Parent Child Dedication
At Murdock Baptist Church, we cherish the words that are found in Psalm 127 which tell us that “children are a heritage from the Lord”. Parents have been entrusted with this gift and have a responsibility to raise their children in the “discipline and instruction of the Lord”. (Eph 6:4)
Scripture also clearly teaches that we are all born with a sin nature and there is nothing that a church, a pastor, or a parent can do to wash away anyone’s sin, including a child’s. It is Christ’s sacrifice alone that can wash away our sins and this salvation comes by grace through faith in what Jesus did on the cross. At Murdock Baptist Church, we cherish the words that are found in Psalm 127 which tell us that “children are a heritage from the Lord”. Parents have been entrusted with this gift and have a responsibility to raise their children in the “discipline and instruction of the Lord”. (Eph 6:4)
If there is nothing that we can do to guarantee a child’s salvation or remove their sin nature, then what is dedication all about? Dedication provides an opportunity for you to publicly come before your church family and commit yourself to raise your child in a home that teaches Biblical Truth and honors God. It also provides the church family with an opportunity to commit themselves to walk alongside your family to support, encourage, and minister to your physical and spiritual needs. In addition, we take the time to pray for God’s blessing on your family as you begin the lifelong journey of parenthood.
Murdock Baptist Church has put together a short course that is intentionally designed to help you consider the commitment that you are making. We do not want anyone to think of Dedication as a one-time event to celebrate a child, but rather a lifetime commitment to making the tough decisions that are required to raise that child in a way that honors God.
If you are the parent (or custodial grandparent) of a child of any age and are interested in publicly dedicating yourself to this commitment, contact Ron Tipton at Ron@murdockbaptistchurch.com or 941-627-6352 to begin this four-step process.
Step 1:
Contact Us
Contact Ron Tipton to express your interest in starting the dedication process (Ron@Murdockbaptistchurch.com or 941-627-6352). You can also contact us if you have any questions that are not addressed here.
Step 2:
Complete the Online Course
Complete the online Parent Child Dedication Course. After you complete step 1, you will be given a free online account through RightNow Media and a link to the online course. This course will take approximately 1 hour and consists of a series of readings, questions, and videos. At the end of the course you will have an opportunity to write your own personal dedication statement that expresses your desire to commit yourself to raising your child in a Godly home. You do not need to complete the course within a specific time-frame. You can take it at your own pace depending on your family’s schedule.
Step 3:
Schedule a meeting with a Pastor
Once you complete the course, you will contact Ron Tipton to notify him that your course is completed and to schedule a time to meet with one of the members of the Pastoral Staff. This short informal meeting will give you a chance to ask any questions that you may have as well as for the pastor to encourage you in your decision. This can be scheduled at your convenience and can be done during the week or after one of our Sunday or Wednesday services.
Step 4:
Dedication Service
Once you have completed step 3, your dedication will be scheduled to take place at the end of our of our regular Sunday morning services. You and your child will come forward during the invitation time at the end of the service to make your dedication public. The pastor will introduce you and your child to the church. You will have an opportunity to read your dedication statement and the pastor will challenge the church to dedicate themselves to walk alongside you in this decision. You are encouraged to invite your friends, family, and other children to be part of this dedication service with you.