As a church family, we believe that children are a precious gift from God. A Child Dedication is a beautiful, public opportunity for parents to thank God for their child and make a solemn promise to raise them in a home that honors Jesus.
If you are considering dedicating your child, here is everything you need to know about what it means, what to expect, and how to take this next step.
What is a Child Dedication?
A dedication is not a sacrament that secures salvation or washes away sin. Instead, it is a covenant of partnership between parents and the church community.

• The Parents’ Commitment: You are publicly promising to model a Christian lifestyle, teach your child the truths of the Bible, and guide them toward a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
• The Church’s Commitment: Our church community stands with you, promising to support, pray for, and encourage your family as you navigate the joys and challenges of parenting.

"Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it."
— Proverbs 22:6
Why We Practice Dedication (And How It Differs from Baptism)
As a non-denominational church, we practice "Believer’s Baptism." We believe that baptism is a personal, outward expression of an inward decision to follow Jesus. Because infants cannot yet make that conscious decision for themselves, we do not baptize babies.
Instead, we follow the biblical example found in scripture:

• Hannah dedicating her son Samuel to the Lord (1 Samuel 1).
• Mary and Joseph presenting the infant Jesus at the temple (Luke 2).
• Jesus welcoming and blessing little children (Mark 10).

A child dedication is a placeholder of grace—a beautiful starting line. Our ultimate prayer is that through your parenting and our church’s support, your child will one day choose to trust Jesus as their personal Savior and make the decision to be baptized themselves.

What to Expect During the Ceremony
Our dedication ceremonies are joyful, family-friendly moments during our regular Sunday services. During the dedication:

• The Presentation: Parents (and often siblings) are invited to the front of the sanctuary.
• The Vows: The pastor will ask you to affirm your commitment to raising your child in a Christ-centered home, and will ask the congregation to pledge their support to your family.
• The Blessing: The pastor will pray a prayer of blessing over your child, asking for God's protection, wisdom, and future guidance in their life.
• A Keepsake: You will receive a dedication certificate from us to remember this milestone day.

Frequently Asked Questions
What age should my child be?
Dedications are most common for infants and toddlers (up to age 2), but there is no strict age limit! If you have older children you would like to dedicate, we would love to celebrate that with you.
Can single parents dedicate their children?
Absolutely. We welcome and support all family dynamics. If you are a single parent making the choice to raise your child to know Jesus, we are honored to stand beside you and be your extended community.
Do I need to be a member of the church?
You do not need to be an official member, but we do ask that you call our church your "home church." Because dedication involves a vow from the congregation to support you, it is important that you are an active part of our community so we can truly walk this journey with you.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
We would love to share this milestone with your family! To sign up for our next dedication service or to ask any questions, please email us at lwcriverhead@gmail.com using Child Dedication as the subject.