Congregational Care > Child Dedication

In an effort to express public thanksgiving to God for the gift of a child, and to commit themselves to leading their child in the Christian faith, many parents elect to participate in a "child dedication." If you would like to dedicate your infant or child, please contact the church office to solicit a "Child Dedication Form."  Upon returning the form, you should schedule a meeting with the pastor who will dedicate your child.

Still have questions?

Why infant dedication?

• Parents brought their children to Jesus for His blessing and prayer. (Mark 10.16)
• It is the only religious act associated with children that was practiced by Jesus and the early church.

Why not baptism or sprinkling?

• Baptism in the Bible always follows a conscious decision to turn from the old life to the new one of following Christ.
• Baptism is the decision of the one being baptized, not the parents. It follows conversion or the "new birth." Baptism is for believers.
• Baptism is associated with sin (failing to do things God's intended way). The child has no sin for which he needs to be forgiven. God does not create children that are immediately unacceptable to Him.

What is the role of the pastor & congregation?

• The pastors and congregation accept their responsibility to teach, train and model Biblical Christianity.
• They commit themselves to this family as brothers and sisters in the Lord.

What questions should we address before proceeding?

• Do I need to make some changes in my life?
• Am I in a right relationship with Christ?
• What do I need to do to give the child every advantage of a Christian home and environment?