Wednesday, June 24, 2009

You Wear It Well!

Dance conferences often require planning in advance, even in the area of garments. Depending upon the length of the conference, often, at least two clothing changes are needed for each day: Daytime Sessions and Evening Sessions. If we pack wisely, we can avoid overpacking with sufficent attire for the event.

During the Day: Modest comfortable clothing is usually the standard. Plunging necklines, sleeveless shirts, short-shorts, or bare midriffs are deemed inappropriate attire for ministry movement conferences. We must consider others, even if it means making ourselves a bit less comfortable. Many groups wear their ministry t-shirts or other dance-related attire to movement and workshop sessions. Images and wording that do not bring honor to God may offend attendees. When in doubt, stick to solid colors.

During the Evening: Many dance conferences encourage wearing praise garments, even if you are not scheduled to dance for the service. Group praise and worship dance may be encouraged, and beautiful garments add to the celebration in the atmosphere. Some base the evening attire on the conference theme, some choose a certain color for a certain night, and others just encourage you to wear a dance ministry garment. For non-dancers, worship-worthy attire is often the standard.

If we build our wardrobes in advance, we may already have many of the garments needed for thematic services. It helps to have solid basics that can be dressed up or down with an overlay or ephod. Solid white or black palazzos, tops, and skirts can be combined with colorful coverings to match multiple themes. Often, vendors at ministry events sell overlays and basics that you can use in the future for other events.

Planning ahead gives us the financial liberty to purchase any additional garments needed well in advance. Conference hosts should take care to announce any desired wardrobe requests well in advance to give delegates enough time to prepare. Whatever the selection, don't bust your budget trying to buy new garments for each event.

New King James Version

Exodus 28:3
So you shall speak to all who are gifted artisans, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, that they may make Aaron’s garments, to consecrate him, that he may minister to Me as priest.

Proverbs 31:24
She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies sashes for the merchants.

Isaiah 52:1
Awake, awake! Put on your strength, O Zion; Put on your beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city! For the uncircumcised and the unclean Shall no longer come to you.

Revelation 3:5
He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.

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