Paneh Weekly Roundup #5: Cell Phone 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.
There were some great dance ministry related articles posted around the Internet this week. Check out a few of my favorites:
Idol Eyes I love Minister Rekesha’s creative ability with words. "Idol Eyes" is a warning for those in ministry that are idolizing someone and the subject of such attention.
Cell Phone Evolution
From the Mail Room: Oct 2009
October 20, 2009 by Lakita
Filed under From the Mailroom
Periodically, Paneh will post questions collected from the previous month. If you have a question, feel free to send me an email with the subject "Question from the Mailroom." Where applicable, I will supply Scriptures to support the answers. Some items are matters of opinion and experience. If that is the case, I will say that as well. You all are welcome to offer your point of view on a given question in the comments. Iron sharpens iron!
1. I wanted to know what type of dance do you recommend a dance ministry do during praise & worship? What is appropriate in a large setting?
There is no specific “type” (ballet, modern, etc) of dance that is exclusive for praise & worship. Whatever type is used should fulfill the purpose of ushering the people into the presence of the Lord. The dance ministry should compliment whatever it is the singers are ministering. The goal is not for people to look and see what it is the dance ministry can do, but see the Lord moving through them. My suggestion is to keep it simple during praise & worship. Simplicity does not mean repetitive however. You can march in a line or circle, face different directions etc. Also, when used properly, items such as flags, billows and streamers can be very effective during praise & worship.
When worshipping in a large setting, you can strategically position dance ministers in various locations throughout the church. Everybody does not have to dance in front of the people. For example, position some in the aisles and the balcony.
2. I have seen ministries, for example dance with 5 people, then when the next song is sung some dancers may leave and maybe 1 or 2 are left….so they are doing a solo or duet…then on the next song ..another transition comes where the dancers are switching out or all may come together and dance. Do you consider this appropriate or distraction?
If the dancers are transitioning with the psalmists and complimenting what it is they are doing I don’t see it as inappropriate. This is like during song ministry, the choir may sing 2 or 3 selections. If the second selection has a soloist or a different choir director they will adjust accordingly.
1 Cor 14:40 says Let all things be done decently and in order.
The ministry should make every effort to transition seamlessly. Those transition out should not be talking or going over choreography (that would be distracting)! They need to stay in a posture of worship even though they are not leading worship at that time.
3. Can you tell me what the difference is between a dance company and a dance ministry at church?
There are subtle differences between a Christian dance company & a dance ministry. Typically, a dance company’s priority if performing in various venues, while a dance ministry’s focus is…ministry. There is an expectation that a dance company possesses a certain skill level (there are professional and amateur companies) and typically there is a more defined level of commitment from the participants. Being a part of a company may expect members to pay some sort of fees or dues which normally goes towards operating costs and technical training. Company’s may also receive commission for their performances.
It is my opinion that every Christian Dance Company should also be a dance ministry. However, every dance ministry does not have to be a dance company.
For example, I am a student & part-time instructor at the Anointed Feet Christian Dance Academy of the Arts (AFCDAA), it is an academy, but it also has several companies that will travel and minister.
Minister Rekesha Pittman is the artistic director of Reign Dance Company. They are an excellent company, however they are definitely a ministry!
Now What?
We would love to hear from you! How does your dance ministry operate during praise and worship? Are you a part of a dance company? Does it operate differently than a ministry? Leave your comments below!
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
Praise Dancing: Performance vs. Ministry vs. Entertainment
April 20, 2009 by Lakita
Filed under Encouragement
How many times have you heard the phrase "We don’t perform, we minister!"? It has become somewhat of a universal dance minister’s motto. I have personally instilled this concept into the youth dancers that I work with. To many, it is an ongoing frustration when people ask us
Are you going to perform today?
Let’s change OUR mindset!
As dance ministers, we should desire to be like Jesus! If that be the case, we must realize that JESUS PERFORMED!
Then Jesus began to denounce the cities in which most of his miracles had been performed, because they did not repent.
- Matthew 11:20This, the first of his miraculous signs, Jesus performed in Cana of Galilee. He thus revealed his glory, and his disciples put their faith in him.
- John 2:11This was the second miraculous sign that Jesus performed, having come from Judea to Galilee.
- John 4:54
Another translation says "mighty works" or "miracles". The Greek word used in Matthew 11:20 is DUNAMIS. It’s definition is strength, power, ability; more specifically, the inherent power, residing in a thing by virtue of its nature or the power for performing miracles. Dunamis is the implied ability or capacity to perform
The good news is we are granted that same DUNAMIS power!
And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.
- Luke 24:49For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
- 2 Timothy 1:7
We have been given power! Let’s exercise it through our ministry.
Performance Today…
Today, performance has taken on a new definition and carries the connotation of ENTERTAINMENT. There is nothing wrong with entertainment; however, it should not be confused with ministry.
It’s no secret that not everyone receives dance as ministry, and view it as entertainment. Don’t let that frustrate you another day! Do what the Lord called YOU to do! Perhaps that Lord wants to set them up for a blessing through you, but you can’t deliver it effectively because they "don’t understand your ministry". They may be seeking a performance (entertainment), but you ask the Lord to help you to PERFORM (display of His power).
