Child Dedication

Child dedication is a special moment in a family’s spiritual journey. It’s a time for parents to thank God for the gift and publicly acknowledge their role as their child’s primary spiritual leaders. While dedication is not salvation or a decision by the child to follow Jesus, it is a more formal opportunity for parents to commit to raising their child to know and love Jesus, ask God’s for grace and wisdom in doing so, and invite their church family to come alongside them with encouragement, support, and prayer as they nurture their child’s faith.

If you are interested in having your young child dedicated, please register and we’ll get in touch with you to discuss an upcoming date that works for your family.

Child Dedication Guide for Parents

We’re excited to celebrate your child’s dedication with you! One of our pastors and a Family Ministries representative will help lead the dedication. Here’s what to expect for the child dedication part of the service:

1. Come forward. After the first worship song, the congregation will be invited to greet one another. During that time, please come to the main floor in front of the stage.

2. Parent commitment. A pastor will briefly explain child dedication and ask participating parents:

• Do you believe in Jesus as your Lord and Savior?

• Will you commit to loving your child, teaching them God’s Word, praying for them, modeling what it means to follow Jesus, and pointing them toward a personal relationship with Christ?

3. Church family commitment. The congregation will be invited to support you and asked:

• Having heard these parents’ desire to raise their child to know and follow Jesus, will you, as their church family, commit to walking alongside them, supporting and encouraging them, and helping them show their child the love of Jesus? If so, will you?

4. Your child’s dedication. One family at a time, the pastor will ask for your child’s name and may invite you to share a little about why you chose it. The pastor may offer to hold your child, then pray for your family and dedicate your child to the Lord.

5. A gift for your family. After all the children have been dedicated, you’ll receive a dedication certificate and a gift book.

Common Questions

Where do we sit? Please try to sit near the front of the sanctuary to minimize “walking time.”

Can we invite friends and family to the ceremony? Absolutely! As this is a commitment on the part of parents AND their faith community, we encourage friends and family to attend.

Do I or my child have to dress up? No! There’s no dress code for the dedication. You’re welcome to wear whatever you feel comfortable in. Some families choose a special outfit or family heirloom, while others simply dress comfortably for the day. It’s completely up to you!

Will pictures be taken of the dedication? We typically invite one of our volunteer photographers to take photos but we can’t always guarantee one will be present. You may have family and friends take photos/video during the dedication. Encourage them to sit near the front, and when the time comes, they are free to move about to get a good angle for photos/video.

What about our older kids? If you have other children with you, they are welcome to stand up front with you or stay in their seats.

Have additional questions? Please contact Steve Mercer, [email protected]