2020 saw such a period of unknown. I’m sure each of you have many different feelings about that season. One thing for sure, was that we needed to stand firm on our foundation – God’s word and Jesus. It struck me that we need to be active with our dance ministry in any period of change moving forward, it was in 2020 that God began speaking to me about raising a worship dance army.

That my heart cannot be held by circumstance. For my eyes are locked on the God who sees the end. So when this world around me cries out, “Who can stand?” I know That I will not be moved for my feet are planted in You.

Lyrics from Firm Foundation, Selah

I want to share with you four ways that you can choose develop your dance ministry during a time of change. Ways that you as an individual can grow and develop your dance ministry, or ways you can do it for your group.

1. We are called for such a time as this.

During some of the many hours I was up with my son when he was young, I had quite an intense time of searching with God. There were many things on my mind at the time, but the biggest one was that God was calling us dancers and movers to step up. Step up and move, dance, declare God’s glory, peace, power and love across all that goes on.

The words from the song Firm Foundation were a consistent reminder in that time, speaking affirmation, encouragement and joy into a situation that looks quite bleak! We share our faith through dance and movement, demonstrating our faith, deeds and action.

Part of my response to that conversation with God involved embracing the lovely March 2020 weather (before lockdown was implemented). Heading to the beach, because that was where God said I should dance, and putting movement to that song.

So the first way to develop your dance ministry is by being willing to respond to Gods call.

Moving forward as a dancing army

In 2019 I shared about the golden whirlwind picture I was given, where essentially there were little tornadoes above each person’s head. As dancers and movers moved the little tornadoes gathered together into a big one.

All those little ripples merged together to create a change in the atmosphere that was unprecedented (you can read more about it here). I had already begun to see this picture start to come to fruition at the beginning of 2020. Going forward our ability to move and dance as one will be even more important.

God is leading me to encourage a Dancing Army. By this I mean, making the choice to use our dance and movement to cause an even greater shift in the atmosphere. We have this magnificent opportunity to demonstrate worship and faith in different way going forward. Your dance ministry can help this grow by being bold and stepping out, building a dancing army. Choosing to simply be Jesus with your movement and encouraging others.

Dance a little Louder

The song Raise a Hallelujah has a line in it ‘sing a little louder’ where every bit of me wants to do more than the words give. God is calling us to move more, to dance strong, dance it loud and dance it from the heart. Now is our time as dancers to step out into all God has made us to be. To pray, to move, to go deeper with God.

Part of this requires gathering with other dancers and as we become more of a dancing army – our dance, our song – is getting louder.

Dance ministry is hard work, it requires dedication and always choosing to put Gods pathway first. It also requires stepping out to encourage others and be in the gap when others can’t. Dancing louder with more vibrancy, declaring Gods heart and putting his word front and centre.

Create an online dance ministry community

Community brings cohesion, the opportunity to join together and move as one consistently. You cannot beat face to face dance ministry. However, there is worth in gathering online to build a firm foundation of reading Scripture and responding to it. Which is why in March 2020 I listened to God and began Prayer Dance Bites – before the COVID lockdown.

These sessions now run online once a week and provide an opportunity to gather with others, look at a piece of Scripture, discuss and respond with movement and prayer however we feel led.

How could you create community online to encourage others with your dance ministry? Choose to get people moving and dancing their prayers. Creating fellowship, catch up and time together.

Want to join us?

There are several different ways that you can join UC Grace.

Prayer Dance Bites – weekly sessions online exploring a specific verse, discussing and reflecting through movement and prayer. More info here.

Christian Dance Workshops – run monthly in Farnham, Surrey offering a time to gather for fellowship, movement and worship together. More information here.

Christian Dance Weekends – an annual event in the UC Grace calendar. Going Deeper runs on the odd year, Dancing Free on the even year. They’re a weekend fun of responding to God’s word, praying, moving, creativity, fellowship and fun. Suitable for all. More info here.

Resources – the shop is full of colourful resources to help you on your dance and movement journey – physical ones to move with, written ones to learn and grow with and digital downloads to implement day to day. Check them out here.

Sign up to the newsletter here and be the first to know about new events.

Don’t forget this….