Tipton Family Church

 

Considering a Christening?

Although the majority of people in our country no longer go to church on a regular basis, there is very often a desire to involve the church in functions such as weddings, funerals, and of course christenings. At Tipton Family Church, because we are keen to engage with people, we are more than willing to offer these 'services'. As far as the latter is concerned, there are many terms and methods that various churches practice. Some involve water, others don't. Some use the words christening, others prefer dedication. And so on and so forth. But the basic principle involved is that it is an opportunity for parents, family and friends to formally gather together in a church building to give thanks to God for the life of their child.

We find the basis for a dedication/christening service in the Bible. In 1Samuel chapter 1 we read of Hannah and how she couldn't conceive. She did what many of us have done in our lives, she made a pledge to God. Give me a child and I will give him back to you, is what she said to God. And that's what happened, as Samuel was not only born but was dedicated to life in the temple. And that's what is symbolised when the child today is handed over to the minister to be blessed. Although the good news is that the minister then gives the child back to the parents!

At Tipton Family Church we consider christenings/dedications as so important that we don't relegate them to a slot of their own in a separate meeting, but rather we build the main Sunday morning service around them. We also only involve one family at a time so it becomes very special. We want to make the service as personal as we can, and so requests for particular songs or a reading from someone etc are always looked upon very favourably. We're a friendly and informal church and we want to be as accommodating as possible.

We produce a signed certificate for the child that has been christened. We also welcome cameras and camcorders so you can capture your big day on film for keeps. Obviously in this day and age you have to be aware of restrictions and as a church we do have a policy in accordance with guidelines laid down by government concerning all this sort of thing. But above all we're a church of common sense!

Below is the actual order of service as far as the christening is concerned, so you know exactly what is involved. If you would like to take it further then you can contact Stewart Bloor. And finally you are no doubt wondering what is the cost involved! Well, as a church we are first and foremost interested in people and not money! And so as a result, all we say is make a donation to the church. We want you not your money!

 

Order of service

      

Minister: The birth of a child is a time for celebration and thanksgiving. The creation of a new life creates a sense of awe and many parents want to give thanks to God for their child. The service today is an opportunity for not only parents, but also family and friends to join together to rejoice and to give thanks for (child's name).

Minister: We meet together today to celebrate new life and to support (parents' names) as they commit to the responsibility of raising (child's name). God himself became flesh and understands humanity fully; in fact more than we fully appreciate at times. He knows our fears, our concerns and worries. But he also wants to share in our joys, our successes, our times of happiness. And that's why we are here today, to involve God in our time of thanksgiving.

The parents stand at the front of the church with the child

Minister: Do you receive (child's name) as a gift from God?

Parents: We do.

Minister: Do you wish to give thanks to God and to see his blessing upon the life of (child's name)?

Parents: We do.

The minister holds the child (or in the case of an older child, they stand by the minister).

Minister:  Father God, the creator of all, we come to you with a sense of awe as we consider new life. We thank you for all those on a human level that are involved in the safe delivery of children, but above all we acknowledge you as the source of life. Even before we were born we were known by you, and your love for each and every one of us is complete. We thank you for Jesus, who through his death on the cross made the way for God and man to become one in fellowship and relationship.

Minister: In the Bible we read that Jesus himself took children in his arms and blessed them. And so now we ask for God's blessing upon (child's name).

Father God we thank you and praise you for (child's name), surround him/her with your love, care and compassion, that he/she may know your goodness all the days of their life. May (child's name) grow with an awareness of your presence and come into a living understanding of your grace. Amen.

The minister prays for the parents.

Minister: As we pray for (parents' names) we ask that they might know patience, understanding and wisdom so that by example they would be good parents to (child's name). And that they too would grow in the knowledge of your great love and grace towards mankind. Amen.

The god-parents stand at the front of the church.

Minister: To be chosen as a godparent is an honour. But with that privilege comes great responsibility and we now ask the god-parents to publically declare that they are willing to take that responsibility seriously.

Minister: (God-parents' names), as god-parents to (child's name) you will play an important role in his/her life. Are you willing to love him/her, to want the best for him/her, to encourage him/her and to be there for him/her as he/she grows up?

God-parents: We will