Why are Godparents Important to Christians?
The Role of a Godparent, Activities for Godchildren, and More
Many Christian parents chose godparents to help raise their children in the faith. This article will explore who godparents are, what godparents do, and criteria for choosing a godparent.
Who Are Godparents
In many branches of Christianity, parents choose to have faithful adults, friends or sometimes family, to be godparents to a child.
In many churches, the godparents will say a vow to guide and protect the child during the child's baptism or at another time when the child is presented to the church. For example, in the baptism service of the Episopcal Church, USA, the parents and godparents all vow to "be responsible for seeing that the child (they) present is brought up in the Christian faith and life." (Book of Common Prayer, p. 301)
Other couples may not formally select godparents for their children, but rather, they appoint godparents and affirm the choice in their own way. Whether a godparents takes a vow in a church or now, he/she promises the child's parents and God to be a mentor and model of the Christian faith as the child grows up.
What Does a Godparent Do?
In a faith community, a godparent — literally a parent-in-God — offers support in a child's religious education. A godparent can also support a child in other ways:
- Godparents can offer attention and adult support such as answering questions, witnessing, and helping the child feel they have someone who cares.
- Trips and other activities away from a child's family offer godparent and godchild bonding time.
- Godparents may share gifts and time to honor special occasions in a child's life such as birthdays and holidays.
- Parents can rely on the godparents for additional support when having trouble with the child.
- Godparents may provide childcare when the parents need a break or have other obligations.
How to Choose a Godparent
When parents appoint a godparent, they are selecting another adult to help raise their child. This choice deserves careful deliberation. The following questions may aid in selecting a godparent for a child.
- Who will support both parents and child?
- What values are important to the parents, and does the godparent share similar values?
- Who is reliable and will be there whenever needed?
- Who has a faith background and ability to offer the child a safe place to explore his/her faith?
- Who has time and the desire to help raise a child?
- Who desires to be an intimate part of the child’s/family’s life for years to come?
Couples may select other questions or criteria based on their own specific needs. Family members, Christian friends, or a minister may offer additional support and advice in selecting a godparent.
For many Christians, being a godparent is a great honor. As a child grows, he/she also benefits from the extra attention and care of another adult desiring to share love, life, and faith.
For additional support with a godchild, one might find Prayers for Godparents and Godchildren to be of interest.
Source:
- Book of Common Prayer. Episcopal Church, USA. Church Publishing Corporation. 1979.
Godparents Offer Support to a Child
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