What would you do if your church didn't have a baptismal?

[MojoTurbo]

Both my wife and I were ordained Baptist, but our current church is non-denominational and has no baptistery.

In the past the church has gone to a member home, but that excludes anyone who doesn't come or can't come due to age.

I think baptism should be celebrated by the whole church family, so I would love some creative dunking ideas.

.... thoughts

 

[exscentric]

Some use other churches facilities (of similar faith normally) at an off time.

They now have roll around rigs that seem to work well if you have the money and a place to store it.

 

[glfredrick]

I have seen very creative use of standard cow watering tanks.

Also, there is nothing at all wrong with going to a local swimming spot, pool, or even using a hot tub on someone's deck if that is the decision of the congregation.

For instance:

http://www.gototanks.com/300-Gallon-Open-Top-Stock-Tank.aspx

Check out your local Tractor Supply, Fleet Farm, or other farm-type store. I'm sure that you can find some good ideas there that won't bankrupt the church.

I am curious about both you and your wife being ordained, however... :laugh:

 

[Old Union Brother]

or......you could do like we do baptize in a creek

 

[Crabtownboy]

We do not have a baptistry in our church and we have:

Used both churches that have a baptistry
Used a swimming pool
Used the Chesapeake Bay

 

[annsni]

Our current location is in a hotel that doesn't have a pool so we tried to find another local hotel that would allow us to use theirs but they said no. So for now, we're going to have a beach baptism next Sunday.

However, for those who cannot make it to a regular pool, you can contact the VA or other place that would have a handicapped accessible pool and ask if you could use theirs. They usually have a ramp and/or a lift to get someone into the pool and it works out really well.

 

[RG2]

2'x6' oval stock tank works pretty well, and being in texas you should be able to find one pretty easily.

 

[padredurand]

or......you could do like we do baptize in a creek

Or use White Creek (we pronounce it crick) on our church property. We only use it in June. It's frozen over 4 months out of the year, the trout run in April, May the water is still under 50 degrees, July through September it's only about a foot deep and about the time the water level is up there is snow in the air.



white creek by padredurand, on Flickr

Now I'm sure the folks would remember the Baptism testimony of the blue people if we were to catch that brisk spring runoff.

 

[preacher4truth]

First church I pastored, very small building, and we baptized at my home church (sending church) due to not having a baptistry. Soon after God filled this place to capacity week after week, Wednesday and Sunday, with new souls saved, new membership and blessed services.

 

[rbell]

I have seen very creative use of standard cow watering tanks.

Be very careful how you advertise this one, however...

I doubt Sister Smith, though she is overjoyed about her new faith in Christ, would find much humor in the explanation of where she was baptized...






Although...

• I find the use of these tanks to be quite no-bull...
• if you use these...make a celebration out of it! Serve refreshments, and de-calf coffee...
• remind folks the seriousness of the occasion, though. There's a great deal at steak.
• If you handle this carefully, I doubt there will be many folks with a legitimate beef.

 

[Batt4Christ]

I know that some of our mission churches get one of those big galvanized cattle watering jobbers - it is oblong and not hard for two average adults to carry when empty. Some do it outside the church building, others actually bring it in and bucket or water hose it full. The one doing the baptism actually stands outside the makeshift "baptistry" and doesn't usually get wet.

As someone else posted - "borrow" another church's facilities. Although as a "non-denom" group - that may not be a possibility...

 

[SaggyWoman]

1. Use a river or a pond or a lake.

2. Use another church's baptistry.

3. Rent one and bring it in.

4. Go to a YMCA.

5. Go to a local school with a pool.

6. Bring in a cattle trough or pool and fill it up.

7. Use a hose. BWAHHAHAHAHAHA.

 

[jshurley04]

Baptismal Tank

Tractor Supply sells watering tanks that a small to medium build man can fit into somewhat cheaply. You can fill them at your location and then dump them to take home and store them. We have a baptistry tank but none in the congregation have the needed skills to install it as of yet. For now we have a watering tank that we use. Cheap and effective. If you need one for larger people then they sell the bigger tanks as well.

 

[Alcott]

For those who want to be shepherded into the flock, use a sheep dip tank.

 

[David Lamb]

Try a Google search for "collapsible baptistry".