The Center for Baptismal Living

Draft Outline

Godparents:  The art of spiritual parenting

Forward

Acknowledgements

Background on Godparents

Overview on Godparent Responsibilities

Selecting the Godparents

            What kind of Godparents do you want for your child?

                        Practicing Christian

                                    Denomination of parents

                                    Congregation of parents

                                    Any Christian tradition

                        Morals and Values

Person who will take an interest in the child and form a relationship

            Role

Honorary / Active

            Immediate presence / Distant

Preparation of Parents and Godparents for the Baptism

Godparent participation in the liturgy

The Godparent / Parent relationship

            Clear expectations on relationship and responsibilities

Godparents are not the guardians unless that is separately agreed

 to and provision is made in the parents’ wills.

Parents make sure that the guardians know who the Godparents

 are and that they are to continue their responsibilities in

 the event of the parent’s deaths.

            Godchild confidentiality

                        Godparent and Parents need to discuss what, if anything,

 of a confidential nature the Godparent will share

 with the Parents.

                        Godparent can demand complete confidentiality or refuse

 to take the Godparent position.

The Godparent / Godchild relationship

            Forming Identity as Godparent / Godchild

            Building a personal relationship

                        A person who listens / A trusted friend

                        A person who gently guides /A coach for Christian living

                        A dependable relationship

                        Worship together / Pray together

                        Doing fun things together

                        Be present for or remember special life events

                                    Birthday

                                    Confirmation

                                    Graduations

                                    Wedding

                                    Birth of Child

            Godchild be present for special life events of the Godparent

            Godchild needs to know what Parents / Godparents have

contracted on Godchild’s confidentiality

            Change in frequency of contact

                        Move away – less contact?          

Move closer – more contact?

            Estrangement with Godchild’s family

            Divorce among Parents or Godparents

            Death of Godparent or Godchild

Forming the Godchild

            Godparent a living example

            Godparent sharing his/her faith

            Praying with the Godchild

Convey love, encouragement, joy and hope   

Godparent retells the story of the Godchild’s Baptism

            Teaching the Bible stories

Teaching the elements of the faith

            Teaching moral values

                        Created in the image of God

                        Gifted by God

                        Called by God to be a minister in daily living

Exploring being a fireman, doctor, teacher, grocery store clerk,

 hockey player, nurse or computer programmer.

                        Understanding occupation as a part of God’s unique

gifting and calling

            Being a Christian spouse and parent when you grow up

            Godchild with special needs

Age appropriate activities

            Constant presence            Frequent presence            Occasional presence            Rare presence

Infant

1-3

3-5

5-8

8-10

10-12

12-14

14-16

16-18

18-20

20 & over

Adult 1^st year

Adult 2^nd year

Adult 3^rd year

Adult 4^th year

Adult 5^th year

wedding

birth of child

Adding Godparents or Surrogate Godparents