Frequently Asked Questions
What is Child Dedication?
Child dedication is an opportunity for parents and guardians to publicly give thanks to God for their children and make a commitment with their local congregation to raise their children in the knowledge of and obedience to the Kingdom of God. It is a symbolic act of surrender that encourages accountability and support from the local church.
Why should I consider dedicating my child(ren)?
Like baptism, child dedication is an opportunity to publicly profess your desire as a parent to raise your children intentionally in a way that honors God and obeys His teachings.
Is child dedication a Biblical principle?
Unlike Baptism, child dedication is not an explicit biblical command or ordinance for Christian parents. Instead, it is a somewhat modern creation aimed at demonstrating a parent’s desire to raise their children in accordance with the Living and Written Word of God.
Does Canvas Community Church baptize infants?
No. Canvas Community Church holds to a believer's baptism interpretation of the Bible. We believe that baptism is an intentional decision made by consenting individuals to demonstrate their allegiance to Jesus Christ as Lord of their lives.
If you want to explore some Biblical passages that frame our reason for having Child Dedications, you can do so using these references: Ephesians 6:1-4, Proverbs 22:6, Job 1:21, Deuteronomy 6:4-9, Mark 10:14, & 1 Samuel 1 and 2.
Who can dedicate children at Canvas Community Church?
Any parent(s) or legal guardian(s) who are committed followers of Jesus, demonstrated by their own believer’s baptism and committed to our local church, may dedicate their children.
At what age can my child be dedicated?
There is no age requirement for dedication. Many parents decide to dedicate their children within the first few years of their birth. However, it is not uncommon for older children to be dedicated, especially if faith in Christ is new to their family of origin. Our church leadership is happy to discuss this with you if you have questions or want further clarification.
What should I expect at a Child Dedication Service?
Child Dedication Services are usually held annually at Canvas Community Church. They will likely include the following components:
1. Parents will line up across the stage with their children while a pastor or church leader briefly explains the significance of child dedication.
2. Parents and children will be introduced by name and receive a dedication certificate.
3. Parents will corporately respond affirmatively to a list of Biblical promises they intend to obey.
4. The congregation will corporately respond affirmatively to a promise of support they intend to obey.
5. The parents and children will be prayed for, and the service will likely conclude with a special time of fellowship.
Child dedication is an opportunity for parents and guardians to publicly give thanks to God for their children and make a commitment with their local congregation to raise their children in the knowledge of and obedience to the Kingdom of God. It is a symbolic act of surrender that encourages accountability and support from the local church.
Why should I consider dedicating my child(ren)?
Like baptism, child dedication is an opportunity to publicly profess your desire as a parent to raise your children intentionally in a way that honors God and obeys His teachings.
Is child dedication a Biblical principle?
Unlike Baptism, child dedication is not an explicit biblical command or ordinance for Christian parents. Instead, it is a somewhat modern creation aimed at demonstrating a parent’s desire to raise their children in accordance with the Living and Written Word of God.
Does Canvas Community Church baptize infants?
No. Canvas Community Church holds to a believer's baptism interpretation of the Bible. We believe that baptism is an intentional decision made by consenting individuals to demonstrate their allegiance to Jesus Christ as Lord of their lives.
If you want to explore some Biblical passages that frame our reason for having Child Dedications, you can do so using these references: Ephesians 6:1-4, Proverbs 22:6, Job 1:21, Deuteronomy 6:4-9, Mark 10:14, & 1 Samuel 1 and 2.
Who can dedicate children at Canvas Community Church?
Any parent(s) or legal guardian(s) who are committed followers of Jesus, demonstrated by their own believer’s baptism and committed to our local church, may dedicate their children.
At what age can my child be dedicated?
There is no age requirement for dedication. Many parents decide to dedicate their children within the first few years of their birth. However, it is not uncommon for older children to be dedicated, especially if faith in Christ is new to their family of origin. Our church leadership is happy to discuss this with you if you have questions or want further clarification.
What should I expect at a Child Dedication Service?
Child Dedication Services are usually held annually at Canvas Community Church. They will likely include the following components:
1. Parents will line up across the stage with their children while a pastor or church leader briefly explains the significance of child dedication.
2. Parents and children will be introduced by name and receive a dedication certificate.
3. Parents will corporately respond affirmatively to a list of Biblical promises they intend to obey.
4. The congregation will corporately respond affirmatively to a promise of support they intend to obey.
5. The parents and children will be prayed for, and the service will likely conclude with a special time of fellowship.
Parent & Congregation Promises
During each child dedication, we ask the parent(s)/guardian(s) and the congregation to affirm the following promises.
1. Do you acknowledge these children as gifts from God and respond to Him with gratitude and worship for them?
2. Do you now dedicate your children to the Lord who gave them to you, surrendering them to Him in hopes that they will choose to love and obey Him?
3. Do you pledge as parents that with the help of the Holy Spirit and the local church that you will raise your children up in the discipline and instruction of God?
4. Do you promise to provide for the physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual needs of your children, looking to your Heavenly Father for the wisdom and provision to do so?
5. Do you promise to regularly pray for and introduce your children to the way of Jesus, knowing that though this way is narrow, it is the path to true and abundant life, in the hope that they will one day decide to submit their lives to Him?
6. To the congregation, do you as fellow members of the family of God, commit to prayer for, support, encourage, and assist these parents as they seek to live out the promises they just publicly affirmed?
1. Do you acknowledge these children as gifts from God and respond to Him with gratitude and worship for them?
2. Do you now dedicate your children to the Lord who gave them to you, surrendering them to Him in hopes that they will choose to love and obey Him?
3. Do you pledge as parents that with the help of the Holy Spirit and the local church that you will raise your children up in the discipline and instruction of God?
4. Do you promise to provide for the physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual needs of your children, looking to your Heavenly Father for the wisdom and provision to do so?
5. Do you promise to regularly pray for and introduce your children to the way of Jesus, knowing that though this way is narrow, it is the path to true and abundant life, in the hope that they will one day decide to submit their lives to Him?
6. To the congregation, do you as fellow members of the family of God, commit to prayer for, support, encourage, and assist these parents as they seek to live out the promises they just publicly affirmed?