Child Dedication

What is Child dedication?

Child dedication involves 2 elements:

First, and perhaps most importantly, it is a public commitment by the parents to raise and train their children to be faithful followers of Jesus Christ. God has given Christian parents the primary responsibility to teach their children the essentials of the Christian faith and to model that faith for tem. In the dedication ceremony, the parents are making a public commitment before the Lord and before their church family to do this.

Second, it is a time for the Woodlands Church congregation to dedicate themselves to being a faith community that is with and for parents. The congregation is dedicating themselves to honor and raise up families, to pray for and support parents, and to intentionally being a part of a Christ-centered community that helps parents and their children faithfully follow Jesus.

There are two well known examples of dedication in the Scriptures. In 1 Samuel 1, we learn about the dedication of Samuel by his mother, Hannah, and in Luke 2, the dedication of Jesus by Mary and Joseph. Also, in Exodus 13, God commanded that the first born of the family be especially set apart for Him.

What Child Dedication is Not:

Child Dedication is not a guarantee of salvation for the child. Salvation must still be received personally by each child when he/she becomes old enough to do so. It is not a New Testament requirement. Children of believers are recipients of special grace simply because they are children of believers (1 Corinthians 7:14), but this does not mean they are automatically Christians.

Additionally, Child Dedication is not Infant Baptism. We practice Child Dedication for infants and young children as an act of public commitment by parents to raise the child to know the love of God through Christ and His Word, the Bible. We also pray asking God to draw our children to Jesus, that they would grow up to know and place their trust in Christ. Therefore, we receive the act of Baptism for those who are old enough to make an informed and conscious decision to receive and follow Jesus as their Lord and Savior.

Why have Child Dedication?

It is important to make public commitments. Jesus often called people to acknowledge Him publicly. So, in the dedication, the parents of the child publicly acknowledge their responsibility and publicly commit themselves to fulfill that responsibility. Raising children is a sacred task entrusted to parents. Dedication is a sacred ceremony, and should not be entered into lightly. God will call us to account for the commitments we have made to Him.

In the dedication, we are calling on the Lord to bless the child in a special way. In Mark 10:13-16, it says that Jesus wanted little children to come to Him so that He could bless them. In dedication, we are essentially doing the same thing that the first disciples did when they brought children to Jesus.

Though dedication is not a requirement, it is an important event, and we encourage all believing parents to participate.

Requirements to Participate in Child Dedication

Personal Faith in Christ by any or both parents who will be participating in the dedication of the child.
Personal commitment to be involved in Woodlands Church, which includes regularly attending Woodlands for at least six months in-person with an indication to continue to do so.
Personal agreement of understanding what Child Dedication is.

Child Dedication + older children

We typically reserve Child Dedication for children age 5 and under. For more information, please read this letter from Pastor Jon Ewton regarding older children and child dedication.