How to Celebrate Moving to a New Church Building
- 1). Incorporate physical memories of your old church building into the new structure. For example, display important items from the old church building, such as a cross. Construct significant physical aspects into the new church building such as a stained glass window or a cornerstone. Point out these additions to those attending the celebration.
- 2). Conduct a service celebrating all the years of ministry and growth in the old church building. Make it a service of blessing to all those who entered the doors over the years to find healing and hope. Conclude with a prayer of blessing for the old building.
- 3). Plan a dedication service for the new church building. Dedicating the new church building includes a commissioning of the building for the continuation of the work of the church. Schedule the dedication for a Sunday morning worship service, using the service as the keystone around which to build a day of celebration with a service, food and fellowship.
- 4). Invite former parishioners and pastors to the celebration commemorating the new church building. Send invitations to members who have moved away but who had a part in the growth of the church. Invite any former pastors. During the celebration, mention pastors and people of the past who played vital roles in the founding and ministry of the church.
- 5). Invite superintendents, local pastors from other churches and local dignitaries. Ask church superintendents and bishops to offer words of congratulations during the church celebration. Invite local pastors and other local dignitaries in a stand of unity to minister to the city.
- 6). Hold a worship service dedicating the new church building. Fill the new church with balloons and cards of greetings from former members, attendees, pastors and missionaries. During the dedication service, ask pastors and bishops to pray and speak. Offer a few short stories from or about those whose lives were changed by church ministries. Ask children to sing along with the choir.
- 7). Continue the post-dedication ceremony with a lunch or dinner. Arrange an informal potluck or a catered dinner for all in attendance. During the lunch, offer thanks for all the different people, businesses and organizations that assisted in the building of and moving into the new church building.
- 8). Let the media know of your celebratory plans. Create a press release providing the media with background on the church, how the new church was built, future plans and information about the dedication celebration. Use stories of real people to whom the church made a difference.