Child Dedication

Please read this Information Guide and then fill out the form at the end.

What is Child Dedication?

Dedication is a sacred ceremony when attendees of Flushing Community Church acknowledge that their child belongs to God. It is a commitment to submit yourself to God’s will in the care of your child, and publicly embrace your responsibility as a parent to raise your child in the ways of the Lord. This is also a time when your family, friends, and church family commits to join with you in prayer and support for your family by providing Biblical education and a healthy church environment.

What is the difference between Dedication and Baptism?

It is important to note that dedication is not a substitute for your child’s ultimate personal decision to follow God. In the Church of the Nazarene, we view baptism as an expression of the mercy and forgiveness that God gives us through faith in his Son, Jesus, and not the means to salvation. Consequently, dedication marks the parent’s recognition of their critical role in raising their child in an environment where they are taught and experience the love and loyalty that God provides.
Saying this, we also recognize that for many who were raised in other Christian traditions, having their child baptized is a significant experience. Provided the parents are clear on our understanding that the ceremony does not release their child from making a profession of faith once they’ve reach an age of moral understanding, we are happy to baptize them. Note: this baptism is not “Believers Baptism” and will sound very similar to a dedication service.


Are there requirements in order to have my child Dedicated?
Since Dedication is largely about YOUR commitments as a parental unit, keep these things in mind:
Do you have a personal faith in Jesus Christ as your Savior?
Do you see your child as a gift from God and be able to offer heartfelt thanks for His blessing?
Do you see your role as parent is one of taking care of God’s child here on Earth?

Do you understand that this act of dedication commits you to the following:
- Living a Christian life before you child—making Christ the foundation of your home.
- Keeping God’s Word—reading it, sharing it, living by it, and teaching it to your child.
- Fighting for your family by protecting your child from harmful outside influences, destructive relationships,
and temptations that could cause them to turn from God.
- Loving them unconditionally—never giving up on them through childhood and into adulthood.

What will happen during Dedication?

The date and time of the Dedication will be arranged through our Lead Pastor (though any ordained minister can dedicate children). They typically take place during one of our morning worship services, but on occasion, this sacred time can take place in a more private setting if that is desired.
• The Dedication begins with a challenge for the parents: to teach, model, and raise their child with God’s help.
• We then turn our attention to family members and close friends - to be your first wave of support and love.
• We then turn our attention to the Church Family - to be allies in teaching God’s Word and modeling God’s love. • We will give the child a Life Verse - this is prayerfully selected by the Pastor coordinating the Dedication.
• Prayer of Dedication - the Pastor will hold the child, or pray over them a prayer of blessing and Dedication.
• Presentation of Bible, Certificate, and Flowers - we will give some things to remember this special day!

Special Elements:
Our media team would love to have a picture of your child or family to display during the presentation. This must be emailed 4 days in advance of the ceremony in digital format. More than one picture may be submitted but we reserve the right to choose which picture is displayed.

Special Circumstances:
We work with families with circumstances that are special, non-traditional, or otherwise unique. It is not our stance to judge your particular relational circumstance—they are, of course, your choice. However, we do strongly uphold the Biblical standards for marriage as God’s design for raising children. Therefore, we have created boundaries for Dedications that we believe include non-traditional families including the following: divorced/ separated parents, single parent, and unmarried couples living together. In each of these scenarios, we ask that there would be adequate time for a member of the Pastoral team to meet with you to learn more about your situation. We will be able to plan an appropriate response at that time.

ONLY CLICK THIS IF YOU DO NOT WISH TO HAVE PASTOR TERRY DO THE DEDICATION