Child Dedication is a special time for parents to acknowledge that their child is a precious gift from God. This is a separate service (or time set aside during a worship service) with the following commitments: parents commit to raising their child in a home where they are learning about God and guiding children toward a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, and the church commits to partner with the parents in this important goal.

The scriptural root of a child dedication is found in 1 Samuel 1:27-28 where Hannah prayed year after year for God to give her a child. He answered her prayer and she gave birth to a son, Samuel. When Samuel was born, Hannah prayed these words: “I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him.  So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord.”

In Luke chapter 2 after 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.

And in Deuteronomy 6:5-9, Moses described 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 on 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.”

These words of Moses are not just good parenting advice. They are also representative of the responsibility of parents to raise their children to love God and teach them about Him.

Some churches follow the tradition of infant baptism.  However, at Passion Community Church, we believe that baptism should follow a person’s own decision to follow Jesus with their life. Baptism is the next step in sharing that decision publicly.  (Since the concepts of salvation and baptism are complex, we ask that children wait until they are 8 years old so that they can understand what they are doing.)  Child dedication is a celebration of the parent’s choice to raise their child toward having a personal relationship with Jesus and partner with the church in doing so.  For more information regarding baptism, please visit our Baptism page.

While PCC does not have a set age requirement for child dedication, many of the children being dedicated are infants and toddlers. Some 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.

• Register online by the deadline. For upcoming dedications and registration dates, visit our events page.
• Complete the homework given via email after registering
• Attend a child dedication orientation scheduled at your campus (schedule and RSVP info available on the homework you receive after registering)

No, you do not have to be a member of Passion Community Church. However, you will be required to attend the child dedication orientation at your campus before participating in the dedication. We do encourage parents to be active in a home church. Why? In dedicating your child to God, you are stating that you are willing to partner with God to raise your child and we believe the church can play a significant role in that as well. 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 be all-in in their partnership with the church.

Passion Community Church offers a 4-week class called Growth Track where we share our beliefs and vision as a church. Completing this class is a requirement for membership. Attending Growth Track is recommended prior to dedicating your child but not required. See Our Core Beliefs for more information.