Confirmation

Confirmation is when young adults confirm the vows their parent(s) made for them at baptism. When a child is baptized, the parents promise to rear their child to know Christ and his love for all people. When the child is old enough to decide about being a follower of Christ, we offer a process of learning and discernment that can lead to a direct affirmation of faith.

Typically, young people go through the process of confirmation together. The group comes to the front of the sanctuary to answer questions about their faith. Together with the congregation, they read the church’s covenant. Then they each affirm the covenant, with their parents and other supportive adults by their side, followed by a pastoral blessing and prayer of consecration.

Confirmation is very much like an initiation into adulthood. Typically (though not necessarily), each confirmand joins the Church at this time of confirmation and is then afforded all of the rights, privileges, and responsibilities of church membership. In a congregational church like Tolt, that also means the responsibility of voting. If a confirmand is not yet baptized, it can be included in the confirmation rite. The instruction period varies but it’s usually about eight to twelve weeks. We focus on young people in middle grades, typically 6-8, but we are open to others, especially those who are older. Parents do not need to be members of this church for a young person to participate.

Confirmation is a personal choice, not a mandate of parents nor pastors. The class will help young people make their own decision. Often, one or two in each group end up choosing not to be confirmed.