For the Lutherans of the Board

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TNMan

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So I’m getting my daughter baptized Sunday. I attend a LCMS church. The pastor allows for non-Lutherans to be godparents as long as they are believing, baptized Christians. I asked my brother to serve as her godparent. He initially said yes but has since said it goes against his conscience to do this. 1. It hurt me for him to say this. 2. It puts me up a creek for having a godfather.

Should I be as upset about this as I am, or try to be ok with it and accept that if it’s weighing on his conscience (not sure why it would as this has been a practice in the church since its early age).

Thanks.
 
Did he happen to say why it would go against his conscience? Just asking, is he LCMS or a different denomination?
 
Right from the Lutheran Service Book.
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If your brother is a Catholic then it could be that because you intend to bring your daughter up as a Lutheran then he could not in good conscience be the god parent.
 
He didn’t. And I know he’s not Lutheran but thought it would be an honor for him. He says it’s not Biblical, but I told him it’s not, not Biblical. You could say St. Paul was a godfather to many, even.
 
For what it’s worth, I’m Catholic and I’m the proud godparent of my three Lutheran nephews. I ran that decision by my spiritual director and she was A-OK with it. Tell your brother there’s nothing In the Lutheran liturgy that would oblige him to raise the children Lutheran. (I joked to my brother at the time that I would be teaching all his kids the rosary.). Encourage him to consult a priest or spiritual director with some ecumenical experience.

I hope he changes his mind. if he doesn’t change his mind, try not to take it personally. Figure that he’s trying his best to make God happy.
 
Thank you for your response. We grew up in a Presbyterian church that didn’t do godparents at Baptism. But the Presbyterian and Methodist churches do still hold the practice of godparents, so it’s not a strictly Catholic, Lutheran, Anglican practice.

I’m trying not to take it personally, but it does sting some. I just don’t understand how he thinks it could be unpleasing to God.
 
TNMan said:
He says it’s not Biblical
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Well it doesn’t sound like he’s Catholic, or at least his reasoning to object isn’t Catholic.

A lot of protestants, like baptists ironically, claim (falsely) that infant baptism isn’t biblical. Or maybe he claims the role of Godfather isn’t biblical? Or possibly even that baptism isn’t biblical?

In any case, he’s wrong, but you really need to respect his belief and find someone else. Sorry for your touble.
 
Asinner said:
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HopkinsReb:
he’s Lutheran
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The OP is Lutheran, but I didn’t notice anything that indicates the brother is Lutheran. Did I miss something?
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You know what, you read it right and I read it wrong.

Sorry.

Carry on.
 
Brother is trying to find a church. Been bouncing between Baptist and Presbyterian.
 
What irks me also is he initially said yes and then 4 days before, backs out. Puts me in a bad situation.
 
The Presbyterians would probably be okay with it, at least if not RP.
I can see Baptists being more averse if your daughter is a baby.
 
She’s 4 months next Tuesday. I don’t think infant Baptism is the issue. He hasn’t explained himself as to why he doesn’t agree with it. Oh well, guess I just need to accept it. Show grace. I did tell him it was hurtful to me.
 
Since you did tell him how you felt, now you should let it go. He obviously feels he can’t do it, be glad he was honest, whatever his reason. I am sorry he waited so long though to let you know though. Put it behind you and enjoy your baby girl! May God shower her with faith and happiness. Be at peace.
 
A godparent need not be a relative. My godparents were a seminary friend of my dad’s and his wife.
A friend, a fellow parishioner, etc.
 
Being a Godparent is a huge responsibility and a huge honor. You want to person to be willing to take on this responsibility and to be a willing participant in the spiritual growth of a child. 🙏🙏🙏
 
I’m going to ask a friend, but it puts my in a bind because I want them to be able to think about it and not feel rushed into doing it and not take it seriously.
 
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