Thank you for your interest in having your baby dedicated here at Christian Life Center.  The following is an overview of what a Baby Dedication is, why we dedicate our children, the biblical precedence for it, as well as a guide for who should have their baby dedicated.  Also please remember to complete the attached application so that we can gather all of the necessary information to schedule your Baby Dedication.

What is Baby Dedication?

Baby dedication is ceremony in which parents make a commitment before God and the church to affirm that God has given their child(ren) to them as a gift, vow to be good stewards of their children, and publicly proclaim their intention to raise their child in godly ways by recognizing a biblical view of parenting. Parents are the primary teachers and nurturers of their children and must make this commitment with all sincerity.  We also ask the church community to do their part by joining you on this journey.  This ceremony recognizes the importance of the spiritual development of a child.

Why We Dedicate Our Children

At Christian Life Center we dedicate young infants to the Lord. While some churches believe in infant baptism, we believe the New Testament teaches that baptism is participated in after a person has made a conscious decision to accept Christ as their Lord and Savior. Since infants are incapable of this decision, it would be inappropriate for us to baptize them until they reach an appropriate age. We do find precedence for the practice of dedicating our children to the Lord and to His service.

What is the Biblical precedence for Baby Dedication?

Dedicating an infant to the Lord is an ancient tradition that has roots traced to the Old and New Testaments.  One of the earliest and most remembered accounts is found in 1 Samuel 1.  The Prophet Samuel’s mother, Hannah, struggled for many years with infertility and became deeply troubled because of her condition (1 Samuel 1:10).  She in turn made a vow to the Lord (1 Samuel 1:11) that if the Lord would grant her a child she would completely and unreservedly give that child back to God.  Shortly thereafter Hannah and her husband Elkanah conceived and in due time they had a son, Samuel (1 Samuel 1:19-20). Hannah remembered the vow she made to God and took Samuel as a small child to the priest, Eli, offered sacrifices to God, dedicated Samuel and worship the Lord for His faithfulness.

I Samuel 1:21,22,24-28

Luke 2:21-40, 22b

Who Should Have Their Baby Dedicated?

 

Baby dedication is available for any parent(s) that have accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior and have demonstrated a consistent Christian witness with their life.  The Bible says, “Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6 NASB).  It is imperative that the parent(s) publicly and privately demonstrate a proper adherence to a biblical view of parenting; therefore we cannot affirm parents who are cohabitating and not married.  Baby dedications are available to any individual or family who has chosen to raise there child in an environment that is consistent with God’s Word.  Should you have any question about this position or need clarification, please feel free to contact the church office at 937-898-8811 (Little York campus) or 937-426-0456 (Fairfield campus) to speak to a member of our Leadership Team.

 

The dedication of your baby is an exciting and meaningful moment.  As your church family, we are honored to celebrate together with you and your family.  We believe that a public, formal commitment adds significance to the act and we want to partner with you as you raise your child(ren).  Christian Life Center values children as well as the family we want to encourage you to take advantage of all the ministries we have to offer children and families as a resource as your child grows and matures!

If you are interested in having your baby dedicated during one of our Baby Dedication services please submit this form. You will be contacted once there is an opening in one of our dedication services.

Instructions for the day of the dedication

Please come to the church office, just inside Door #5, 15 minutes prior to scheduled service time. (Saturday 5:45 pm; Sunday 8:15 am, 9:45 am, or 11:30 am depending on your scheduled time) You will receive instructions, flowers, and other information needed for a meaningful baby dedication (i.e., where to sit in the Sanctuary and where to stand on the platform).