Our Parent Dedication service is a short ceremony where we come alongside families and meet our “new additions,” pray for their parents, and challenge our church family to be supportive and encouraging to these children. People come from a wide range of experiences, so there is no set of rules for participation. Some couples show up with their child and are dressed casually. Some people get dressed up and have family fly in from out of town.

While FCCHB does not have an age requirement for child dedication, the average age for a child being dedicated is less than three-years-old, although many parents dedicate children much older than that, often for the following reasons:

• The parent(s) are new believers in Christ and their children were not dedicated when they were infants.

• The parent(s) are having a younger child dedicated and want to have their older child dedicated at the same time.

During the dedication service, parents promise before God, their family and the church and declaring their desire to raise their child in a God-honoring way. Parents are the key role models for their children and they play a primary role in the dedication service. Parents will be asked to affirm the following commitments:

Matthew 19:13-15 says, “Then little children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked those who brought them.  Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."  When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there.” 

Today we welcome these children, and ask you, their parents, before God and your church family, to dedicate yourselves to raising your children in the nurture and instruction of Jesus. I charge you to fulfill this vow in principle and example to your child. I further charge you to commit your child’s life and future into the hands of our loving God. And if God, in His infinite wisdom should choose to use your child’s life in a special way, I challenge you to not only give your consent, but to actively encourage your child in the service God chooses them. If you accept this challenge, and the solemn responsibilities of Christian parenthood, please answer, “I do.”

Parent Dedications happen twice a year, typically in the spring and fall. For exact dates, head over to the Events page to find the next one. If you have questions or would like to RSVP, please email bonnie.worthen@fcchb.com

The scriptural root of Parent Dedication is found in 1 Samuel 1:27-28, where a godly 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."

A New Testament example is in Luke, chapter 2. Following the birth of Jesus, Mary and Joseph took the infant Jesus to the temple and dedicated him.

In both Scripture passages, the parents entrusted their child completely to God. The writings of Moses, found in Deuteronomy 6:5-9, describe God's plan for how a parent should raise up a child:

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates."

At FCCHB, Parent Dedication will help you mark this step as you publicly express your desire to raise your children with godly principles.

Scripture provides evidence that baptism follows an individual’s decision to trust in Jesus alone for salvation (Acts 2:41, 8:12, and 10:47-48). 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 baptize them or tell anyone else to baptize them. FCCHB believes baptism is for those who have made a personal decision to trust in Jesus for their salvation, once they have the maturity and ability to understand what that means.

Rather than baptizing infants or children, FCCHB encourages Christian parents to dedicate themselves to guide and direct their children into a relationship with Jesus.

Yes! Parent Dedication signifies the commitment of parents (including single parents) to do their best to raise their child to be a follower of Jesus. As a church, FCCHB is committed to supporting single parents in providing a Christian foundation for their child.