Child Dedications

Child Dedications are a public commitment made by parents. Parents will stand with their children in front of the congregation and make a promise to offer their children to the Lord. It is also a public commitment to dedicate themselves to rearing their child for the glory of God. Parents should regularly attend Friends Church, as they will be standing before the congregation who will help support, encourage, and hold them accountable on their parenting journey.

All parents who want to dedicate their children must attend the Foundations of Parenting class and stay for the Child Dedication portion.

Foundations of Parenting Class (required to participate in dedications):
TBD

Child Dedication Services:
TBD

Registration Currently Unavailable

Our goals for Child Dedication are to:

  • Help parents recognize that children are a gift from God.
  • Facilitate the commitment of the parents to raise their child(ren) in a Christian environment.
  • Challenge parents to be examples in service and worship for their child(ren).
  • Assist parents in laying a firm foundation of learning about God and an example of the power of salvation for their child(ren).

Steps to Dedicate your Child(ren):

  • Attend the Foundations of Parenting class and stay for the Child Dedication portion at the end. You will be able to sign up for the service you wish to dedicate your child(ren) at the class. (See below for next class date.)
  • Complete and submit the parent questionnaires prior to the Foundation of Parenting class. These will take approximately 5-10 minutes to complete.
  • Submit a photo of your child(ren) being dedicated.

Child Dedication Services: TBD

(Register below to attend the required Foundations of Parenting class)

Foundations of Parenting Class (required to participate in dedications):
TBD

Registration Currently Unavailable


Examples of Child Dedications in the Bible:

  • 1 Samuel 1:2, 10-11, 20, 26-28 – Hannah dedicates Samuel for life to the Lord.
  • Genesis 22:1-16 (Vs. 12) – Abraham offers Isaac.
  • Luke 2:21-24 – As a baby, Jesus’ parents dedicated Him in the Temple.

A Child Dedication is not Baptism:

  • It is not a sacrament of any kind.
  • It does not impart salvation on the child.
  • Dedication is the commitment of the parents, to God, to raise the child in His ways.

Matthew 28:19-20 tells us that all believers are to be baptized, but that does NOT get you to heaven. Faith in Christ alone makes a believer and only by accepting Christ do we secure salvation and eternity in heaven. Jesus asks us to be baptized and modeled this to us (Mark 1:9).

Friends does not baptize children until 3rd Grade, which is the time when we feel children can articulate their understanding and belief.

Please contact Tiffany at tiffanyd@friends.church.