Dance and movement ministry has a growing presence on the internet and in the media. As many continue to make connections through social networking, there is also a danger lurking in the shadows of ignorance. Though internet access has definitely been used to bring glory to God, there is much temptation that lies at the door if we are not careful to exercise wisdom and discipline.
Anything exciting can become addictive. Many dancers spend countless hours online posting thoughts, quotes, observations, and opinions. When these activities get in the way of our responsibilities, we must not ignore them but make the necessary adjustments. We cannot remain babes, drinking milk only. We should welcome accountability in our lives, especially from those that love us.
Here are a few questions we must ask ourselves to know if we are compromising our families, ministries, or reputations online:
Do I spend hours of my day posting messages, even during work hours or designated family time?
Are the comments that I write edifying or just random thoughts?
Will the comments that I make in any way make me appear hypocritical in regards to the ministry God has entrusted me with?
Am I getting in arguments with people online that may cause more damage than good?
Can my comments be deemed inappropriate or do others often tell me that I am sharing "too much information?"
Did the time I spent online hinder me from writing my book, updating my website, rehearsing for upcoming ministry, or preparing myself for the future?
In any ministry context, we must accept the fact that how we present ourselves to the world can enhance or tarnish our ministries. There are healthy outlets for us to express ourselves, share our feelings, and connect with people. Opinions of men do not matter. Our behavior must agree with the Word of God if our faith is a lifestyle and not just a once-weekly phenomenon. We must ask ourselves at what cost are we willing to do harm to the Body to satisfy our own desires and need for self-expression.
New King James Version
Proverbs 14:23
In all labor there is profit, but idle chatter leads only to poverty.
John 9:4
I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work.
1 Corinthians 3:12-14
Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward
2 Thessalonians 3:10-11
For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Friday, August 28, 2009
Bitter/Sweet
I believe that the church must be relevant today. Dance Ministry should not be the same as it was 5 or 10 years ago. We must continue to grow in the things of God. With that said, the Lord does not change. We cannot call evil things good and good things evil if we walk in truth. He is still a Holy God. We must not handle the things of God without consulting Him about the proper order. When we aim to use secular means to reach the people of today, our motives matter. How far is too far?
Only the Lord can truly judge where we are in Him. When we receive the Holy Spirit, He will guide us into all truth. Fearing God means that there are certain things that He will reveal to us that shows us what pleases Him. When we aim to do a thing in with the motive to "reach" someone, we open the doorway for error. The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord. Jesus said if He would be lifted up, HE would draw all men unto Himself! We praise God for the diversity of movement ministry, but we must accept the fact that the Lord does not just accept "anything and everything" from us just because we do it in His name.
If we dance in sheer garments in the name of Jesus, is it ok because there was a soul saved afterwards? If we dance seductively in front of an audience and someone tells us they were blessed by it, does this make it acceptable? If He wants to reach someone, He will, but the end does not justify the means.
The Lord will hold each of us accountable for our actions. We must not take His name in vain. He gives us the liberty to dance, rejoice, praise, worship, sing, shout, and bring glory to His name. We must also remember that there is a time and season and purpose for everything. Let us make sure that we are moving in God's Divine timing.
New King James Version
1 Chronicles 15:13
For because you did not do it the first time, the LORD our God broke out against us, because we did not consult Him about the proper order.
Isaiah 5:20
Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
Matthew 7:21-23
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!"
2 Corinthians 6:14
Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?
Only the Lord can truly judge where we are in Him. When we receive the Holy Spirit, He will guide us into all truth. Fearing God means that there are certain things that He will reveal to us that shows us what pleases Him. When we aim to do a thing in with the motive to "reach" someone, we open the doorway for error. The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord. Jesus said if He would be lifted up, HE would draw all men unto Himself! We praise God for the diversity of movement ministry, but we must accept the fact that the Lord does not just accept "anything and everything" from us just because we do it in His name.
If we dance in sheer garments in the name of Jesus, is it ok because there was a soul saved afterwards? If we dance seductively in front of an audience and someone tells us they were blessed by it, does this make it acceptable? If He wants to reach someone, He will, but the end does not justify the means.
The Lord will hold each of us accountable for our actions. We must not take His name in vain. He gives us the liberty to dance, rejoice, praise, worship, sing, shout, and bring glory to His name. We must also remember that there is a time and season and purpose for everything. Let us make sure that we are moving in God's Divine timing.
New King James Version
1 Chronicles 15:13
For because you did not do it the first time, the LORD our God broke out against us, because we did not consult Him about the proper order.
Isaiah 5:20
Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
Matthew 7:21-23
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!"
2 Corinthians 6:14
Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?
Thursday, August 27, 2009
An Open and Shut Case
The ministry of movement entails more than dancing. As a matter of fact, anyone can be a liturgical praise dancer. Not everyone is a true worshipper, movement minister, or servant of the Lord. The Lord observes our every step, so we must proceed with caution.
Beyond what we do in front of others, what we say can promote health or bring destruction to our ministries. The messages that we share include both the words we say and the messages we write for public observation. Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks!
If we are on public social networking forums, blogs, etc, and openly display sexual innuendos, negative talk, and double-mindedness, this will affect our ministries. If we appear to need intense emotional therapy before others, it will hamper their ability to receive the word from us. We must pray for wisdom! It's not that we have to be perfect, but we must realize that we have the ability to place a stumblingblock in the paths of others if we are not careful.
The enemy is crafty. The Bible reminds us in Proverbs 29:11 that a fool vents all his mind! If we are not students of the Word, we can find ourselves being the antithesis of Christian living. Does this mean that we cannot express ourselves with one another and confess our faults? Of course not. The question is, do we want to air out all of our imperfections on a community billboard? What we say can and will be used against us- good or bad. Let's not hinder the spread of the Gospel with our own foolishness...
New King James Bible Version
Ephesians 4:29
Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.
Colossians 3:8
But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth.
James 3:10
Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.
Beyond what we do in front of others, what we say can promote health or bring destruction to our ministries. The messages that we share include both the words we say and the messages we write for public observation. Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks!
If we are on public social networking forums, blogs, etc, and openly display sexual innuendos, negative talk, and double-mindedness, this will affect our ministries. If we appear to need intense emotional therapy before others, it will hamper their ability to receive the word from us. We must pray for wisdom! It's not that we have to be perfect, but we must realize that we have the ability to place a stumblingblock in the paths of others if we are not careful.
The enemy is crafty. The Bible reminds us in Proverbs 29:11 that a fool vents all his mind! If we are not students of the Word, we can find ourselves being the antithesis of Christian living. Does this mean that we cannot express ourselves with one another and confess our faults? Of course not. The question is, do we want to air out all of our imperfections on a community billboard? What we say can and will be used against us- good or bad. Let's not hinder the spread of the Gospel with our own foolishness...
New King James Bible Version
Ephesians 4:29
Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.
Colossians 3:8
But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth.
James 3:10
Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
User Friendly
The term "friendship" today is used very loosely. On many social networking sites, we are invited to confirm people as our "friends." This confirmation usually grants them acces to our profiles and other personal information. As a result, we can see commentary and photos that are uploaded by our friends onto these websites. This can prove to be quite an experience!
As more of us become connected, we may receive requests from people that we may not actually know, but have some mutual friends or other common interests. These sites can become awesome tools of reaching beyond our geographic locations to share common ideas, activities, and encouragement. If done correctly, this allows the Body to become more jointly fit together.
Many dance ministries are becoming acquainted online. On the other hand, we may meet someone at a conference or other ministry gathering, and then find them online to remain connected. With growing technology, we are able to stay in contact and updates for a few seconds a day instead of a several minute (or hour) phone call. Information dissemination can happen quickly and easily.
The danger for us lies in the temptation to relentlessly promote our events and happenings without thought of the extended ramifications. I have personally been "tagged" in photos and videos that I am in no way present in or connected to. Being tagged will usually lead someone to see the referenced item. Imagine my surprise when upon several occasions, I was in no way affiliated with the subject!
Why is this happening? People often tag videos with the names of popular people to drive "visitors" to the video or website. Maybe the people promoting the subject wanted to make sure that I saw the image or video link? I believe that we must walk in truth. If we are posting images and videos and do a little "creative advertising" to get people to take a look, we are in effect, lying.
Must we use one another without permission to promote our own agendas? Are we requeting people as "friends" only to enlarge our advertising bases? Do we gather friends to brag about how many people we have on our social networking pages, and then use them as marketing tools? People who use people soley for gain are not true friends. Let us continue to walk in integrity at all times, and not get caught up in the ways of the world around us...
New King James Version
John 15:13
Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.
2 Corinthians 4:2
But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.
3 John 1:4
I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
Galatians 5:13
For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
As more of us become connected, we may receive requests from people that we may not actually know, but have some mutual friends or other common interests. These sites can become awesome tools of reaching beyond our geographic locations to share common ideas, activities, and encouragement. If done correctly, this allows the Body to become more jointly fit together.
Many dance ministries are becoming acquainted online. On the other hand, we may meet someone at a conference or other ministry gathering, and then find them online to remain connected. With growing technology, we are able to stay in contact and updates for a few seconds a day instead of a several minute (or hour) phone call. Information dissemination can happen quickly and easily.
The danger for us lies in the temptation to relentlessly promote our events and happenings without thought of the extended ramifications. I have personally been "tagged" in photos and videos that I am in no way present in or connected to. Being tagged will usually lead someone to see the referenced item. Imagine my surprise when upon several occasions, I was in no way affiliated with the subject!
Why is this happening? People often tag videos with the names of popular people to drive "visitors" to the video or website. Maybe the people promoting the subject wanted to make sure that I saw the image or video link? I believe that we must walk in truth. If we are posting images and videos and do a little "creative advertising" to get people to take a look, we are in effect, lying.
Must we use one another without permission to promote our own agendas? Are we requeting people as "friends" only to enlarge our advertising bases? Do we gather friends to brag about how many people we have on our social networking pages, and then use them as marketing tools? People who use people soley for gain are not true friends. Let us continue to walk in integrity at all times, and not get caught up in the ways of the world around us...
New King James Version
John 15:13
Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.
2 Corinthians 4:2
But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.
3 John 1:4
I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
Galatians 5:13
For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
I'm Baaaack!
WOW! So where do I begin? It's been a minute since I have blogged, but am now ready to continue the mission. The Lord has given me several subjects to write about, but today I just want to give some testimonies and ministry updates.
Reignaissance Designs(TM) at BLESSED Retail Store!
The Lord blessed Rekesha Pittman(me) and Victoria Shaffer to open BLESSED in Las Vegas, Nevada! I was able to quit my job and become a full time entrepreneur! At BLESSED, Reignaissance Designs(TM) are available and features dance garments, streamers, Classy Classwear(TM), Praise Dance Accessories, and more! Visit us at 3300 S. Jones in Las Vegas, Nevada for your praise dance needs. Call (877)420-4777 to make an appointment TODAY!
Here is a news article written about the store in the local newspaper:
http://www.viewnews.com/2009/VIEW-Aug-04-Tue-2009/SpringValley/30303215.html
DANCE MINISTRY DETOX
DMD was held in Las Vegas July 16th-18th. I must say that it was the best conference that Rain Rein Reign Ministries has hosted to date! Each speaker and workshop presenter was led of God to do the work to DETOX the affected areas of the Body. Healing, deliverance, and supernatural worship flowed! It is hard to describe the miracles that took place at Dance Ministry Detox. Many thanks to God, the staff, speakers, and DETOX "patients" that made this conference possible.
REIGN DANCE COMPANY- LAS VEGAS
We officially begin training a liturgical dance company in April 2009. The Lord has been good to us, and we are currently dancing at several community events. Come join us at the following events:
August 23rd: Summer Concert at Mountaintop Faith Ministries
September 5th: Power 88 SuperSoul Gospelfest at the Henderson Pavilion.
September 20th: Diversity Fest at Cashman Theater.
DIVERSIFIED PRAISE DANCE CONFERENCE
I just returned from the Diversified Praise Dance Conference held by Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Temple in Hampton, Virginia on August 14th-15th. The hospitality and care exhibited by SMZBC was awesome! The conference was refreshing and inspiring. God truly moved in the place and had His way!
CARNIVAL OF PRAISE DANCE- ANIMAL KINGDOM EDITION!
Kudos to Lakita Humber for hosting a praise dance blog carnival! Check out many anointed writers here:
http://panehpraise.com/2009/08/carnival-praise-dance-1-animal-kingdom-edition/
UPCOMING CONFERENCES
Equipping the Saints- September 10th-12th (St. Louis, MO)
Hosted by: Paneh Praise Dance & Mime Ministries
Register Online: http://equippingthesaints.eventbrite.com
There is much more that I have to share with you, but I just wanted you to know that I am still serving dance ministers through the written word. Please feel free to send a message for any issues that you would like to see addressed.
In His Service,
Rekesha Pittman
Reignaissance Designs(TM) at BLESSED Retail Store!
The Lord blessed Rekesha Pittman(me) and Victoria Shaffer to open BLESSED in Las Vegas, Nevada! I was able to quit my job and become a full time entrepreneur! At BLESSED, Reignaissance Designs(TM) are available and features dance garments, streamers, Classy Classwear(TM), Praise Dance Accessories, and more! Visit us at 3300 S. Jones in Las Vegas, Nevada for your praise dance needs. Call (877)420-4777 to make an appointment TODAY!
Here is a news article written about the store in the local newspaper:
http://www.viewnews.com/2009/VIEW-Aug-04-Tue-2009/SpringValley/30303215.html
DANCE MINISTRY DETOX
DMD was held in Las Vegas July 16th-18th. I must say that it was the best conference that Rain Rein Reign Ministries has hosted to date! Each speaker and workshop presenter was led of God to do the work to DETOX the affected areas of the Body. Healing, deliverance, and supernatural worship flowed! It is hard to describe the miracles that took place at Dance Ministry Detox. Many thanks to God, the staff, speakers, and DETOX "patients" that made this conference possible.
REIGN DANCE COMPANY- LAS VEGAS
We officially begin training a liturgical dance company in April 2009. The Lord has been good to us, and we are currently dancing at several community events. Come join us at the following events:
August 23rd: Summer Concert at Mountaintop Faith Ministries
September 5th: Power 88 SuperSoul Gospelfest at the Henderson Pavilion.
September 20th: Diversity Fest at Cashman Theater.
DIVERSIFIED PRAISE DANCE CONFERENCE
I just returned from the Diversified Praise Dance Conference held by Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Temple in Hampton, Virginia on August 14th-15th. The hospitality and care exhibited by SMZBC was awesome! The conference was refreshing and inspiring. God truly moved in the place and had His way!
CARNIVAL OF PRAISE DANCE- ANIMAL KINGDOM EDITION!
Kudos to Lakita Humber for hosting a praise dance blog carnival! Check out many anointed writers here:
http://panehpraise.com/2009/08/carnival-praise-dance-1-animal-kingdom-edition/
UPCOMING CONFERENCES
Equipping the Saints- September 10th-12th (St. Louis, MO)
Hosted by: Paneh Praise Dance & Mime Ministries
Register Online: http://equippingthesaints.eventbrite.com
There is much more that I have to share with you, but I just wanted you to know that I am still serving dance ministers through the written word. Please feel free to send a message for any issues that you would like to see addressed.
In His Service,
Rekesha Pittman
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