The Time Space Continuum…for Dancers
January 5, 2010 by Lakita
Filed under Choreography
photo credit: Haags Uitburo
During the 31 Days of Choreography Tips for Dance Minister’s challenge, I mentioned that you need to be conscious of your spacing.
Space
He stretches out the north over empty space – Job 26:7
When ministering through dance as a soloist or group, you want to take advantage of your space. Whenever possible, rehearse in the space you will be dancing so you can see how to use it effectively. A group of dancers can be strategically positioned to cover range and depth, while a solo dancer must rely on the movement in the choreography to utilize space.
Soloists will be the main focus during the duration of the dance. The congregation should not feel like they are watching a tennis match so discretion must be used with the amount of movement. Keep all movement relevant!
Moving forward is strong, authoritative & direct, while moving backwards can be used to show emotions like fear, doubt, or guilt. Circular motions can be used to represent the eternal nature of our God, and expansive moves and be used to show how grand He is.
And Time
Then the LORD appointed a set time – Exodus 9:5
Another important aspect of choreography is the use of time. Some selections are too short to effectively minister, and others are too long! A congregation may lose interest if the song is long and repetitive. Also, your ministry may not be well received if you are expected to stay within certain time constraints. It is always better to ask than to assume!
Typically short songs can be appended with another song, or if possible a live psalmists and musicians can augment the selection. This should be coordinated ahead of time and with a worship team that is in tune with the way the Lord wants to move the service. I love We Need the Glory from the Songbook of Micah Stampley album, but I wish it didn’t end so abruptly. Asking singers and musicians to continue allows the spirit of worship to saturate the atmosphere.
Perhaps more common…songs are too long. I recommend newer groups keep the choreography between 5-7 minutes. However many songs are well over 10 minutes. There are 3 solutions:
1. Choose another song (probably not your best option)
2. Work with a sound technician to fade out the song at a certain point (easiest option)
3. Use audio editing software (ex. Audacity) to edit the song done to size yourself
There is no “one size fits all” rule to using time & space. However, if you are conscious of these very important elements and the options available, you’ll be able to make informed decisions during preparation regarding your choreography.
My the Holy Spirit lead and guide you as you dance in HIS presence!
Paneh Weekly Roundup #7: Giving Edition
Every Thursday, I will post a link round-up of articles I've found while researching the Internet. While all may not be directly related to dance ministry or worship arts, I hope it will be of benefit to the dance ministers, mime ministers and worship artists that frequent this site.
We are entering the holiday season, this time of year means different things for different people. Some focus on giving, others receiving, for some it means spending and others celebrating and memories. I wrote a guest post for Christian Personal Finance called There is No Such Thing as a Free Lunch – Or is there?, it has to do with the concept of giving selflessly. As we prepare for Thanksgiving festivities & Christmas productions, let’s go out of our way to be a blessing to others.
Enjoy these articles from around the web!
Do You Hear What I Hear? – Reverend Stephanie Butler reminds us to be open to receive a fresh wind from the Lord. Just like he communicated to young Samuel (1 Sam 3:1-12), He is still communicating today.
Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord,
and he will repay him for his deed.
Proverbs 19:17
Dancers, do you know why you are told to breathe while Stretching? 4Dancers blog explains the “why” of this important stretching element. For those that teach, it may help to explain why breathing properly is important.
But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
Matthew 6:3-4
Homemade Christmas Ornaments & Decorations – Debt Free Adventure shares these ideas to help decommercialize Christmas and get together as a family creating these crafts
If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?
James 2:15-16
Sign On the Dotted Line started as a comment by Minister Rekesha Pittman on Dance Ministry Ethics #2: Contracted Ministry. The response was so thorough and passionate that it deserved to be its own blog post!
Conduct a food drive or help out at a soup kitchen this holiday season
His Hem Ministry provides information on a Tambourine workshop this weekend in Pennsylvania hosted by Shachah Ministries International.
In case you missed any of the articles posted here this month, there is a full recap in the October Summary
Dance & the Word | Ceramics 101
May 22, 2009 by Lakita
Filed under Dance in the Word
This was originally posted in Paneh’s newsletter.
Let me start off by saying this article has nothing to do with scriptures that reference dance! However this is a subject that has been on my heart for a while.
When I was in high school I took a ceramics class. I figured it was an easy class to counter the college prep course load I was taking. One of our first projects was to make a bowl. We walked into the storage room and we were handed this lump of clay. It was soft, had no distinct form and didn’t seem to have much of a purpose. I was given a picture of the finished project, instructions and set to work.
In the Bible, clay is paralleled to mankind. Gen 2:7 says “Then the Lord formed man from the dust of the ground” (or clay). Jeremiah 18:6 says “Behold, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are ye in mine hand.” Unlike us – God does not make mistakes (and I’ve made some UGLY vases). I needed a picture to see my finished product, but God is the Alpha and Omega – the beginning and the end. He molded us just the way we are to be!
Dance minister, you may not be as tall as the next person or be dissatisfied with some other characteristic that makes you — YOU. We can not get caught up in why we were created the way were are. Romans 9:20 says “Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why has thou made me thus?” — while we are like clay in many respects, once MAJOR difference is LIFE. The ability to get jump right off the potter’s wheel. A while ago my Pastor preached a sermon called “Stay on the Wheel”; the main thrust was to continue to let God mold and shape you — do not get caught up in doing your own thing.
In class the first thing we learned was how to prepare our clay for the kiln. We couldn’t just shape it into the form of the bowl and put it in the kiln. First we had to knead the clay until it was soft enough to be sculpted into the image I wanted. The Lord continues to work on his children…sometimes He has to pull and tug at us until we are ready to be molded.
My ceramics class was only 45 minutes so I was not able to finish sculpting in one day. We were instructed to wrap up our clay molds in plastic to preserve the moisture. Otherwise the clay would become hard and virtually useless. I don’t know about anyone else, but I don’t want to be identified by my potter as HARD and VIRTUALLY USELESS. Some would say stubborn! Some students did not properly wrap their molds and had a very stiff lump of clay. In order the soften the lump that had the add WATER. In the Bible, water is represented as the HOLY SPIRIT!
Isaiah 44:3 says “for I will pour water upon him that is thirsty…I will pour my spirit upon thy seed”
John 7:38 says “He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.”
Stubborn folks that are not willing to yield to the Lord will only be cured by the Holy Spirit! I kneaded my clay and it was now ‘moldable’. I can start sculpting now right? WRONG! (I just wanted to hurry and put my project in the kiln before the class was over). I was then told I had to mold my clay into a cube, cut it down the center and inspect for air holes. By this time I am thinking my easy elective is turning into more work than I bargained for! My instructor explained that when clay with major air holes is put in the kiln it will crack and be destroyed so it is important to take the time to inspect the clay and make sure there are no air holes.
These air holes are imperfections in our life. However they are hidden until we are cut. How do you respond when someone offends you…do you get on the phone and tear them down? That’s an air hole. Not ready for the kiln – lets do some more molding and shaping (we call it character building). Rom 5:3 says “we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience, and patience, experience; and experience hope.
photo credit: whitney waller
Spiritual Dance Techniques Pt 1: Balance
May 18, 2009 by Lakita
Filed under Practical Advice
The Importance of Balance
As dance ministers some of you may be thinking this article has to do with poise and posture. The type of balance discussed within this article is far more important than dance techniques – or the ability to maintain bodily equilibrium. This is the ability to put all aspects of our life into a harmonious arrangement that allows God to fully use us (His willing vessels) to get the glory.
We need balance! It takes direction from the Holy Spirit to be able to juggle responsibilities such as work / school, rest, recreation, church duties / ministry. I submit to you “3 Ps” to gaining and maintaining balance in your life.
Know your purpose! If you have not sought the Lord about your purpose you need to earnestly do so. Chances are that if you do not know your specific purpose you will tire yourself doing things trying to fulfill your purpose without any focus. Everyone has a common purpose and that is to worship the Lord and bring Him glory! Realize that you are unique – fearfully and wonderfully made! God has a specific purpose for you!
Once you know what your purpose is you can prioritize the things you have to do in your life (putting God first goes without saying!). When your priorities are in order, God can bless you. Look at Solomon, he didn’t ask God for money or a long life…but he asked for wisdom. Something he realized was necessary to accomplish his purpose. Because his priorities were in order, God blessed him with wisdom and wealth.
When you know your purpose and have established your priorities it is time to make a plan. Plans don’t always have to be extensive, but as the Lord reveals your purpose to you and you have set your priorities in order you can map out a plan. Let’s again turn to Solomon as an example. His plan was to build a temple (1 Kings 5:5) — according to his purpose. (Your purpose will reveal the direction you are supposed to take and be a catalyst for your plan to accomplish it). Solomon had a plan, as you read through the 2nd and 3rd chapters of II Chronicles you’ll see that he gathered resources, organized the people, designed the temple, and set a time to begin work.
“A basketball in my hands is worth about $19. A basketball in Michael Jordan’s hands is worth about $33 million. It depends whose hands it’s in. A baseball in my hands is worth about $6. A baseball in Mark McGuire’s hands is worth $19 million. It depends whose hands it’s in. A tennis racket is useless in my hands. A tennis racket in Pete Sampras’ hands is a Wimbledon Championship. It depends whose hands it’s in. A sling shot in my hands is a kid’s toy. A sling shot in David’s hand is a mighty weapon that brings down giants. It depends whose hands it’s in. Two fish and 5 loaves of bread in my hands is a couple of fish sandwiches. Two fish and 5 loaves of bread in God’s hands will feed thousands. It depends whose hands it’s in. Nails in my hands might produce a birdhouse. Nails in Jesus Christ’s hands will produce salvation for the entire world. It depends whose hands it’s in.” Your life in your hands is a mess, but your life in God’s hands will produce a miracle. It all depends on whose hands it’s in.
photo credit: bike queen
Standing Ovation
April 29, 2009 by Lakita
Filed under Encouragement, Guest Posts
This is a guest post from Evangelist Tracy Gibson, founder and director of Done Unto the Lord Ministry. The original text was sent as an email April 29th and is reprinted with permission in it’s entirety.
Greetings,
As I worshipped this morning and spent time in study, I was reminded of Stephen. No, he was not a dancer, but he was a man who’s life and Spirit were sold out to Jesus. Stephen surrendered his whole life to Christ’s will and purpose. The more Stephen poured out his life for Christ, the more Christ poured His life into Stephen. The word says Stephen was full of faith, grace and power doing great wonders and miracles among the people – so much that the people were not able to resist the wisdom and spirit by which he spake (Acts 6:8-10).
Stephen’s life was a great testimony to those of us who stand before the people of God to lead them into intimate places of worship, deliverance and freedom – that we must continue to walk worthy of our calling. Stephen was faithful, righteous, powerful, honest, forgiving, committed, determined, a worshipper, a servant and allowed the Holy Spirit to lead him even into death. Stephen had one brief performance (ministry), one time on stage (the dance floor) to shine (for Jesus), but it shaped the lives of many and changed the kingdom for ever. There was one man holding the coats in the back who needed to see and hear Stephen on that day and his name was Saul (Acts 7:58). Not only was Saul later converted to Paul, but on that day as Stephen gave his all – he received the best standing ovation anyone could ever receive. The word of God says
"But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God. And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God." (Acts 7:55-56)
As dancers when we seek to surrender every part of our life to the Father and fulfill God’s purpose, allowing the Holy Spirit to have complete control we become the very image of heaven’s dance on earth. Beth Moore puts it best, "A person full of the Holy Spirit cannot be full of one’s self." Let us as the Levites live a life that will honor the Father and bring Him great joy. Just as Stephen stood before the people and his face shown like an angel, when we stand to minister, let it be the radiance of the Holy Spirit that people see. Let us loose ourselves in God so much that people are not able to resist the spirit by which we speak (the movement of our body for Christ). Let us remember the testimony of Stephen and walk worthy of our calling. Let us proclaim and decree that we will be faithful to our Lord and our ministry of dance. Let us announce that we will walk in righteousness and power and live a life of integrity before a Holy King.
Let us shout to the world that we are a minister of the dance that is loving and forgiving, who is committed to the call on our life to be a Levite. Let us stand and declare that we are determined to continue taking dance back from the world and build the Kingdom of God with it as we worship in Spirit and in Truth. Why? Because we are servant of the Lord. When we move in Christ and for Christ if we reach one soul we will receive the most important standing ovation any dancer can ever receive – that of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. So, Minister as you dance and dance as you minister for the Father has need of your life – your whole life.
Take a look at the picture I have attached. I captured this image of Deacon Bonnie Wilson on Sunday April 26, 2009 at the "Victorious In Motion" Praise Dance Anniversary Celebration. Some may say "Yeah, it’s just the focus of the camera", but look around at everything else as it stays in focus. I believe and others who have seen this photo – believe that this is how we look as we minister through the power of the Holy Spirit – which is the anointing we move in "Jesus Christ" Himself. I believe this is what Heaven sees and those who are transformed by our anointed movement. I believe this is what Stephen looked like as he stood before the people and the Heavens were OPENED! Be blessed and continue to move for the one who moves you and "His Glory shall be REVEALED". Great blessings.
His Servant,
Evangelist Tracy Gibson
Founder & Director
www.doneuntothelord.com
