Names and Trends -

 by: Tony Luck

Traditionally, babies have been named at a christening/baptism. Most still are, but increasingly parents are choosing an alternative, non-religious ceremony.

There are three types of service available at a Church.

• The traditional Infant Baptism (which most people call a 'christening'), here the parents declare the child to be a follower of Jesus Christ;

• A service of Dedication, when the parents make promises about the upbringing of their child - these services are common in Baptist churches; and

• A Thanksgiving for the Gift of a Child, a service of Blessing which is based on what Jesus did when children were brought to Him. This service is increasingly popular in the Anglican Church as parents are less inclined to make promises on the child's behalf that he or she may not wish to keep later in life.

Many parents don't go to church themselves and don't want to have their child named in a church service. There are alternatives.   (continued...)

Alternative Ways of Naming a Baby
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