Pastor's Blog: "Faithful to Fulfill Our Vows"
| | Dr. Wayne Splawn
This Sunday we will have a Parent-Child Dedication in both morning worship services. This time of dedication is an aspect of worship we observe with enough regularity that it can feel rote if we are not careful. You likely know the parts of the ceremony as well as me. First, I will ask the parents to make a commitment to do everything in their power to raise their child to know and love Jesus. Then, I will ask the congregation to declare their intent to help these parents fulfill their vows by being a loving and supportive church family in hopes that these children will one day stand before our congregation or a congregation like ours to make their profession of faith in Jesus Christ.
As you participate in these dedications on Sunday morning, I challenge you to consider what role you might play in supporting these parents as they seek to use their home as a place where they can teach their child about Jesus and model Christian discipleship. I also challenge you to consider the ways God might one day call you to teach Sunday Morning Bible Study, volunteer at Vacation Bible School, volunteer in worship care, sign up to be a chaperone for Children’s Camp or a Student Ministry Beach Retreat, or serve as a mentor for one of these children as they navigate the challenges we all face on our way to becoming fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ. Let us not be content to simply go through the motions of this most important aspect of our worship on Sunday morning. Instead, let us prayerfully consider how God is calling each of us to do our part to fulfill the vows we are making to these parents and these children in the sight of God.