|
Post by Sir Blimely Windy on May 12, 2007 14:58:23 GMT
Two very good friends of mine have today asked me if I would like to be a godparent for their son.
I feel honoured to have been asked.
What makes a good godparent?
|
|
|
Post by revmichael on May 12, 2007 18:40:56 GMT
Two very good friends of mine have today asked me if I would like to be a godparent for their son. I feel honoured to have been asked. What makes a good godparent? You need an Anglican to answer that as Baptists don't have godparents. But my wife was a Godparent to a little girl (who is now grown up). She regarded it as her privilege and responsibility to encourage the girl to grow up with Christian principles and act in a Christ-like way. Perhaps we have some Anglicans among us who can give a much more definite answer.
|
|
|
Post by Paul E Esther on May 12, 2007 22:07:22 GMT
As a Roman Catholic, to be asked to be a god parent is a privilege which brings its own responsibilites - some of which Michael has outlined.
One of the questions should be to ask - how closely do the parents follow a faith? If they do, then you will be lead by their example and will be encouraged to meet the vicar / priest who will conduct the celebration.
If not, then your responsibilites could unfortunately be focused on birthdays, Christmas and Easter.....
|
|
|
Post by faeryboots on May 12, 2007 23:37:38 GMT
As a Roman Catholic, to be asked to be a god parent is a privilege which brings its own responsibilites - some of which Michael has outlined. One of the questions should be to ask - how closely do the parents follow a faith? If they do, then you will be lead by their example and will be encouraged to meet the vicar / priest who will conduct the celebration. If not, then your responsibilites could unfortunately be focused on birthdays, Christmas and Easter..... Interesting point Paul, however, it does not have to be like that. There are many well rounded people with sound moral principles but no faith. They can stlll be around to guide and be a friend to the child as it grows.
|
|
GROCKLE
Young Limb
I'M NOT DEAD YET
Posts: 9
|
Post by GROCKLE on May 13, 2007 6:37:48 GMT
Attended a family Christening recently, the nice lady Vicar announced that it is traditonal for the Godparents to give their Godchild a cheque on the anniversary of the Christening each year. I now have a Goddaughter/neice hounding me for 20 years outstanding cheques
|
|
|
Post by Yvette Medina on May 13, 2007 8:46:16 GMT
The way I understand it is that the godparent takes an (active?) interest in the spiritual upbringing of the child, and aids the parents in that task.
In practice it can be as little as attending the christening/baptism, and sending something serious on the 21st/18th birthday, or as much as attending church with the child, visiting regularly, standing as sponsor for confirmation, etc. etc.
Some people set great store by having famous names as godparents - in which case it works rather like the old-boy network as it can be an 'in' to a particular field or environment. In other cases, the godparent will be nominated as the guardian should anything happen to both parents.
It's really up to the individual, the family and the child how you work it, and what store you set by the spiritual rather than the mundane things of life.
Why not ask your friends how they see the role of godparent?
|
|
|
Post by Fi on May 13, 2007 11:07:21 GMT
Two very good friends of mine have today asked me if I would like to be a godparent for their son. I feel honoured to have been asked. What makes a good godparent? You need an Anglican to answer that as Baptists don't have godparents. But my wife was a Godparent to a little girl (who is now grown up). She regarded it as her privilege and responsibility to encourage the girl to grow up with Christian principles and act in a Christ-like way. Perhaps we have some Anglicans among us who can give a much more definite answer. I think the Anglican church, and most others, would agree with your answer Michael. However, for a lot of people baptism has become a social event in the same way as the marriage ceremony. For that reason I suggest, as someone else has already done, that Blimely ask the child's parents what they expect of him.
|
|
|
Post by revmichael on May 13, 2007 14:51:37 GMT
You need an Anglican to answer that as Baptists don't have godparents. But my wife was a Godparent to a little girl (who is now grown up). She regarded it as her privilege and responsibility to encourage the girl to grow up with Christian principles and act in a Christ-like way. Perhaps we have some Anglicans among us who can give a much more definite answer. I think the Anglican church, and most others, would agree with your answer Michael. However, for a lot of people baptism has become a social event in the same way as the marriage ceremony. For that reason I suggest, as someone else has already done, that Blimely ask the child's parents what they expect of him. That's such a good point Fi. The parents will know why they have asked Blimely to perform this service. I'm so pleased that various people have made useful suggestions and hope it helps everyone.
|
|
|
Post by paul Zernikazof on May 13, 2007 15:11:35 GMT
Two very good friends of mine have today asked me if I would like to be a godparent for their son. I feel honoured to have been asked. What makes a good godparent? I believe that in the Anglican baptism service both parents and Godparents are required to declare their faith in God and promise to bring the child up in that faith.
|
|
|
Post by revmichael on May 13, 2007 16:10:40 GMT
Two very good friends of mine have today asked me if I would like to be a godparent for their son. I feel honoured to have been asked. What makes a good godparent? I believe that in the Anglican baptism service both parents and Godparents are required to declare their faith in God and promise to bring the child up in that faith. I didn't think they had to promise to bring up the child in the Church of England beliefs. My wife (being a Baptist) didn't promise to do that. Roman Catholic parent, I believe, used to have to promise that. I'm off to our local Evangelical Church of England tonight (where we, bumbling baptists, now worship). I'll ask the Vicar what the siutation is.
|
|
|
Post by Fi on May 13, 2007 22:56:19 GMT
Two very good friends of mine have today asked me if I would like to be a godparent for their son. I feel honoured to have been asked. What makes a good godparent? I believe that in the Anglican baptism service both parents and Godparents are required to declare their faith in God and promise to bring the child up in that faith. A very good point Paul, I'd forgotten that bit. However, how it is approached ranks alongside the wedding vows, especially 'till death do us part'.
|
|
|
Post by Beau Leggs on May 14, 2007 12:53:40 GMT
Two very good friends of mine have today asked me if I would like to be a godparent for their son. I feel honoured to have been asked. What makes a good godparent? I believe that in the Anglican baptism service both parents and Godparents are required to declare their faith in God and promise to bring the child up in that faith. Depending on the minister, the Church of Scotland, requires that at least one of the parents and the godparents declare their faith in God and to bring them up in the knowledge of the teaching of Jesus. From folks that I know, who are godparents, the requirements was for a Christian teaching and not specifically the protestant Church of Scotland.
|
|
|
Post by revmichael on May 14, 2007 13:15:19 GMT
I believe that in the Anglican baptism service both parents and Godparents are required to declare their faith in God and promise to bring the child up in that faith. Depending on the minister, the Church of Scotland, requires that at least one of the parents and the godparents declare their faith in God and to bring them up in the knowledge of the teaching of Jesus. From folks that I know, who are godparents, the requirements was for a Christian teaching and not specifically the protestant Church of Scotland. That's my understanding of the church of England too. But certainly for some people (and I guess, for some churches) sadly this has become much more an event in the social calendar.
|
|
|
Post by smiffy on May 15, 2007 6:29:49 GMT
I am Godparent to three children, a brother and sister, and another wonderful girl. I take my responsibility seriously. I try not to forget birthdays, never forget Christmases, and we have a policy that if the child wants to talk to another adult not mum or dad, we are here. The childrens parents are godparents to my children, and the 'policy' works both ways. I do not attend church regularly, as I felt 'hemmed in' by the service and attention, but I was brought up with regular attendance.
SBW. Making a good Godparent, that is a hard question. I am interested in my Godchildren, I love and miss my Godchildren, and I am always here for them. We get and give the obligatory school photos, and other special photos. The two girls treat me like their mums, the hugs are there for the giving and taking, and the tears we had from them all on our leaving was very distressing for us all.
|
|
|
Post by revmichael on May 15, 2007 6:39:05 GMT
I am Godparent to three children, a brother and sister, and another wonderful girl. I take my responsibility seriously. I try not to forget birthdays, never forget Christmases, and we have a policy that if the child wants to talk to another adult not mum or dad, we are here. The childrens parents are godparents to my children, and the 'policy' works both ways. I do not attend church regularly, as I felt 'hemmed in' by the service and attention, but I was brought up with regular attendance. SBW. Making a good Godparent, that is a hard question. I am interested in my Godchildren, I love and miss my Godchildren, and I am always here for them. We get and give the obligatory school photos, and other special photos. The two girls treat me like their mums, the hugs are there for the giving and taking, and the tears we had from them all on our leaving was very distressing for us all. Sounds like you are doing a good job Smiffy. As I've said before Baptists don't have Christienings but we do have a Dedication Service for new babies (if the parents wish it) and then the whole congregation act as God-parents, in the sense that they stand to give their promise to help the child in the future while I give the Aaronic blessing. These are the words I say over the child, 'The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you: The Lord turn his face towards you and give you peace' (Numbers 6:24-26).
|
|
|
Post by smiffy on May 15, 2007 6:54:06 GMT
They are lovely words Rev.
|
|
|
Post by revmichael on May 15, 2007 7:43:42 GMT
They are lovely words Rev. Yes, and they are Jewish too. Moses told Aaron (his brother and the first High Priest of Israel) to bless all of the people with these words. So, they've been around - and used - for well over 3,000 years. They are neither out of date, nor is their meaning unclear.
|
|