A child dedication or baby presentation is an act of consecration of children to God practiced in evangelical churches, such as those of the Baptist tradition, as well as organisations, such as the Woman's Christian Temperance Union. It is analogous to the older practice among Catholics, Lutherans, and Anglicans of the churching of women.

Christian Churches

Origin

The child's presentation has its origin in the Book of Exodus in chapter 13 verse 2; "Consecrate to me every firstborn male. The first offspring of every womb among the Israelites belongs to me, whether human or animal".^[1] The Bible relates some presentations of children. That of Samuel, in the Old Testament by Hannah. ^[2][3] And especially the presentation of Jesus in the Temple in the New Testament (Luke 2:22) by Joseph and Mary.^[4]Likewise, Jesus blessed children.^[5]

History

In 1609, the Baptist movement taught that baptism is for adults (believers' baptism) according to their biblical understandings.^[6] The children's presentation thus developed in parallel with this movement and was widely spread in Baptist churches and in all Evangelical movements in the 20th century.^[7]

Form

The form of the presentations may vary by church. The ceremony is usually performed before or after the Worship service of Sunday.^[8] When the parents have come forward with the child, the pastor presents it to the congregation, or asks the parents to do so.^[9]Most often, the pastor asks parents to say orally their commitment to raising the child in the Christian faith.^[10] This public commitment is followed by one or more prayers and a blessing by the pastor, often after the latter has taken the child into his arms.^[11]The purpose of the presentation is to express the recognition of parents and the church of the divine gift of birth and the responsibility of parents that results from it.^[12
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