The baptismal font is usually the most controversial piece of furniture in the church, especially its placement in the church. While it may seem nice to have a font that looks and acts like the Jordan River, the main rule to follow with a baptismal font is simplicity. The fewer moving parts and the simpler the design means easier maintenance and longer life (fewer chances for leaks!). Stone is a great material for baptismal fonts, but mixing stone with wood or metal helps to tie the font into the rest of the liturgical furnishings and can reduce costs.