Child Dedication
It is with immense joy that we welcome a new child into the Life Church Calvert family. Surrounded by loved ones, parents stand before God and our congregation to vow to nurture their children in a manner that glorifies the LORD. In the Child Dedication, parents openly commit to guiding their children according to Christian principles. The dedication features a reading from Matthew 19, parental promises to bring up the child in the teachings of the Lord, and a pledge from the congregation to offer unwavering support to the family. The dedication culminates in a heartfelt prayer, seeking God's blessings and wisdom for the child and their family.
As parents, presenting your child to the Lord demonstrates your faith in Jesus Christ. You show a desire to see God’s will carried out in your child's life. And you acknowledge your place as stewards of what belongs to God, your child. Dedication means that by word and example, you promise to teach your child to live a holy life and value the good gifts God has given us.
Guidelines for Parents: It isn’t baptism for our children.
- Baptism is the public profession of faith and discipleship after conversion, as described above.
- Once a child is old enough to accept Christ as their personal Savior, they can choose to be baptized.
It is a dedication to Christ.
Dedication is a Christian act of giving children to God for His glory. The first question to ask is, "Are we Christians?" Christian dedication to babies is for Christian families.
The second question to ask is, Are we serious about this dedication? Dedicating your child to God is an act of faith in God, believing He has a purpose of abundant life for your child.
The third question is, Are we willing to oversee our child’s Christian development? By dedicating your child to God, you commit to maintaining a Christian home where Christ is honored and the word of God is believed and obeyed. A child’s first impression of God comes from you, so you must always strive to live Christ-like lives. Baby dedication is not a one-time event but a lifestyle of church attendance, service, and involvement. It is an active Christian life, exemplified in the home of love and dedication to one another, as well as in the disciplines of prayer and study.