hearing
loop)
6. Chart paper or whiteboard for recording items from large group discussion
7. Post-It Notes for each table group.
8. Pens or other writing tools.
9. Paper at each table for individual use (i.e. notes, doodling, etc.) during presentation
10. Book of Common Prayer for each table
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11. Printouts of BCP and Bible passages used at tables
12. Bookmarks for take-away at the end.
MEETING UNIQUE NEEDS OF PARTICIPANTS
● Some participants might have hearing concerns. Ensure that assistive devices and
microphones are used when addressing the large group.
● Attempt to ensure clear sightlines of all seats to both the screen and presenters.
● Ensure that core concepts addressed in the guiding PowerPoint are presented as both text
and image to further facilitate comprehension.
● For table group and independent exercises, ensure instructions are presented both orally
and in writing.
● Facilitators should move among tables during independent or group work to make it
easier for quieter or more introverted participants to connect one-on-one.
ACTIVITY SEQUENCE
STEP
NOTES
TARGET
TIME
(min.)
1
Prayer at Holy Baptism, BCP 308
2
2
“What comes to mind when you think
‘Baptism’?”:
-- small group/table discussion
-- large group share-out
5
3
Theology and Practice of Baptism:
-- Co-facilitators will pose questions to each
other on Baptism-related topics (i.e. what
happens, liturgy structure, infant vs. adult,
etc.)
10
4
The Baptismal Covenant:
-- Facilitated large-group exploration
-- Covenant will be divided into two sections,
one addressing creedal items and one
addressing missional items.
-- Facilitators will question and dialogue with
participants, writing key sharings or insights
onto chart paper/whiteboard.
15
8
-- Emphasis given to the Covenant’s application
to and call to mission of all believers.
5
10
6
Participants will intentionally regather with a
minute of silence and a short prayer.
2
7
Mission and Ministry in the Catechism:
-- Drawing from the BCP Catechism section on
mission and ministry (pgs. 855-856),
facilitators will break-down the specific
sections of the catechism that highlight
differentiated and shared responsibilities for
ministry.
-- Emphasis will be given to “the duty of all
Christians” and the development of a shared
responsibility and investment in following
Christ, worshiping, and working for the
Kingdom of God.
10
8
BCP/Bible Passage Exploration
-- Selected texts related to Baptism and mission
from the Book of Common Prayer and Bible
(see Normative section above).
-- Participants will read the passage(s) at their
table and reflect on what unique aspect of
Baptism/mission the text highlights.
-- Groups should be prepared to (briefly) share
their passage(s)’ aspect with the large group.
5
9
BCP/Bible Passage Main Ideas
-- Groups will share their takeaways from the
table talk.
-- Facilitators will guide discussion and write
key points on chart paper/whiteboard.
-- Attention should be given to practical
connections.
10
10
Contextual Examples:
-- “How do you live out or demonstrate the
Baptismal Covenant at _____?”
-- Using the sentence starter above, participants
will be asked to reflect on how they
demonstrate the principles of the Covenant in
different places in their daily lives (i.e. work,
school, socially, etc.).
5
9
-- Participants will write their responses on Post-
It notes and to place their notes on “parking
lots” around the room for different settings
(i.e. home, school, work, etc.).
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Response Share-Out:
-- Facilitators will use a representative sample of
the Post-Its to elicit conversation with
participants.
-- Attention will be given to helping people see
(A) the variety of ways in which mission and
witness can be lived daily and (B) concrete
actions or orientations they might adopt in
their own lives.
10
12
Take-Aways and Challenge:
-- Co-facilitators will briefly recap the day’s
goals and key learnings.
-- Participants will be given a bookmark/trifold
that highlights the Baptismal promises and
provides a set of concrete actions that can be
done to reconnect with these promises in the
midst of a busy daily life (see draft option
below).
4
13
Prayer for Reaffirmation, BCP 310
2
10
Take-Away Draft Artifact from Session