The dedication of a church building to the worship of God is a special occasion and demands careful preparation and wise planning. It is the ceremony whereby the edifice is solemnly set apart for the service and worship of God.

The practice followed by some of making the service of dedication an occasion for raising money to apply on church indebtedness is very inappropriate. Before the church building is dedicated, all debts incurred in its purchase or erection should have been fully paid.

Scripture Readings

Scripture readings suitable for the service of dedication may be selected from the following references: 1 Chronicles 29:10-13, 15-19; 2 Chronicles 6:7; Psalms 27:4,5; 48:9-14; 84:1-12; 100:5-9; 122:1-9.

Prayer of Dedication

The part of the service that actually sets the church apart for divine worship is the dedicatory prayer. An example of such a prayer is that of Solomon at the dedication of the Temple, as recorded in 2 Chronicles 6.

This prayer demands as much thought as the sermon and should be as carefully prepared. Here are a few suggestions of what could be included in the prayer:

1) Thanks for the revelation of God's love and mercy, made through Jesus Christ our Lord;

2) Thanks for revealing to us the light of truth from His sacred Word, for calling out some in this city or vicinity to join the remnant church;

3) Thanks for the presence of God manifest in our midst;

4) Thanks that He put it into the hearts of His servants to erect this house of worship;

5) Confession of sin, prayer for forgiveness;

6) Prayer that He will accept this building as our humble gift;

7) Statement that we now dedicate this building to Him as a house of prayer for all people and as a bright and shining light in this community, a witness of our faith;

8) That it is now dedicated for the celebration of the ordinances of the Lord's house, for the saving of our children and youth, for missionary activities, for the fellowship of the family of God, and for a Sabbath home;

9) Prayer that the Spirit will rest mightily upon His people here;

10) Prayer for all guests who enter this house of God and that sinners will be converted;

11) Prayer that this church may be a gateway to heaven, and that the Holy Spirit will never be grieved from this place;

12) Prayer also for God's people in every land that His work may be speedily finished, that the scattered family of God may go home to join the angelic host where prayer will turn to endless praise.

Resource

The Seventh-day Adventist Minister's Manual has many more suggestions and ideas for planning your church dedication. Contact your local ABC store for how to obtain your copy.

Seventh-day Adventist Minister's Manual, by General Conference Ministerial Department. Publisher, Review and Herald Publishing Association. Published in 1992.

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Manual for Ministers, 1977, The Ministerial Association, General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.