"Baptism marks the entrance into the Christian community and it is one of the most important occasions in the life of the community. What could be more serious and joyful than this? That baptism is not important in the Church today is only a sign of how its meaning has been destroyed. Baptism is not a formality, but a significant event in the life of the community. It cannot be a minor addition to the regular Sunday morning meeting or even a formal ceremony in front of the congregation. It involves the whole community and the whole community should be gathered around the baptismal site, eager to welcome the new believer with hugs, kisses and tears. How we have cheapened this and destroyed its significance! Seldom is baptism a time of great rejoicing or an occasion in which there is hardly a dry eye in the congregation."
- Arthur Gish, excerpt from his book Living in Christian Community
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