Video Transcript: Officiating Ceremonies Outside Church Walls: Baptisms, Baby Dedications, House Blessings, and New Beginnings
Officiating Ceremonies Outside Church Walls: Baptisms, Dedications, House Blessings, & New Beginnings
Speakers: Rev. Henry Reyenga & Rev. Tom Walcot
[Henry]:
Welcome back. In this session, we’re going to talk about officiating ceremonies—specifically:
Baby dedications
Infant baptisms
Believer baptisms
House blessings
New beginning services
Now, if you had asked me right after seminary where these things would take place, I’d have said, “Well, in a church, of course.” That’s what we were trained to expect.
But now I see how often these sacred ceremonies happen outside church walls, and how vital chaplains are in making that happen.
[Tom]:
Exactly. Sometimes, there isn’t a church—or at least not one connected to the person making the request. Or they’re coming from a tradition where these moments aren’t always part of Sunday worship.
Think about it: You can't dedicate a house in a sanctuary. Baptisms might happen in lakes, backyards, or even on ships. You bring the presence of God into these nontraditional settings.
[Henry]:
Yes! You’re bringing Jesus' words to life:
“Where two or three gather in My name, there I am in their midst.” (Matthew 18:20)
This is ecclesia—not in a cathedral, but in kitchens, community parks, recovery centers, and living rooms.
As chaplains and ministers, our calling is to show up where life is happening and offer these sacred moments with integrity, warmth, and biblical grounding.
🛠️ Let’s Get Practical
[Henry]:
Now, one of the most common requests we get is:
“Can you walk us through how to actually do this?”
So, today is a “get in the weeds” session—not theory, but practice.
We’ll talk about:
How to prepare
How to adapt a liturgy
How to stay faithful to your tradition while serving people in diverse situations
But let’s start by reframing the context:
Instead of thinking about the event, think of it as a decentralized worship service.
🎤 Real Life Examples
[Tom]:
A couple of weeks ago, I baptized children in a church; let’s say it wasn't peaceful.
One child tried to crawl out of her mother’s arms when she saw me approaching with a handful of water.
Another child cried through the entire experience. It was beautiful—but not polished.
I’ve also done:
Baptisms at county parks
Onboard ships—a long-standing tradition in the Navy and Coast Guard
In people’s homes and backyards
And here’s the thing:
These locations aren’t always in line with my strict denominational rules.
But I always do my best to honor my tradition and the spiritual needs of the family.
[Henry]:
Exactly. As officiants, especially those serving as officiating chaplains, our job is to meet people where they are, while remaining rooted in our theological convictions.
I love how you said it:
“I return to my formulary and liturgy—but I adapt it to the context.”
🐾 Unpredictable Environments
[Tom]:
If you're doing a baptism in a public park… You might be interrupted by:
Mashed bananas
Barking dogs
Kids on scooters
Boats going by
You don’t control the space, but you sanctify it.
As a chaplain, you learn to carry reverence into chaotic settings. The sacred is not bound by silence or stained glass.
🧠 Ministry Sciences Insight
[Henry]:
Here’s a guiding Ministry Sciences insight for this session:
In chaplain-led ceremonies, sacred meaning is not tied to location—but to intention, presence, and prayerful preparation.
[Tom]:
Well said. Your posture, your preparation, and your presence are what make a moment holy, not the place or volume level.
[Henry]:
Coming up next, we’ll walk through specific liturgies and scripts for each kind of ceremony:
Infant Dedication
Infant and Believer Baptism
House Blessing
New Beginnings (recovery, re-entry, fresh starts)
We'll give you:
Sample wording
Preparation checklists
Tips for legal and spiritual clarity
[Tom]:
These are the moments when chaplains shine—not just because of our words, but because we bring the presence of God into places where people didn’t expect it.
[Henry]:
Until next time—get ready to bless babies, bless homes, and bless lives.
Let’s go deeper and make the sacred visible—wherever God sends you.
[Henry]:
Today, we’re going to talk about something a little unexpected in chaplaincy training—humor.
My wife and I recently completed some extensive research on humor and ministry. One of the most surprising takeaways is that humor isn’t always about telling jokes.
At its core, humor is a way of seeing the world—a posture of light-heartedness, warmth, and humility. It means approaching a situation without a predetermined edge or critical spirit. It means not taking ourselves too seriously, while still taking our calling very seriously.
[Tom]:
That’s such a good way to put it. Humor, especially appropriate humor, helps you connect with people, especially in the context of chaplaincy.
Many people aren’t accustomed to being around a chaplain, pastor, or minister. They expect someone somber, severe, maybe even distant.
But when they meet a chaplain who can smile, who can see the humor in life without making fun of others, it changes everything. It makes people more open. More relaxed.
[Henry]:
Right. However, and this is a significant caveat, not all humor is beneficial. Inappropriate humor can deeply damage your credibility.
That’s why in our upcoming class on Humor and Ministry, we emphasize:
Avoid anything ethnic, crude, or divisive
Be careful not to “punch down”
Self-effacing humor is usually the safest path
And never try to be “just one of the guys” at the cost of your calling
[Tom]:
Exactly. I’ve seen chaplains who overcompensate, trying to blend in too much, especially in military or first responder settings. And sometimes they lose sight of the fact that they are representatives of the sacred.
That doesn’t mean you can’t be funny. You should be funny. Humor and joy belong in sacred spaces.
But these are sacred moments—weddings, baptisms, dedications, memorials. You want to treat them with reverence and joy, not irreverence.
[Henry]:
Our humor research even pulled from a graduate course at Stanford University—a business class for CEOs. And the number one takeaway?
The most important part of humor is not whether the joke works—it’s whether it’s appropriate.
Appropriate humor builds trust.
Inappropriate humor breaks it.
And here’s the other thing: don’t run from humor because you’re afraid of making a mistake. Like anything else, humor develops over time.
[Tom]:
Yes. You develop your sense of humor as you get to know the people and the context.
You’re going to speak differently to a group of firefighters than you would to a boardroom full of executives.
Here’s my rule of thumb:
“Would I be embarrassed if my mom heard me say this?”
If the answer is yes, I don’t say it—no matter how funny it might be.
🎤 Humor in Ceremony: Weddings, Baptisms, and Meltdowns
[Tom]:
When I officiate weddings—especially outdoor ceremonies—I tell the couple ahead of time:
“Something will go wrong.”
The wind will blow your hair, a kid will cry, or a phone will ring. If you want a flawless ceremony, you’d better pick a very controlled indoor environment. But most of the time, we don’t have that luxury.
I’ve done baptisms where I’ve baptized six or more kids in a row. Someone will have a meltdown. And that’s okay.
As the chaplain or minister, I need to handle that moment with grace, and sometimes a bit of humor that’s never at someone’s expense.
[Henry]:
Right. If the baby is crying the whole time, and the minister looks frustrated, it ruins the blessing.
But if the chaplain smiles, affirms the child, and maybe even blesses the loudness, that changes everything. It keeps the moment sacred without scolding or shame.
Humor, when appropriate, keeps the spirit of joy and belonging alive.
[Tom]:
Yes. The memory of that baptism should be a moment of blessing, not one of condemnation or embarrassment.
That’s why contextual sensitivity and appropriate humor are part of a chaplain’s spiritual maturity.
🌅 New Beginnings and the Power of Blessing
[Henry]:
Now let’s continue. Because one of the most important times to bring in both blessing and appropriate warmth is during new beginnings.
Think of:
The birth of a child
Starting recovery
A new home
Reentry after incarceration
Starting life over after trauma or loss
These are spiritually charged moments, and people deeply long to mark them with meaning.
[Tom]:
Exactly. These are the moments where chaplains shine.
The world often doesn’t know how to mark these transitions. But you do. You show up, and you help name the moment with a blessing that grounds it in God’s love.
🧠 Ministry Sciences Insight
Blessing is how we anchor sacred meaning to new beginnings.
It reminds people: “God is here. This matters. Your story is not forgotten.”
As chaplains, you may be the one person in someone’s life who says:
“This beginning is holy. Let me bless it with you.”
[Henry]:
Until next time—keep smiling.
Use humor wisely.
Bless boldly.
And remember: you are a bearer of sacred moments.
[Henry]:
One of the things that really stood out to me as we prepared this session is just how powerful transitions are—especially in the military, but really for anyone who moves frequently, lives in flux, or is navigating significant life changes.
When you're constantly relocating or recovering from a setback, life can feel fragmented and disjointed. Every move means starting over—new home, new school, new neighbors, new church—again and again.
But those transitions, while exhausting, are also opportunities.
A new place is like a fresh sheet of paper.
A hard chapter can become a new beginning.
A fragmented life can become a sacred moment of rebuilding.
[Tom]:
Exactly. I’ve seen this over and over again—families who say:
“We struggled back there... but now we’re here. Let’s try again.”
Maybe their kids had a tough time in school at the last assignment. Maybe their marriage had hit some turbulence. But now, they’ve been given a new place, a new chance.
And when you celebrate these transitions, it flips the story.
It’s not just “We had to move again.”
It becomes “We’re starting over—and we’re blessing this beginning.”
I’ve had parents ask me to pray with their kids before starting a new school, or to bless their home when they arrive in a new neighborhood.
🧠 Ministry Sciences Insight
[Henry]:
That right there is a powerful Ministry Sciences insight:
When we mark transitions with blessing, we anchor people’s stories in grace.
We move them from chaos to meaning. From drifting to rootedness.
And here’s the thing—these blessings give people a reason to gather others, whether family can be there or not.
[Tom]:
That’s such an important point. If your family can’t come—because you’re far away—you can use the event to build community right where you are.
“This is our new neighborhood. We’re opening our home.”
“This is our new church family. We’re dedicating our child here.”
And those moments become foundations of belonging in a place that might otherwise feel lonely.
🌅 Why Blessing Matters in Transitions
[Henry]:
So why is blessing the tool for these transitions?
[Tom]:
Because blessing says this:
“God is here, too.”
God was with you in the last place. God is with you now. God will be with you on the next part of the journey.
That’s what people need to hear:
When they’re away from family
When they’re afraid
When they’re starting over
“God sees you. You’re not alone. And His people are with you, too.”
That’s why chaplains are so powerful in these moments—because we show up and speak that truth out loud.
🛠 Structuring a Ceremony: Dedications & Baptisms
[Henry]:
Let’s get very practical now. Chaplains often ask:
“What are the essential elements of a baby dedication or baptism?”
Now, of course, wording and theological emphasis will vary depending on your faith tradition, but let’s walk through a general structure and talk about how to approach each element.
🔑 Key Elements of a Baby Dedication or Baptism Ceremony
1. Welcome & Purpose
[Tom]:
Always assume someone is present who has no idea what this is.
Your job is to make sure no one feels like an eavesdropper. They are honored guests.
So say something like:
“Today, we’re here to dedicate this child to the Lord, and to affirm this family’s desire to raise her in God’s love. Whether or not you’ve seen a ceremony like this before, we’re so glad you’re here.”
2. Scripture Reading
[Henry]:
Choose Scripture that fits:
For dedication: Deuteronomy 6, Psalm 127, 1 Samuel 1
For baptism: Acts 2:38-39, Romans 6, Matthew 28
3. Parental Questions
[Tom]:
I always ask the parents a series of questions affirming their:
Faith in Christ
Commitment to raise their child in the ways of the Lord
Willingness to trust God with their child’s future
You can find question examples at Christian Leaders Institute or even adapt them from traditional liturgies.
4. Community Involvement
[Henry]:
Invite friends and guests to be part of it:
“Do you promise to support this family, to encourage their child, and to reflect Christ’s love in this community?”
This is especially powerful in military or transitional communities, where these people become a kind of temporary extended family.
5. The Act of Dedication or Baptism
[Tom]:
Whether you sprinkle, immerse, or dedicate with prayer and hand-laying—do it gently, personally, and prayerfully.
Speak the child’s name.
Speak Scripture over them.
Say clearly:
“Today, we dedicate [Name] to the Lord, trusting His plan, His protection, and His promises.”
6. Blessing
[Henry]:
This is the heart of it all. Whether it’s from Numbers 6 or words from your heart—this is the moment to name what is true:
“The Lord bless you and keep you…”
“God’s presence will go with you, wherever life leads.”
“You are a beloved child of God.”
7. Closing Prayer & Invitation
[Tom]:
Wrap it up with a prayer of thanksgiving and an invitation:
“Lord, thank You for new beginnings. Thank You for this child, for this home, for this family. Walk with them. Surround them. And may Your love be their foundation.”
Invite the group to celebrate, pray, or fellowship afterward. It helps the sacred moment become a shared memory.
📦 Final Thought
[Henry]:
Whether it’s a child’s birth, a recovery milestone, or a fresh start, blessing is how we anchor it in God’s story.
So chaplains—be ready. These are the moments people remember. Make them sacred.
[Henry]:
Let’s talk about a powerful opportunity built into chaplain-led ceremonies—the conversation before the event.
When we teach the Wedding Officiant class at Christian Leaders Institute, one of the key things we emphasize is this:
Meeting with the couple ahead of time isn’t just about logistics. It’s a ministry moment.
That meeting often turns into basic pre-marriage counseling, where we walk with the couple, ask about their faith, talk about commitment, and even share the gospel when the opportunity arises.
And here’s the insight:
The same thing can happen in baby dedications, baptisms, and house blessings.
These ceremonies are doorways to meaningful conversations.
[Tom]:
Absolutely. Especially in the military, this becomes very real.
Most people in the military have their first child far from extended family. When my daughter had her first child, she had support—sisters, mother, mother-in-law—people who could help physically and emotionally.
But when you’re stationed overseas or across the country, you don’t have that.
You don’t have grandma’s advice or your sister dropping by with dinner. And that means a chaplain or someone in the chapel community can become a key connection point.
[Henry]:
This is where chaplaincy shines.
You meet with the family. You say,
“I'd love to talk with you about the ceremony—and would you also be open to some basic parenting guidance?”
And I’ve found that most people say yes. Especially first-time parents, who feel overwhelmed and under-resourced.
🧠 Ministry Sciences Insight
Ceremonies create trust. Trust opens the door to spiritual and relational discipleship.
What starts as “just a dedication” can turn into:
A chance to share parenting wisdom
An invitation to explore the gospel
A support network for someone raising children far from family
[Tom]:
Exactly. And as an officiating chaplain, you don’t have to do it alone.
Let’s say you’re part of a chapel or ministry group—connect these parents with other parents who’ve been through it.
You might say:
“Let me introduce you to a couple who had their baby overseas, too. They’d love to encourage you.”
You're not replacing grandma, but you’re offering community, and that’s sacred.
[Henry]:
And sometimes the conversation goes even deeper.
Let me share a story. Years ago, I had a church right next to a wedding banquet center. We had a policy:
“You can use the church for your wedding—but you need to meet three times with the minister.”
Those sessions often turned into spiritual exploration. I would ask:
“Are both of you Christians?”
“Would you like to know what it means to be a Christian?”
And I was always surprised how open people were.
Just last year, I officiated a wedding at a country club. In a pre-marriage conversation, the groom said:
“I’ve never heard what it means to be a Christian.”
Right there at the country club, I had the joy of leading him to Christ.
[Tom]:
That’s incredible. And those moments happen in all kinds of settings:
You’re the chaplain at a motorcycle club
Someone has a new baby
You’re invited to do a dedication
And you gently ask:
“Would you like to talk about parenting? Or faith? Or what it means to raise a child in God’s love?”
And doors open.
🧰 Practical Tip: Use the Tools at CLI
[Henry]:
Here’s something practical:
If you’re going to offer parenting guidance, take the Parenting Class at Christian Leaders Institute by Rev. Steve Elzinga.
It’s very popular, loving, practical, and deeply biblical.
It gives you:
Tools to offer a basic parenting conversation
Confidence to support new families
A framework to tie in discipleship and faith
Even a 30-minute talk over coffee can make a big difference.
💡 Final Thought: Expand the Moment
[Tom]:
Whether it's a wedding, a dedication, or a house blessing, don’t limit yourself to just the event.
Ask:
“What are their needs?”
“Is there spiritual curiosity here?”
“Can I offer one more thing?”
And then gently offer what God has given you to share—wisdom, hope, and blessing.
[Henry]:
Until next time—see every ceremony not just as a script to follow, but as a door to walk through.
Offer blessing. Offer help. Offer Christ.
[Henry]:
One of the mistakes we can easily make as ministers or chaplains is this:
We assume people know what something means—when they often don’t.
How many times have we had someone say:
“We’d like to have our baby baptized…”
“We want to do a dedication…”
And when we ask why, they say:
“Well… it’s just what you do, right?”
[Tom]:
Yes! I’ve had that same conversation dozens of times.
And then I’ll ask:
“Why were you baptized?”
“What did that mean to your parents? To you?”
And it opens the door to a genuine spiritual conversation:
“Let’s talk about what we’re doing. Why we’re doing it. What it means to you, to your child, and to God.”
That’s ministry. And later, during the actual ceremony, I try to give a summary of that same message, so even the guests can hear it and reflect on it.
[Henry]:
That’s so good.
Chaplains often find themselves able to create micro-discipleship programs—little one-hour conversations, follow-up messages, shared parenting resources—all because someone asked for a ceremony.
If you ask respectfully, people are usually grateful for your help.
[Tom]:
In my experience, especially in the military or any other transient environment, people are even more open.
Why?
Because they often don’t have extended family around. When they have a new child, they can’t lean on Mom, Grandma, or their cousin for parenting help or spiritual guidance.
And that’s where the chaplain steps in—not to replace the family, but to become a bridge to spiritual guidance and supportive community.
🧠 Ministry Sciences Insight
Ceremonies are not one-time tasks. They’re discipleship pathways.
Each one—weddings, dedications, baptisms—can include:
Pre-ceremony spiritual conversations
Basic parenting guidance
Evangelistic opportunities
Ongoing support and follow-up
[Henry]:
Exactly. I’ve led wedding officiant training, and I’m always surprised at how many couples are open to discussing faith when you simply ask.
“Are both of you Christians?”
“Would you like to hear what it means to be one?”
Just last year, at a country club, I led a man to Christ during a conversation about his wedding preparations. He had never heard the gospel. He just wanted to know what his fiancée believed. And the door opened.
That same kind of moment happens in child dedications and baptisms.
[Tom]:
It does.
And that’s why we encourage chaplains to say:
“Would you like to meet for a one-hour conversation before the ceremony—to talk about parenting and what this all means?”
You’ll be surprised how many say yes—and how meaningful it becomes.
📅 Post-Ceremony Follow-Up
[Tom]:
Another idea—especially for those of you working in chaplaincy in transient communities—is to conduct post-ceremony follow-up.
When I was in the military, I kept records of all baptisms and dedications I officiated.
A year later, I’d reach out:
“Hey, I was remembering your child’s baptism today. How are you doing? Anything you need?”
That kind of care incredibly moves people.
It shows them:
“You weren’t just a one-time performer. You’re walking with them.”
🛠 Practical Tips for the Ceremony
Here are some key tips when planning and conducting dedications and baptisms:
✅ 1. Keep It Short and Personal
Especially with small children, keep the service meaningful but brief.
Focus on joy and presence, not perfection.
✅ 2. Adapt to the Family and the Environment
Know the setting: Park, backyard, chapel, living room?
Prepare for noise, pets, wind, kids, and the unexpected.
Ask questions in advance:
“Do you want me to hold the child?”
“Will mom or dad be holding them?”
“Are siblings involved?”
✅ 3. Involve Family
Invite grandparents or godparents to come forward.
Ask someone to read Scripture or say a prayer.
This makes it a shared family event, not just a minister’s monologue.
✅ 4. Allow and Encourage Photos
This is a photo-op with a blessing.
Encourage families to record the moment and keep it as a spiritual memory.
✅ 5. Be Ready for What Goes Wrong
Babies cry. Toddlers wiggle. Dogs bark. Things fall over.
Keep your posture gentle and joyful.
A meltdown is not a failure—it’s part of life.
The minister’s calm grace becomes part of the blessing.
💬 Closing Word
[Henry]:
In all of this, chaplains have the privilege of turning moments into milestones—not just events, but markers of grace.
[Tom]:
And every conversation, every ceremony, can become a seed for lifelong discipleship.
🏠 Part 1: House Blessings — Creating Sacred Space in Everyday Life
[Henry]:
Let’s talk now about house blessings.
Here’s a basic litany or flow for a house blessing ceremony:
Welcome & Gathering Words
(Optional humor or storytelling to warm the space)Opening Scripture
One of the most beloved verses here is:“As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” — Joshua 24:15
Optional Room-by-Room Prayer
Pray through bedrooms, the kitchen, the front door, etc.Final Blessing
Release peace, love, and the presence of God over the home and family.
[Tom]:
Yes, and house blessings can be powerful moments, especially when life feels unstable or transitional.
In the military, I was often called to do house blessings before a long deployment, especially when young children were anxious about a parent being away. We’d walk room to room—blessing their beds, the dining table, even the doorway—asking God to bring peace and protection.
It created emotional security and reminded everyone that God was present.
[Henry]:
And often, just being invited into someone’s home is a powerful moment.
A chaplain’s visit isn’t just functional—it’s relational and spiritual. Many people don’t attend church, but they’re still eager to invite God into their homes. That’s sacred.
So take time to ask:
“Is there anything specific you’d like me to pray about for your home or family?”
That small question can lead to deep conversations about parenting, finances, relationships, or spiritual hunger.
[Tom]:
And what’s beautiful is this:
When you bless one home well, neighbors hear about it.
The circle of trust expands—and more ministry opportunities emerge.
That’s chaplaincy. It’s grassroots. It’s incarnational.
✨ House Blessing Tips
📖 Use Scripture: Share verses that reflect peace, safety, joy, or service.
🧂 Be Practical: Pray over everyday spaces, such as the kitchen table or their child’s bed.
🤝 Invite Participation: Let the family read Scripture, say prayers, or share a story.
🎁 Be Present, Not Mystical: This isn’t magic—it’s ministry.
📸 Encourage Photos: These moments become cherished memories.
[Henry]:
And let’s be clear: this isn’t superstition.
There’s no holy smoke or magic formulas. But when we speak God’s promises, His presence does show up. Miracles happen. Lives are changed.
Lee Strobel’s recent book, The Case for Miracles, confirms what we in ministry sciences already believe—God works powerfully through moments of intentional blessing.
🎓 Part 2: Blessing Life Milestones
[Tom]:
Let’s move now to career and transition blessings.
In the military, there are short blessings and ceremonies for:
Pilot wings
Officer promotions
Graduation from boot camp
Completion of recovery programs
They’re usually short—one to five minutes—but they mark the moment.
[Henry]:
I love the idea of a 60-second ceremony that brings spiritual meaning to a transition. It’s not long—but it’s powerful.
And I’ll gladly drive 45 minutes to bless a promotion, a graduation, or a new beginning. Why? Because when someone says, “Will you bless this?”—you say yes.
🧠 Ministry Sciences Insight
Biblical leaders bless at thresholds.
Isaac blessed Jacob before his journey.
Moses blessed the tribes before they entered the Promised Land.
Jesus blessed His disciples before ascending to heaven.
Threshold blessings are not decorative—they’re preparatory. They anchor the soul for what’s next.
[Tom]:
That’s why I always say:
“A chaplain’s blessing anchors and prepares the soul for transition.”
Whether someone is:
Starting a new job
Leaving a deployment
Moving across the country
Graduating from rehab
Being promoted in the fire department
The blessing marks the sacredness of the shift.
[Henry]:
Yes. And you can create simple ceremonies for:
🍼 New parents
🎓 Graduates
👨🚒 Promotions in civic service
💍 Newly engaged couples
🏠 New homeowners
Ask:
“Would you like this transition to be marked by prayer and blessing?”
Almost always, the answer is yes.
🔄 Real Life Example
[Tom]:
A fire department once asked me:
“We want to start honoring promotions with ceremony. Can you help us?”
We created five-minute blessing scripts for each level of advancement:
Junior role: Internal prayer & blessing
Mid-level role: Family invited, short message
Senior role: Full ceremony, public prayer
They wanted to honor the person, involve the family, and bring God into it.
🙌 Final Reflection
[Henry]:
So here are a few biblical and ministry sciences truths to close with:
Blessings Anchor Transitions
They create sacred space in change and uncertainty.Chaplains Mark the Sacred in Everyday Life
They make kitchens and firehouses feel like holy ground.Threshold Blessings Prepare Souls
Whether it’s deployment, death, or dedication, your prayer opens the door for God to move.
[Tom]:
And that’s why I love this work.
It’s not grand or showy. But it’s eternally meaningful.
And more often than not, the Spirit shows up in powerful ways.
[Henry]:
So next time someone asks you to bless their house, their job, their child, or their journey—say yes.
Bring the presence of God.
Speak peace, identity, and power.
And be a chaplain who marks life’s sacred thresholds with grace.
آخر تعديل: الأربعاء، 28 مايو 2025، 1:24 م