Christenings, Dedications & Baby Namings

For all of mankind, having a name brings identity and significance. The choosing of a name for a child is one of the important roles a parent fulfils. A name carries power and meaning and bestows upon a person a deep sense of connection, not just with their name, but also with the world around them.

The rituals of Christenings, Dedications and Namings are becoming increasingly popular. More parents are gaining a deeper understanding of the value of proclaiming to the world the name they have carefully and lovingly chosen for their child.

The most common question that parents ask me is "What is the difference between a Christening, Dedication and a Naming ceremony? All three have a deep natural significance for a child. The basic difference is spiritual.

A Naming Ceremony usually would have no direct reference to God or any other significant spiritual being. The parents commit to raising their chid according to their own values. Any Celebrant, Civil or Religious, can conduct the ceremony.

A Dedication Ceremony is a naming ceremony where the parents officially dedicate their child into the care of God or some other significant spiritual being and commit to raising their child according to some form of spiritual values( usually Christian). Any Celebrant, Civil or Religious, can conduct the ceremony, although a Religious Celebrant would probably bring more spiritual significance to the occasion.

A Christening Ceremony is a Christian dedication ceremony where the parents make a deep commitment to the raising of their child according to recognised Christian principles as found in the Bible. This ceremony can only be carried out by an officially ordained minister of a recognised Christian denomination or religion. Most Christenings occur in churches; only by the minister of that particular church; and the child is christened into that particular faith or religion, eg. Anglican or Catholic.

Ministers of (government recognised) independent ministries, however, are able to conduct Christening ceremonies at any location chosen by the parents. This allows a formal ceremony to be held in an informal venue eg. their own home, a park or function centre, rather than a church. The main advantage for parents, family and friends, is that the ceremony and the celebration, often involving a few drinks, can be held in the one place, saving time, travel and money. Your child would be christened into the Christian faith, not into any specific religion or religious institution. As parents, you would receive a Certificate of Christening. The God-parents should also receive something to signify their commitment and involvement eg. a Certificate of Recognition.

God-parents - The role of the God-parent has not been made particularly clear. The common definition is "godparent" – a responsible adult friend of the parents who would be prepared to aid the parents in the raising of their child, should the parents require help, or to even take over the raising of the child if the parents die. There is no real emphasis on any spiritual teaching.

The original purpose of a God-parent was all of the above but extended to their role of having a strong Christian influence upon their God-child.

Whatever the definition the parents give the role, it is important that both the parents and the person accepting the role, understand the deep commitment involved and take the associated responsibilities very seriously.

Marriages Made In Heaven is an independent ministry, and as an ordained minister through the Dream Centre Christian Church, I am able to conduct your Naming, Dedication or Christening ceremony anywhere suitable for you.

Certificates are presented to the parents and godparents and nicely bound copies of the ceremony are provided for parents, godparents and grandparents alike.

For any other information you may require, please contact me. I would be honoured to be involved with you on this very special and significant day for your son or daughter.