Baptism Follow Up Guide

At the venue where the student makes a salvation decision, a counselor should confirm that the student understands their decision. If the student displays a clear understanding, the counselor should explain the next step of baptism and offer this opportunity to the student. The counselor can then indicate on a decision card whether or not the student is interested in being baptized.

If the student indicates that they are interested in being baptized, complete these next steps to follow-up with them.

Week 1:  (This step should be completed in the same week that the student makes a salvation decision.)

• Student receives a personal phone call from the student pastor congratulating them on what God has done in their life, and inviting them to take the next step of baptism.
  • Be ready to discuss their decision.
  • Make sure to secure parental consent for any students under 18.
  • Be prepared to schedule a time for them to be baptized.
  • Have a checklist ready to discuss with them what they will need to bring on the day that they are baptized.
• Student receives a letter from the student pastor inviting them to follow through with baptism. The letter should include:
• (Refer to LifeWay Week 1 Sample Letter in the pdf at the bottom of this page) 
  • A brief explanation of what baptism is.
  • Contact information for someone at the church that can help them schedule their baptism.
  • Pastoral contacts at the church that can talk further with them about baptism if they still have questions.

Week 2:

If the student/parents have not yet scheduled their baptism:

• Parents of student receive an email from the student pastor.
  • Email should contain similar information as the letter from week one.
• Phone call #2 from Student Pastor.

If the student/parents have scheduled baptism:

• Send out an info packet with an information sheet giving details for the day of the baptism. The following information should be included: 
• (Refer to LifeWay Baptism Preparation Information Sheet in the pdf at the bottom of this page.)
  • Congratulations on being baptized.
  • When and where to meet. (You should have those who are being baptized arrive 30 minutes before they are going to be baptized in order to go through everything with them and prior to the service.)
  • What to wear.
  • What to bring.
  • Information on the prep time with a pastor and others who are being baptized before the service.
  • Some questions to consider leading up to the event so that the baptizing pastor can tell a little bit of their story during the baptism:
    • How did you become a Christian?
    • Was there a person who was instrumental in your decision to accept Christ as your personal Lord and Savior?
    • What led you to the decision of being baptized today?

Week 3: 

If the student/parents have not yet scheduled their baptism:

• Student/parents receive at letter from the church. (This letter is different in that it comes from someone higher than the Student Pastor. This can be a form letter from the Senior Pastor, Education Pastor, or anyone else that you see fit.)
• (Refer to LifeWay Week 3 Sample Letter in the pdf at the bottom of this page.)
  • This letter should again celebrate the decision that was made and express that this is the third attempt to help them schedule their baptism.
  • Letter should also contain contact information for someone they can speak to, and an open invitation for them to schedule their baptism at any time.
  • Make sure that this letter still maintains a positive and welcoming feel.

If the student/parents have scheduled baptism:

• Send out an info packet with an information sheet giving details for the day of the baptism. The following information should be included:
  • Congratulations on being baptized.
  • When and where to meet. (You should have those who are being baptized arrive 30 minutes before they are going to be baptized in order to go through everything with them and prior to the service.)
  • What to wear.
  • What to bring.
  • Information on the prep time with a pastor and others who are being baptized before the service.
  • Some questions to consider leading up to the event so that the baptizing pastor can tell a little bit of their story during the baptism
    • How did you become a Christian?
    • Was there a person who was instrumental in your decision to accept Christ as your personal Lord and Savior?
    • What led you to the decision of being baptized today?

You may also want to include information about the church and any promotional materials you have about upcoming events and programs.