During baptism, the candidate or the parents of a candidate make a set of promises. Then the church community makes promises in return, telling the newest member of God’s family that they’re not alone in their faith journey. The community’s promise includes surrounding the baptismal candidate with love and forgiveness.

Baptism is a celebration of salvation and initiation into Christian community. But where there is community, there are people. Where there are people, there is conflict. And where there is conflict, there is the need for forgiveness.

Forgiveness done well is astounding. We’ve seen it after terrible events. When a white supremacist murdered nine African American members of a South Carolina church 2015, AME Bishop John Bryant said, “He wanted to start a race war, but he came to the wrong place.” In 2006, a 33-year-old man ...