Return to Sender

We cannot assume that just because someone shares the same interests that we do that we have permission to solicit them. In the growing age of technology and social networking, there are many who are marketing themselves to the masses. Many in the dance ministry have taken the reins as self-promoters in cyberspace. While at first it may have seemed a minor inconvenience to receive "junk mail" in an electronic-mail format, the influx of free intenet marketing is beginning to take its toll.

Many dance and movement ministries are filling e-mail inboxes and social networking bulletin boards with announcements about the next not-to-be-missed event, conference, or highly-anointed service. It seems as though everyone is promoting a "destiny-driven, life-altering, never to be done again" type of gathering. Cyber bulletin boards allow the reader an opportunity to select which messages they desire to read. Saturating bulletin boards with the same event over and over reeks of self-promotion. Sending unsolicited items via e-mail daily can land us in the SPAM category indefinitely.

How do we avoid being bothersome or labeled as self-promoters among our fellow peers? People should want to keep in contact with us and vice versa. This is primarily based on relationship. We should ask permission to add people to our mailing lists or allow them the opportunity to unsubscribe without fault. We should not just gather every dance-related e-mail that we see and commence to spreading the Word. Getting the news out about events can be done properly, but if we spend our time reaching out to people without the proper boundaries in place, our reputations will end up in the junk mail category and our messages in the recycle bin.

Psalm 94:4 (NKJV)
They utter speech, and speak insolent things; All the workers of iniquity boast in themselves.

Philippians 2:3 (NKJV)
Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.

2 Corinthians 1:12 (NKJV)
For our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience that we conducted ourselves in the world in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God, and more abundantly toward you.

2 Corinthians 12:6 (NKJV)
For though I might desire to boast, I will not be a fool; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, lest anyone should think of me above what he sees me to be or hears from me.

James 3:16 (NKJV)
For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.