Church Dedication

Definition and Meaning

The Korean term heondang (獻堂) means "offering a house." A dedication service is a rite in which a church building is offered to God and set apart as a place for worship and church activities; it is also called a dedication worship service. A related term, the opening service (ipdang yebae), refers to the first worship service held upon moving into a new building. Korean churches often distinguish between the two rites. When construction is completed and the congregation moves in, an opening service is held; a separate dedication service follows once all construction debt has been repaid. This practice reflects the view that a building still burdened with debt cannot be regarded as fully offered to God. If there is no debt from the outset, the two may be combined into a single "opening and dedication service."

Protestants generally do not hold that the building itself becomes holy. Rather, the dedication service is understood as a rite in which the congregation pledges to use the space for worship and service.

Biblical and Historical Background

Scripture records several occasions on which places of worship were dedicated to God.

• Exodus 40: The tabernacle is set up and sanctified.
• 1 Kings 8; 2 Chronicles 5–7: Solomon offers a prayer of dedication after building the temple.
• Ezra 6:16–17: The people who returned from exile dedicate the rebuilt temple.
• John 10:22: The "feast of the dedication" mentioned in this verse is a Jewish festival commemorating the rededication of the temple.

Rites for dedicating church buildings are believed to have become established after the fourth century, when the church began to build houses of worship openly. The Catholic Church and the Anglican Communion continue this tradition, in which a bishop consecrates (sets apart as holy) a church.

Practice in Korean Churches

A dedication service is usually led by the senior pastor or a representative of a higher governing body. The order of service generally includes the following:

• A report on the progress of construction
• The presentation of the keys by the chair of the building committee to the senior pastor
• A prayer of dedication and a declaration of dedication
• The presentation of plaques of appreciation to those who contributed
• Congratulatory addresses by guests
• The benediction

The service is largely an expression of thanksgiving for the building fund offerings and labor that church members contributed during construction.

The officiant varies by denomination.

• Presbyterian churches: The service is often overseen by the relevant presbytery, or presbytery officers attend and lead parts of the service.
• Korean Methodist Church: A bishop or district superintendent often officiates at the dedication rite.
• Anglican Church of Korea: The service takes the form of a consecration of a church, presided over by a bishop.

Other denominations likewise follow the order prescribed in their denominational books of worship, though the details vary from church to church.