Child dedication readings

01 How child dedication readings are chosen

Child dedication is most developed in Baptist, Pentecostal, and non-denominational Evangelical US Christian practice. The rite is the credobaptist parallel to infant baptism: the parents publicly dedicate the child to God and commit to raise the child in the faith, on the theological basis that baptism itself is reserved for the candidate's personal profession of faith later. The congregation typically commits to support the family in this work.

The pastor and the parents normally choose the readings together. Mark 10:13-16 (Jesus blessing the children) and 1 Samuel 1:24-28 (Hannah's dedication of Samuel) are the principal recurring readings. The family's preferred passages are often included; some pastors invite the parents to read a brief letter to the child as part of the rite.

02 The principal readings

Eight scripture passages cover most of what is read at US Evangelical child dedications. The pill on each row notes the convention or category; the link opens the full chapter on Bible1.org.

03 Tradition-specific patterns

Child dedication is observed across the credobaptist Christian traditions, with some variation in form and emphasis.

Baptist child dedication

Southern Baptist Convention, American Baptist, Cooperative Baptist, and independent Baptist congregations vary in formality, but a typical Baptist child dedication is held within a Sunday morning service. Mark 10:13-16 is read, the parents make a public commitment, and the congregation responds with a commitment to support the family. The pastor lays hands on the child and prays a brief dedication.

Pentecostal and Charismatic practice

Pentecostal (Assemblies of God, Foursquare, Church of God in Christ, Pentecostal Holiness) and Charismatic congregations typically observe child dedication with the same Gospel and Old Testament readings, often adding a prophetic or testimonial dimension. The pastor may speak a brief blessing or word of prophecy over the child; the family's extended community is normally substantially involved.

Non-denominational Evangelical practice

Non-denominational Evangelical congregations (typically the largest segment of US Evangelical child dedications) hold the rite within the regular Sunday service, often two to four times per year for multiple families at once. The readings are normally Mark 10 plus one of the family-formation passages (Deuteronomy 6, Ephesians 6, or Proverbs 22:6). The pastor selects.

Relationship to infant baptism

Child dedication is the credobaptist alternative to infant baptism. The paedobaptist / credobaptist dispute is treated on the /readings/baptism/ guide; this page does not re-litigate it. For families crossing the divide (one parent from a paedobaptist tradition, one from a credobaptist tradition), the conversation with both clergy is normally the way through.

04 Common questions

05 Pastoral note