Parent-Child Dedication FAQ's
What is a Parent-child dedication?
A Parent-child dedication ceremony is three-fold: 1) the child is prayerfully presented to the Lord in the act of dedication, 2) the parents call upon God’s help for raising their child in anticipation that the child will grow to love and trust the Lord; 3) the congregation commits to assisting and helping the parents in this task whenever and wherever possible.
Questions for Parents might include such things as:
1) Do you wish to present your child to God in grateful response for the marvellous and beautiful gift God has given you?
2) Do you commit yourselves to the task of loving, nurturing, and training this child in all the disciplines that will bring her/him to a mature and responsible adult?
3) Do you recognize your dependence upon God for the wisdom, the help, and the resourcefulness you will need to raise and nurture this child?
4) Through prayer and the example of your own lives, do you desire to lead your child to an understanding of God and a vibrant personal faith in Jesus Christ?
Questions for extended family members might inlude:
Do you acknowledge and accept the responsibility of assisting these parents in loving, teaching, and training this beautiful child?
Questions for the congregation might include:
Through the ministries and programs of our church we will have the opportunity to support these parents in raising this child. Do you acknowledge and accept the awesome responsibility of assisting them?
Does Grace Memorial baptize infants?
No. Parent-child dedication is different from the rite of infant baptism or christening. While these rites are practiced in a variety of denominations, rather than baptize infants, we encourage parents to dedicate their children to the Lord, in keeping with a more biblical practice.
No. Parent-child dedication is different from the rite of infant baptism or christening. While these rites are practiced in a variety of denominations, rather than baptize infants, we encourage parents to dedicate their children to the Lord, in keeping with a more biblical practice.
The Bible makes no reference to baptizing infants, but it does make a precedent for the custom of Parent-child dedication. In 1 Samuel, we learn how Hannah brought her son, Samuel, to the priest to dedicate him to the Lord. When Jesus was eight days old, Mary and Joseph brought Him to the temple for His dedication.
In the New Testament baptism always followed an individual’s decision to trust Jesus for salvation (Acts 2:41, 8:12 and 10:47–48). We believe baptism is for those who have made a personal decision to trust Jesus for their salvation, once they have the maturity and ability to understand what that means.
We believe, however, that infants and small children automatically are destined for heaven, should they die before they reach an “age of accountability,” the stage when they become responsible for their own choices and behaviour. When his infant child died, King David said, 2 Samuel 12:23 (NLT) “I will go to him one day, but he cannot return to me.”
How young or old can a child be to take part in a Parent-child dedication?
While there is no set age requirement, children are generally less than a year old. Many parents, however, dedicate children much older than that, for multiple reasons. The parents may be new believers, and their children were not dedicated when they were infants. Sometimes parents are dedicating an infant, and want to have an older child dedicated at the same time.
While there is no set age requirement, children are generally less than a year old. Many parents, however, dedicate children much older than that, for multiple reasons. The parents may be new believers, and their children were not dedicated when they were infants. Sometimes parents are dedicating an infant, and want to have an older child dedicated at the same time.
Do I need to be a member of Grace Memorial to have my child dedicated?
No. But we encourage parents to attend the church regularly, because in the act of Parent-child dedication the people of the congregation commit to partner with the parents in supporting and helping them with the task of raising their child in the faith. This partnership is carried out through the personal care, encouragement, and loving teaching provided by the volunteers and leaders through its ministries.
No. But we encourage parents to attend the church regularly, because in the act of Parent-child dedication the people of the congregation commit to partner with the parents in supporting and helping them with the task of raising their child in the faith. This partnership is carried out through the personal care, encouragement, and loving teaching provided by the volunteers and leaders through its ministries.
Can a single parent dedicate a child?
Absolutely! Grace Memorial is committed to helping and supporting single parents provide a Christian foundation for their child’s upbringing. We encourage single parents to discuss child dedication with their ex-spouse. Ideally, both parents would be involved in the dedication of their child to God. But we acknowledge that this is often not possible.
Absolutely! Grace Memorial is committed to helping and supporting single parents provide a Christian foundation for their child’s upbringing. We encourage single parents to discuss child dedication with their ex-spouse. Ideally, both parents would be involved in the dedication of their child to God. But we acknowledge that this is often not possible.
Can grandparents be involved?
Recognizing the role of extended family, Grace Memorial encourages all extended family members to come forward and stand with the parents for the act of dedication.
Recognizing the role of extended family, Grace Memorial encourages all extended family members to come forward and stand with the parents for the act of dedication.
What should we wear?
Parents and children are welcome to wear whatever makes them feel most comfortable. People at Grace Memorial generally attend in casual dress attire. Keep in mind you will stand in front of the congregation.
Parents and children are welcome to wear whatever makes them feel most comfortable. People at Grace Memorial generally attend in casual dress attire. Keep in mind you will stand in front of the congregation.
We welcome a conversation with you about a Parent-child dedication. Please contact the psotr or church office from Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM.
Telephone: (506) 458-8527
E-mail: office@gracememorial.ca