About Parent/Child Dedication
At North Oxford Baptist Church, we believe in Parent/Child Dedications and base this view on Biblical example. We are told in 1 Samuel 1 that Hannah presented her son, Samuel, to the Lord. In Luke 2:22 we read that Mary and Joseph brought their baby, Jesus, to the temple in Jerusalem in order to present him before the Lord.

At North Oxford Baptist Church, we defer baptism for children until they reach what we refer to as the “age of understanding” – specifically the time when they can consciously and independently choose to make a public declaration of their faith in Jesus Christ and their desire to serve Him as their Lord.

NOTE: We do not believe that a child’s dedication and/or baptism is a guarantee of “salvation” (going to heaven) for the child; only a confession of faith in Christ does that. Before of the age of accountability we believe that all children are the Lord’s.

While we dedicate children to the Lord, in reality this ceremony is a dedication of the parents. Through this act, parents are presenting themselves before the Lord and committing to the Lord to raise their child in a loving Christian home and to teach him/her about Jesus Christ, both directly and through the examples of their lives.

Deuteronomy 6:4-7 tells us: “Hear O Israel: The Lord our God is one. 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 upon your hearts. Impress them on their 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.”

The parents are also asking the community (the church) to help support them as they raise their child. Thus, dedicating one’s baby to the Lord is also a commitment on the parents’ part to on going participation in the Christian community. Although membership is not required to participate in the Parent/Child Dedication, we strongly encourage parents to join a Bible-believing church as an example of the importance of regular and ongoing participation in the Christian community.

And finally, a baby dedication is an opportunity for parents to publicly express their gratitude to God for the blessing of their child.

North Oxford Baptist Church is committed to supporting parents in their responsibility to disciple their children (Deut. 6:4-7). As your church community we are also joining with you to commit your child to the care of Jesus Christ and are praying a blessing over your life and that of your child.

Single Parent Information: Recognizing grace for unique and extenuating circumstances, we believe it is best if both parents fully support and participate in this dedication. Yet, we celebrate the sacrifice and hard work of single parents and want to support you in your dedication to raise a child in a Christian home. A Parent/Child Dedication is a wonderful opportunity to gather with family, friends, and your church family to celebrate the gift of your child and your commitment to Christ to serve the child as Christian parents.

Many children are blessed with both parents raising them together in one home. However, life is complicated, and some children are blessed to have one parent raising them. North Oxford wants you to participate in this special time of Parent/Child Dedication regardless of your current situation. Please list the names of parents participating at this special time. If you are a single-mom or single-dad and would like your parent(s) to stand with you, please list their name(s) below as well.

Registering for our next Dedication Service:
This special service gives parents the opportunity to covenant with North Oxford to raise their children in a Christ-centered home. Our next dedication is Sunday, December 4, and we ask that you please register below by Friday, November 25.  There will be a required class prior to the dedication service, and more information will be sent to you concerning those details.