Tuesday, September 30, 2008

A Touchy Subject

The significance of our hands cannot be underestimated. The reason that we should not follow a set of concrete "rules" for dance ministry is that it restricts the working of the Holy Spirit in us. General wisdom can be applied, but obedience to the Lord is a must. We cannot copy a particular movement simply because we saw someone else do it. All of our choreography and direction must be led of the Lord.

Some dance ministers remain aloof from the congregation, while others make lots of eye contact and engage people through touch. While it is important to connect with the people we minister to, we must know that the Word does the work. We cannot haphazardly lay hands on people, pull them from their seats, run them around the church, and expect it to be powerful just because we assume that it will be.

When we place our hands on people without the Lord's leading, we may offend or embarrass someone unintentionally. The use of discernment will let us know if someone is feeling uncomfortable or does not want to be an "honorary dancer" at a particular moment. Maintaining a righteous lifestyle allows the Spirit to flow freely, removing "us" out of the way and allowing the Lord to touch His people in a way that only He can.

1 Timothy 5:22 (NKJV)
Do not lay hands on anyone hastily, nor share in other people’s sins; keep yourself pure.

Isaiah 52:11 (NKJV)
Depart! Depart! Go out from there, touch no unclean thing; Go out from the midst of her, be clean, You who bear the vessels of the LORD.

Job 17:9 (NKJV)
Yet the righteous will hold to his way, and he who has clean hands will be stronger and stronger.

2 Corinthians 6:17 (NKJV)
Therefore “Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you.”

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