A Godparent is expected to be an active participant in the Godchild's life. It is not just a random honor, it is a huge compliment about the way you practice your faith.

1. Make sure you have the time to devote yourself to the child's life as a Christian.
2. Pray about your decision. Ask for God's guidance. Be honest with yourself about whether or not you are willing to put forth the necessary effort.
3. Attend the Baptism preparation class given at the Church.
4. Educate yourself about what it means to be Christened.
5. Clear your calendar completely on the day of the Christening ceremony. You will want all of your energy and attention focused on this special day.
6. Arrive early. Be completely available and involved.
7. Toast your new Godchild at the gathering that is sure to follow.
8. Give your Godchild a gift. A Baby's First Bible or a small cross would be ideal gifts. You can even have these blessed by a priest prior to the day of the Christening. A gift is not required, but will make the day a bit more special.
9. Remember your Godchild's birthday and other special days. A great gesture would be to send your Godchild a gift or card on the anniversary of their Christening. Let them know that this day was truly special to you.

Godparenting is a task that should not be entered into lightly. Make sure that you are able to fulfill all the conventional obligations of a godparent before you agree to this rewarding responsibility.

1. Attend the Christening of the godchild. This service will solidify the child's relationship with the church in question, as well as your relationship as a godparent.
2. Develop and nurture a caring relationship with your godchild. Send birthday cards every year, write letters, and keep in touch via phone, e-mail or face-to-face meetings.
3. Take the time to discuss matters of religion or spirituality with your godchild once he or she is old enough. It is incumbent upon the godparent to help foster a spiritual relationship with the godchild.
4. Serve as a sponsor for the child's confirmation, if applicable.
5. Encourage the godchild to follow the faith of the chosen religion, and to attend church regularly, if applicable.

Traditional godparents

The idea of a godparent came about because converts to the early Christian church were usually adults whose parents were not Christians. The role of godparent was to provide a Christian mentor to help them in their journey as they embraced their new faith.

Over the years the role was refined to a supporting one in which other adults - often, in the Anglican tradition, two of the same sex as the baby and one of the opposite sex - agreed to help the parents instruct and inform their new offspring in the Christian faith. But this role has been eroded, and these days for many families the religious significance of a godparent is less apparent than the honorary status.

Encouragement and support

But that's not to say that there isn't a role for a godparent as another supportive adult a parent can turn to for advice and help. Many parents hope their child's godparents will share, with them, a special interest in his or her upbringing and development - and many hope that, as the years roll by, their child will develop a special relationship with his godparents.

In fact as many of us no longer live close to our extended families, this supportive role of godparents could be more important than ever.

Others link the role of godparent with that of 'legal guardian' and ask them to take on the responsibility of bringing up the child if he or she was ever to be left orphaned. If you'd like this role for your child's godparents and the godparents are happy with it, you need to write it into your will with the help of a solicitor.