Baptism represents new life. Confirmation represents new life. New life means we believe in the future because God is already there. Confirmation is more than just new life. Throughout church history and even the traditions of this church, the emphasis and content of confirmation has changed.
Instruction is very important to understanding faith.
As ordained pastors, Bob Coleman and I are mandated by our Book of Discipline to admonish the congregation and the parents of children presented for baptism of their responsibility for Christian nurture of the child. It is our duty, all of us, to provide training for the children of the church throughout their childhood and to keep accurate records of children on the preparatory roles. We are to lead them to a personal commitment to Jesus Christ as Lord and savior, to an understanding of the Christian faith and to an appreciation of the privilege and obligation of baptism and membership. The pastors shall, building on the preparation that youth have received throughout their childhood, organize them into classes for membership and confirmation. And it is highly recommended that Senior High school youth that have been confirmed be offered advanced classes of instruction in the meaning of the Christian life and discipleship.