- Lesson One: What is Dance Ministry
PDCM’s Teaching on the Ministry of Dance
First let’s define Dance. What is Dance?
PDCM’s definition of Dance: Dance is a language and it communicates the expression of many things such as emotions, desires, thoughts, and beliefs through the movement of our bodies.
Webster’s Dictionary: Dance is a series of motions and steps usually performed to music. It also means to move rhythmically usually to music using prescribed or impoverished steps or gestures.
What is Dance Ministry?
Dance Ministry is simply the process by which we use our gift of dance to carry out the act of ministry (service) to encourage, comfort, and edify the saints in the faith. Nothing more, nothing less. Sometimes we like to give something a greater spiritual meaning than necessary. This introduces error, confusion, and a host of other problems that the enemy can use to distract and divide us from our sole purpose of winning souls.
Pamela Peterson
July 14, 2008 at 5:17 am
I appreciate this site. I have been called recently to dance for the Lord. Although, more recently, the dancing is expanding to the different types. This site is helping to explain the Types. i am hoping to find out information on the “stepping”
Angela
February 18, 2009 at 2:20 am
Thank you so much for this site. I will share this info with others. I work with the dance ministry at my church. I am still learning and growing in the things of God and praise dance.
kjones
April 20, 2009 at 6:41 pm
“Also the song should reiterate what is being preached since we are responsible to help prepare the hearts of the people for the Word of God”
Recently, I’ve heard this isn’t scriptual. Plz help me with this. I was told that worship, whether dance or song does not ‘prepare’ or need to be done before the Word is preached.
praisedancecentralministries
April 30, 2009 at 2:12 am
Hi Kjones. That is right. It is not scriptural. God’s word stands alone and it does not need a cheerleader. In my opinion we gather together to worship the Lord in the sanctuary or in the church building singing praises to His name together. When we go to the church building most of the time we are bogged down with cares of this life, what went on throughout the week and our minds (some of us) may be off somewhere else. I know I speak for others when I say that when I am singing love songs to the Lord with my bretheren or when I am being blessed with a testimony of a song or a dance all of that stuff kinda disappears for a while and helps me focus on why I came to church in the first place. While ministries like dance and the choir and etc. encourages us in the Lord it also helps or prepares our mind to focus on the what is being preached (to those who need it). It is not necessarily for that purpose but it helps.
Jennifer Leneus
April 21, 2009 at 3:01 pm
Hi I was just wondering how can I find out about the dance ministry workshops and how can i get my hands on the dance ministries videos…
Thank you
praisedancecentralministries
April 30, 2009 at 2:20 am
Hi Jennifer! You can find out about ministry workshops on the internet. If you type in key words like praise dance, or worship dance it should provide you with that information.
shambozi
December 11, 2010 at 4:49 am
I for one appreciate PDCM and the write up on praise dance. I am a 46 year old young man have been called to the Evangelistic Ministry of Praise Dance in 1989. I have been lead by Holy Spirit to dance @ different places not only confined to the church. People have come to know The Lord through my worship of dance as I’m lead by the Holy Spirit.
I now attend Raise Him Up Dance Minister located @ 18 W 18th St bet 5th and 6th Ave. 6 floor. Although I have been Ministering in dance for 20 years I am learning so much being in a biblical praise dance school. with other believers that understand their calling in dance. Dancing is for everyone that like to dance but praise dance is for those who are called to minister through movement evangelistically. B Blessed
PDCM
December 13, 2010 at 9:52 pm
Hello, Wow small world. I too was taught by Wendy at Raise Him Up Ministries. Thank you so much and God bless you.
Tiffany
November 4, 2009 at 9:07 pm
This is very good site. The information you have shared is so true and is a blessing to me. It is always good to received confirmation. Thanks and keep up the good work for the LORD!
Moria Jones
February 1, 2010 at 11:13 pm
Dear Praise in Motion,
I really do your website, this is the only one I have found that has given me this much iinsite on mime ministry. My question that I have is do you always have to paint your fsce when mimeming, and does the whith represent purity, and why was balck chosen as the dominant color.
praisedancecentralministries
March 9, 2010 at 2:18 am
Hi Moria,
I am not from Praise in Motion but I hope I can be so some help in answering your question. You don’t always have to paint your face and I really don’t know why some choose to paint it black. Maybe it is the way they want to express themselves. I know that I have painted my face white numerous times and that was only because it brings out the facial expressions more and people in the rear of the room can see the expressions. Many have harsh views on painting the face, but if the reason is explained to the people before ministering (like it is only used as a tool to bring out the facial expressions, nothing more and nothing less) they will not have to be open to their own interpretation and then start throwing bible verses to explain why it is wrong. So painting the face is optional. It can be useful when ministering to large crowds and that is why we do it. I hope this helps.
PDCM
Terronce Estell
March 11, 2010 at 5:48 pm
I thank God and you for this site. For sometime now i have been doing workshops and classes thru partner dancing (Ballroom and Chicago Stepping). Ive found that there are so many similarities that pull me back to ideas of letting go, allowing ourselves to be led and at the same time to be leaders, trusting, having faith and the list goes on and on. Its all pretty much new to me but i receive new revelation all the time. My question is how do you think two people dancing together would be viewed as a form of dance ministry. I feel that there is a very thin line and i dont want to cross it.
jesh812
June 10, 2010 at 2:16 am
hi thank God for this site!
truly, I’ve learned a lot!
God bless…
Sheila
August 27, 2010 at 3:21 am
This site is just wonderful, full of knowledge for dance ministry and put in simple wording, it is so inspiring for one that want to do dance ministry, lead by the holy spirit no doubt. Thank You, God Bless
jaiyeola olufunmike
September 16, 2010 at 1:44 pm
i reli enjoyed the piece
Shonda
September 17, 2010 at 10:23 pm
Wonderful site. Thank you for the information
Jasmine Jones
September 27, 2010 at 6:12 pm
I’ve truly learned sooooo much from this. Our Dance Ministry just went down the drain and I’ve really been praying to God about giving me and answer as to why..I finally have my answer. Thank you SO MUCH! Thank you Lord!
Freida
November 2, 2010 at 5:49 pm
Thank you so much for the tips/teaching. I really agree and enjoyed it.
carolyn valentine
November 11, 2010 at 4:55 pm
i want a list or can someone tell me where i can find what the praise dance signs mean and learn new ones. for example: when we use the word GOD our fingers are shaped sort of like a (L). i want to learn the right way, expressions while dancing.
THANKS FOR ALL THAT YOU DO AND MAY GOD BLESS
maureen
January 12, 2011 at 6:23 pm
The L is the sign for Lord in sign language. You can find Religious signs from a book titled, ‘Religious Signing’ by Elaine Costello.
Sara
February 5, 2011 at 1:36 am
Hi,
I am currently taking a dance class in college. I have always had a strong love for dance particularly in the Jazz/Hip Hop genre. I don’t know for sure if God is calling me into some type of dance ministry or if it is just something that I enjoy doing.
My question is, if you are currently in a dance ministry or a believer who is a dancer how did the Lord call you into it? How did you differentiate doing something you enjoy and the Lords calling?
Thanks!
PDCM
February 26, 2011 at 10:00 pm
Hello. Dance was something that I always loved doing. When I became a Christan everything changed even my dance. Instead of dancing for the world I began dancing for God. It started in the pews during praise and worship and people were blessed by it. Then I started to dance with the worship team and a couple of girls joined me. I would not say that God “called” me to it, but it was an opportunity for me to bless and encourage the people of God (AKA to minister). Remember sis, the Lord’s calling for all of us is to preach the gospel to the lost. We also have the responsibility to minister to one another and this is what I do through dance. Sometimes we like to over-spiritualize things and that is when it becomes hard to determine if we are doing it or if God is “calling” us to do it (I am in no way referring to spiritual gifts and callings). There is nothing sinful or wrong with ministering (encouraging, comforting and blessing others) by doing what we love (sing, dance, art or whatever talent God has bless us with). If God has given us a natural talent we should count as a privilege to share with others. God bless.
PDCM
Vanessa Green
March 1, 2011 at 5:53 am
This was very helpful, thank you for takung thre time to explain dance ministry. To God be the glory.
Positive Expectations!
Nicole
March 17, 2011 at 9:08 pm
Ok I have a question. So are we all anointed? I’m just confused a little bit about the truth and anointing part of this. But this is very helpful thank you so much.
PDCM
March 18, 2011 at 1:59 pm
Yes. If your were baptized with the Holy Ghost you are anointed.
PDCM
ronnie
March 20, 2011 at 1:52 pm
hi My name’s Ronnie from the shacah crew im very blessed with this words and verses it incourage me alot. specialy i m a christian hip hop dancer and since hip hop have a bad name and before i feel like im puthing the world in the church and there are certain moment of question and prayer about what shoud i do.
thank you very much.
Ronnie
Flying Geese
March 27, 2011 at 5:16 am
This article you have written on dance ministry is challenging and encouraging( at least thats how i recieved it ) I have been struggling on something so bad lately. I always want to dance in service becuase thats just how i feel about the Lord. I never do it becuase i am afraid it attracts attention to me and distracts people from worshiping. But when i worship at home i go all out. I am a tricker and its hard to keep from grabbing attention when i trick. A few of the members at my church are in the christian ballet troupe “Ballet Magnificat!” and sometimes they just take off worshiping in the spirit and it ALWAYS blesses me and also makes me want to move. I also breakdance and now that i am off of the bboy battle scene i know the Lord wants me to use it for his glory. And just knowing that is so much more fulfilling. I really dont want to ever use my gift from Him to take glory from Him. I want to be used mightily by God though. I am waiting for the Lord and seeking his will on this one. My question was originally “how do i know when i am dancing being led by the spirit and Dancing just because i want to?” but i sorta answered that myself talking about it. My new question is “how do i do what i love to do without attracting attention to myself?”
Deborah
May 3, 2011 at 4:06 pm
THANK YOU!!!! This was a well written description of what God’s dance ministry should look like. I will share this information. Again, thank you for allowing the Lord to use you to write this to help others. May God continue to bless you!
Shanice
May 17, 2011 at 12:46 am
Hi, I’m seventeen and recently been selected to Lead in dance in my Assembly. This site was very helpful to me, i commend and thank God firstly and the persons responsible. Thank you for helping the Body of Christ, not just in your Assembly, but all over the world……. Trinidad and Tobago.. Again I say Thank you….
jesse rebekah robinson
May 17, 2011 at 10:30 pm
this is great,i need this at the end of the day worship is a lifestyle.God bless you..
Shanice
May 30, 2011 at 3:33 am
God Bless You as Well! ….
minister Erica
May 23, 2011 at 1:27 am
God bless you for this information i was really bless by it thank you.
Keisha Simmons
June 4, 2011 at 11:58 am
Thank you so much! I found so much helpful information. There were things that I always knew, but I wasn’t quite sure how to explain it or get it across to my dance ministry in a way they could understand, Thanks again & God bless! please continue to share there is so much we all could learn from one another as one body!
Min. Mary Jane Quintanilla
July 14, 2011 at 4:31 am
This article is beautifully stated. When we worship and minister it is for the Glory of God. I have a wonderful friend,she is a loyal respectable woman of God.Evg. Thomas states: “Minister the Dance” not “Dance the Dance” One thing I will add, let our worship be unto Him, no fake, no copy, but the real thing. As we worship, do not let anyone tell you, you are doing it wrong; because when it is the Holy Spirit dancing with you, how can anyone be wrong. This is you and Him, and the blessings and manisfestations of Yahshua will be on His people. Keep dancing into His Glory!
Shalom
Angela Cary
August 27, 2011 at 12:14 pm
This is an excellent tool for those in the body of Christ seeking to worship through dance. Thank you for the extensive knowlegde, wisdom and instruction that this forum has provided!
keng
October 6, 2011 at 12:05 pm
Hi, I really appreciate your tireless effort PCDM in giving us gospel dancers the real dimension of Ministry. Earnestly speaking in my two years of ministry it now that I know were am heading to. Don’t forget the fact that these information you’ve given is also Ministry. THANK YOU! GOD BLESS.
keng
October 6, 2011 at 12:09 pm
God is Love
Antoinette
November 21, 2011 at 8:12 am
This is SO very helpful for me. I honor God for allowing me to use my gift of dance to minister to his people. Continue to provide helpful tips as the Lord leads you.
P.s. Giving biblical reference is extremely helpful as well.
Thank You Again! (:
Gena
November 23, 2011 at 4:50 pm
Thank you sooo much for all this insightful info just through reading this, I am receiving the confirmation I have been seeking. God Bless you.
zilphia
December 6, 2011 at 1:37 am
Wow,at last information on dance then to top it off ministring through dance.I thank you for explaining it in simply detail and also for encourging others to move forth in glorfying God.May God Bless each of you for your added comments they all have helped me .
Tay Brown
December 23, 2011 at 7:13 am
This is really a blessing. I dance and just as you wrote people would ask me to dance to a certain song but I will tell them I can’t just dance to any song it has to be a song that God has given to me and as well as one that I can relate to. I truly believe when you dance that you should put all focus on the God and allow the Holy Spirit to manifest in your worship. I have found and this since I been dancing for the past 4 years that when you are dancing so that the Holy Spirit can flow your dance is much beautiful and and lives are being impact thru your ministry. Thank you for this lesson I’m share with some others. This is wonderful!!
Damian
January 6, 2012 at 6:05 pm
Ok! I took everything you said into consideration and I still don’t think that Dance is a Ministry, If you feel to dance within a church setting that’s your thing.
1. I’m still yet to find out how does it glory God.
2. How does it convict your hearts? How does it minister to you and i’m not talking about the music behind the dance i’m talking about the DANCE?
PDCM
January 14, 2012 at 6:18 pm
Hello,
With all love, if you don’t think dance is a ministry then that is simply your opinion. We like what we like and as humans that is just the way we are. No matter what I say, I probably won’t get you and others who don’t approve, to see it as saints simply giving back to God our natural talent. Singers do it, musicians do it and many others with other talents (mediation, communication etc.)do it and no one has a problem.
You said: I’m still yet to find out how does it glory God.
This is how: Scripture teaches us that whatever we do, do it to the glory of God (1 Cor. 10:31-33;Col. 3:17). So, are we wrong in doing so? Are we going against scripture? No. Are we going against preference, personal opinion of what should and should not be according to the way things has always been done in church? Yes. This is where the real problem is.
you said: How does it convict your hearts? How does it minister to you and i’m not talking about the music behind the dance i’m talking about the DANCE?
Dance does not have the responsibility to convict anyone’s heart. It is the Word that does it. We are dancing to music (not dancing in just moving our arms and legs aimlessly. Some do and the dance really has no meaning. When they do this, it leaves a bad impression on dance ministry as a whole and it is viewed as nonsense and something done that was not necessary. When this happens, I too often have the same questions you have.) So, when we dance to music, demonstrating what is being said or sung through movement (this is the art of the dance). People are blessed when we as dancers bring out what is said in demonstration. Some come to us and said “I have heard that song many times, but the way you guys brought it out in the dance gave a new meaning. You told a story and it was my story and I was blessed and encouraged.” We are not just dancing for the sake of dancing. We are conveying a message. This is how it ministers, beyond the music. I hope this helps.
Also, I think another problem is that dance in the church has been over spiritualized. It is not complicated. We are just giving glory to God and encouraging the saints. You say, how is one encouraging the saints. I have included some links of dance ministries that have blessed me. It is wonderful to see the saints use their gifts and talents for the Lord.
This dance was created by my friend Clarissa in the pink. Watch her minister.
This dance also:
Other Ministries and their links
Look at these children and teens use their gift to glorify God! The fact that these kids are learning a discipline (the dance), not on the streets, using their bodies to dance for God is encouragement enough.
PDCM
Aerian Vivaine Wanabela
February 10, 2012 at 7:35 am
i have been seriously thinking about dance ministry and especially because that is what i love to do.i’ve gotten to see some music with new eyes n it’s true that we can give God our all by dancing.thank you for this site because it has blessed me a lot.BLESS YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
james sabbah
February 20, 2012 at 5:37 pm
wow am blessed by this site
Chris Dance
May 24, 2012 at 8:47 am
When I got born again I made up my mind not to stop dancing but use it to bless the name of God .thank you so for bringing out the meaning of dance .God you