About My Father's Business- Part 1

I have been inspired and encouraged to write a series by a few of my ministry friends, so I would like to start with an underdeveloped area of dance ministry: Business Administration. I would prefer to call this series "Wisdom for Dancers" as I see a lack of it for so many of us. This subject is not only for those who host conferences or lead dance ministries, but for everyone who would like to operate at a higher level of excellence. Great tips, preparation, and practical advice can save us lots of money and heartache down the road.

Today I will cover some basics, and will add as the series progresses...

Dance Ministry Name
Our name speaks to our personality, character, and function. There are several examples in the Bible where people are given names or renamed according to his or her purpose in life: (Abram to Abraham / Sarai to Sarah). At other times, a completely new name may have been given as conversion took place (Saul to Paul).

In our dance and movement ministries, our names should speak to the assignment to which the Lord called us. If we find ourselves with a name that may be trendy (Ex: DIVAS of Praise) or a product of our own invention, we may have to pray that the Lord reveal to us His intended name for the ministry. (For the record, I do not know a group named "DIVAS of Praise," and only used this example for clarity.)

Groups that are named after a local church may find themselves only dancing inside of that church when viewed prophetically. There is nothing wrong with functioning within our assigned areas, but if we are to go into all the world with the gospel, wouldn't it make sense not to have names that limit us to one location? Naming a dance ministry that belongs to a church body in no way takes away from the relationship to the congregation. We must remember that we a part of a larger Body.

Genesis 17:15 (NKJV)
Then God said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name.

Dance Ministry Mission and Vision Statement
We do not have to search the internet to find a mission and vision statement to "borrow" from another ministry. We should know our basic ministry purpose, who we are called to serve, how we are to function, and why we are doing it through dance. If we understand that the basic purpose of this is to record our God-given mission and mandate, we can use this as a guideline to stay on target. We are each uniquely called to meet specific needs. If we find ourselves veering away from the goal, we need to take the necessary steps to get back in line.

Habakkuk 2:2 (NKJV)
[The Just Live by Faith] Then the LORD answered me and said: “Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it."

Dance Ministry Logo
This should directly relate to the ministry name and vision. The Word is full of visual imagery and symbolism. Our logo should be a good indicator of what people can expect from our ministries. Colors, symbols, font, and overall placement are all important factors to consider. Clip art may not be enough to portray an accurate picture of what the Lord wants to reveal through us.

A great Graphic Designer can assist with this process, but I have found that it's better to work with one who is also a spirit-filled believer. Prayer and a clear vision must be a key component in this process. Let's not feel inadequate, it's better to have something than nothing at all, but when we know better, we should do better.

Deuteronomy 4:23 (NKJV)
Take heed to yourselves, lest you forget the covenant of the LORD your God which He made with you, and make for yourselves a carved image in the form of anything which the LORD your God has forbidden you.

Dance Ministry Online Presence
There are multiple ways to present ourselves online including websites, social networking sites, blogging sites, and more. I will get into specifics later, but want to highlight the importance of the image that we project to the public. If we are living a lifestyle that reflects Christian principles, it may not be as difficult to censor ourselves online.

If we post comments and pictures that would make people question our stand as it relates to the Gospel, we may need to think before placing these things in public for the world to view. What may seem like freedom to us may backfire as we see our ministries lose momentum due to foolishness on our part. Our liberty should not cause others to stumble. It's amazing to me to see how many people in ministry do not have a grasp on how the enemy can use what we write and expose to our own demise.

2 Corinthians 6:3 (NKJV)
We give no offense in anything, that our ministry may not be blamed.

When we consider the plans of the Lord for our lives, we will open ourselves up to be instructed in His ways. While we may be creative, wisdom will teach us how to properly handle what the Lord gives us. As we continue to be about His business, we will talk about more areas that will help us do His will, and not our own.