“How many Lutheran pastors does it take to baptize 525 people?”
The newsletter from Germany with this line – forwarded to me by the editor of my book – assures its readers this is not the beginning of a joke! Rather, it turns out to be an invitation, albeit a rather unique one.
The great reformer Martin Luther was baptized November 11, 1483 in Eisleben, Germany, one day after he was born. This year, 2008, on the 525th anniversary of Luther’s baptism, the congregations of Lutherstadt Eisleben “would like to find 525 congregations around the globe to come together in baptismal remembrance.”
Pastors Claudia Bermann and Scott Moore explain that their congregation worships in the church where they still use remnants of the baptismal font over which Luther himself received God’s promise. They’d love to have people receive baptism in Eisleben or in their own congregation on this occasion. Pastors might bring a group to Eisleben. A baptismal candidate, instructed by and with permission from his/her pastor, might go there for the sacrament. Not able to travel there? Check out the site www.Luther525.de for celebrate resources or celebrate in your own way and let them know.
Luther loved the clarity of God’s grace given in the Sacrament of Holy Baptism. I hope this invitation from the Eisleben congregation will inspire many others to “remember [their] baptism,” give thanks to God, and be renewed in faith and discipleship.
Tags: baptismal font, Eisleben, Martin Luther
