BABY DEDICATION

BABY DEDICATION SUNDAY

June 16th, 2024

(sign-up form is at the bottom of this page)

What is a baby dedication?

While there is no biblical ordinance for baby dedications like there is for baptism and communion, we believe it is a life-giving practice to provide a space to give parents, relatives and the family of God an opportunity to publicly honor the Lord for the gift of their children and to humbly confess their intent to raise their children up in the Lord.

The main sources of biblical inspiration that provide the wisdom for this approach is Hannah offering up Samuel in 1 Samuel and Mary and Joseph taking Jesus to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord in Luke 2:22. Although these instances were accompanied by very different circumstances and details, we can take hold of the heart posture of humility that they reveal.

At River Church, we believe that children are a gift from the Father and with this gift comes great joy and responsibility. Additionally, we believe in the necessity for a culture within the body of Christ that proactively and zealously honors, supports and blesses the future generations.

The main sources of biblical inspiration that provide the wisdom for this heart are the Scripture references of Psalm 127 & 145, Deuteronomy 6:4-9, 11:19,  Matthew 19:13-15 and Ephesians 6:4, along with the biblical theme of generational legacy highlighted throughout the biblical narrative.

What is a baby dedication not?

There are a few things worth mentioning that baby dedications are not.

First, they are not the salvation of your child/children. Salvation is the result of an individual seeing their need for Christ and confessing Him as Lord of their life.

Second, they are not the baptism of your baby. Baptism is the public profession of the faith mentioned above. 
Lastly, this is not forcing our children into the faith. Although we unapologetically hope and desire our children to follow our example of wholehearted devotion to Jesus, these days are more about our responsibility in stewarding the gifts that our children are than they are about the outcome of our children's life and faith.

Why are we creating this opportunity for our families?

To invite parents, relatives and the rest of the family of God at River Church to:

  1. Honor the Lord for the gifts of our children

  2. Vow to do our part in stewarding these gifts

What you are confessing by participating in this:

  1. I believe Jesus is Lord

  2. I believe that my child/children are not mine, but the the Father’s

  3. I believe that my child/children are a gift from Him to steward and enjoy

  4. I vow to raise them up in the ways of the Lord

How will this happen?

As a part of a Sunday gathering, we will begin by having each parent share their testimony, as well as letting the fathers vow to their children on how they will raise them up in the Lord. Then, our team of pastors and house church leaders will come around each family to share any prophetic words spoken over those children, pray for them, and commission the parents and relatives (if present) to live in line with the confessions above. If you wish to participate in this celebration, there are just a few requirements:

  1. Read through and prayerfully discuss these confessions with your spouse

  2. Fill out the form below with all the information of your family

  3. Attend one of the following Baby Dedication Classes:

    1. Sunday, June 2nd, from 4-6pm

    2. Sunday, June 9th, from 4-6pm

      (Classes will be held at The Garage, 3123 Wheat Street Columbia, SC 29205. Childcare will be provided).

Baby Dedication Sign-Up Form