SCENARIO #8
When to Baptize
You are holding a full immersion, water baptism service in the Worship Centre. You have told the candidates in what order they would be baptized and have started to baptize. While you are waiting for the first client to change out of his wet clothing, one of the other candidates quietly approaches you. He points out that one of the men yet to be baptized has open sores and therefore requests to be baptized before him.
Citing specific guidelines, describe what you would do in this situation and why.
I spoke with the client with the open sores. I quietly told him that I would be baptizing him last because of his open sores. He understood and readily agreed. Furthermore, it is my custom to ask at the end if there are any others who wish to be baptized. I asked this question before baptizing the one with sores, and it turned out that there was indeed one more person. Once all others had been baptized, then I baptized the client with the sores. He seemed to appreciate the discretion shown.
GUIDELINE #2: KNOW YOUR INSTITUTION
2.4 Know the Policies and Procedures: 2.4.1 (Health and safety first) - His open sores could infect others entering the baptismal tank. I had not thought about it but he could have infected the others. We just do not know what health problems clients might have.
GUIDELINE #3: THE LARGER / OLDER YOUR INSTITUTION, THE LONGER ITS MEMORY
3.3 (Build your rapport with the clients) - It is important to show discretion towards the infectious client, so as not to embarrass him. It was also important to have affirmed his desire to be baptized, by going through with it (or choose a different way to baptize at a later date). It is equally important to have listened to the client who first brought up the concerns.