Can I (or my child) be baptized anywhere, or does it have to be at church?

Of course the answer to this question depends on what you believe baptism is. If it is a personal act of commitment or devotion to God, it can probably happen anywhere. If it is a declaration of one’s faith, witnesses are important. And if it is a sign of inclusion in the covenant community, a representative group of the covenant community should be involved. In other words, a “private covenantal” baptism is an oxymoron.

“At church” is a common phrase, but it is misleading. Remember that “church” is not a building, a church is a group of people who have committed to gather in Jesus’ name and represent him to their community. Therefore, Covenantal baptism should happen in a formal church gathering, because it is an act of God, through the Church, to welcome someone into the covenant community. Whether the church is gathered in a sanctuary or at a river is inconsequential.