“Growing up,” Valerie recalled, “I was involved in many of my church’s activities for children.” Recently she returned to her home church and attended an adult Sunday school class with her parents. The class included members who were active in the church while she was growing up. Many of them greeted her and reminisced about her childhood. A man stood up during the announcements and said, “We’d like to welcome Valerie to our class. Remember,” he added, “we helped train and teach her.”

After this experience Valerie thought of the congregation’s response following baptisms: “With God’s help we will proclaim the good news and live according to the example of Christ.” This man’s words were true. Forty years ago at Valerie’s baptism those church members made this promise and they kept it.

“No…