In our Congregational Statement of Faith, we affirm,

“We joyfully embrace the Holy Scriptures, as originally given, as the inspired, infallible, and inerrant Word of God. As such, the Bible is our sole authority in all matters of faith and practice and we confess the doctrines taught therein.”

Furthermore, we affirm,

“Those who are chosen by God the Father and redeemed by the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ and sanctified by the Holy Spirit are members of the universal Church, the body of which Christ is the head. This Church finds visible expression in local churches, each of whom should manifest union with Christ in preserving purity of life and doctrine, avoiding schism and false teaching.”

It is in the spirit of these two statements, we set forth the following Baptismal Cooperation Agreement.

Whereas:

Our Congregational Statement of Faith does not explicitly mention baptism.

And whereas we also commend:

Multiple Protestant confessions of faith listed in our Book of Confessions as faithful summaries of the doctrines set forth in Holy Scripture.

We recognize:

Among these confessions, there are differences in the theology and practice of baptism.

We also recognize:

Despite baptism being a unifying mark of identity for all Christians, baptism has been a source of dispute and division even among otherwise likeminded Christians.

We furthermore recognize:

The appropriate age of baptism, especially for the children of believers, is not a matter of simple obedience on an issue clearly settled by Scripture, but rather is a matter of Christian wisdom and prudence on an issue not directly addressed by Scripture.

Therefore, we have determined:

To accommodate, as far as it is possible, households with different convictions among our fellowship and provide pastoral care in accordance with these convictions without infringing upon the conscience of differing households.

At the same time, we deny:

Truth is relative, differences are unimportant, and all truth claims are reconcilable.

We also deny:

All truth claims must be held with equal confidence or dogmatism.

And we further deny:

The water ritual of baptism is necessary for salvation nor is one’s understanding and practice of the timing and mode of baptism necessary for unity in our church.

We affirm:

There are matters of greater and lesser weight and importance.

We recognize:

There are good, better, and even bad ways to hold one’s view of baptism. A view can be held in a confused, inconsistent, or ignorant way. Likewise, an otherwise good understanding of baptism can be held with a spirit of intemperance, arrogance, or divisiveness. Therefore, we have determined to work with each individual and household to equip them to hold the best version of their view in godliness and love.

We also recognize:

This is an endeavor fraught with pitfalls and frustrations as it requires leaders and members to maintain a hierarchy of loves and loyalties exercised with spiritual discernment and care.

Nevertheless, we affirm:

This is a worthy aim as we pursue unity together and learn to love one another.