Becoming a Godparent

Being asked to be a godparent is a great honour. It means that your friends or relations trust you to help them bring up their child in the Christian faith. The role of a godparent is an important one, and the purpose of this leaflet is to help you understand what is involved.

What do godparents do?

In the service:

Godparents stand with the parents and present the child for baptism. They then make important promises in which they commit themselves to care for their godchild, to pray for them, and to encourage them to grow in faith and into a membership of the local church.

After the service:

This is when the godparent's role really begins, and not just in the sense of sending presents at birthdays and Christmas! Ideally, as godparents we will: "

Go on praying for our godchild "
Keep in touch with them and their family; in time this contact can be by a card, e-mail, text, etc. "
It's a good idea if godparents give a present or a card at the baptism anniversary: in time this will help your godchild understand why their baptism was a significant point in their life. "
Lead them by your example towards a Christian way of life "
Continue to support and encourage them until they can make their baptismal promises for themselves at Confirmation "
All this will also make it more likely that your godchild, as s/he gets older, may want to talk to you about important things in their lives, including their faith.

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Who can be a godparent?

Normally godparents are family or close friends of the child's parents. Traditionally the Church has required at least three godparents, at least two of whom are of the same sex as the child and at least one of the opposite sex. (Parents can also be godparents provided the child has at least one other godparent, but this rarely happens.)

One requirement people often overlook is that godparents must themselves have been baptised; and they should normally be confirmed members of the Church. (The local minister may dispense with the requirement that the godparents should be confirmed).

So what do I have to say in the service?

Near the start of the Baptism, the minister asks the parents and godparents:

Will you pray for them, draw them by your example into the community of faith and walk with them in the way of Christ?
With the help of God, we will.

Will you care for them and help them take their place within the life and worship of Christ's Church?
With the help of God, we will.

Later, parents and godparents are then asked these six questions:

Do you reject the devil and all rebellion against God?
I reject them.

Do you renounce the deceit and corruption of evil?
I renounce them.

Do you repent of the sins that separate us from God and neighbour?
I repent of them.

Do you turn to Christ as Saviour?
I turn to Christ.

Do you submit to Christ as Lord?
I submit to Christ.

Do you come to Christ, the way, the truth and the life?
I come to Christ.

Reading all this, it's clear that becoming a godparent is a big responsibility, at least if we want to take our promises seriously. That's why it's important that you consider carefully the declarations and promises you are going to be asked to make before the baptism service.

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Some questions often asked by potential godparents

Q. Does being a godparent involve being a legal guardian as well?
A. No. The roles are separate, though godparents may also become guardians, if asked..

Q. I am not sure I'm up to this. How do I know if I have enough faith to keep these promises?
A. Jesus told his disciples that they'd do great things if they had faith "the size of a mustard seed". What matters isn't the extent of our faith: it's that our faith is in a great and loving God.

Q. What should I do if I've not thought much about faith or haven't been to church regularly?
A. Becoming a godparent is an ideal opportunity to discover more about Christian faith for yourself. Many churches offer Alpha Courses or Emmaus Courses, which are designed to help people to explore what it means to be a Christian. Going on a course like this will certainly help you fulfil your commitments to your godchild.

What should we give our godchild?

The most important gifts you can give your godchild are your prayers, your love and your support. If, like most godparents, you want to mark the baptism with a gift, the ideal present is something that your godchild will appreciate and use more as s/he grows up. Here are a few ideas: "

A Bible: some editions are specifically designed for children, with pictures and simple language; others with a more adult layout, and will come into their own later. "
A Book of Bible stories: there are some very attractive, well-illustrated books of Bible stories suitable for younger children. "
A Book of Prayers "
A small wooden cross or a gold or silver cross on a chain; or perhaps a candleholder to fit your godchild's baptismal candle. "
A Nativity Set: a good annual reminder of the heart of the Christmas story.

We hope you will enjoy being a godparent and will have a rewarding and fruitful relationship with your godchild. The church family is also here to support you, and regular church attendance will help you access this support. Details of our mainservices can be found here.

Please contact your local Minister if you have any questions or need help.

A prayer for your godchild

Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of (name) and for all the joy he/she brings us.
Be with him/her on his/her Christian journey,
That he/she may come to know Jesus as his/her Lord and Saviour, brother and friend. Amen

Information Provider:
Charles Stewart
Last changed:
28 September 2008

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