The Blessings and Responsibilities of Community

Introduction

            Last Saturday, Roslyn and Brett made some pretty serious promises to each other when they were married. That is what happens at a wedding. When I do a wedding I like to remind the couple of the significance of the promises they are making to each other. In a marriage we expect that these promises will be made and we expect and hope they will be kept.

            When we moved to Winnipeg, we made several trips to the Credit Union in order to make arrangements for a mortgage. They gave us pages and pages of paper and we were asked to sign and initial all of them. They wanted to make sure that we would keep our promise to pay back the money, and we wanted to make sure they would keep their promise to give us the money.

            In both of these illustrations, there are promises which two parties make to each other for the mutual benefit of each. Each party has something to offer and something that is expected. In a marriage, each partner offers and expects, faithfulness, honor, exclusiveness and love. When making a mortgage, the bank offers the money and expects to be paid back.

            Two weeks ago, I spoke about how when we become Christians, we become part of the community of all those who also belong to Jesus. Each person who is a Christian needs to be part of a local community of faith. I also said that being part of a church is not just a casual arrangement, but must be a relationship which is lived in covenant. The Bible tells us that we are in a covenant with others of God's people and that is what it means to be the church. Today, I would like to take that thinking one step further and talk about what it means to be in a covenant relationship with the body of believers in a local church. Today we are using the language of covenant, but the church is so much more than that. It is a loving connection with another family member. It is described as being as close as a part of the physical body. Yet the language of covenant can also help us understand how we are to live in the community of faith. What does each party promise? What are the blessings that can be expected in that relationship?

I.     What the Church Promises

            I would like to begin by talking about what you can expect from the church. What do you expect will be offered to you if you are part of a community of faith?

A.   To Make Disciples

            When He went to heaven, Jesus left the church with an important responsibility and that is to make disciples. In Matthew 28:19, Jesus said, "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”"

            A disciple is a follower of Jesus. When we talk about following Jesus, we are not only talking about knowing things, but we are talking about knowing a person. Being a disciple is very specific to a relationship with the person of Jesus Christ. There are some people who have a great deal of knowledge about spiritual things. They have read the books of the Bible and they have an understanding of history. Those are good things, but making those things happen is not the task of the church. The church is not first of all an educational institution. The task of the church is to introduce people to Jesus and to help them know Him.

            Making disciples is also not about merely helping people know about Jesus. A person can know about Jesus and even know Jesus, but if anyone knows Jesus, there is no doubt that they must also imitate Jesus. Being a disciple is about knowing Jesus and imitating Jesus. Ephesians 4:15 puts it this way, "… we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ…" That is what discipleship is all about.

            How does the church make disciples? I believe that there are three things that the church offers. The aspect that we are most familiar and comfortable with is teaching. Matthew says that we are to teach. So every person that is a part of a congregation can expect that they will have an opportunity to learn. That is why we have sermons and Sunday School classes for children and adults. That is why we have a library.

            Another aspect of making disciples is modeling. Last week we talked about this as part of our responsibility with children. Every person who is part of a church should expect to be able to look at the lives of the people there and be able to see what it means to be a follower of Jesus. Paul puts it this way in 1 Corinthians 11:1, "Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ."

            The third aspect of making disciples is discipline. There could be a rather large conversation about this aspect because the church has not always done this right. Sometimes it has been too harsh and sometimes it has ignored discipline. Yet it is still true that if someone is walking away from Jesus, we should expect that the church would do what they can to gently and lovingly bring them back. Galatians 6:1 says, "My friends, if anyone is detected in a transgression, you who have received the Spirit should restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness..."

            Every person who is part of a community of Christians should expect to be taught, shown and encouraged to be a follower of Jesus.

B.   To Love

            The church is also responsible to love.

            The love that should be expected in the church is a love that does not make distinctions. The church is and ought to be one of the most unique institutions in the world. It is the only institution which encompasses people of such a variety of socio-economic, racial and cultural backgrounds. Whether you are a Christian from Africa or from Northern Europe you belong in the church. If you are on social assistance or if you earn $500,000 your belonging should not be impacted. If you have three doctorates or if you have not finished grade nine you have something to contribute. That is why we have the audacity to suggest that three congregations with very different histories and cultures can worship and work together in one location. The fact that we are all children of one Father, brothers and sisters of Jesus and filled with the same Holy Spirit means that we are able to love all who belong to Jesus and even to love those who don't know Jesus.

            The love that should be expected in the church is also not a theoretical love. It is a love that does practical things and cares for those in the congregation. The early church caught the importance of this immediately in a very practical way when one of the first things that distinguished them was that they had everything in common. The particular model that they chose to express love has changed, but the reality of love that acts has not changed. We need to find practical ways to love each other. I have seen this practiced in the most wonderful ways in the church. People have brought meals to those who have a need. People have given rides to those who have medical appointments. We don't just formally acknowledge that someone is going through a difficult time, but we actually listen with a loving and caring heart.

            The love that can be expected in the church is also a love that continues even if a person has failed. The Bible calls us to be patient and to bear with one another. Colossians 3:13 says, "Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive."

            Anyone who is a part of any congregation can expect that they will be treated with that kind of love.  

C.   To Encourage

            Hebrews 10:25 says, "…not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching."

            I believe that another responsibility that the church has is to encourage each person who is a part of the church to let them know that God is present in the midst of all of life.

            Probably the primary way in which we do that is through our times of worship. Ephesians 5:18 – 20 talks about this when it says, "…be filled with the Spirit, as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts, giving thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." The purpose of worship is to give glory to God and to remind us about God. It is easy in the midst of the everyday challenges of life to forget that God is present. Although we have our own personal devotions to remind us, there is something powerful about the purposeful focus on God that happens as we come together to worship God. We are reminded about who God is and what He has done. We are encouraged that He is our Lord and that we can come to Him at any time.

            We also encourage each other by pointing to God through the ordinances which we practice. Whenever someone is baptized it is an occasion when we declare that God has done something in that person's life. Whenever we observer the Lord's supper, we are reminded of what God has done for us through Jesus' death and resurrection.

            We also encourage each other and point to God's presence at occasions like weddings or child dedications or even when we mourn together at funerals. All of these activities are done in community and each of us should expect to be encouraged and brought near to God as we are reminded of God at these occasions.

D.   To Train For God's Mission

            The final responsibility of the church to each individual is to train them and send them out into the mission which God has given the church to do. This involves several different aspects.

            The church must remind us that we have a mission given to us by God. In Matthew 5:16 Jesus reminds us to, "…let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven." Each person can expect to be reminded of this task.

            But another part of this role of the church is to train people to do the work. II Timothy 2:2 gives the role of the church when it says, "and what you have heard from me through many witnesses entrust to faithful people who will be able to teach others as well." From time to time we have special sessions, special emphases which are intended to train us in God's mission.

            But awareness and training are not the only tasks. It is also the role of the church to give opportunities for service and ministry. God has given gifts for the work of the church to each individual. It is the role of the church to discern those gifts and to give opportunities to use those gifts. I Peter 4:10 says, "Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received." That is why the church makes no apologies for asking people to do things whether that is serving coffee at funerals, cleaning house at Woody's Place, like we did yesterday, leading singing, teaching Children's Church or any other task.

            You can expect that the church will remind people of God's mission and help people become meaningfully involved in that mission.

II.  What Each Individual Promises

            What the church promises is what we receive as a blessing. We benefit from being taught, loved, encouraged and challenged. But we also have obligations. What are the obligations.

            As I tried to organize these thoughts I noticed that what the church promises corresponds to our obligation.

A.   To Live As A Disciple

            The church is to teach us to be disciples, but it is the responsibility of each one of us to follow Jesus.

            As followers of Jesus, we are called to a life of holiness. Romans 12:1 says, "I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect." It matters what we do and how we live. We are always shocked when a police officer, who is duty bound to uphold the law, is caught breaking the law. How much more is that true of every person who is a follower of Jesus. We aren't just Christians on Sunday, but we are followers of Jesus every day. When we fail to walk in obedience to Him, we not only let down our brothers and sisters, even more significantly, we let down Jesus. When it comes to holiness, we are always on duty.

            In order to be successful in living as disciples, it is our responsibility to develop a life of self discipline and devotion. Bible reading must be a part of our life. Psalm 1:2, speaking of those who are living in God says, "…their delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law they meditate day and night."  Ephesians 6:18 calls every believer to a life of prayer when it says, "Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints."

            If it is the responsibility of the church to discipline those who walk away from Jesus, it is the responsibility of each person who belongs to Jesus to accept the discipline of the church. That may be a hard thing to do, but if we are following Jesus, He is the one who has given us the church to help us in that walk. Let us not allow pride to prevent us from following in obedience.

            It is our obligation as part of the body of Christ to always live faithfully as members of the body of Christ.

B.   To Love

            We said earlier that the church is called to provide love. Of course the church is made up of its members, which means that each of us is called to act with love. There is probably no command in the New Testament repeated more often than the call to love one another.

            We are able to love because we know that we are loved. 1 John 4:10 reminds us that, "In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins." I find that in the area of finances, it is easy to be generous when I know that my resources are abundant. The same kind of a thing is true when it comes to loving others. When we know that we are abundantly loved by God, it is much easier to pass that love on. Which means that we should be very loving because we are very greatly loved.

            Love is easy when the love of God is in our heart. As followers of Jesus, the love of God is in our heart by the presence of the Holy Spirit. So love is an expression of the presence of God in us. This is what John means when he says in 1 John 4:7, "…everyone who loves is born of God and knows God."

            Yet  we also need to make choices to act in love. Such choices involve the decision to bear with one another. It means that there are times when we will have to choose to forgive someone. It means that we need to open our eyes in order to see what is happening in someone else's life and to choose to do something about it. Such love must be expressed practically as James 2:15 reminds us. "If a brother or sister is naked and lacks daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and eat your fill,” and yet you do not supply their bodily needs, what is the good of that?"

            Love will also grow when we spend time with each other. It is much easier to love when we know someone and so we need to be together and as we are, we will see the needs of others, our hearts will be filled with love for them and we will act in love in a natural way out of a heart that belongs to God.

C.   To Be Committed

            The church encourages us and provides a place of worship. It is expected of each of us that we will commit to the life of the church. If Jesus is Lord of all and if our relationship with the body of Christ is the beginning of an eternal relationship, then our relationship to the church can't be a casual part of our life. There must be covenant and that covenant requires commitment.

            This means that if you are in a covenant relationship with a community of faith you need to be there regularly. We expect that those who are part of the church will show up at the meetings of the church. Hebrews 10:25 reminds us that we cannot be, "…neglecting to meet together…"

            Of course to really be committed to the life of the church, we need to be engaged in the life of the church. We need to make it a point to understand the vision of the church and to know the mission of the church. We cannot sit back and let someone make decisions about the direction and ministry of the church and then vote with our feet by not participating. We need to speak and engage and then commit to the work that we do together. Sometimes many people agree in general with the direction and work of the church and let a few people do it. That is not the commitment that should be expected. If we are present and fully engaged, then it will also be natural to serve.

            Our commitment to the church will also fulfill the command in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 to, "…pray without ceasing…" It will mean that prayer for the church and on behalf of the church will be something that we regularly engage in.

            Can the church expect this kind of a commitment from you?

D.   To Serve in God's Mission

            The church is called to mission and to teach us to engage in God's mission and in response we need to be involved in God's mission.

            This means first of all that we need to understand the task God has left us with. It is our role to point people to Jesus and invite them to know Him and follow Him. Are you fully aware and convinced that this is God's task for the church and for each one who is a part of the church.     

            What is your part in accomplishing that task? God has given each person specific gifts for service. We need to discover what our gifts are and we need to find a way of serving with those gifts. What have you got to offer God in the mission He has given you?

            It also means that not only do we need to be aware of our role, but we need to be doing it. We need to find ways of giving our time, our gifts and also our money to the work that God has called us to do. The key idea is servanthood and Jesus is our model since He came as a servant. 1 Corinthians 4:1 speaks of the testimony of Paul in this regard when it says, "Think of us in this way, as servants of Christ and stewards of God’s mysteries."

            Are you fulfilling your role as a servant?

Conclusion

            What happens in a marriage if only one partner fulfills the covenant? What happens to a mortgage if one party defaults? In a similar way, when the church fails in its obligations something must change. Likewise, if you are failing in your obligations, something needs to change.

            When we speak of covenant obligations, it sounds like it might be a burden, but when it comes to the covenant between us and the church, it is not. It is joy and above all of that it is worth it. 1 Corinthians 15:58 remind us, "Therefore, my beloved, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord, because you know that in the Lord your labor is not in vain."

            Therefore, I would encourage you to receive what the church offers with gratitude and give what you owe with joy.

Let The Little Children Come To Me

Introduction

It is a delightful blessing for us to have a child dedication service this morning, but why do we do it? We clearly understand that this is not the day of salvation for these children. As they grow up, they will come to understand that God sent Jesus to die for them and that Jesus was raised to give them life. God will draw them to Himself and when they respond in faith to the gospel that will be the day of their salvation.

It is also not the same as baptism. When children are baptized, there are several meanings to that depending on the faith tradition. In some cases it is considered a means of grace which has some significance towards salvation. In other cases, their baptism indicates that they are becoming members of the faith community which is followed up by confirmation when they are old enough to choose. We believe that baptism is something that is done after a person accepts Christ and is a sign of a person's faith in Jesus, a way of declaring that they belong to Jesus. The child dedication does not have any of these meanings, so what is the purpose of it?

That is what I would like to explain this morning. There are three groups for whom this ceremony has meaning - the children, the congregation and above all the parents. Even though we call it a child dedication, it is really more of a parent dedication and so I will speak mostly to the parents.

I.     Meaning For the Child

The meaning of this ceremony for the child is illustrated in each of the gospels when Jesus invited the children to come and blessed them. Let's take a look at Matthew 19:13-15 to see what it means.

In each of these stories, parents were bringing their children to Jesus. Carson says, "Children in Jesus’ day were often brought to rabbis and elders to be blessed, customarily by placing hands on them." In Matthew 19:13 it says that they wanted Jesus to "lay his hands on them and pray." What did they think laying on of hands would accomplish?

Meanwhile, the disciples were trying to prevent the children from being brought and even "spoke sternly" to those who were bringing them. As we read this, we wonder what their intent was? Why were they so against children coming to Jesus? Is it that they were trying to protect Jesus because He was so busy and they wanted him to have some space? Did they think that children were just children and had no value for the kingdom and didn't warrant attention?

Whatever the parents were expecting, whatever the disciples were thinking, Jesus instructs us by what He said and did.

Jesus welcomed the children. He said, "Let the little children come…"  The actions of Jesus indicate that He was not put off by children, He did not see them as "future persons." In that society children were not very highly valued. Carson says, that children at that time were "…negligible members of society: their place was to learn, to be respectful, to listen." They were not seen as persons until they reached a certain age. Even in our day we have heard the saying, "Children should be seen and not heard." But Jesus valued them as they were and was willing to have them come. If we follow the example of Jesus, I believe that when we have a child dedication, we are saying to the children, "Welcome! You belong! We value you and you are invited into the presence of Jesus." It is a way of affirming children and their value.

The value Jesus places on children is not only very high, but He says that children are examples. He says, "for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs." Children are much more able to trust than adults. They have an acceptance of spiritual things because their minds have not been polluted by cynicism and doubts and their hearts have not been jaded by disappointments. They have a readiness to trust which is exemplary. So when we have child dedication, we are saying that we value their child-like faith.

            These texts also indicate that Jesus laid hands on them. Since the parents expected Jesus to pray for them and since Mark 10 tells us that he "blessed them" we can assume that all of these things happened. Jesus touched them with a blessing and put his hands on them when he prayed for them. Such a prayer or blessing is a way of asking God to enter into the life of the child with good things. I have prayed for God to bless a new home, I have prayed for God to bless a minister at an ordination and I have prayed for God to bless a new venture. In each of these cases, we are asking God for His goodness in the situation we are praying about. As we pray for the children, we are asking God's goodness to be active in their life. We are asking that He will extend His grace to them their whole life.

            So the meaning for the children is a statement of welcome a declaration of their value and a request for God's blessing on them.

II.  Meaning For the Parents

The major meaning of child dedication is for the parents and there are two levels of meaning for them.

A.   A Dedication of the Child to the Lord

            At one level, parents need to make a decision about whose child this is. We have seen the bad things that happen when parents think they own their children and try to manipulate them. On the other hand, we have also seen the terrible things that happen when children are neglected. Child dedication is a declaration that the child is a gift from God and belongs to God, but we are entrusted with the child's care.

            This meaning is illustrated so well in the story of Samuel's birth in I Samuel 1,2. Hannah, was unable to have children and one year when she was at the temple with her husband, she pleaded with God to give her a child. As a part of her prayer, she made a vow to God and said in I Samuel 1:11. “I will give him to the Lord.” When she made this statement, she was saying that she was dedicating the child to God. In her case, this meant that she was literally giving the child to God. After he was born, she nurtured Samuel until he was weaned and then she brought him to the temple and left him there as a servant of God. She continued to look after him by bringing him clothing as he grew up and she saw him at times, but after his first 2 or 3 years, she literally gave him to God. She was not sorrowful about this and I Samuel 2 demonstrates the joy she had in being a servant of God and even serving God by giving Him her son.

            Of course, Samuel's situation was unique. Her vow was unique and Samuel was an important and singular figure in Israelite history, but the example we have in this text is still one worth following. When our children are born, we need to say in our hearts, "this child is God's and I want what God wants for this child." Making such a statement may not have much impact when they are young and we are entrusted with their care and exercise our influence on them. But I have heard parents reflect on this when their children become missionaries and leave home and go to difficult places to minister for the Lord. I remember one mother whose children were on that journey and she told me that when they were young she had dedicated them to the Lord and so now she was also prepared to give them to the service of the Lord.

            Samuel's story is not the only story of presenting a child to the Lord. Jesus' parents did the same thing for him in Luke 2:22. For Mary it also meant giving Jesus up to the will of God.

            Child dedication is a significant statement of acknowledging God's ownership. While we take the responsibility to nurture and care for our children, we also make a statement of trust in the goodness, authority and sovereignty of God.

B.   A Commitment to Faith, Lifestyle and Teaching

When walking in fresh snow I have sometimes been intrigued by the footprints I am making, realizing that my boots leave an exact image of the tread in the snow.

When I was in grade 8, although I attended General Wolfe, we went to Sergeant Park for shops and one semester I took metal shops. I was fascinated when we made a mold in wet sand and then poured molten metal into the mold and it made an exact model of the impression we had left in the sand.

It is easy to make an impression of our boots in the snow or to create an impression with cast metal, but how do you make an impression on a child? How do you train up a child in the way he or she should go?

            Deuteronomy 6:6-9 declares that “God is one” and that He is to be loved. Then it says, “These things are to be upon your hearts.” Then we also read, “Impress them on your children” That gives us the pattern for training children in faith.

            We sometimes hope that Christian faith will be passed on to our children when they go to Sunday School or youth or camp. These things are good and lend a supporting role, but did you know that parents have the most powerful spiritual impact on their children of anyone? In Building Faith at Home, Mark Holman refers to a survey of junior high and high school students. They were asked who had the most significant religious influence in their life. The graph shows the percentage of those who were among the top 5 influencers. The graph was more extensive showing each grade and also the difference between male and female, but I chose just grades 7 and 12. In each case, parents are the most influential spiritually. After that there are a variety of influencers, but interestingly, and for all we have invested in them, youth group leaders are far down the list. This reinforces that as parents you have a powerful role to play and a critical task in shaping the spiritual life of your child.

                                    7^th Grade         Grade 12

Mother                                        87                            75

Father                              64                            51

Pastor                              60                            49

Grandparent                    36                            22

SS teacher                       29                            23

The Bible                        25                            26

Youth Group                   25                            34

Youth Leader                  13                            15

Friends                            22                            31

 

            Sometimes we think that the things we consciously and formally try to teach our children will lead them to God. This is our hope as we read the Bible to them or sit down and tell them the gospel story or listen to Christian music. These things are important and certainly lend a supporting role. I am firmly convinced, however, that the most powerful thing which will pass faith on to children is our own life. That is what I believe is the impact of Deuteronomy 6:6 when it says, "Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart." Whatever we are is what we will pass on to our children. The values they see us get passionate about, the lifestyle which we most naturally lead, the truths which are evident, not in a formal conscious way, but which are actually lived by us is what will have the most profound and lasting impact on our children. The Message translates Deuteronomy 6:6, “Get them inside of you and then get them inside your children.” How we do that is in the natural course of life, as Deuteronomy 6:7 says, “Talk about them when you sit at home when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” I believe that we will pass on to our children whatever they see lived in us, without formally thinking about it and without conscious effort. Mark Holman says, "Moses stated that we can 'live long and prosper' by impressing the biblical way of life on our children by living it out at home: 'When you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.'"

Of course that leaves us with some challenging questions, “What impression am I leaving on my children? Is it the impression I think I am leaving? What is really going on in my life, my heart? Am I imitable?” Merriam Webster defines imitable as, “capable or worthy of being imitated or copied.” In child dedication, you as parents are committing yourselves to being imitable.

Of course, there is also a formal opportunity to actually teach your children and that is also a part of what Deuteronomy 6:6-9 means. NASB translates this, “you shall teach them diligently to your sons.” So we should not only rely on what is passed on by what they see. We should make formal choices to read the Bible to them, to teach them Christian songs, to take them to Sunday School and camp. As you bring your children for dedication, you are also committing yourself to teaching your children.

            Earlier we talked about the dedication of Samuel to the Lord by Hannah. As we read that story we tend to focus on the covenant which Hannah made or on Samuel and how he turned out. We also need to notice the faithfulness of Elkanah and Hannah. In that day many Israelites took their faith rather casually, but Elkanah was faithful in going to the temple once a year. He lived some distance away, but made it a priority to go to meet with God. Samuel saw that and I am sure it had an impact on his faith in God.

C.   A Prayer for God's Guidance.

When we think about this task, we recognize that it is a huge challenge. How will we be able to live in an exemplary way? How will we be able to tread the balance between giving our children to the Lord and at the same time taking full responsibility to nurture them? That is why child dedication is also a prayer for God’s guidance. We pray for you and with you that God will help you make the best impression and teach your children well. We will pray for God's direction in your task.

III.           Meaning For the Congregation

            Child dedication has meaning for the children and for the parents, but it also has meaning for the rest of us and that is why we have this event in the worship service.

A.   A Commitment to an Exemplary Environment.

When what the parents are trying to teach their children is also modeled by the rest of the community of faith, it makes their responsibility much easier. Children see not only their parents living faith, but an entire faith community and that will have a powerful impact.

So as the parents bring their children for dedication, we, as the congregation, are also making a commitment today. We are promising to live in an exemplary way recognizing that we are being watched by the children. Like Jesus, may we welcome the children, value the children and be good models of faith to the children. May what we model be consistent, godly, compassionate and faithful.

B.   A Commitment to Support Both Parent and Child.

            The other reason we have child dedication as part of a worship service is that we as the surrounding community are making a commitment to support both parent and child. Besides living in an exemplary way, we also support the parents in the role by caring for them and encouraging them. Sometimes we will support them by helping them through a difficult time. We can also support the children. I still remember when Jonathan was baptized he was given a mentor and he maintained a relationship with Jonathan for many years and was an encouragement to him. Let us take an interest in the children and ask about their lives and so encourage and support them.

            Of course a major part of supporting and encouraging them is by praying both for the parents and the children on a regular basis. We will pray for them today, but the task of prayer continues into the future with all of us.

Conclusion

So we see that each person here, the children, the parents and the whole congregation has a part in this ceremony.

The children are being welcomed and blessed.

The congregation is making a commitment to being an exemplary community and to supporting and praying for the parents and the children.

The largest role lies with you as parents who dedicate your children to the Lord. You are committing yourselves to being examples, to training your children and by doing so committing yourselves to making a faith impression on your children. And so you are dedicating your children to the Lord.