A Liturgy For Child Dedication

The ceremony of infant or child dedication is observed by churches which practice believers' baptism; these churches typically are free churches which do not follow a detailed or historic liturgy. As a result, considerable variation may be found in the format of child dedication services. The following is a suggested pattern based on practice in several congregations.

Since the rite of the dedication of children is a public testimony by the parents of their intent to raise their child in the Christian faith, with the hope that he or she will one day make a personal commitment to Christ in baptism, the ceremony is almost always included as part of the regular Sunday worship of the gathered church. The act of dedication or presentation may come at any convenient point in the service. Because dedication usually signifies the beginning of the child's pilgrimage of Christian instruction, however, an appropriate point for the ceremony would be just preceding the Scripture lesson and sermon. Order for Child Dedication

Introduction of the child (children) and parents

Statement of the purpose and meaning of dedication Charge to parents and their response Blessing or prayer for the child (children), involving holding or touching the child by the officiant Response of the congregation Benediction or concluding prayer

Commentary The officiant, in most churches an ordained minister, calls forward those families presenting children for dedication. In a larger congregation especially, the minister may briefly introduce the parents, mentioning the history of their association with the congregation, their current roles and responsibilities, and their relationships to other members or visitors who may be present (such as grandparents or brothers and sisters of the child being dedicated). The minister may offer Scripture quotations, such as Psalm 127, 1 Samuel 1:24–28, Matthew 19:13–14, or selected verses from Luke 2:21–40, which speak of the biblical precedent for child dedication and the historic regard for children, in biblical faith, as a blessing from the Lord. The minister may then explain the meaning of dedication as an act which anticipates the child's later baptism in conscious confession of faith in Jesus Christ, through Christian nurture by parents, the congregation, and the larger family of God. The minister may stress the special importance of training in the Holy Scriptures. The officiant may then address the parents, charging them with their responsibility as examples of godly living and custodians of the child's spiritual development. The parents may be given an opportunity to respond with a testimony to their own faith in Christ and an acceptance of the charge laid upon them. This is most effective where the parents, the father in particular, are able to address the congregation in spontaneous and personal witness. The minister then lays hands upon the child, or each child in turn, or preferably holds the child, and invokes the Lord's blessing upon the child and Lord's favor and wisdom upon the parents. The minister may also make a statement receiving the child into the congregation of Christ's flock; this can be effectively symbolized by carrying the child into the midst of the congregation during this portion of the service. When all children have been dedicated in this manner, the officiant may invite the congregation to respond in a brief act (in the church bulletin) affirming support for the parents in their task and welcoming the child into the concern of the family of God. Where time and custom permit, spontaneous expressions from members of the congregation (blessing, prophecy, words of encouragement) may occur. The officiant may then close the service of dedication with a brief prayer or benediction, inviting the congregation to greet the parents and their children following the worship service.