Child Dedication

What is the dedication of an infant or child?

The dedication of children is a commitment in which parents give their child to God for the purpose of having the Lord direct the spiritual growth and development of the child. It is a rite where parents, before the local church community, commit to raising their children in a loving Christian home that is actively involved in a Bible believing local church. It is a commitment that the parents, with the aid of their local church family, will pass on the truths of the Christian faith to their children. The church family, in turn, commits itself to playing a role in assisting the family to raise their child in the Christian faith.

“Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.’” (Matthew 19:14)

“(Jesus) said to them, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.’” (Mark 10:14, NIV)

Why child dedication and not infant baptism?

Although some churches baptize infants, most evangelical Christians feel that Christ intended baptism to be for those who have come into the Christian faith through a personal commitment to follow Christ, which involves repentance and the new birth. Baptism is a voluntary expression that gives testimony of a personal decision of having become an authentic born again follower of Christ. Hence baptism should be reserved for those who have reached an age of understanding.

“Those who accepted his message were baptized.” (Acts 2:41, NIV)

Is Child or Baby Dedication demanded by the Bible?

The Bible nowhere insists that children must be dedicated to the Lord. However parents, desiring that their children grow up to know God and to live lives that honour Him and are blessed by Him, have long had a desire to state that aspiration formally before their local church family. Further there is Biblical precedent for child dedication such as Hannah’s dedication of Samuel (I Samuel 1:20-25) and Joseph and Mary’s presentation of Jesus (Luke 2:22).

What does this commitment do for the child?

The child that is dedicated to God is set apart for a special place of blessing and protection. God’s hand graciously comes upon the child to lead and protect the child. Even when the path seems to lead to tragedy, God is present to provide victory and fulfillment. God will not overrule the will of the child, but the parents prayers of dedication will serve to invoke God’s special watch and care over the child.

“See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.”  (Matthew 18:10)

What does this commitment do for the parents?

The parents gain a peace and confidence that the child they have dedicated to God will be under His constant care and guidance. They also know that they are part of a church family that will team up with them in their parental role of raising their child in the Christian faith.

“I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.” (II Timothy 1:12b)

What preparation should be made before entering into this commitment?

A time of prayer and meditation should precede the formal dedication of a child to God asking the Holy Spirit to enable the parents to relinquish their hold on the child and to submit their wills to God so that wisdom can be imparted to them for the raising of their child.

“Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain.  In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat -- for he grants sleep to those he loves . Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one's youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their enemies in the gate.”
(Psalm 127)

What is the parent’s responsibility?

Parents are responsible to God to train their children to follow in the ways of God, to obey His commandments and to serve Him. By word and example they are to lead the child to experience the reality of the Christian life.

“Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.” (Proverbs 22:6)

What role do God-parents play?

In some church settings, parents choose God-parents who are mature Christian believers to stand with them in the child dedication. By standing with the parents, the God-parents are saying, “We will assist you with this commitment you are making today. We will play a role in not only praying for your child but in actively aiding your child to come to know Christ as Saviour and to grow in his or her Christian faith.” In most evangelical churches the responsibility for God-parenting is seen as the responsibility of the entire church family.

At Redwood we neither encourage nor discourage the practice of God-parents. We do however strongly stress that the entire church family work together to raise all of our children to become strong Christian believers. This call to whole community to raise up children to love the Lord with all of their heart and soul and strength is seen in this command given to the people of Israel, collectively:

“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.  Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.  Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. (Deuteronomy 6:4-9)

What will the ceremony look like and what will the pastor ask the parents to agree to?

The Pastor will invite the parents with their child/children to come to the platform. He will give a brief word of instruction to both the parents and the congregation on the meaning of child dedication.

The Pastor will say to the parents: Believing that this child is a gift from God, and that He shall hold you accountable for him/her, do you now solemnly confess that it is your purpose to dedicate this child to the Lord and to His service? Will you pray with him/her and for him/her; instruct him/her faithfully in the doctrines of the Christian faith; teach him/her to read the Word of God; to pray and lead a holy life; take him/her faithfully to the house worship to attend its services; and do all that is in your power to bring him/her to the knowledge of Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord.

The Parents will respond: We will.

The Pastor then takes the child in his arms or places his hand on the child’s head and prays a prayer of dedication on behalf of the child. After the prayer a certificate of dedication will be presented to the parents.

Now that we understand what Child Dedication is all about, what do we do next?

If you’re interested in having your baby or child dedicated to the Lord and can sincerely agree to the commitment you will be asked to make, please contact the church office at 577-3463. The church secretary or one of the pastors will then get back in contact with you as to when the next date is available for a child dedication service. Child dedications may take place in either Sunday morning services, or during the Saturday evening service. We often try to group several families together for a dedication service. While a family may recommend a date, the pastors will determine which date best fits the overall church calendar.