Holy Rites In recent years, many of our churches have called the act of joining the Church by confession of faith in Jesus Covenant Confirmation. But whatever name is given to this simple act, its meaning is an affirmation of sincere desire to accept and follow Jesus Christ. Members are received from all other church bodies (such as Presbyterian, Methodist, Baptist) by letter of transfer. When no letter is available (as from an Episcopal church), the member may be received either by "confession of faith" or by "reaffirmation of faith." In every instance, the service is simple and direct, and the candidates will have been brought forward by the deacons or will have been voted upon by the church meeting. Ordination is the Holy Rite by which a minister is dedicated to life-long service. A church invites its sister churches (often an associational group and those especially interested) to join with it in examining the candidate; and then, if the results are favorable, a beautiful service is held with the dedication of the candidate to life-long service as a minister of Christ symbolized by the placing on his head of the hands of other ministers and one or more deacons of the church while an "ordination prayer" is offered. Christian Marriage is held to be of very great importance among us, and we urge our members to confer with the minister as far in advance as possible, preferably several months before the wedding date. Preparation for the founding of a Christian home is a happy but holy responsibility, not to be taken lightly. Therefore, preparatory conferences are held, careful rehearsals are arranged, and all the details of the service and reception are cared for with single-minded attention to the dedication of the couple to the founding of a beautiful, lasting Christian home. The church building and one's own home are considered by Congregational Christian ministers to be the two proper places for the service to be held, preferably the Meeting House of the Church. Christian Burial is the prayerful and glad recognition of the goodness and mercy of God our Father. Here, too, the service is best held in the church building. The pastor should be called at once, and will be ready to give counsel and help. The service itself should be brief with scripture and prayer predominant over all else. Ostentatious display in flowers, casket, or in any other way is to be avoided. And, since we are recognizing the eternal spirit and not the outward physical body, it is prefereable to have the casket closed. Indeed, many of our services are now "memorial services" without the casket present at all.
© Copyright 1989 by Henry David Gray; 1995 by the Congregational Christian Churches National Association. |
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