What happens during a dedication service?

Some Christian parents decide to have their baby dedicated, rather than baptised. They believe the child should make the choice to be baptised themselves when they are older. Instead of infant baptism, they hold a dedication service, which is attended by family, friends, and people from their church.

At the service, they commit their child to God, promising to bring the child up in the Christian faith. Dedication is a symbol that the parents want their child to grow up to follow God's laws and teachings. It is also a time to say thank you to God for the family.

Dedication services are performed in many Baptist and Pentecostal churches. Infant baptisms - or christenings - are performed in Anglican and Roman Catholic churches.

Watch this film to see what happens during a dedication service.