Baby Dedication

What is Baby Dedication?

At Light of the Word, when parents dedicate their child, they are making a choice to commit their son or daughter to the Lord and His service. They are also promising to do everything in their power to help their child grow to understand Christ’s love and experience a life-giving relationship with Him. Proverbs 22:6 says, “Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.”

This vow of dedication should be taken with great sincerity and commitment. “When you make a vow to God, do not delay to fulfill it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow. It is better not to make a vow than to make one and not fulfill it.” (Ecclesiastes 5:4-5


How is it Different from Baptism?

Baby dedication is not a baptism of faith nor does it guarantee your child’s salvation. Salvation occurs only when your child reaches the age of understanding that Christ died for their sins, and personally confesses Jesus as Savior and  Lord.
 
The New Testament clearly commands that everyone who has made this decision should be baptized by immersion.  This is referred to as the “believer’s baptism” and differs greatly from “infant baptism,” which is the parents’ decision to  sprinkle their child with water. Light of the World Family Worship Church does not baptize infants but reserves water baptism as a declaration and celebration for those who have accepted Jesus as their Savior.


What is Required to Participate in Baby Dedication?

  1. Church Membership  
  2. Parents must also believe the following: 
    • My child is a gift from God.
    • God will hold me accountable for raising my child according to Biblical principles and cultivating an awareness of God’s love and salvation through Jesus Christ.
    • I desire to dedicate my child to the Lord and His service.

How Do I Choose Godparents?

Godfathers and godmothers play a special role in a child’s life.The choice should not be made lightly — you won’t be able to change your mind later on. Here are four criteria to take into consideration as you decide…
1. DEEP FAITH
The prime mission of a godparent is to support you in educating your child in the faith, and praying for your child.  Godparents are not simple distributors of gifts; they point out the star to follow. They seek to lead their godchild to Jesus by showing him or her how the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are at work in their lives and in their hearts.

2. EXEMPLARY FRIENDSHIP
The closeness between a godparent and godchild is a powerful link that a child can cling to in times of difficulty. But this joyful and faithful attachment is modeled on the friendship between the parents and godparents.

3. AN OPEN AND GENEROUS HEART
The relationship between a child and a godparent is formed over time, time spent together, meetings, regular exchanges, and, ideally, from the child’s earliest age. But, what matters most is not necessarily the length of those shared moments, but the quality: it’s the godparent’s personal generosity of spirit that makes the biggest difference.

4. SUFFICIENT MATURITY
If the godparent is himself a child, does he have the necessary maturity to take on such a responsibility? If they are still immature with regard to faith, they risk later changing their point of view, of abandoning the Christian life.


What Happens During The Dedication Service?

  1. Parents’ Take Vows
    During the dedication service, parents will be asked to make the following vows: 
    • Pray for my child daily. 
    • Instruct them faithfully in the teachings of the faith. 
    • Teach them to read God’s Word. 
    • Encourage them to pray and lead a life that pleases God. 
    • Take them to church regularly to worship the Lord and help them stay connected to the body of believers.
    • Do all in my power to bring my child to the knowledge of Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children — with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts.” (Psalm 103:17-18)
  2. Pastor Gives Blessing
    When parents’ vows have been taken, the pastor will anoint the child with oil, dedicate them to God in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and pray for them. After each child has been dedicated, the pastor will close the ceremony by speaking a blessing upon all the children and their parents.

If you would like to have your child dedicated at Light of the World, please complete the form below or contact the church office.