Life Cycle Celebrations
The Bible addresses, and both Judaism and Christianity have developed, personal rituals and celebrations related to life-cycle events. The DiscipleCenter also attempts to draw from both of these rich traditions and express the Biblical faith in these life-cycle events.
The first of these for believers is Baptism. This ritual is a rite of passage for those outside the people of God to demonstrate that they have become one of us and one with us. For more information on the meaning and ritual of Baptism, you may obtain a recording of the meaning of Baptism from the DiscipleCenter or though the website.
The rest of the rituals and ceremonies relate to various passages in one’s life. These express are life from birth to death. Some of these rituals are completed in the home. Others are done in community with the congregation. They are briefly listed here but further information can be obtained through the DiscipleCenter.
Ceremonies of Childhood
Naming of a Child – The naming of a child takes place in the home of the parents. This brief but meaningful ceremony is to the circumcision of boys in Judaism and Naming for both boys and girls. The ceremony usually takes place on the eight day for boys and the fifteenth day for girls as stated in the Biblical text.
Dedication of a Child – Following the same Temple related texts of the Torah and borrowing from Jewish and Christian traditions, the child may be dedicated to the Lord in the congregational setting. This is usually done after the fortieth day for boys and the eightieth day for girls. This is a time for the parents to commit their parenting and raising of the child to be in the admonition and nurture of the Lord. The congregation also commits to assist the parents in the raising of the child.
Confirmation / Bar Mitzvah / Baptism – Assuming the child grows up in a believing family, the move from childhood to greater personal accountability is expressed in these ceremonies. At the DiscipleCenter, Messianic Jewish believers are encouraged to become Bar Mitzvah at the appropriate time to establish this accountability and maintain their identity as Jews. Gentile believers are given the opportunity to establish this greater accountability through a confirmation ceremony (beginning the transference of accountability in spiritual matters to the young man or women). In many cases, this becomes the time when the believing child makes a committed profession of faith and is baptized.
Ceremonies of Marriage
Betrothal – Couples who are seriously intending marriage may participate in a Betrothal ceremony. This involves a period of at least a year in which they begin the process of martial counseling and adjustment under the guidance of a pastoral counselor.
Christian Marriage – Serious religious Christian couples may have their marriage preformed through a religious ceremony. This ceremony is distinctive from the typical American wedding.
Ceremonies of Sickness, Mourning and Death
Sickness – In the event of serious sickness or accidents, a believer may ask the elders to anoint them in the name of the Lord. This ceremony may take place at the normal prayertime during a service or at a sickbed while members of the congregation gather at the center to pray simultaneously for the person.
Mourning – Persons who have lost immediate family members or persons very close to them may participate in appropriate congregational ceremonies designed to express and work through their grief. In addition, they will be assisted through pastoral counseling during the first year of mourning.
Funerals and Memorials – The DiscipleCenter assists in the planning and scheduling of funeral and memorial services for congregants and their immediate families.