Adult returning to God - confirmation or baptism?

[SmileItsSunny]

I was baptised as a child (C of E) and have now finally settled in a 'mixed' church - C of E, methodist, evangelical, and something else I can't remember.

I feel ready to publicly declare my faith in God and Jesus. When I asked my new vicar about confirmation, he felt that this church was more suited to full immersion baptism rather than 'formal robes and bishop' style confirmation; although he did say he would do whichever service I felt more comfortable with.

I'd love to hear anyone else's thoughts, opinions or experiences. Thank you!

Congratulations on getting to this point! :)

If you have already been baptised, you can't be baptised again. You can, however, reaffirm your baptismal vows. You can do this stand alone, or as part of a confirmation service. You can still have the full testimony, sense of celebration, at a reaffirmation.

We do full immersion baptism but also have the bishop come once a year for confirmation. The bishop gets in the pool to do the baptisms. The two are not mutually exclusive.

It sounds like confirmation is not highly regarded by your vicar, but he should support you if that's what you want to do. There should be confirmations in your deanery at least once a year, and you can go to another church to do this. IME, confirmations usually involve bringing four or five churches together, and then the confirmation service is in the style of the host church. It is typical for the visiting churches to do their baptisms and reaffirmations within their own church family on the Sunday before the confirmation service.

Thank you for your reply! Perhaps 'reaffirmation' was what he said, and I misheard. I am happy to do the full immersion and testimony, but I want it to be 'proper' and by the book. Although maybe God isn't too bothered by type of service, as long as it happens / I commit my life to Him?

My other option is to go to my local C of E church then - but although I know the vicar there he would be surprised, as we rarely attend church there.

Just can't decide, and although praying, can't hear an answer yet.

I personally would go for the confirmation. I think the classes you tend to go to before them really help affirm and understand your faith.

My husband was confirmed last year, (I was 12 at mine) and I found it really helpful to have deep and meaningful conversations with him when he came home. I think we refound our faith together through his classes - IYSWIM?

Congratulations BTW

Hi uglymush thank you. How lovely for you both! My DH isn't quite at that stage yet but we have also enjoyed discovering faith together.

I think there would be classes either way. Otherwise I am involved with yet another church with a womens bible study group - I know they do classes. I am keen to learn as much as I can before taking this very public step!

It sounds like you have found true happiness and I am very pleased for you. Good luck with what you decide, please keep us up dated.

Thank you both for your input. I still have no idea. Would it be crazy to do both? Confirmation at local church plus affirmation of faith at new church? All bases are covered that way, and no-one is offended.....

I seem to be involved in so many churches (it took us nearly 4 years of church hoping to find this church) that I don't want to go to yet another random one in the deanery...