Role of the Church in life/rites of passage

• what is a rite of passage


  a celebration of an important stage in life

  - social and religious significance

  - some are also sacraments so are ways of receiving the grace of God
• what does water represent in infant baptism


  leaving behind the life of sin an entering a new Christian life. being cleansed of original sin and the beginning of new life
• what does oil/chrism represent in infant baptism

  the coming of the holy spirit into the baby's life
• what does the candle lit in the church represent in infant baptism

  moving from spiritual darkness to light
• why is baptism important to christians?


  it is a way of admitting someone into the christian church

  - forgiveness of sins, in particular the original sin. humans are inherently sinful because they are seminally present in Adam
• what support is there in the Bible for baptism


  book of acts- whole families are baptised

  'make disciples of all nations; baptise them in the name of the Father, and of the son, and of the holy spirit
• 2 denominations that practice infant baptism


  roman catholic

  church of england
• name 2 denominations that only practice believer's baptism


  baptist

  pentecostal
• argument for infant baptism


  - forgiveness of sins (and original sin)

  - connection with God through the Holy Spirit from an early age- allows for God's guidance throughout life
• argument against infant baptism


  faith is a choice, commitment to Christianity should be a personal decision

  
  

  infants cannot be actively involved in the faith through prayer/believing
• argument for adult (believer's) baptism


  emphasis on a person making a conscious decision to be baptised

  - jesus was baptised as an adult
• argument against adult baptism


  infant baptism allows a longer relationship with God as well as removing original sin
• confirmation


  someone that was baptised as a child makes their own decision about belonging to the Christian faith
• 2 denominations that practice confirmation


  roman catholic

  orthodox

  church of england
• when does confirmation usually happen

  11/12 years old
• how does a person prepare for confirmation (and why?)

  take part in a series of classes at their church where they learn more about the christian faith and understand what happens at a confirmation service
• what happens during a confirmation service


  candidate answers questions for themselves that their parents would've answered for them at their baptism

  
  

  bishop places his hand on their head and prays for god's holy spirit in them
• a denomination that practices dedication

  baptist churches
• why do some christians perform dedication ceremonies rather than confirmation


  their parents make promises to commit to bring the child up in the christian faith because baptism was a decision made by adults in the bible
• 2 things that happen in a confirmation service


  - parents commit to bring up the child in the christian faith

  - prayers are said for the parents asking god to help them to be good parents, and for guidance in parenthood
• what is a believer's baptism and what does it symbolise


  when a person comes to a personal faith in christ they may choose to have a believer's baptism

  this is symbolic of an individual's choice to become a christian
• 3 features of a believer's baptism

  1) a testimony (short account of how the person has become a christian)

  2) the believer wears white (symbolises purity + forgiveness of sins)

  3) the believer is taken under the water (symbolises removal of their sin)
• how do church communities support families


  - marking significant events (baptism, marriage)

  - priest/minister might provide support by visiting the sick

  - involved with local charities

  - youth services (e.g. sunday school)

  - volunteer services to help vulnerable groups
• teachings for church communities supporting families


  - 'bear another's burdens'

  - 'anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever
• 3 reasons why marriage is important to christians

  1) a gift from god, part of god's plan for creation

  2) provides a relationship through which husband and wife support each other.

  3) a secure environment for the upbringing of children
• the minister explains the purpose of marriage


  ensures the couple understands the meaning of the ceremony

  reminds them about their lifelong commitment
• the couple exchange their vows


  vows can be referred back to during the course of life

  encouragement to stick to their commitment, reassurance of their lifelong commitment
• couple exchange rings, minister asks that god blesses the vows they made


  rings = symbol of commitment and an outward sign of their marriage
• prayers for the couple to ask for god's blessing on their marriage and their life together in all situations


  encouraged to rely on God and to seek him for support during their married life

  god at centre of marriage strengthens + guides their relationship
• funerals- bible reading


  focuses on prospect of eternal life with God after death
• funerals- eulogy


  talk or speech in which the person's life is remembered and their achievements are acknowledged
• funerals- prayers


  prayers for friends and relatives (support during grief)

  rcc- prayers for the dead body to help in purgatory
• funerals- hymns


  focus is likely the hope of an afterlife with God
• funerals- requiem mass


  catholic

  mass for the dead
• funerals- burial/cremation


  further prayers to be said

  committal statement is said
• committal statement


  christians believe they are committing the dead person to God's care

  'ashes to ashes, dust to dust