CHILD DEDICATION
Central Church believes that children are a gift from God, and we are very excited that you are considering child dedication.
Child dedication is a formal commitment and public acknowledgment that you make before your church, your family, and God that your children belong to the Lord, that you will devote yourself to raising your child in accordance with the Bible, and finally that you will be open to the support and prayer of others for your child and for yourself.
It is our desire to partner with you as your child grows and develop their own personal relationship with God.
WHAT DOES THE DEDICATION LOOK LIKE?
Child dedication is a public commitment you make before God, your church, and your family. We set aside a portion of our weekend services to dedicate children to the Lord. We share a brief instruction about dedications and ask the families, friends, and church to celebrate this moment together. Parents express their desire to raise their child in accordance with the Bible.
The dedication ceremony allows you to celebrate this new life that God has entrusted to you and for the church body to stand with you in prayer. Each family receives a personalized dedication certificate and bible to commemorate the moment. This is a wonderful opportunity to invite family and friends to join you for a service at Central Church and be a part of your special moment.
WHAT SHOULD WE WEAR ON DEDICATION DAY?
Parents and children are welcome to wear whatever makes you feel most comfortable. Take this opportunity to dress your family up, or come in jeans and a t-shirt.
WHAT IS THE BIBLICAL PURPOSE FOR CHILD DEDICATION?
The scriptural root of child dedication is found in 1 Samuel 1:27–28 (NASB), where a godly woman named Hannah prayed year after year for God to give her a child. He answered her prayer and she gave birth to a son, whom she named Samuel. When Samuel was born, Hannah prayed these words: "For this boy I prayed, and the Lord has given me my petition which I asked of Him. So I have also dedicated him to the Lord; as long as he lives he is dedicated to the Lord."
A New Testament example is in Luke chapter 2. Following the birth of Jesus, Mary and Joseph took the infant Jesus to the temple and dedicated him.
In both Scripture passages, the parents entrusted their child completely to God. The writings of Moses, found in Deuteronomy 6:5–9, describe God's plan for how a parent should raise up a child: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates."