What is Dedication?
Christian parents who dedicate a child are making a promise to the Lord to do everything within their power to raise the child in a godly way, prayerfully until he or she can make a decision on his or her own to follow God. Parents who make this vow of commitment are instructed to raise the child in the ways of God, and not according to their own ways.
Some of the responsibilities include teaching and training the child in God's Word, demonstrating an example of godliness, disciplining according to God's ways, and praying earnestly for the child.
A Covenant
Parents dedicate their children to God, making a covenant with Him to raise their children according to His Word. They make this covenant in front of the church asking for the church to hold them accountable for their commitment before God. The church also makes a commitment to the parent(s) to help the parents in any way they can to fulfill their promises and to help point the child toward the Lord Jesus Christ.
Baby Dedication or Baptism
Some churches practice "baptism of confirmation" or "infant baptism". This ceremony is intended to be a covenant between the parents and God on behalf of the child. The parents promise to raise their child in the faith until the child is old enough to make his own personal commitment to Christ. We do not practice this type of baptism at CCC. We believe baptism is the choice of the individual when they reach an age to understand what they are doing and why they are doing it.
We do offer dedication services for parents and their children, which we believe is demonstrated in the Bible as a commitment/promise parents make to God to raise their child according to His ways and Word.
Samuel's Dedication
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
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
How Do I Schedule Dedication?
Contact the church office or our pastor to schedule a time to dedicate your child. Dedications are completed as a part of one of the weekend services. Please choose a date or two that would work for your family and friends to attend. Be sure to invite them to be a part of this very special event in your lives as parent(s) and bring your cameras.
