Parent-Child Dedication

Yesterday, as part of our church service, First Baptist Church of Durham had a Parent-Child Dedication. Nathan, Georgia and I had the privilege of participating in the group which dedicated 18 children total. This was not a christening service, or a baby baptism. It was simply us as parents committing to raising our children in a godly manner, and the church committing to support us, pray for us, encourage us, and if necessary, correct us. Nathan and I were excited to participate, and to publicly state our intentions to raise Georgia in a godly manner, seeking to point her to Christ in all that we do. The full text of the dedication is below.

MINISTER: Mothers and Fathers, the child you are now holding is a gift from your heavenly Father; therefore, today is an occasion to celebrate and to reflect on God's goodness. According to Psalm 127 we know that "sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from Him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one's youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them." Parents, what then is your response?
PARENTS: We are blessed.
MINISTER: Do you believe that Jesus Christ is Lord, and do you trust in Him alone for the forgiveness of sins and the gift of eternal life?
PARENTS: We do.
MINISTER: Parents, do you then desire to lead your children to repent of their sins and believe in Christ alone for salvation, as you have?
PARENTS: We do.
MINISTER: Do you now commit in the presence of God and this congregation to raise your children in a godly manner and to be examples of godly living, believing that "godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come" (1 Timothy 4:8)?
PARENTS: We do.
MINISTER: Do you believe it is primarily your privilege and responsibility, as custodians of your child's spiritual development, to lead them to Christ and to bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord?
PARENTS: We do.
MINISTER: Recognizing that it will be the Word of God that will create faith in your children, do you commit yourselves to know and to teach the Scriptures faithfully to your children, "talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up" (Deuteronomy 6:7)?
PARENTS: We do.
MINISTER: Do you desire to be committed to the mission and purpose of this church, "to delight in, display, and declare the glory of God...", and do you intend to instill that same commitment in your children?
PARENTS: We do.
MINISTER: Congregation, do you desire to support these parents in the task of Christian nurture and witness, encouraging them in the spiritual development of their children?
CONGREGATION: We do.
MINISTER: Do you then welcome these children into your love and care, and do you desire to pray for them and their families?
CONGREGATION: We do.