Infant Dedication Services

What is infant dedication?

At Neighborhood Church, we view infant dedication as an act in which parents honor God publicly through acknowledging (1) that their child is a gift from God and (2) that they are committed as parents to partner with God in fulfilling His purposes for their child.

"...Bring [children] up in the training and instruction of the Lord" (Eph. 6:4b NIV).

Who qualifies for dedicating an infant?

Any parent or parents who believe in the Scriptural foundation for dedication of children, who wish to publicly acknowledge God as the giver of life, and who desire to raise their children to understand and experience a relationship with Jesus Christ. Parents do not have to be members of Neighborhood Church to dedicate their infants.

How old should a child be when he or she is dedicated?

Most children are dedicated as infants, but there is no age limit.

What is the difference between infant dedication and baptism?

Infant dedication is an act of parents who want to acknowledge God as the giver of life and to commit themselves to raising children in the training and instruction of the Lord. Baptism is an act of obedience on the part of an individual who has experienced salvation through Jesus Christ and desires to publicly testify of this experience. For more information on Baptism, please pick up our packet entitled, "In Over Your Head," located at the prayer room, Connection Central, or at the main office.

When are infant dedication services offered?

At least four times throughout the year at our special celebration of “new life” services where both Believer’s baptism and baby/infant dedications are offered.

Where are infant dedication services conducted?

In the main auditorium during our Sunday Services (9AM or 10:45AM).

What will happen at the dedication service?

The pastor offering a prayer of dedication will invite parents who are wanting their babies or infants dedicated, to come to the front of the church.  When all parents with children are present at the front, the pastor will go down the line where each parent will introduce the name of his/her child to the congregation.  After all parents have introduced their children, the pastor will dedicate the infants to the Lord through prayer.

What is my next step in scheduling an infant dedication?

Call the church office 510.537.4690 and register so we can prepare for this service!

Next, send invitations to family and friends to join you for this special occasion. Afterwards, you may wish to plan a family gathering. We also encourage families to use these moments to introduce your guests to the worship services here at Neighborhood Church.

What does the Bible say about dedicating children?

  1. Human life is a gift from God and begins at conception.
    • "Children are a gift from the LORD; they are a reward from Him" (Psalm 127:3 NLT).
    • "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you" (Jeremiah 1:5 NIV).
    • "You are the one who put me together inside my mother's body, and I praise you because of the wonderful way you created me. Everything you do is marvelous! Of this I have no doubt" (Psalm 139:13-14 CEV).
  2. In response to God's gift of children, His people have honored Him by dedicating their children to His purposes. The example of Hannah dedicating Samuel:

    • "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" (1 Samuel 1:27-28 NIV).
    3. The example of Mary and Joseph dedicating Jesus:

    • "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" (Luke 2:22).