BABY DEDICATION
BABY DEDICATION
"…that I may walk before God in the light of life.” Psalms 56:13
hildren are a gift from God. Like everything good in life, they come from God and they belong to him. Parents are caretakers of the children God has given them. As parents speak to the pastor about their desire to dedicate their children to God, there are several questions they should ask themselves:
Since dedication of children is a Christian act of giving children to God for his glory, the most obvious question to ask is, “Are we Christians?” As a couple standing before God dedicating their child to Him in a Christian church, their life should show the characteristics of Christ. Sometimes people bring their babies for dedication because it is “the thing to do.” God is honored by hearts that genuinely desire to please him without regard for what others think. Christian Dedication of babies is for Christian families.
WHAT IS BABY DEDICATION?
Dedication of children to God means handing them over to Him to do with them as he pleases. An act of dedication is an act of faith in God, trusting Him to call the children wisely and mercifully. Another question that is appropriate to ask at the time of Christian Dedication is “Are we willing to oversee our child’s Christian development?” Scripture tells us that we are to train a child in the way he should go (Proverbs 22:6). This includes meeting together regularly as Christians to spur one another on to love and good deeds (Hebrews 10:23-24).
Dedication of children to God is a promise to model a Christian lifestyle to the children worshiping with a church family regularly. In a sense,a Christian Dedication of a child is a dedication of the parents to be godly role models. A final question to ask is, “Are we, the parents, in agreement on this?” A pastor cannot really dedicate someone else’s baby to God, because the baby does not belong to the pastor. The parents have been made caretakers of their baby. Only they can dedicate the child to God. It is important that they are committed to the Christian Dedication.
As parents presenting your child to the Lord, you signify your own personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. You show a desire to see God’s will carried out in the life of your child; and you acknowledge your place as stewards of what really belongs to God; your child.
Dedication means that by word and example, you promise to teach your child to live a holy life and to value the good gifts God has given us. You promise to give your child every opportunity and encouragement to develop into the well-rounded Christian individual God intends him or her to be.
BABY DEDICATION IN SCRIPTURE
An Example of Baby Dedication in Scripture:
And she (Hannah) made a vow, saying, “O LORD Almighty, if you will only look upon your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the LORD for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head.” 1 Samuel 1:11 (NIV)
When God answered Hannah’s prayer by giving her a son, she remembered her vow:
As surely as you live, my lord, I am the woman who stood here beside you praying to the LORD. 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 he will be given over to the LORD.” And he worshiped the LORD there. 1 Samuel 1:26-28 (NIV)
Baby Dedication is held on the last Sunday of the month towards the end of the service. There is no charge for this event; however, we do require that the Mom and/or Dad of the baby be an active member of New Wine Church. Church Membership involves attending Life Class 101 and Life Class 201. Membership will be verified for registrations to be valid.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions about Baby Dedication:
Registration for baby dedication is done online or by calling the church office. At least one parent of the baby must be a member of Regents of Christ Assembly. Church Membership will be verified before online registrations are considered valid.
There is no fee for baby dedication.
There is no limit to the number of guest that you can invite.
We realize that raising a child is a big task and that you have some very special people who support you in that. However, God Parents do not play a part in the baby dedication ceremony and are not recognized as part of the program.
After registering your child, a member of the Children’s Ministry Staff will be in contact with you. You will be fully informed of all the details regarding baby dedication prior to the event. If at any time you have a question regarding baby dedication, you can always contact the Children’s Ministry Director cdm@nwcmpls.org or 612-822 2500.
During the baby dedication ceremony, the Mom, Dad and Baby will be introduced. Your baby will also be prayed for by a pastor. The real responsibility involved comes after the ceremony as you daily commit to raise your child to know Jesus Christ and follow him.
Yes! Membership is required to dedicate your baby.
Babies and toddlers are the primary group that is dedicated. However, baby dedication is really a parent commitment to raise the child to know Jesus Christ as Savior. So, if you have a three-year-old, or even a four-year-old, and just recently came to know Christ yourself, it is more than appropriate to wish to dedicate those children. As children reach an age where they are able to understand salvation, our hope is that they will personally trust Christ as their savior and choose to be baptized. So, if you have a 5 ,6 ,7, 8-year-old, etc., it’s the time to begin speaking with your child about salvation and praying that they will accept Jesus as Savior.
This is your day, therefore we encourage you to dress a appropriately for the event. Babies should be dressed in what you feel looks cute on them! No specific color required.
Photography is encouraged, but we ask that you not interrupt the flow of the ceremony.
Following the ceremony, you will receive a baby dedication certificate and small bible for each child that is dedicated.
You’ll definitely want to share your good news and let your family know about your decision to dedicate your baby. Baby dedication is really a parent commitment to raise your child to know Jesus Christ and follow him. This is a big, exciting commitment that you are making as a family. You are permitted to invite as many guests as you want to come and witness your baby dedication ceremony at Regents.
If you have any questions that were not addresses in these FAQs, click on the button below to request more information or to register.