every good & perfect gift is from above.
child dedications
Tohia o ō tātou tamariki ki a Ihowa
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what is child dedication?
Child dedication is an act of worship, in which Christian parents offer back to God the precious gift He has given to them. In this act parents make a commitment before the Lord to lead and spiritually nurture their child in the ways of God with the help of the Holy Spirit.
Children are a gift from God, they are His reward - Psalm 127:3
why should I dedicate my child?
In the Bible, a woman named Hannah prayed year after year for God to give her a child. He answered her prayer and she gave birth to a son, whom she named Samuel. When Samuel was born, Hannah prayed these words: 'For this boy I prayed, and the Lord has given me my petition which I asked of Him. So I have also dedicated him to the Lord; as long as he lives he is dedicated to the Lord.' (1 Samuel 1:27-28)
In Luke chapter 2, following the birth of Jesus, Mary and Joseph took the infant Jesus to the temple and dedicated Him. In both instances the parents entrusted their child completely to God and His purposes. We believe that we should follow these examples and dedicate our children to God, and ourselves to raising children who love Jesus.
is child dedication the same as infant baptism or 'christening'?
At Echo Church we believe that biblical baptism is by 'full immersion' at an age when someone has made a personal decision to follow Jesus and has the maturity and ability to understand what this lifetime commitment means. In the Bible, we find parents bringing their children to Jesus. He held them, prayed for them and told us to welcome them. He did not baptise them. In child dedication, parents are given the opportunity to express publicly their desire to lead and spiritually nurture their child so that they will be encouraged to grow in their love for God and love for others.
what is the role of the church?
The role of the church is to equip you, the parents, to pass on the faith to your children and to establish the home as the primary place where faith is nurtured, and to be a lifelong supporting partner for you and your family. Child dedication is an opportunity to receive prayer that all these things might happen.
where should a child be dedicated?
At Echo Church we have church gatherings throughout the year where we dedicate children. We think it is great to involve the wider church community in being part of accepting the responsibility of being great role models to the children growing up in our midst.
when should a child be dedicated?
There is no set age. Some families dedicate their babies in the first few months but we believe it is ok to do what seems best to you. We don't think 'when' is as important as that it happens.
whom should we invite?
The dedication of your child is a very special time, so be sure to invite your family and friends! There is no limit on the number of guests you may invite! We recognise the truth in the saying that 'it takes a village to raise a child'. You may like to approach people who are a little farther along on the parenting journey to act as parenting-mentors for you.
my child isn't a baby anymore, but I would still like to dedicate him/her. is this okay?
The short answer is 'yes'! A child can be dedicated at any time, although typically parents dedicate their child within the first year of life.
I am a single parent. may I still dedicate my child?
Absolutely! Child dedication signifies the commitment of a parent or parents to do their best to raise their child to be a follower of Jesus. Ideally, both parents, even if not married, would still commit to the declaration of their child to God. We acknowledge that this is not always possible and that it takes extra effort for a single parent to raise a child. As a church we are committed to supporting you in providing a Christian foundation for your child's upbringing.
ready to dedicate your child?
We would love to talk to you about dedicating your child. Please fill out the contact form and one of our team will be in touch.