Dedication Worship Service

Definition and Meaning

A dedication worship service (heonsin yebae, 獻身禮拜) is a worship service centered on the theme of dedication, a term that literally means "offering one's body." It is led by a particular organization or department of the church, such as the men's mission society, the women's evangelism society, the young adults' department, the Sunday school teachers, or the choir. The service takes the name of the organization in charge, as in "Women's Evangelism Society Dedication Service" or "Teachers' Dedication Service." Its main purpose is for the members of that organization to renew their resolve to serve God and the church.

In the English-speaking world, the term "dedication service" usually refers to a ceremony consecrating a building or one presenting an infant to God. The dedication worship service of Korean churches is distinct from these; the consecration of a building is called a church dedication ceremony.

Biblical and Historical Background

Scripture does not describe a distinct rite called a "dedication worship service." Certain passages, however, are frequently cited in such services. Representative examples include Romans 12:1, which urges believers to present their bodies to God as a living sacrifice; 1 Chronicles 29:5, in which David, in preparation for the building of the temple, urged the people to give willingly; and Isaiah's response, "Here am I; send me" (Isaiah 6:8).

The dedication worship service is understood to have become an established practice in the Korean church alongside the development of organizational bodies such as men's and women's mission and evangelism societies and the church school. The exact date of its origin is not known.

Practice in the Korean Church

Dedication worship services are usually held during the Sunday afternoon or evening service or the Wednesday service, with organizations taking turns according to each church's annual calendar. The organization in charge typically assumes the following responsibilities:

• Members serve as worship leader, offer the representative prayer, read Scripture, and present special music.
• The senior pastor may preach, but an outside minister is often invited as guest speaker.
• In some churches, members give a separate dedication offering or special offering.
• A fellowship gathering is sometimes held after the service.

The names of the sponsoring organizations vary somewhat by denomination. Presbyterian churches generally use the terms men's mission society and women's evangelism society; Methodist churches use men's mission society and women's mission society; and Holiness churches use men's evangelism society and women's evangelism society. Despite these differences in naming, the way dedication services are conducted varies little from one denomination to another. Dedication services are also held by parish or district groups and by groups of church officers.

In recent years, a growing number of churches have reduced or discontinued their Sunday afternoon and evening services. As a result, some churches reportedly no longer hold separate dedication services, or instead incorporate organization-led elements into the Sunday worship service.