Mega Church

Last night I attended the baptism of a student from my ABUA Arts Faculty group in her home church.

The church building was BIG.
The music was BIG.
The baptismal pool was BIG.
The congregation was BIG.
And most notably, the number of people presenting for baptism was BIG.

 This church does it all BIG.
The baptisms were restricted to women only on this occasion .... and in 2 hours they managed to move 190 women through the baptismal pool.

It was quite a process ... 3 white-clad leaders ushered small groups of women to the pool, set into the stage.
Eight white-clad ministers greeted the women, asked for their confession of faith, then received and dunked each one in a gigantic line.  All done with the utmost decorum, a team of 6 helpers outside the pool covered the newly baptised women with white plastic capes (wet white clothing being inappropriate!), led them away from the pool, and mopped up the wet floors.

 It was an interesting experience, but felt quite impersonal.  But is that just my 21st Century individualistic approach?  It caused me to think about baptism on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2), when 3,000 people were baptised.

How exactly?  
Full immersion?
A little wet cross marked on the forehead?

It was great to witness my friend´s declaration of her new faith in Jesus.

Posted by Julie