Comments on: Dance Ministry Ethics #4: Competitions

By: Jason B. Jones

Jason B. Jones — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:23:47 +0000

In touching this topic, I was blessed by what Dr. Ann Higgins said at the Equipping the Saints conference this year. She stated (not a direct quote, this is generalized…LOL) that we should compete against the world. I was blessed to hear this and have a shift in thinking. I do believe that it could be problematic to have christian teams compete against each other (as well as those same teams competing against others). If we do compete, it is important for the body to remember our truest enemy…and ultimately compete against him. We must also remain humble and respect the authority of those in judging positions…remembering that our character and how we live will rate higher than any award we may gain (what will we gain if we own the whole world, but lose our souls).

By: His Hem Ministry

His Hem Ministry — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 19:00:17 +0000

I agree that Nicole makes a pertinent point about going outside the walls of the church to minister and reach the unsaved/unchurched — that is excellent and pleases God — but we still have to do a self-check and know what are the secret desires of our own hearts. Perhaps, those praise-dance-ministers wanting to participate in these events could enter in a non-competitive track — just tell the judges and organizers, "I want to 'present,' but simply 'present,' not be judged." As I write this, I'm reminded of the time when one of my church's little elementary-aged praise dancers asked to use garments to praise-dance in her school's talent show — I was slightly 'stabbed' at the thought. She was granted permission to use the garments, and, if I remember correctly 'won' the competition . . . but what message did she internalize from that? (And as I don't know what message she internalized or took from that, guess what will be a future topic for our devotion sessions?)

By: Lakita

Lakita — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:18:35 +0000

Nicole,
You bring up another good point. It is about reaching the lost….some of the competitions I've seen are praise dance ministries competing against each other.
So I guess there are two questions:
The original – Is there a place for praise dance competitions?
And – Should praise dancers compete (or participate) in dance competitions?
Another loop…. I know many youth will choose to do a praise dance in a school talent show. Is this the same as competing? Why or why not?

By: Nicole

Nicole — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:32:42 +0000

When you are talking about praise dance ministries competing in competitions you have to look at it at different angles. One angle is that we should not compete because we don't need man's approval only our Heavenly Father's. Another angle is the it is an opportunity to share the message of God with dance to an audience that might have never experience God in that form of worship before. We should see it as a privilege to be able to share the Gospel to people who might not be Christians. We might be the only thing that draws that person or persons to Christ.
I believe you want to compete, pray first. Ask God do my members and I have the mindset to go to this competition and to do the work of the Lord or do we need to stay and only minister in churches. Lets stop sharing our ministry only in churches where mostly everybody is save and go out into the streets and bring those lose souls to Christ. That is why I'm starting my own praise dance company so that the Word of God through song and be reach people outside of churches.
So if you have the mindset to do the work of God even in competitions then you can compete. Take it as a opportunity to show the world that the our ministry is ready to take down the world and win souls for Christ.
Be Bless!

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 01:51:03 +0000

Wow!! another topic … I never really thought about …..I say no we should not be competing. If it is a secular dance team that is fine. But I again agree with the dancer246 some people who don't understand what praise dance is would think competitions are okay. Now here in Philadelphia for the last 3 years there is a performance featuring praise dancers from churches in and out of state….its called Dance Saints Dance nothing competitive there, but we all enjoy the this form or worship to God and it is a fellowship…..not a competition.

By: dancer246

dancer246 — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 22:23:10 +0000

correct, they are a dance company, they perform at special events as well as competitions. but they are not a dance ministry and are not promoted as such.

By: Lakita

Lakita — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 03:30:10 +0000

This has been a lively discussion here and especially on Facebook!

Is praise dance an art form?
Can the ministry (praise) be separated from the art (dance)?

Can a “praise dance competition” judge the dance and not the praise?

I guess your answer will depend on if you think they can be separated.

I like DANCER246 example — that is a company…not claiming to be a ministry…but still ministered too. So when they enter competitions, they don’t enter as “praise dancers” correct?

By: Jocelyn

Jocelyn — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 02:43:46 +0000

If my sweet daughter is with me when I minister. i ask her to wisper in my ear often,”this is not about Jocelyn, this is for Jesus.” this helps me keep my mind and heart on leading worship and not performing or competing.

By: dancer246

dancer246 — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 20:32:53 +0000

over the summer i had the opportunity to teach a praise dance class to a group that does competitions. the director is Christian. she formed the company to give young ladies a creative outlet for their talents, to teach them dance, and to keep them out of trouble. they are not a dance ministry, although what she does is a ministry. the do competitions and win a lot of awards for their dancing. BUT she also lets them know that there is another side to dance…which is why she exposes them to praise dance. it is a way to witness to those who do not know anything about God.
competition of that type is not wrong, it is simply different groups doing drills, cheers, dance that you would see at a football game etc. they are not using God’s name, it is a secular activity. there is a big difference between this type of activity and the mess that some are promoting, having praise dance competitions…it makes no sense!
why not have preaching competitions? i don’t agree with the choir competitions either. to me it is all the same thing, Lucifer stirring up trouble among the saints and the aints…

By: Dawn Churchill

Dawn Churchill — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 19:00:42 +0000

OMGoodness…you hit another hot topic:-) Personally, I think any type of competition in church settings among the saints of God, only contributes to jealously, strife, anger, and division. As I look in the Word, none of those things are Christ-like. If you wish to grow in your skills as a dancer, singer, actor, etc. you can certainly ask a trained… Read More professional to evaluate your skill and offer you constructive suggestions. But no one can rightly judge your heart, your praise,or your worship and deem it better than someone else’s.