Baptism

[MorningGlory]

Okay, I hope this is the right forum for this. It didn't seem to fit anywhere else.

I want to be baptised at my church. No problem, huh? Well, yes, problem! I live in Texas, I attend a real western church and they baptise people in a horse trough! Not a used one and it's indoors but still..........they totally immerse people in that thing! Being a woman, I don't see myself being dunked in my good clothes and hair and makeup going under! Being immersed in some clothing results in a 'see through' effect that is best left to the imagination; especially if you're wearing lightweight women's clothing.

Should I...

1. Find another church just for baptism?

2. Wear a scuba suit and no make up to church for the baptism?

3. Forget about baptism altogether?

or

4. Just do it and never mind that I have to sit through the rest of the service soaking wet with mascara running down my cheeks?

Why does this have to be so HARD????

Wow, I can whine as well as my two year old grandson!

Opinions, please? My family thinks I'm a big baby.

[Fiosh]

Okay, I hope this is the right forum for this. It didn't seem to fit anywhere else.

I want to be baptised at my church. No problem, huh? Well, yes, problem! I live in Texas, I attend a real western church and they baptise people in a horse trough! Not a used one and it's indoors but still..........they totally immerse people in that thing! Being a woman, I don't see myself being dunked in my good clothes and hair and makeup going under! Being immersed in some clothing results in a 'see through' effect that is best left to the imagination; especially if you're wearing lightweight women's clothing.

Should I...

1. Find another church just for baptism?

2. Wear a scuba suit and no make up to church for the baptism?

3. Forget about baptism altogether?

or

4. Just do it and never mind that I have to sit through the rest of the service soaking wet with mascara running down my cheeks?

Why does this have to be so HARD????

Wow, I can whine as well as my two year old grandson!

Opinions, please? My family thinks I'm a big baby.

Quite a predicament, glory.

All kidding aside, I would first suggest you give serious consideration to WHY you are being baptized.

If you decide that it is for the right reasons, then :

1. Wear several layers of clothing that will not result in a "show" when you get wet. (test it in the shower)

2. DON'T wear mascara. (seems simple, don't it? )

3. Bring along a white blanket to be wrapped around yourself upon emerging from the water.

If you truly want to repent of your sins, be filled with the Holy Spirit, and become part of God's family, you will find a way to overcome these minor obstacles.

May God bless your big day!

Fiosh

[Floatingaxe]

Like most churches, we baptize by immersion, and we wear either a gown, or just dark clothing. When I am baptizing someone, I wear clothing that covers and is dark. Women still can wear a little makeup if they wish, but they bring a hairdryer and afterward they change and dry their hair and maybe refresh their makeup before coming back to service. Why doesn't your church allow for that? Seems strange...

[Guest man]

Just do it.

Wear a flannel shirt and blue jeans.

God searches the heart. If it's in the right place, you have nothing to worry about.

[Giaour]

At our church, we wear one piece swim suits under out clothing so IF the clothing shows through, we will still be covered up.

Water proof mascara and a blanket to wrap up in afterwards.

I think you might be focusing too much on the physical aspects of baptism and not enough of the spiritual part of.

Rejoice dont fret

[forgiven1]

I think you might be focusing too much on the physical aspects of baptism and not enough of the spiritual part

I agree! Baptism should be a surrendering to God so just do it and don't worry. There are some good tips here for you too as far as covering up goes. Shouldn't be a problem. Take the plunge!

[Vickilynn]

Shalom,

Good responses in this thread.

I'll add my 2 cents (with inflation is worth 3 cents now )

The REASON you are being baptized is very serious and it is a G-d-thing. It is an outward statement of your inward commitment to follow Jesus. This must be your motivation.

That said, we are human and we do worry about the logistics of these things, so don't fret, you're not the first person that asked these questions and you won't be the last.

Have you spoken with your pastoral staff about this? Since they baptize regularly, they most likely have had these questions before and they prolly have a system. I would start there by speaking to your church about how they baptize and what is involved. Most churches take care of these details and assure people of what's going to happen and not let them "wing it."

Usually, what you come to church in is NOT what you are baptized in. They usually have a changing room etc and you come out in what you'll be immersed in.

So, if your church doesn't provide baptismal gowns, do as was suggested above, wear a one-piece MODEST swim-suit under some loose, dark clothes to change into before you're baptized.

As far as the "hair and makeup", well, this is about crucifying the flesh, so it's time to forget the hair and makeup and get immersed for Jesus! Do not wear makeup that will run that day and expect your hair to get wet. As was said before, msot churches have hair dryers in their changing areas for the ones being baptized.

All that said, please focus on the spiritual step you are taking with this profession and enjoy the baptism! I just got back from Israel and I was baptized in the Jordan River, as Jesus was. What an amazing baptism!!

[Scarletprayers]

I agree with everybody else, nothing new to add, except what a beautiful thing you are about to do!

Vickilynn, I would love to go to Israel, how lucky you are!

[Guest LadyC]

i'm in vegas, and we use a horse trough, OUTdoors. even in winter. (nobody ever wants to get baptized in winter.)

most people bring a change of clothes to church that day, and change prior to baptism. ours is done following the service rather than at the beginning. in fact, even when i was in a big church in texas with a baptismal, people always changed out of their good clothes to be baptized, and then changed back into the good ones.

[Guest man]

(nobody ever wants to get baptized in winter.)

I got baptized in the St.Croix river....northern Wisconsin.....late october.

Yeah it was chilly.