Sacraments
Communion and Baptism are called sacraments in the Christian community. A sacrament is like a drama, which acts out visibly, something which is spiritual and invisible! Like a drama, the sacraments teach and inspire. Christians believe that sharing in the sacraments draws them closer to God, and helps them live more like Jesus.
Baptism (Adult or Infant)
Skyview Community Church observes and practices the Christian sacrament of Baptism. Baptism is the sacrament of “incorporation” into the Church Universal, which is composed of all Christian believers. In the Church of the Nazarene, baptism may be received as adults (“Believer” Baptism) or as infants.
In requesting Christian baptism, an adult or individual, who has reached an age to freely and willingly offer oneself for baptism, is giving testimony to his or her desire to be accepted into and to be a practicing and committed part of the Christian Community, represented by all believers. Baptism symbolizes and affirms God’s acceptance of this individual into the Christian family.
In requesting that an infant be baptised, the parents or guardians of the child are indicating their willingness and desire that the child be accepted into the Christian community, and are promising to raise the child in the Christian faith. This faithful nurturing will, in due course, hopefully see the child make a personal choice to freely commit themselves to the practice of the Christian faith.
Communion
At Skyview Community Church we celebrate the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper (Communion; Eucharist) regularly (fourth Sunday of each month).
It is our belief that this sacrament is both a memorial meal, remembering Christ’s sacrificial death on the cross, and also that the communion meal is a means of experiencing and receiving God’s grace (through the Holy Spirit) to empower us for Christian living and witness in the world today.
A sacrament is, by one definition: “A visible sign of an invisible grace, and a means by which we participate in, and receive the same”. The sacrament of communion is offered to all who desire to receive it, and we ask only that one approaches the sacrament with a sincere desire to know God more deeply, and to serve God whole-heartedly.
We believe in an “open table” which means that all are welcome to participate in the sacrament. Church membership is not necessary to share in the sacrament: all who desire to do so, may participate.
Children are invited to the table, should their parents or guardians so wish.
Infant Dedication
Parents/guardians may choose to have their infant or child dedicated to God, in place of infant baptism. The ceremony of infant dedication does not take the place of baptism, and a child who has been dedicated will hopefully, as a youth or adult, seek to be baptized into the Christian faith. In presenting their child to be dedicated, the parents/guardians are pledging that they will raise their child in the faith, giving every opportunity for Christian learning, growth and worship.
In both the sacrament of baptism and in infant or child dedication, the church family promises to seek every opportunity to prayerfully support the one being baptized or dedicated, to pray for and support the parents/guardians of children, and to offer a Godly example of Christian faith and living.