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Before the Lord, Before the Church: "How-To" Plan a Child Dedication Service
We know children are a blessing from the Lord. But is child dedication?
Is child dedication just a sentimental moment to celebrate family with oohs and awes over the babies? Or is it a solemn moment before God and a covenanting one before the local church?
Kennedy explains a philosophy of child dedication with poignant "How-To" plan for living out a powerful witness to Christ for one another and before the watching world. Whether you are rescuing various forms of child dedication from sentimentalism or perhaps sacrament, this book will guide you to faithful and fruitful ministry honoring God for the gift of children while blessing your church.
Is child dedication just a sentimental moment to celebrate family with oohs and awes over the babies? Or is it a solemn moment before God and a covenanting one before the local church?
Kennedy explains a philosophy of child dedication with poignant "How-To" plan for living out a powerful witness to Christ for one another and before the watching world. Whether you are rescuing various forms of child dedication from sentimentalism or perhaps sacrament, this book will guide you to faithful and fruitful ministry honoring God for the gift of children while blessing your church.
108 pages, Paperback
Published August 3, 2018
4 people are currently reading
16 people want to read
About the author
Jared Kennedy
22 books101 followersJared Kennedy (MDiv, ThM) serves as managing editor for books and curriculum at The Gospel Coalition. He is also co-founder and principal of Gospel-Centered Family, a ministry that helps churches and families share Jesus with the next generation. He is also the author of resources for children and adults, including 'The Beginner's Gospel Story Bible' and 'Keeping Your Children’s Ministry on Mission.' You can follow him on X @jaredskennedy. He, his wife Megan, and their three daughters live in Louisville, Kentucky.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
November 15, 2017
"The Sojourn Network how-to ebooks are a great combination of biblical theology and practical advice, driven by a commitment to the gospel and the local congregation. Written by the local church for the local church - just the job!"
-- Tim Chester
Pastor of Grace Church Boroughbridge, faculty member of Crosslands Training, and author of over 40 books
"This series brings pastoral wisdom for every day life in the church of Jesus Christ. Think of these short, practical books as the equivalent of a healthy breakfast, a sandwich and apple for lunch, and a family enjoying dinner together. The foundational theology is nutritious, and the practical applications will keep the body strong."
-- Dr. David Powlison
Executive Director of CCEF; senior editor, Journal of Biblical Counseling; author of Good and Angry: Redeeming Anger and Making All Things New: Restoring Joy to the Sexually Broken
"Most leaders don't need another abstract book on leadership; we need help with the "how-to's." And my friends in the Sojourn Network excel in this area. I've been well served by their practical ministry wisdom, and I know you will be too."
-- Bob Thune
Founding Pastor of Coram Deo Church, Omaha, NE, Author of "Gospel Eldership" and co-author of "The Gospel-Centered Life"
"I've sat in those elder meetings and wondered, How are we supposed to know what to do in this situation? In those cases we've looked to help from our friends in the Sojourn Network, whose experience, wisdom, zeal for the gospel, and love for the Lord has been a great encouragement. I'm thankful for this series because I know how many pastors and other church leaders will benefit from such biblically informed guidance on a host of topics."
-- Collin Hansen
Editorial Director, The Gospel Coalition
"I cannot express strong enough what a valuable resource this is for church planters, church planting teams and young churches. The topics that are addressed in these ebooks are so needed in young churches. I have been in ministry and missions for over 30 years and I learned a lot from reading. Very engaging and very practical!"
-- Larry McCrary
Co-Founder and Director of The Upstream Collective
"There are many aspects of pastoral ministry that aren't (and simply can't) be taught in seminary. Even further, many pastors simply don't have the benefit of a brotherhood of pastors that they can lean on to help them navigate topics such as building a healthy plurality of elders or working with artists in the church. I'm thankful for the men and women who labored to produce this series, which is both theologically-driven and practically-minded. The Sojourn Network "How-To" series is a great resource for pastors and church planters alike."
-- Jamaal Williams
Lead Pastor of Sojourn Midtown, Louisville, KY
-- Tim Chester
Pastor of Grace Church Boroughbridge, faculty member of Crosslands Training, and author of over 40 books
"This series brings pastoral wisdom for every day life in the church of Jesus Christ. Think of these short, practical books as the equivalent of a healthy breakfast, a sandwich and apple for lunch, and a family enjoying dinner together. The foundational theology is nutritious, and the practical applications will keep the body strong."
-- Dr. David Powlison
Executive Director of CCEF; senior editor, Journal of Biblical Counseling; author of Good and Angry: Redeeming Anger and Making All Things New: Restoring Joy to the Sexually Broken
"Most leaders don't need another abstract book on leadership; we need help with the "how-to's." And my friends in the Sojourn Network excel in this area. I've been well served by their practical ministry wisdom, and I know you will be too."
-- Bob Thune
Founding Pastor of Coram Deo Church, Omaha, NE, Author of "Gospel Eldership" and co-author of "The Gospel-Centered Life"
"I've sat in those elder meetings and wondered, How are we supposed to know what to do in this situation? In those cases we've looked to help from our friends in the Sojourn Network, whose experience, wisdom, zeal for the gospel, and love for the Lord has been a great encouragement. I'm thankful for this series because I know how many pastors and other church leaders will benefit from such biblically informed guidance on a host of topics."
-- Collin Hansen
Editorial Director, The Gospel Coalition
"I cannot express strong enough what a valuable resource this is for church planters, church planting teams and young churches. The topics that are addressed in these ebooks are so needed in young churches. I have been in ministry and missions for over 30 years and I learned a lot from reading. Very engaging and very practical!"
-- Larry McCrary
Co-Founder and Director of The Upstream Collective
"There are many aspects of pastoral ministry that aren't (and simply can't) be taught in seminary. Even further, many pastors simply don't have the benefit of a brotherhood of pastors that they can lean on to help them navigate topics such as building a healthy plurality of elders or working with artists in the church. I'm thankful for the men and women who labored to produce this series, which is both theologically-driven and practically-minded. The Sojourn Network "How-To" series is a great resource for pastors and church planters alike."
-- Jamaal Williams
Lead Pastor of Sojourn Midtown, Louisville, KY
April 18, 2019
A practical, biblical, and comprehensive guide to Child Dedications. Highly recommend it!
October 7, 2019
Jared Kennedy is one of my very favorite people in the children’s ministry world (I’ve never met him but the resources he produces are so great! Check out the Beginners Gospel Story Bible for a great gift for a little one). This book is all about his church’s vision, theology, and logistical details of child dedication. I would say it’s a must read for any church leader who is in charge of child dedication at their church. It’s brimming with great ideas for wording, prayers, formulas, and best of all just general resources (invitations, booklets, slides, discussion questions, and more). At just 77 pages it’s also a super quick read and easily sharable with others!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews