Parent Dedications are scheduled several times a year and are held on Sundays following worship services at all campuses. Parent Dedication does not have a direct basis in Scripture, but does have rich meaning and significance for the family. It is a time for parents to publicly declare their intention to raise their child in such a way that they are given the opportunity to know God and establish a personal relationship with Christ. Parents will have an opportunity during the service to tell the church family why they and their wives have chosen to dedicate themselves to raising their children in a Christ-centered home. There is no “saving grace” attached to this ceremony. It is simply a statement of intent and desire. This time affords one of our pastors the opportunity to pray for your family. While this is not a prayer of salvation for the child as each individual must come to a saving knowledge of Christ Jesus on his or her own, it is an opportunity to honor your desire to raise your child in a godly way.
Participants need not be church members. Those wishing to participate should be able to answer “yes” to the following four questions:
- Do you acknowledge your child as a gift from God?
- Do you commit yourself to live a godly life before your child so that he or she will have an example to follow?
- Do you commit yourself to give your child opportunity to hear the Gospel so that he or she might be able to have a personal relationship with Christ?
- Do you commit yourself to raise your child in the instruction and discipline of the Lord?
