Calcu-LATE

Starting something new is always exciting. Many announce fervent interest in the movement ministry after seeing a dance in person or in the media. Others desire to join because of the perceived glamour and celebrity associated with dance ministry (or so they think). As soon as the subject of money for garments, conferences, books, or offerings comes up, we will discover that there are less with us than started the journey.

Ministry costs. Though there are some who travel by all-expenses-paid arrangements, most movement ministries have not arrived at that place. Hosting several dancers and paying all expenses will incur a financial impact that most churches and organizers may not be able to reasonably provide.

Dancers often self-fund trips, purchases, and ministry education. This is a benefit in that the dancer is able to retain the experience, knowledge, and priceless opportunity to win souls for the Kingdom. It can also open doors that can lead to ministry donations, sponsorships, and funding.

Ministries should serve out of a desire to obey, please, and magnify the Lord. The cost of discipleship will mean surrendering some of our desired comforts and pleasures. If there are specific things that we must have in order to accept an invitation to minister, we should not wait until the last minute to make our requests known. We should avoid placing ourselves in situations where we find out that we do not have enough resources or time to accomplish the task. By then we are knee-deep, and it is already too late.

1 Chronicles 21:24 (NKJV)
Then King David said to Ornan, “No, but I will surely buy it for the full price, for I will not take what is yours for the LORD, nor offer burnt offerings with that which costs me nothing.”

Ecclesiastes 5:4-5 (NKJV)
When you make a vow to God, do not delay to pay it; For He has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you have vowed- Better not to vow than to vow and not pay.

Matthew 25:8-10 (NKJV)
And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’ And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut.

Luke 14:28 (NKJV)
For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it