Baby Dedication

Committing Our Children to the Lord


Baby dedication is an opportunity for Calvary Chapel to join your family in prayer. Baby dedication differs from other traditions and is not for the purpose of infusing special graces into your child’s life.

During the dedication, we pray for the following areas:
1. Your commitment to God as parents.
2. Your commitment to marriage God’s way.
3. For your child to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ throughout their life.

REQUIREMENTS FOR DEDICATION

To dedicate a child to the Lord is to make a vow to completely submit your child to the will of God and raise that child in the ways of the Lord.

Parents who have not placed their faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord will be unable to submit their children to God’s will and His ways, because they themselves do not know the ways of the Lord. As a result, we must decline any requests to involve an unbelieving parent in the dedication of a child. We view this as an act of protection rather than rejection, as we cannot encourage someone to make a vow to God that we know he or she cannot keep. The Bible says, “It is a trap for a man to dedicate something rashly and only later to consider his vows” (Proverbs 20:25 NIV). The Bible records instances where God dealt severely with those who broke their vows to Him (for example, read Acts 5:1-11). A believing parent may dedicate a child independently of an unbelieving spouse. Single parents who dedicate their children may not have boyfriends or girlfriends with them on the platform.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF A CHRISTIAN PARENT

Christian parents are to do all they can do to “set apart” their child to God until that child can make his or her own choice regarding a relationship with Jesus Christ. By dedicating a child to the Lord, parents make a vow to raise their child in God’s ways and not their own. They commit themselves to this promise and must do all they can do to keep it.

The responsibilities God has entrusted to Christian parents include continuously praying for their children (Job 1:5), instructing them in the way of the Lord (Proverbs 22:6), setting a godly example (Proverbs 20:7), and disciplining them as the Lord would discipline us (Proverbs 29:15, 17; 13:24). These responsibilities can only be fulfilled in Christ’s strength (Philippians 4:13).

As a parent, your devotion to God, or lack of it, will make a resounding impression on the next generation. May your legacy be a godly one.

If you would like for your child to be dedicated at Calvary Chapel Clayton please click the button below to get started. Once you submit the application we will contact you to schedule a date.