Lesson Two: Misconceptions about Dance Ministry

July 14, 2008
Misconceptions about Dace Ministry


Let’s address some common misconceptions about Dance Ministry:  

1.  Some say it was not done in the 1st century church as a form of worship.
 
According to scripture worship and praise are not the same, even though we use them synonymously. Anyone or every thing (creature) can praise God (Ps. 150:6). However, anyone cannot worship God. In order to do so, it must be done in spirit and in truth (John 4:24).

Scripture teaches us in Psalms 150 to celebrate God or to praise Him. It doesn't matter what century we live in or whether it is in the worship service or in our homes. I personally think that some believers have their own hang ups with dance in the church and that is something they will have to workout for themselves. If leadership in the local church has no problem with it and everything is done decently and in order, then who can contest it?
What does the Bible say about praising God?

We are to praise God Where?   In his sanctuary
Who should praise Him?           Everything – every creature
Why?                                        For His mighty acts and according to his excellent greatness
How?                                        With the trumpet, paltry, harp, timbril, dance, instruments.
 
Also:
Declaring of thanks (Heb. 13:15)
Clapping hands and shouting (Psalms 47:1)
Singing praise songs (Psalms 9:11)
Psalms, hymns, & spiritual songs (Eph. 5:19-20)
Making a joyful noise (Psalms 98:4)
By lifting our hands (Psalms 134:2)
By being still (Psalms 4:3-5, 46:10)
By being loud (Psalms 33:3, 95:1-6)


The Praise Dancer’s role in the Body of Christ, toward the saint, is simply to edify, comfort and encourage them in the faith(1Thess. 5:11). When we dance we demonstrate, declare, and make known, through movement the truths of God, His mighty acts, and His promises.


2.  Another misconception is that dance has spiritual authority.
 
It is important to understand that Dance in itself does not have power or spiritual ability. God can use anything to carry out His will, but the things (people, methods) in themselves do not have any power unless the truth of God’s Word is attached to it and if it is anointed [set apart for His use - and we know that we are anointed because God has anointed us with the Holy Ghost who is the Spirit of truth (Acts 10:38)]. In other words, dance does not have spiritual authority....we do!


In scripture we find that God used many things (Mosses staff, a donkey, a fish net that Jesus told Simon to use to launch out into the deep, the pots that the widow used and the oil was multiplied in 2 kings ch. 4., pillars, alters, and the objects in the tabernacle). These things or objects were effective and played significant roles in worship and in carrying out the will of the father because they were anointed and set apart for holy use. In understanding this reason – why these objects were effective- we will  not fall into the misconception of thinking that the power is in the things themselves. Thinking that the power is in the objects themselves is dangerous because we can then begin to make idols out of objects and people. We can begin to worship them and put our faith and trust in those things instead of in the power of God working in us. Sometimes we can make idols out of objects and people without even knowing it.


Therefore, if we think that the source of power is in the dance or in the objects or people God uses, then we make the power of God of no effect. We are all vessels and anything God chooses to use are only objects. However, when they are energized by His power through our OBEDIENCE to His Truth (His Word obeyed habitually in our lives), then our dance is made alive and powerful having spiritual substance and impact because of the anointing (the process by which we are set apart for God’s use).


With that said, our talent of dance is a natural gift from God. Now that we are born again, we use our gift or talent to the glory of God. However, this is not to be confused with spiritual gifts that are given to us (Rom 12:6). Scripture teaches us that “all things were created by Him and for Him” (Col. 1:16) and that includes our natural abilities and talents. Now that we are His (1John 3:2), we use those abilities for His glory. NOW, when we dance we are praising the Lord and we are serving or ministering to one another, encouraging each other with a natural talent that God gave us meshed with spiritual substance (the knowledge of the Truth of the Doctrine of Jesus Christ and every action and work empowered by the Holy Ghost). This is what gives our dance power.


It is very important to understand that if there is no TRUTH, then there is no ANOINTING (we are anointed with the Holy Ghost who is the Spirit of truth -John 16:13), and if there is no anointing, then there is no spiritual impact. If there is no spiritual impact, then we are just performing.

Sonia Kong, PDCM