The Rev’d David Marten, Youth & Young Adult Minister
On confirmation Sunday, you may be wondering what the fuss is all about. While it may not seem like a big deal, this is an ancient and Biblical sacrament that welcomes adults of all ages into the church.1 This process is more than just taking some classes, passing an exam, and then receiving a certificate. Rather, it is the bishop praying for the confirmand to receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit in order to serve Christ and His church.
In this sense, confirmation introduces a person as an ordained member of the church. A priest in the diocese recently commented that the prayer to receive the Holy Spirit is nearly identical for both a confirmand as well as the ordinations of a deacon, priest, and bishop. It strengthens the individual’s faith and introduces them to their new role as a member of the Church. Questions to ask when considering confirmation are:
Are you of mature age?
Do you have a knowledge of the Christian faith?
Are you willing to be tested by and held accountable to the church?
Are you prepared to promise to uphold the doctrines of the Church in word and deed?
Is your intention to lead a life of service to the church and the world?
Most of you are already familiar with confirmation, but do you know about reception and reaffirmation? Reception is for people who have already been confirmed in another apostolic tradition, like the Roman Catholic church, but would like to join the Anglican church. Here, the bishop prays for the strength, gifts, and guidance of the Holy Spirit, that they would be able to serve effectively alongside us in our mission.
Reaffirmation is for people who desire to publicly affirm their Christian faith but have already been confirmed in our Anglican tradition. This is particularly useful when entering a new stage in life or ministry and seeking gifts to match and align with those changes. Anyone who is already a confirmed member may request to reaffirm their vows at the next bishop’s visit.
Confirmation, reception, and reaffirmation all prepare people to participate more fully in the life of the Church. It is a rite of passage, during which candidates publicly reaffirm their baptismal vows and make vows to pursue Christ. It creates bonds with the Church and the opportunity to take part in the full life of the Church. People who have been confirmed are encouraged to participate in all aspects of parish life, from helping with worship, teaching Bible studies, serving in ministries within the parish, and leading in our common mission. Let us know if you are interested in confirmation, reaffirmation, or reception!
1 See II Timothy 1:6; Acts 8:14-16; & Acts 19:6