So your church is ready to begin a new building project? Before that first hammer flies, plan a groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate and thank God. Some fresh ideas:
Diana Davis? Scripture theme and color scheme. Print your building theme scripture on everything. Select a color scheme to synchronize flowers, flags, balloons and napkins.
? Golden shovels and baseball chalk. Use baseline chalk to draw an outline of the new building. Prepare shovels for the pastor, deacon chairman and building committee members, using shiny gold spray paint.
? Order personalized mementos such as magnets or penlights. Or fill engraved clear vials with dirt from the site.
? Focal point. The ceremony is held outdoors on the building site. Erect a portable stage, balloon archway or ribbon tent for the platform, and set a separate stage for live Christian music.
? Seating. Most attenders will simply stand for the brief ceremony, but a few designated chairs may be set up for visiting dignitaries and elderly.
? Groundbreaking dirt cake. Fill windowbox flower planters with brownies topped with crumbled chocolate cookie “dirt” and artificial flowers.
? Snap. A photographer can use a ladder or rooftop to capture a photo of the perimeter prayer described below.
? The more the merrier. Mail invitations to residential and commercial neighbors, building subcontractors, community officials and denominational leaders. Send a press release to the media. Install a sign on the site to announce the target completion date, and add a removable invitation for the event.
As guests arrive, live music is playing. The program is celebratory, upbeat, and brief. After opening remarks, invite the crowd to space themselves around the building outline for a perimeter prayer, with the shovelers in the center. After a thanksgiving song to God, the pastor leads in a prayer of dedication and the shovelers break ground. Live music begins again, and attenders enjoy refreshments and joyful fellowship. If you’d like a grand finale, provide confetti shooters for children or put notes in helium balloons for a balloon release.
It’s a groundbreaking event. Thank God for His great blessings!