Child Dedication allows families an opportunity to present their child to God in an act of thanksgiving and dedication to God’s purposes. We bless, pray over, and declare God’s best for a child.
We host child dedications several times throughout the year for newborns up to age 11.
QUESTIONS ABOUT CHILD DEDICATION
What is child dedication?
What happens during a child dedication service?
What’s the difference between child dedication and infant baptism?
If I’m a single parent, can I dedicate my child?
How do I sign up for child dedication?
WHAT IS CHILD DEDICATION?
The roots of this ceremony go back several thousand years to a moment when a Jewish woman named Hannah was unable to conceive. She cried out to the Lord for a child, and when God answered her prayer, she responded by dedicating her child to God’s purpose.
“’I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life will be given over to the Lord.’ And she worshiped the Lord there.”
1 Samuel 1:27-28
Even Mary has a moment of dedication with Jesus when He was just an infant.
“…Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord.”
Luke 2:22
And when Jesus was presented at the Temple, two older people of faith (Simeon and Anna) both had moments with the baby where they held Him, pronounced God’s blessing over Him, and even prophesied what He would go on to do and become.
This is what we believe happens during a dedication moment: Parents present their child to God in an act of thanksgiving and dedication to God’s purposes. Together, as a family, they worship God.
Spiritual leaders bless, pray over, and declare God’s best for a child. (At times the Holy Spirit may even speak prophetically about the child’s future.) Parents and their child begin their journey together, confident that they are walking under the full blessing of God.
Here’s how the dedication moment of Jesus concludes:
“And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.”
Luke 2:40
WHAT HAPPENS DURING A CHILD DEDICATION SERVICE?
We will invite parents and their child (some will bring the entire family) onto the platform. The pastor will briefly describe to the congregation the meaning and purpose of the dedication ceremony and greet the families who are guests for this occasion.
Then pastor will ask the parents the dedication questions of commitment:
–Do you present your child in dedication to God’s purpose?
–Realizing that no one is perfect, will you do your best to model for your child a life of obedience to God’s purpose?
–When they are old enough, will you work to lead your child to make their own decision to trust Jesus Christ as their Savior?
Following the commitments made before God and the congregation, the pastor will take the opportunity to pray over each child being dedicated.
Then before leaving the platform, you will be given a commemorative gift as a reminder of this day when you dedicated your child to the Lord.
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CHILD DEDICATION AND INFANT BAPTISM?
In many Christian traditions it is customary to do a ‘baptism’ of an infant, rather than just a ‘dedication’. But the Biblical practice of baptism was limited to those who are old enough to choose to take that step as a matter of choice. Baptism is an expression of personal faith in Christ. Dedication is designed to bless children and is based on the choice that parents make on their child’s behalf.
IF I’M A SINGLE PARENT, CAN I DEDICATE MY CHILD?
Absolutely!
In fact, being able to be surrounded by your church family as you begin the journey of parenting is a very important thing to do. It is a fantastic symbol of the reality that you are not doing this alone.
Many single parents will have someone come and stand with them on the platform. It might be one or both of your parents, or a sibling, or a small group leader, or a friend. Please make this moment one that you can celebrate with joy.
HOW DO I SIGN UP FOR CHILD DEDICATION?
We typically host child dedications two or three times a year during our Sunday services. You can find upcoming dedications on our events page, or you can join our update list and we will get you connected once registrations open for the next dedication service.