Parent/Child Dedication

The first step in the Parent/Child Dedication process is registering for a one-time, 90-minute class. During the class, you’ll learn more about why we celebrate Parent/Child Dedication and what it means to our church. It's also an opportunity to build community with other parents in a similar phase of life.

After attending the class, you'll receive a link to register for a Parent/Child Dedication ceremony at your campus. Ceremonies take place during regular weekend service times. You will select which one you plan to attend during registration.

During the ceremony, parents will stand in the auditorium with their children to acknowledge the commitment they are making. The campus pastor and pastor of Kids Ministries will lead you through a short service recognizing each family’s commitment to raising their kid(s) to love and serve Jesus with God’s help. The pastors will pray for each child and family by name. 

Pastors of Kids Ministries will provide the family with a certificate of dedication and a photo opportunity in the lobby to celebrate the occasion!

The scriptural root of child dedication is found in 1 Samuel 1:27–28 (NASB), 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 Eagle Brook, child dedication will help you mark this step as you publically express your desire to raise your children with godly principles.

Scripture provides evidence that baptism follows an individual’s decision to trust 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. But He did not baptize them and He did not tell anyone else to baptize them. Eagle Brook believes baptism is for those who have made a personal decision to trust Jesus alone for their salvation, once they have the maturity and ability to understand what that means.

Dedication is not a sacrament; nor does it impart grace or salvation to a child. Salvation comes only through faith in Jesus Christ as each person recognizes their sinfulness and receives forgiveness and eternal life through him and his work on the cross.

Rather than baptizing infants or children, Eagle Brook encourages Christian parents to dedicate their children. This is a ceremony in which parents formally call upon God’s blessing for their child and publicly commit to raise him or her in accordance with Scripture.

You do not need to be a member of Eagle Brook Church to have your child dedicated. We ask parents to call Eagle Brook their home church, because in dedicating your child to God, you are stating that you are willing to partner with God and the Church to raise your child in cooperation with God’s intentions. To partner with any church, a parent would be wise to decide if he or she agrees with its beliefs and vision so they can fully participate in their partnership with the church.

While Eagle Brook does not have an age requirement for child dedication, the average age for a child being dedicated is less than one year 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.
The child has not yet made a personal commitment to accept Jesus as their Savior.
The child was adopted into your family at a later age.

Yes! Child dedication signifies the commitment of parents (including single parents) to do their best to raise their child to be a follower of Jesus Christ. Additionally, we highly encourage single parents to dedicate their child as they raise him or her without the presence or partnership of a spouse. The decision to dedicate a child is not dependent upon the beliefs of the ex-spouse; however we encourage single parents to discuss child dedication with their ex-spouse. Ideally, both parents—even if not married—would still participate in the dedication of their child to God. We acknowledge that this is often not possible and that it takes extra effort for a single parent to raise a child. As a church, Eagle Brook is committed to supporting single parents in providing a Christian foundation for their child’s upbringing.

Although the term “godparent” is not used at Eagle Brook, we do welcome parents to invite friends and family members to support them. The presence of these significant adults symbolizes their commitment to play a supportive role in the child’s spiritual development.

Parents and children are welcome to wear whatever makes you feel most comfortable.