Baby/Child Dedication Policy and Information

It is our desire that every child be blessed. The purpose of this document is to distinguish the difference between a blessing and a Baby/Child Dedication.

A blessing, as found in the bible, is a prayer for the child to grow up and experience their created purpose. In Mark 10:13-16 it reads, “People were bringing little children to Jesus to have Him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, He was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” And He took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.” Our pastors at Great Faith are willing to offer a blessing to every child in their office at church.

A Baby/Child Dedication, on the other hand, is a commitment by the parents and the church to provide opportunity for the child to know and experience what it means to follow God. For this reason, a Baby/Child Dedication is defined by the following criteria:

1. The parents must be followers of Christ. In order for a child to be dedicated, the dedicating parent(s ) must have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

2. The mother and father of the child(ren)are legally married. We believe in the sanctity of marriage and that followers of Christ should raise their children in a home where the parents are committed to Christ and to each other.

3. The parent(s) must attend Great Faith Church regularly. This allows us as a family to fulfill our commitment to the child and the parent (s).

4. Only the parent(s) of the child will be invited onto the platform. In the case of a single parent home, only that parent will be on the platform. All other family and friends are more than welcome to attend and are encouraged to sit with the family near the front of the worship center. A single parent may request a Ministry Staff member, or Leader from Great Faith to stand with them on the platform if they are available to do so.

If you meet the above criteria and wish to proceed in planning a Baby/Child Dedication, please continue reading this clarifying information and submit your application by texting “dedication” to 407-512-8144.

Why do we do Baby/Child Dedications at Great Faith?

The dedication of a child is a voluntary act in which believing parents publicly present their child and themselves to the Lord as an outward expression of their commitment to God regarding the raising of this child. The parent(s) are essentially committing themselves to raising this child, with God’s help in a way that demonstrates an example of Godliness, disciplining according to God’s ways and prayerfully training that child in God’s teachings until that child can make a decision on his or her own to follow God. At the time of dedication, the family at Great Faith is also committing themselves to participate in the raising of this child through our children and youth programs as well as to encourage this child in such a way as to be a positive witness and influence so that the child can grow up to one day accept Christ and live for Him. Baby/Child Dedication is not to be confused with infant baptism, viewed as an ordinance of the church, and does not impart salvation in any way.

At Great Faith Church we dedicate, rather than baptize, children. We believe that baptism is an outward expression of an inward reality that has already taken place. Just like in a wedding ceremony is a public proclamation of the couple’s commitment to each other and to their family and friends, so baptism is an outward declaration of one’s desire to follow Jesus. According to the Bible, the one requirement for baptism is belief in Christ. We believe that children are wonderful but they are not yet able to make that decision for themselves. Therefore, we do not baptize children until they are old enough to understand and believe. Until that time, we dedicate these wonderful gifts back to the Lord and ask for His blessing.

Parental Promise

Because the Child is a gift from God, the parents promise, as God’s stewards, to bring up the child entrusted to them in the discipline and instruction of the Lord (Col 3:21). In dedicating one’s child in the presence of fellow believers, parents are publicly dedicating themselves to the faithful fulfillment of their parental responsibilities (Deut. 6:6-7; Proverbs 22:6) and are acknowledging their need of prayerful support and encouragement of those fellow believers (Eph 6:18; Hebrew 10:24-25).

The dedication is more than a service – it is a commitment of parents to honor the will and the Word of God. In Jesus Christ’s example in Luke 2:22 it says, “When the time of their purification according to the Law of Moses had been completed, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord.”

Church Promise

As a church we recognize that this child is a gift from God also and that the parents presenting the child need support and encouragement in their role as parents. We at Great Faith Church commit to providing programs and activities that will help parents guide their children to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

Acceptance of Policy

When you can submit your application wholeheartedly willing to embrace the aforementioned requirements, for your sake, as well as for your child and our church family, we encourage you to continue in the process as outlined below.

In keeping with the spirit and standard of excellence in ministry, the following guidelines must be followed to ensure a smooth and timely Baby/Child dedication.

Setting a Date:

Baby dedications are scheduled based on availability in the church calendar. Please see the church calendar for the prearranged dates for Baby dedications.

Then from your cell phone, text: dedication to 407-512-8144. You will then receive a reply with a link. When you click on the link, it will open up the baby dedication form for you to fill out completely.  

Once the Date Has Been Confirmed

Once the Date has been confirmed by our office staff, feel free to make arrangements with family and friends to save the date.

Day of Dedication

On the day of dedication, participants should arrive fifteen (15) minutes prior to the scheduled service time and check-in with the front desk for last minute instructions.

Parent(s), child and family will be seated near the front of the worship center.

Because the dedication portion of the service is immediately after the 11:15am service, it is only a short part of the service, guests are invited and encouraged to enjoy the entire service with us.

Group photos can be taken after the service at the front of the auditorium, upon request, with the dedicating pastor if he does not have any pre-scheduled obligations. 

Scripture References
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Deut. 6:6-7, These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up”

Ephesians 6:4, “Fathers, do not exasperate your children, instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.”

Col 3:21, “Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.”

Proverbs 22:6, “Start children off in the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.”

Ephesians 6:18, “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.”

Hebrews 10:24-25, “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another – and all the more as you see the day approaching.”