Parent ComMissioning

At Living Hope Church, we believe children are a precious gift from the Lord

Scripture consistently teaches that parents are called to be the primary disciple-makers in their children’s lives (Deuteronomy 6:4–7; Psalm 78:5–8; Ephesians 6:4). Parents are entrusted with the responsibility to teach their children the gospel and to model a life shaped by faith in Jesus Christ.

Because of this conviction, Living Hope Church practices Parent Commissioning.

A group of adults and children stand and talk in a community hall. In the foreground, a boy in a blue shirt speaks animatedly to a smiling bald man.
People of all ages sit together at long tables, their hands clasped and eyes closed in a moment of communal prayer.

What is Parent Commissioning?

Parent Commissioning is a public moment in the life of the church where parents make both a promise and a plea.
Parents publicly promise to raise their children to know and love Jesus—committing to teach them the gospel and to point them toward Christ through word and example. At the same time, parents acknowledge their insufficiency for this task and call upon God’s grace, blessing, and power to sustain them.

In response, the church body also makes a promise. We commit to coming alongside parents in prayer, care, and support. As a congregation, we affirm that children are precious image-bearers of God and that we share responsibility for their spiritual formation. Scripture warns us not to hinder the faith of children (Luke 17:1–4; Mark 9:42; 2 Corinthians 6:3), but instead to welcome them and lead them toward Christ (Matthew 19:14).

Why Not “Dedication”?

You may notice that Parent Commissioning sounds similar to what is often called a baby dedication. This change in language is intentional. It more accurately reflects what we believe and practice as a church.

Biblically, dedication often refers to specific acts—such as Hannah dedicating Samuel to lifelong service in the temple, or Samson being set apart as a Nazirite from birth. Parent Commissioning, however, does not dedicate a child to a particular calling. Rather, it commissions parents to faithfully carry out the responsibility God has already given them.

This language also clarifies what Parent Commissioning is not. It is not infant baptism. We believe baptism is a public declaration of personal faith in Christ—identifying with His death, burial, and resurrection—symbolized by immersion in water (Acts 2:41; Romans 6:3–6). For this reason, we wait until a child can articulate a credible profession of faith in Jesus Christ before baptism.

Frequently Asked Questions

Statement on Parent Commissioning
Register for Parent Commissioning

No. Parent Commissioning is not infant baptism. At Living Hope, we believe baptism is a public declaration of personal faith in Jesus Christ and is for those who can personally profess faith in Him.

No. Parent Commissioning is a meaningful commitment, but it does not guarantee a child’s future faith. Each child must personally come to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. Parent Commissioning is one way parents express their desire to faithfully point their children to Him.

Parent Commissioning is for parents who profess faith in Jesus Christ and who desire to raise their children in a way that points them to Him. Because this is a spiritual commitment, we ask that parents participating demonstrate a clear commitment to following Christ in their own lives.

We ask families to wait until they have been attending Living Hope for at least six months because Parent Commissioning is rooted in the life of the local church. This helps ensure that families are meaningfully connected, known, and supported as they commit to raising their children in the faith.

During the service, parents make public commitments related to raising their children in the faith, and the church prays for them and commits to supporting them. It is a joyful and meaningful moment for both the family and the church.

Parent Commissioning begins with attending one of our Parent Commissioning classes, which we offer every six months. You can register for the next class through our calendar of events. After attending the class, you will be able to choose a Sunday for your Parent Commissioning.