wfn.org | Initiation into Christian Faith

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"UNITED METHODIST DAILY NEWS 97" by SUSAN PEEK on April 15, 1997 at 14:24
Eastern, about DAILY NEWS RELEASES FROM UNITED METHODIST NEWS SERVICE (449
notes).

Note 448 by UMNS on Nov. 10, 1997 at 16:43 Eastern (1793 characters).

CONTACT: Linda Green						  636(10-71B){448}
	    Nashville, Tenn. (615)742-5470 			Nov. 10, 1997

Discipleship Resources releases
new handbook for baptism sponsors

	NASHVILLE, (UMNS) —- A handbook designed to help United Methodist
congregations initiate people into Christian faith through baptism has been
released by Discipleship Resources, publishing arm of the United Methodist
Board of Discipleship.
	Accompanying the Journey: A Handbook for Sponsors by Lester Ruth, the fourth
in a five-book, "Christian Initiation Series," is designed to help United
Methodist and other congregations guide individuals who seek initiation into
the Christian faith through baptism. Ruth is assistant professor of liturgical
studies at Yale Divinity School and the Institute of Sacred Music.
	The book provides an overview of Christian initiation and outlines in detail
the responsibilities of sponsors in the worship service. Guidelines for
selecting and preparing sponsors are included, along with a brief history of
the sponsors’ role in the Christian and in Methodist traditions.
	According to Ruth, the renewed interest in sponsors in the United Methodist
Church is the result of shifts in the understanding of baptism. He writes,
"Foremost is a renewed emphasis on the baptism of adults as a central aspect
of the church’s life. . . . By a renewed emphasis on evangelizing and
baptizing adults, the church becomes focused on the manner in which adults are
properly introduced and formed in the faith prior to baptism."
	Accompanying the Journey (#DR176) may be ordered from Discipleship Resources,
P.O. Box 6996, Alpharetta, GA 30009-6996; through the online bookstore by
typing: http://www.discipleshipresources.org; or by calling (800) 685-4370.
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