Poll: What type of articles do you want to see

Please use the poll below to let me know what type of articles/posts you would like to see here.  The purpose of this site is to be a benefit to the praise dance & worship arts community by providing information on subjects you all would like to read about.  This is a community so your feedback is appreciated!

The choices are:

1. General articles about dance ministry.  This could be choreography, garments, music, colors, starting a dance ministry, etc

2. Book reviews, like the one I recently wrote on The Purpose of the Dance by Dr. Ann Higgins

3. Event Recaps on various dance ministry events ( e.g. Dance for Joy event recap)

4. Opinion posts.  I haven’t wrote any opinion posts here yet because I wasn’t sure if people would be interested.  However, the brief opinion posts I’ve left on Facebook discussing creative artists stealing intellectual property and dance ministers leaving an event before it is over has generated a lot of discussion.

5. Interviews with other dance ministers

6. Guest posts, that is articles posted here from other dance ministers (guest post example)

7. Other – please let me know!

 

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Carnival of Praise Dance #2: Equipping the Saints Edition

It is my honor & privilege to present Carnival of Praise Dance #2: The "Equipping the Saints Edition!  While a "carnival of praise dance" may be new to some of you, the concept of blog carnivals has been around for a while.  Like a real carnival, a blog carnival puts a lot of interesting "stuff" in one place.  Eventually, this carnival will travel to other sites as it gains momentum.  Read this article for more information on blog carnivals and how to participate or host future carnivals of praise dance. 

If you’re a new visitor to Paneh Praise Dance & Mime Ministry, I’d like to welcome you!  You can stay connected by subscribing to our RSS feed (What is RSS?), Twitter, and/or Facebook

Below you’ll find the submissions to this month’s carnival.  Since I just finished hosting the Equipping the Saints Dance & Worship Arts conference, I thought it would be fun to call this the "Equipping the Saints" edition.  Between the articles are a few of my favorite pictures^* from the conference, when you’re done here, check out the Equipping the Saints Conference Recap.

And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.
Exodus 3:14

 

 

 

 

Rekesha Pittman, author of Dance Ministry Talk writes "Copy, Right?"  A candid discussion about intellectual property as it relates to creative arts ministry.

Jocelyn Richard, author of The Praise Dance Life submits Praise & Worship Dance, Mercy Seat.  Sometimes we must minister in dance in the mist of a personal trial.

 

 

And he that sat was to look upon like jasper and a sardine stone: and [there was] a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald.
Revelation 4:3

Dawn Churchill submits Dancing With Prophetic Purpose. Practical advice to consider when selecting a song for ministry.

Valisha McFarlane, author of Everyday Purpose submits Giving God Glory.  What is your worship EGO?  Are you guilty of edging God out of some of your situations?  Let this article shed some light on a few ways you can purpose everyday to exalt God only and give Him the glory He so rightfully deserves.

 

 

Exalt ye the LORD our God, and worship at his footstool; for he is holy.
Psalms 99:5

Pastor Lynn Hayden, author of Dancing For Him Blog submits His Eye is on the Sparrow The message of this article is how deeply God cares for us.

Since the carnival is posted here, there really isn’t a need for me to include a submission.  But I don’t want to miss out on all the fun! I’m submitting an article that is the first of a 2-part series entitled Tips for Ministry Excellence – Part 1 - Excellence in Communication.  The article defines the spirit of excellence and lists practical advice to improve communication in ministry.

We’d love to hear from you!  Leave your comments below and on the sites of those that submitted an article.  Would you like to participate in the next carnival of praise dance?  Check for the latest schedule information here or on BlogCarnival.com

Past Praise Dance Blog Carnivals: 

#1: September 2009 – Animal Kingdom Edition

 

 

*Photos courtesy of Charles Heard Photography if you would like to order any of the conference pictures, please contact him directly.

 

Editor’s Choice

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Equipping the Saints Conference Recap

As we praised and worshipped on one accord, He manifested HIS presence in such a tangible way.  There were testimonies of physical healings, deliverance and revival.

This year, we welcomed International guests from Bahamas, Barbados, Antigua, and Bermuda!  It was a special pleasure to fellowship with you all.  I count it an honor that you would travel to the United States to attend Equipping the Saints.  It is my prayer the conference exceeded your expectations and you left spiritually full, armed and equipped.  Ready to take new knowledge and inject it into your respective community. 

 

 

 

Thursday Night
Enter into HIS gates with thanksgiving and into HIS courts with PRAISE!

Wings of Praise started us off Thursday with a wonderful procession.  This was followed by congregational praise & worship led by Minister Rekesha Pittman.  Kudos to all the congregational dancers that volunteered!

 

Silent Praise from Omaha, NE ministered Praise Him in Advance by Marvin Sapp.  This ministries testimony truly blessed me! (Read it in full below!)  Since the conference, they have started a praise dance, mime, African, and flag ministry.  They are truly doing the work of the ministry.  To Dr. Anderson and the rest of the Allen AME leadership….keep up the GOD work!  I see the Lord all over those youth and the best is yet to come!

 

Patricia Burnett you touched my son’s chest during your prophetic dance and he has been seeking the Lord every since. Thank you so much for allowing God to use you in such a might way!!
- Miriam A. , St. Louis, MO

 

 

 

  Ms. Lauren Brown ushered us into the Holy of Holies with an anointed worship medley.  This P.K. (that is "preacher’s kid) is the daughter of our evening speaker Pastor Tanya Brown.  At 14 she is letter the Lord use her mightily through song, prophecy and the preached word! 

Our speaker, Pastor Tanya Brown from Bethesda Temple of Alton, IL stepped into an atmosphere that was charged for worship.  As she shared her testimony of the Lord’s grace, mercy and miraculous power the Spirit of the Lord began to fall and His people.  To God be ALL the Glory!

 

 

 

Friday – Breakout Sessions & Dance Intensives

This year we introduced several new sessions and a 4-hour dance & mime intensive.  Some of the new classes include Preparing to Meet the Bridegroom, Understanding the Times: Issachar & Israel, Raquad! Step it Up, Processions & Pageantry, Streamers in the Desert and About My Father’s Business.

The facilitators were all phenomenal!  They eagerly shared scripturally sound advice, revelations and knowledge.  Thank you all for sharing your gifts.

The dance intensive we just that….INTENSE!  Those that braved the 4-hour workshop learned foundational techniques that they could apply in movement.  I peeked in both classes and they covered conditioning, positioning, posture, walking, body alignment, choreography and so much more.  Everyone definitely looked as if they received a full body workout!

For His Glory Dance Ministry started our evening service with Anthem of Praise.  These girls ministered with flags under the anointing. 

The few students from the Mime Intensive session along with facilitator Minister Robert Hayes reminded us that We Need the Glory.  Their cry for the GLORY to fall resonated with the attendees as we shifted into worship.

 

Pat & Gary Anderson of Wings of Praise blessed us with Let the Veil Down Let the Praise Go Up by Judy Jacobs.  They used the billows in such a way it felt like the Lord was breathing on us!

 

 

 

Minister Rekesha Pittman encouraged us to FLY!  The Lord used her to minister to people prophetically and set the platform for our evening speaker Prophet Barbara McClain to bring the Word!

 

 

 

 

 

Saturday- Breakout Sessions, Five Fold Ministry Panel & Prophetic Wedding Feast

I was overwhelmed with the number of people that showed up for Between the Porch & Altar intercessory prayer!  Under the leadership of Dr. Ann Higgins we strategically prayed for our nation, Jerusalem, our visiting nations, and dancers everywhere to name a few.

We continued with our daily breakout sessions including new sessions: God’s Order for Garments TM, Streamers in the Desert and Challenges in Ministry (taught by my pastor!).

After the last breakout session, we held a 5 Fold Ministry Panel Discussion.  This was an opportunity for the attendees to ask their questions directly from those operating is various areas of ministry.  There were some great questions…I’ll post the Q&A that I can remember on the website, so be sure to bookmark this site and check back!

 

Dr. Ann Higgins blessed us with a ministry selection in the evening before our speaker.  The selection was so appropriate for Equipping the Saints – fill us up & send us out!

 

 

Elder Cecilia Beasley was our evening preacher.  The Lord allowed her to release a prophetic song…only 7 words, but it is still in my spirit: Thy Kingdom Come…Thy Will be Done.  It still brings tears to my eyes every time I think of it!

Immediately following her sermon was the Prophetic Wedding Feast.  Wings of Praise created a beautiful depiction of the Marriage of the Lamb.  There were streets paved with gold, beautiful banners, and communion.  It was such a personal worship experience as we were individually escorted through a canopy to ascend the the wedding feast.  It was an awesome reminder of the glory that awaits those of us whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life!

 

 

 

 

 

Sunday – Morning Worship & Fellowship!

On Sunday we caravaned across the river to my church home, O’Fallon Apostolic Assembly, for our 8:00 am service.  Dr. Ann Higgins preached a RHEMA WORD!  She encouraged us to step into position so we could continue to see Jesus. 

After service, we traveled to one of my favorite restaurants (Bristol’s Seafood Grill) for an all-you-can-eat Sunday brunch. We ate, laughed, and recapped all the events that took place…officially marking the end of EQS2009.

 

 

Special Thank You!

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Event Recap: Dance Ministry Detox

 

Dance Ministry Detox was a time of healing and deliverance.  The conference was ran with such a spirit of excellence.  The information was timely, relevant, and practical.

Being an effective movement minister means being whole.  Too often, we are satisfied with effective dancers.  Dancers ministering through hurt, unresolved issues, and financial turmoil to name a few.  D.Md dealt with these issues head on!  The no-nonsense candid approach of the facilitators set the tone for the "detox treatment program".

When you arrived at D.Md, you did not register…you "checked-in" to a treatment facility complete with a hospital tag that served as your registration badge for the weekend.  The room was draped white just like a hospital.  This was NOT your typical dance conference!

On the first night, we wore all black.  Minister Rekesha preached on the Spirit of Haman.  She broke down this spirit verse by verse so we can identify it as it tries to creep into our ministries.  The next time you read Esther….take a close look at Haman.  Many of us prophesy the favor of Esther…well watch out…because when you get Esther, you get Haman too!

It was refreshing to be surrounded by facilitators who were transparent and approachable.  Even the facilitators left refreshed.

As we continued our detox treatment, you could hear shackles being loosed.  The garment of praise was replacing the spirit of heaviness. 

The manifestation of HIS glory on the last night left everyone speechless!  For well over 15 minutes everyone sat still, completely silent in HIS presence.  The Lord himself applauded with 3 claps of thunder followed by rain!

The Lord used Rain Rein Reign Ministries (RRR) to bring rain to the desert!  A natural manifestation of what was taking place in the spirit realm!

Tremendous Kudos to Rekesha Pittman for hosting an outstanding conference and the ladies of Reign Dance Company blessed us tremendously through their ministry in dance and labor of love.   For future RRR events check out http://www.rainreinreign.com or http://companykeepers.blogspot.com

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Event Recap: Dance for Joy

 

I am still in awe of the GREAT things that took place at the Dance for JOY workshop!  JOYED UP! Youth praise dance ministry really took ownership of their event from beginning to end.  They picked the movement disciplines, the menu (pizza of course), and ministered through teaching and dance. 

The day started with their class "Dance for JOY" in which they spoke about why they choose to minister in dance, Bible verses supporting dance, and perhaps their favorite topic – Ministry vs. Entertainment, where they compared and contrasted ministry with entertainers their peers are familiar with (America’s Best Dance Crew, Hannah Montana, and Cheetah Girls to name a few). 

At an age where peer approval is priority, I commend them for standing in front of a group of their peers and teaching a foundational truth of ministry.  The revelations God downloaded into these teens, pre-teens (and pre-pre-teens!) was direct from His mouth to theirs.  Nuggets such as:

"When we minister we are not concern with making people happy – we want to make God happy"

"Ministry is letting God take control and move through you and with entertainment you stay in control"

"With entertainment you get the glory and with ministry God gets the glory"

**************

The breakout sessions were full of energy as the youth learned a variety of movement disciplines such as Step, Mime, African, and Praise.  There were classes for the Parents / Leaders as well such as: Pulling the Gifts out of your youth, Starting & Maintaining a Dance Ministry and the "Un-Blushable" Generation.

 

The energy poured into the afternoon service as we all came together to lift up the name of Jesus.  JOYED UP ministered an Israel Medley with the help of some of the workshop dancers! 

Sidebar: Let’s not underestimate our youth!  These kids learned choreography for a 12 minute song in less than an hour!!! 

We witnessed the Spirit of the Lord fall upon one of our youngest members as she Danced before the Lord and led us to a higher place of worship!  And a child shall lead them! 

Each ministry (all youth) came to give God glory!  Our speaker, Tearra Vaughn blessed us with praise dance too ~ GLORY!  She spoke directly to the youth to meet them where they are.  She was engaging an kept their attention…not always an easy task!

At the end of the day the altar was filled with youth that desired to walk closer with Jesus – to God be ALL the GLORY!

On behalf of JOYED UP! I would like to thank every participant & attendee for your loving support.

To JOYED UP (and their parents!) ~ I am honored to serve as your dance ministry president.  I love you all very much!

 

 

View JOYED UP! Ministering at the Workshop

 

 

 

Dancing for JOY!
Lakita

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His Glory Revealed Seminar – Fairview Heights, IL

 

In February I had the distinct pleasure of finally meeting fellow co-laborer in the Lord, Evangelist Tracy Gibson and Deacon Sherry Wilson!  I have exchanged emails with Evangelist Gibson for a couple years but our paths never crossed until this year.

HIS GLORY was truly revealed at the seminar and evening service.  It was an honor to be among to dance ministers in the opening procession.  As the sword, the banners, and the crown went forth there was a "holy stillness" that fell in the room.  

The atmosphere was saturated with praise as we proclaimed HIM as ONE GOD!  The praise team, musicians, and all dance ministers made HIM the priority of the evening.  

As we praised and worshipped, the spirit of prophecy fell and the leaders began to minister the word of the Lord.  

I honor Evangelist Gibson and the dedicated members of the ministry that yielded to the will of the Lord.  His Glory Revealed Fairview Heights was ordained by the Almighty and I’m sure He is pleased and smiling down on you!  

I asked Evangelist Gibson would like to share anything from His Glory Revealed.  This is her response:

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