Church of England to wash some Bible imagery from baptism rite

The Church of England has voted to use more accessible language during baptisms to help it connect better with congregations, especially non church-goers. Members attending the Church’s General Synod, or parliament, in London, agreed that the Liturgical Commission should provide supplementary material to help prevent the eyes of worshippers “glazing over” during important parts of the service.

The Reverend Tim Stratford, from Liverpool, said on Wednesday his motion was “not a request for christenings without Christianity.” Quite the opposite. “I am not asking for the language of Steven Gerrard,” he said, referring to the Liverpool and England soccer star. “Just references that could be understood by the majority.”

Parts of the service were difficult to use “without seeming inappropriately schoolmaster-like”, he said. Stratford said he did not disagree with the words currently being used, such as “I turn to Christ, I repent of my sins, and I renounce evil.”

“But it sounds to many as if the church wants an entirely religious response — removed from our behaviour, actions and conversations”. Instead, he wanted words that showed Christ’s neighbourly love. “Not inquisitorial, but aspirational.”

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For what historic Anglicanism has required as a minimum for the administration of the sacrament of baptism, readers are referred to The Ministration of Private Baptism of Children in Houses in The Book of Common Prayer of 1662. Before 1604 a lay person such as a mid-wife might administer the sacrament of baptism in accordance with primitive Catholic practice. However, the Puritans objected to lay baptism, maintaining that a minister of the gospel was the most appropriate person to administer the gospel sacrament of baptism. James I agreed with their position and the rubrics of the form for the administration of private baptism was changed in the 1604 revision of the Prayer Book. The Thanksgiving from the Baptismal Office was added in the 1662 revision. The 1552 and 1559 Prayer Books had only required that those present call upon God for grace and say the Lord's Prayer, if time permitted, and then one of them name the child and dip him in the water or pour water upon him saying, "N. I Baptise the in the name of the Father, and of the Sonne, and of the holy Ghoste. Amen." See Of Them That Be Baptized in Private Houses, in Tyme of Necessitie.