Dedication Service instead of Baptism?

[titmouse]

We're expecting our first child in March, and I feel there is likely to be an expectation on us to have it baptised, because we are members of an Anglican church and play quite a big part in community life. I was baptised at 29 when I discovered Jesus for myself, and although we intend to raise our children as Christian we personally don't want to have a baptism until the child is old enough to speak for his or her self.

I know that Baptists have dedication ceremonies for babies and small children, but I don't know if this is common, or regularly offered, in the Anglican church. Has anybody else experienced this sort of issue, and if you have, did you find your church supportive?

I will speak to our Rector at some point but I'm having trouble getting to church at the moment and he's usually swamped by people when I do have chance to see him! I'm just not sure how to start the conversation when the opportunity comes up.
Any advice or experience very welcome, thank you xx

They're common in most none Anglican/ Catholic churches. Officially the Anglican church is offering them because they now understand the difference but are only doing Christenings because there's still a demand. So you should be able to get one if you ask.

(I have an Anglican minister and an Elim minister as my grandads!)

In my Anglican church there have been services of thanksgiving for the birth of a child, usually done because the parents would prefer the child to be able to choose to be baptised themselves when they are older.

The most recent Anglican service book, Common Worship, also has a service for such an occasion. You can find a sample liturgy here.

Hi Titmouse
My DH and I are Christians - we go to an evngelical anglican church and had no problems at all with having dedication/thanksgiving services for both our children (for the same reasons as you really).

I think basicaly there are two schools of thought - infant baptism regards the child's salvation as secure because of the covenant God makes with his people - so Chirldren of Christians are saved (unless as older children/adults they 'opt out'). So therefore babies should be baptised, as they are Christians when born. DH and I actually I firmly believe the above, but are not sure that baptism is the appropritae symbol of this truth...hence we chose Dedecation services, and pray that our children will chosse to be baptised as a symbol of their adult faith.

I ca understand the reasons behind both ideas, and really it has to be a matter of personal choice as the Bible is not 100% clear on the issue...except to say that baptism is a good thing, and that its a symbol of God's cleansing forgiveness given to those who seek it.

I daresay your vicar will be fine with it - and if not, you can probably convince him! When we wanted dedication for DD the current Vicar was very pro infant baptism, but despite his preference, he was happy to respect our wishes.

Another thing to consider - the service of thanksgivig in the prayer book is (if I remember correctly) a bit short and snappy, and referes to 'sponsors' rather than Godparents...a few things which made it seem a bit like poor version of baptism, rather than the great celebration it should be. We asked our Vicars permission and added in quite a bit - specific prayers for DD's faith and growth etc, and also some more specific promises for the Godparents, asking them to commit to pray for DD, and offer themselves and support and Christian mentors throughout her life.

Hope that helps! I'm sure you'll be able to arrage something really lovely for your little one.

Waves to Astrophe, how are you?

We struggled with this when our little ones were small. We were both confirmed in the Church of England, but were worshipping at a Baptist church (and still are)
We thought that our children were God's from the moment they were born and baptism would signify that. It would be a sort of garment that was much too big now, but hey would 'grow into it'.
In the end we went for dedication of both children.
Our son has never been baptised, but worships at a Baptist church, our daughter was baptised, at her own insistence and now says that it was the biggest mistake she ever made in her life and that 'throwing the crutch away' is the hardest, but the best decision she has made in her life.
I have to trust God for both of them.
I don't think it makes a lot of difference what kind of ceremony you have, God loves them just as much and more than we ever can.

we belomg to an anglican church and we dedicated our babies and its not been a problem your rector should be happy to do it

I don't believe God sends any babies to Hell whether they're born to a Christian family or not. Children have no say in their family and whether or not they die as infants with no chance to seek God for themselves. Jesus said Heaven is for the children and I believe He meant all children. I couldn't go to SANDS events if I thought any different

In the Bible they would take their children to the temple to thank God for them, God looked after them until they were old enough and they'd made a decision for themselves then were Baptised after.

I had Godparents at my daughter's Dedication, we asked that they take a special interest in her and support us. We had a lovely service. One Godfather sung, my Grandad took the sermon. The church was packed out, I think there was easily double the amount of people not helped by the baptistery being open as it was filling for the evening!

thanks for your encouraging responses it's good to hear from people that have made the same choices.
I don't think dedication is very common in our church but I am sure our Rector will be happy to talk about it, I didn't know there was a provision for it in the book of common worship - thanks permanentvacation.

I hadn't considered sponsors/godparents but I do like the idea of people committing to pray for our little one and to offer support as godparents do in the traditional sense.

thanks all!

xx

Hi DutchOma! I'm well! We have just finished our 4 month drive around Europe - heading back to Derby now, then to Aus next week. You?

hi, just found this 'religion' part of mn and saw this thread. Me and my DH are christians and grew up in our church together, weve got 2 ds (ds1 is 3 and ds2 is 15 weeks).We are having ds2 dedicated tomorrow at our home chuch ( baptist). Its really nice to see some other christians out there, sometimes with non-church things you think you're the only one!

Hiya Jocie, >>waves

Hi Jocie,
I hope your dedication service was a lovely experience for you all. xx

thankyou yes it was lovely but very hetic, it was my ds1 birthday and party last wkend and my husbands today too and a few other things that were all happening over this wkend so im completely shattered now!! Oh well no rest for the wicked hey!(fgrin)

Hi there...I was wondering if any of you could give me some more information on a service of thanksgiving and welcome.
Such as do you or your partner have to be baptised or christened before you can have this ceremony? Do your godparents/sponsors have to be christened also??
I am having trouble as I am not a christian and do not have all the christian beliefs..I do not attend church regularly but I believe in the Lord and would like a ceremony to welcome and thank the Lord for the gift of my children!!
Help!! x

Your best bet really is to speak to the minister of whatever church you attend, when you manage to go, that is.

www.cofe.anglican.org/lifeevents/baptismconfirm/baptism1.html#thanks

Hi DNEC1834,

The Anglican church website gives you more info about both thanksgiving and baptism (although not so much about thanksgiving). Ideally your chosen Godparents should be baptised as they are promising to help raise your child in faith. I think in practice though that it is getting more common these days for Godparents to not have been baptised.

As with a lot of Church stuff you'll find different clergy will have different approaches, so it is best to speak to somebody about what you'd like to do.