i. Scriptural References
• DANCE IN THE BIBLE
There are many references to show that dance was part of Israel's culture. It still is today!
Jephtah's daughter - Judges 11v34
Ladies dancing in the vineyard - Judges 21v21-23
Children playing games - Matthew 11v17
The return of the prodigal son - Luke 15v25
Celebrating victory - 1 Samuel 18v6-7
Dance is associated with joy and contrasted with mourning
Lamentations 5v15
Psalm 30v11
Ecclesiastes 3v4
There is to be dancing (and joy) when Israel is restored - Jeremiah 31v4&13
Miriam led dancing, singing and praise - Exodus 15v20-21
David danced before the Ark of the Lord - 2 Samuel 6v14-23
1 Chronicles 15 and 16
We are to praise God with dancing - Psalm 150v4
Psalm 149v3
Other references in the Bible to lively worship included dance. Hebrew words that have meanings related to physical movement were translated into English as "rejoice".
• HEBREW WORDS FOR DANCE AND WORSHIP
All the words have reference numbers from Strongs Concordance in brackets
WORDS FOR DANCE
CHIYL (2342) - to twist or whirl in a circular manner. Judges 21v21
MACHOWL (4234) - a round dance. Psalm 30v11 Jeremiah 31v4
MECHOWLAH (4246) - a dance / company of dancers. Judges 11v34 Exodus 15v20
DALAG (1801) - to leap or spring. Song of Solomon 2v8 Isaiah 35v6
CHAGAG (2287) - to move in a circle / march in a sacred procession / celebrate a festival / dance. Psalm 42v4 Zechariah 14v18
KARAR (3769) - to dance or whirl. 2 Samuel 6v14
RAQAD (7540) - to stamp / spring about / dance / jump / leap / skip. 1 Chronicles 15v29 Ecclesiastes 3v4
PAZAZ (6339) - to spring or leap. 2 Samuel 6v16
PACACH (6452) - to hop / skip over / to dance. 1 Kings 18v26
GIYL/GUWL (1523) - to spin round under the influence of emotion (usually rejoice)
1 Chronicles 16v31 Psalm 9v14
ALATS (5970) - to jump for joy / be joyful / rejoice / triumph. Proverbs 28v12
Psalm 68v3
WORDS FOR WORSHIP
SCHACAH (7812) - to worship and to bow down. Genesis 22v5 Exodus 34v8
BARAK (1288) - to kneel and to bless. 1 Chronicles 29v20 Nehemiah 8v6
HALLAL (1984) - praise and celebration (from which hallelujah is derived). 1 Chronicles 16v4 Ezra 3v11
• GREEK WORDS FOR DANCE AND WORSHIP
All the words have reference numbers from Strongs Concordance in brackets
WORDS FOR DANCE
ORCHEOMAI (3738) - to dance. Matthew 11v17
CHOROS (5525) - a round dance. Luke 15v25
AGALLIAO (21) - jump for joy / rejoice greatly. Matthew 5v12 and
Revelation 19v7
SKIRTAO (4640) - jump for joy. Luke 1v41 and Luke 6v23
WORDS FOR WORSHIP
PROSKUNEO (4352) - to worship, to kiss (like a dog licking its master's hand),
to prostrate oneself in homage. John 4v23 and Revelation 7v11
LATREUO (3000) - to serve, minister, worship. Phillipians 3v3 and Luke 2v37
• FLAGS AND BANNERS IN THE BIBLE
The Hebrew words used in the Old Testament for flags and banners are:-
DEGEL (Strongs 1713/1714) means to be conspicuous
NACE (Strongs 5251) means a signal
OWTH (Strongs 226) means a signal
We are pointing people to Jesus in our praise and worship.
• SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES
Tribal and family banners:- Numbers 2v2
Numbers 10v10-14
In warfare:- Psalm 74v4
Isaiah 31v9
Psalm 20v5
Song of Solomon 6v4
As a rallying point:- Isaiah 5v26
Isaiah 11v10
As proclamation :- Jeremiah 50v2
Jeremiah 4v6
Jeremiah 51v12
Isaiah 62v10
• TAMBOURINES IN SCRIPTURE
The Hebrew word for tambourine is TOPH (Strongs 8596)
The Hebrew word for playing a tambourine is TAPHAPH (Strongs 8608)
The tambourine has been used since ancient times
Laban wanted to send Jacob and his family away with music - Genesis 3v27
Job speaks about people who played music and tambourines but did not want to know God - Job 21v12
The tambourine was used in warfare and to celebrate victory
The Lord defeating His enemies to the sound of the tambourine - Isaiah 30v32
Miriam led the women in praising God for His deliverance from the Egyptians
Exodus 15v20
Celebrating David's victory over the Philistines - 1 Samuel 18v6
Jephtah's daughter meeting him after his victory - Judges 11v34
The tambourine was used in praise and worship
Prophets using the tambourine and other instruments
1 Samuel 10v5
2 Samuel 6v5
1 Chronicles 13v8
Psalm 68v25
Psalm 81v2
The praise and worship was joyful, but done in an orderly manner
The tambourine is associated with dance
Psalm 149v3
Psalm 150v4
Jeremiah 31v4
See also some of the previous references
Exodus 15v20
Judges 11v34
1 Samuel 18v6
• SCRIPTURAL MEANING OF COLOURS
RED - blood and atonement Leviticus 17 v11, Hebrews 9 v12-14
BLUE - Heaven and heavenly grace Exodus 24 v10
PURPLE - royalty Judges 8 v26, Mark 15 v17-18
WHITE - purity and holiness Psalm 51 v7, Matthew 17 v2, Revelation 3 v4
SILVER - redemption Numbers 18 v15-16
GOLD - divinity and Gods Glory Exodus 37, Exodus 40 v 34-35, Revelation 1 v13-14
BRONZE / BRASS - judgement Exodus 27 v1-3, Exodus 30 v17-21
YELLOW - celebration and joy Isaiah 51 v11, Isaiah 61 v3, Hebrews 1 v9
GREEN - new life Psalm 92 v12-14, Hosea 14 v8
BROWN / GREY - repentance and humility Esther 4 v3, Daniel 9 v3-5
ORANGE / YELLOW / RED - fire and the Holy Spirit Acts 2 v3
PLUM - richness, abundance, infilling of the Holy Spirit Hosea 2 v22, Joel 2 v24
BLACK - sin and death Psalm 23 v4, Ephesians 5 v11
II. Practical Guidelines
USING DANCE IN CHURCH
• SPIRITUAL MATTERS
Our main aim is to glorify God through our expression and movement. We may bless and encourage others, and be blessed ourselves, but our primary purpose is to worship
JESUS.
Before dancing, our own relationship with the Lord must be right, or the worship will not be real, and would be evident to those watching.
Prayer is vital - dance ministry is powerful and attracts spiritual attack. This can come in many forms, opposition, illnesses, injuries, disunity, even cars breaking down! However - He that is in us is greater than he that is in the world (1John 4v4). Also Jesus gives us His authority to overcome the powers of darkness - Luke 10v19.
We must be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit and not "do our own thing"
John 15v4-5. We are to seek His will, plans, and direction, not our own.
Unity amongst the dance group is a must, any tension will be very visible. Also God blesses us when we are in unity - Psalm 133.
It is important to have the agreement of the church leadership for what you are doing. This is God's way of doing things - Hebrews 13v17. Submission to leadership also includes the worship leader, and the dance group leader. If you are in a situation where your leader is opposing something that you are sure the Lord has asked you to do, be patient and pray. The Lord will resolve the problem in His own time and way.
VISIBILITY
If you are using dance to present a message to a congregation, it is important that they can see every movement without hindrance or distraction. Dance is received visually, and attention to detail in this area is the equivalent of the preacher using the PA system to be heard properly. Whilst it is not always possible to find a perfect solution, sometimes a creative idea works well. Here are some areas to consider.
Furniture and equipment arrange so that it does not block the view of the dance. This is very dependent on the moveability of items, and the agreement of the church.
Lighting it is worth checking the visibility, especially if you are dancing on a dark night. It may be possible to reposition the dance, or add additional lighting.
Dancers garments and makeup see "makeup and finishing touches"
For checking that everything "looks right" it is best to have an assistant watching at a dress rehearsal.
• DEALING WITH OBJECTIONS TO DANCE
We may sometimes find Christians who object to dance in worship. In these situations it is important that we aim to maintain fellowship and "agree to disagree agreeably". I have found three basic grounds for objection.
1. Specific objections - they may have had a bad experience with dance in church in the past. Areas which may give grounds for complaint include lack of modesty in costuming, poorly presented choreographed dances that were not rehearsed enough, and dancers hearts not being right with God. These are areas that we should aim to get right, in order to glorify God.
2. Some claim it is not scriptural - some Christians may not know about the scriptural references to dance. Few people know of the original physical meanings of the greek and hebrew words translated "rejoice". Some know about the "dance" references but dismiss them as "not for today", particularly the old testament verses. They believe that dance was OK as a form of worship in ancient Israel, but not today.
3. They don't like it - this is at the root of a lot of objection to Christian dance. People often feel threatened by change, and feel comfortable with "routine". Dance as something new can pose a threat. When I first danced in church, the Lord gave me choreography to traditional hymns. I think this was to help the older members to accept dance, and it worked well. Dance is a visual and powerful means of expression, and is used as a means of the Holy Spirit touching and convicting people. It is possible that an individual may resist this, and it may manifest as opposition to the dance group. Sometimes jealousy can come from individuals with low self esteem, who may see the dance group as being what they are not.
In all these situations it is important to pray for the Lord's guidance, and for those who oppose us - Matthew 5 v 44. He will show us how to love them. In some situations He may direct us to introduce dance with sensitivity and wisdom, so that we may bring greater glory to His name.
• CULTURE IN THE CHURCH
Culture - the values and rules of a society or group
Church culture should be underpinned by fundamental beliefs like salvation by atonement, the authority of the Bible, and other scriptural values. There is a wide variety of "expression" of this that would commonly be found between different nations and denominations/styles of worship.
God made a huge variety of plants and animals, many of which are very specialized for the environment in which they live. Diversity amongst humans can have positive aspects, the church was designed to have different functions, like the human body (1 Corinthians 12 v12-27). Absolute uniformity does not appear to be part of Gods plan, unity definitely is! (Psalm 133) (John 17 v20-23)
What is important is to respect others, exercise sensitivity, and to "agree to disagree disagreeably" on differences. The practical outworking of this sometimes needs creative solutions!
I recently took part in an interesting survey on causes of disunity in local congregations. Half of the group reported problems with choice of and volume of music, the remaining issues were about minor details like tea and coffee. In this survey of local Christians we did not find any theological arguments, just cultural ones.
Different styles of worship in churches allow people to enter in to worship in a way that is meaningful to them. Worship is expressing our love and awe for God, flowing from our relationship with Him. One of my favourite scriptures is Deuteronomy 6 v 5, which speaks of expressing our love for God with our entire being. This means spirit, soul and body, our soul includes our mind will and emotions. I have personally felt very restricted in expressing worship in "traditional" services, finding it hard to fully express the extent of my love for the Lord. I would also accept that the free expressive worship that I enjoy would not be helpful for everyone.
When using dance in worship, the type of church "culture" you are in is likely to affect what is appropriate for you to do. It is very important to have the backing of the church leadership for your ministry. If you can introduce dance in a way that is complimentary to the culture of the church, you are more likely to be successful. It is very important that the congregation can enter into worship in a meaningful way, either through dancing themselves or the message portrayed by a presented piece. People dislike change because they find it threatening, so if "new" ideas incorporate some familiar elements, they are easier to accept on a cultural level. I have explained some of the reasons why people object to dance in worship in dealing with objections to dance. It is essential to have the guidance of the Holy Spirit, who knows all things and can direct us according to his will. He has shown me when and how to introduce dance, where to exercise patience and sensitivity, and when to step out boldly.
• SAFETY MATTERS
• JOINTS AND MUSCLES
It is important to do warmup exercises before dancing. Muscles are more prone to
injury when doing vigorous movements without doing some gentle ones first.
Joints can feel stiff if they have been held in one position for many minutes. This
is because synovial fluid production (the "oil" in our joints) stops when the joint is still.
Gentle stretching exercises help to increase our flexibility and range of movement. This
is helpful when doing worship dance, to achieve greater expression with our body. It
also reduces the risk of injury from sudden unaccustomed movements.
• SOME IMPORTANT POINTS REGARDING EXERCISE
* Seek medical advice if you have a medical condition, are pregnant, or have a
physical injury.
* Use exercises from a well qualified source, and follow instructions carefully.
* Work at a level that is comfortable for your body (some people are more flexible than others and can stretch further), you should only feel a gentle stretch not pain.
• COSTUMES FOR WORSHIP DANCE
Dance in worship is a powerful ministry, that communicates in a visual way. Costumes used can enhance the message of the dance, and should definately not detract from it.
THREE IMPORTANT PRINCIPLES
The design and colours of the costume must be right for the dance
The costumes must allow freedom of movement
The costumes must be modest
MAKING DANCE COSTUMES
If you have a dressmaker available I would recommend making costumes for dance.
You can receive the design and colours from the Holy Spirit
You can ensure that you can do a full range of movements in an outfit
Fabrics and designs can be chosen to ensure modesty
You can make items to fit all shapes and sizes
It is easier to add to a collection of matching costumes
MODESTY
This is extremely important for dance in christian worship
Outfits should not be tight fitting
Necklines must not be low
Skirt lengths should be below the knee
Matching cullottes, worn under skirts, are a good idea. Particularly when dancing
outdoors, or on a raised stage.
Bodices and blouses - line, or wear a camisole, thermal vest, or leotard underneath.
Appearance
Hair should be tidy, and is best away from the face (to see facial expressions)
Jewellery shiny metals and stones catch the light and visually distract
watches and jewellery can also catch on clothing
hair decorations can be distracting
jewellery + hair decorations can be used if all wear the same and it goes with
the dance
for slow worship dances I wear no jewellery
TAMBOURINE RIBBONS
Types of ribbon to use - satin ribbon
woven "metallic" ribbon
lametta (Christmas decoration)
Widths of ribbon to use - very narrow up to 3/8ths inch (1cm) wide
Length of ribbon to use - each piece should be exactly 36 inches (90cm) long
Attaching ribbons to the tambourine- use a 1 inch (2.5cm) binding ring
(a hinged "clip together" ring from an office supplies shop)
• MAKING UP A SET OF TAMBOURINE RIBBONS
Use approx six pieces of ribbon cut to length (36in/90cm)
Seal the ends of all the ribbons with clear nail varnish to prevent fraying.
Fold one of the narrowest ribbons in half and sew both layers together approx half an inch from the fold, forming a small loop.
Fold the next ribbon in half and place over the top of the first one.
Stitch through both ribbons over the top of the previous stitching
Continue adding and stitching ribbons, putting the widest ones on last
Ensure that you keep the loop patent so that the binding ring will go through all the layers
• HELPFUL TIPS
Choosing colours - look at notes on scriptural meanings of colours
Widths of ribbons - a mixture looks best
Thread - invisible thread or a good match to the ribbon on the outside
dance in christian worship
