Jeff Scanlan wrote:
[snip]
>>> I remember one baptism where after the candidate was immersed someone
>> called
>>> out across the church at the top of his voice, 'Yeay.....Tom.'
>> Did you ask that man who he was truly applauding?  Did you ask him if
>> what he meant with the words, "Yeay......Tom" was really, "Tom, I am so
>> very glad that God has performed a wonderful work in your life, that God
>> has caused you to be born again and in response, out of love for Him,
>> you have publicly confessed Christ in baptism"?  Did you ask him if his
>> emotionally excited utterance really meant, "Wow, Tom.  You are amazing.
>>   What a wise, intelligent thing you have done.  How very noble and
>> meritorious your decision to be baptized!"?
> 
> I could not find him and if I had said that he probably would have been
> offended.

So?  If he was wrong and you corrected him and he was offended...so?

>> Last Sunday we had about ten baptisms in my church.  We applauded each
>> time.  We thanked God for what He has done in each life.  Rather than
>> audibly saying those words, we clapped.
>>
> 
> And I think that is plain dumb! Sorry but that is how I read it and feel
> about it.

Wow.

[snip]

>> Why not use the opportunity as a time to provide sound instruction for
>> celebrating new life *properly*?  You could tell your people that it is
>> good and right to celebrate new life but instruct them to remember
>> Who/what they are truly celebrating.  You are throwing away opportunities.
>>
> 
> If they would do so I would be happy for that. But that never seems to
> happen!

I seem to recall reading on this list that you are a pastor.  Is this 
so?  If you are, why in the world are you in full-time ministry if you 
shrink from correcting and admonishing those God has entrusted to your 
care?  Redeem the time, man!
--
john-thomas