Expert: Brad Varvil - 7/20/2009

Question
Does the Baptist religion recognize Godparents. Meaning, can a Baptist couple raising their child Baptist, "assign" Godparents?

Answer
Dear Mike,

As a Lutheran pastor, I'll try not to speak definitively on what all Baptists believe, teach, and confess.  What I have experienced among Baptists, is that their theology and practice tends to differ from place to place, and even congregation to congregation, or individual to individual.

Some Baptists that I've known, appreciate the value of godparents, or sponsors, of young Christians in the faith community.  However, since traditionally godparents are selected for a child at their infant baptism, few Baptists would appreciate the practice in that regard (since by and large, Baptists do not recongnize infant baptism.)

So, I guess it would be up to the parents, and how they understood the role of Godparents.  In the Lutheran tradition, we charge Godparents with the spiritual nurture of the child, praying for them regularly, and caring for that child (both physically and spiritually) especially if the parents become incapacitated or unable to raise the child.  In that context, I'd be willing to bet any Christian parents (Baptist, Lutheran, or otherwise) would be happy to know that someone in the Christian community, beloved and treasured by the family, has accepted the mantle to watch over, guard, and prosper that young child in the Lord.

I hope that helps.

Grace and peace to you,
Rev. Brad