Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Let's Get Digital!

Access to information is becoming easier than ever! Just a few years ago, there were about a handful of books that we could read on the subject of praise and liturgical dance. Worship arts writings have abounded for years, but study on the ministry of movement was not as abundant as it has become now. With the growth in popularity of self-publishing, many authors have released books about dancing for the Lord with relative ease.

Although paperback books are multiplying by leaps and bounds, as technology has expanded, we must extend our ability to reach the masses as well. Amazon Kindle and Nook by Barnes & Noble allow authors and publishers to submit works for digital download and portability. My books, "Company Keepers: Dance Ministry Daily," and "For This Cause I Bow My Knees, A Moving Testament," are available in paperback, Kindle and Nook formats! You do not have to purchase an eReader device to download digitally. You can get the app for your smartphone or computer and read them as well!

If you are wondering how I was able to publish successfully, let me show you how through "Divine Turnaround Online Intensives!" I offer online courses in Book Writing & Publishing (English and Spanish versions!), Conference Planning & Event Management, Dance Company & Studio Management, and Kingdom Business. You do not have to be available in person to take these Intensives. All you need is access to the internet. Are you ready to embrace your calling?

Download "Company Keepers: Dance Ministry Daily" on Nook HERE!

Download "For This Cause I Bow My Knees, A Moving Testament" on Nook HERE!


Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Dance Leaders Advance in Las Vegas!



Have you heard? Dance leaders are preparing to advance in Las Vegas September 25th-28th, 2013.

Rain Rein Reign's most progressive conference to date, Dance Leaders Advance will offer electives including:

Master Level Dance Instruction

Business Coaching

Financial Management

Product Line Development

Garment Line Production

Technology Tools

Spiritual Advisement

Professional Counseling

AND MORE!

Registration will be offered in two levels (General and VIP) and includes lunch daily!

Our instructors have demonstrated a high-level of success in their respective fields and want to invest in your success. If you are planning to go to a conference next year, why not get many of your needs addressed at Dance Leaders Advance?

Visit our conference website to get a sneak peek at what you can expect. Our speakers will be announced soon... You will NOT be disappointed!

Conference Website: http://www.danceleadersadvance.com

SEE YOU IN LAS VEGAS!

Rekesha Pittman

Conference Host

http://www.rekeshapittman.com

Thursday, November 1, 2012

Let God Do It

Ok... I realize that with advances in technology, social media, and international inter-connectivity, those of us in the "Christian" sector are wondering what is "right" and "wrong" to do in terms of ministry? My advice to you is to "Let GOD do it!"

Several years ago, I had a dream that one of my friends in ministry had a powerfully anointed group of dancers that ministered to the point that the church shook! I tried to approach her at the end to share my appreciation, but I was blocked by booking managers and opportunists who wanted to "take the ministry to another level." Since I could not get near her, I shouted, "Let GOD do it!" She reports that this dream continues to manifest as accurate to this day.

This is not an attack on Gospel music artists trying to break into an industry to make a living from singing and recording. This is not saying that marketing and promotions are ungodly. This is a call to those who claim that we are in the ministry for the purposes of serving God's people, leading people to Christ, and operating under the anointing.

Dance and Worship Conference season will be upon us very soon. Although I look forward to hosting conferences, I am not excited about receiving requests to speak, fielding calls from booking managers looking for a platform for their artists, and people feeling like something is "wrong" with our relationship if they are not asked to present this time around. But wait! Doesn't the "secular" world advise us to make networking contacts with people and ask if we can be a presenter at a conference or industry trade show?

Luke 14:7-11 So He told a parable to those who were invited, when He noted how they chose the best places, saying to them:“When you are invited by anyone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in the best place, lest one more honorable than you be invited by him; and he who invited you and him come and say to you, ‘Give place to this man,’ and then you begin with shame to take the lowest place. But when you are invited, go and sit down in the lowest place, so that when he who invited you comes he may say to you, ‘Friend, go up higher.’ Then you will have glory in the presence of those who sit at the table with you. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” So, when we ask to dance or ask to speak, what is our TRUE motive? Often, I am asked to "pay" to place my dance company on a National program so that National artists will have an opportunity to see us and open doors for us. I understand that many Gospel artists do this, but as a movement ministry, we will continue to follow God! We have been given many opportunities to dance on major platforms, travel throughout the United States, and even ministered internationally in South Africa in just three short years! Instead of begging for opportunities, I ask the Lord to open doors for us to go where He has assigned us!

I encourage you, STUDY, PRAY, PRACTICE, and HUMBLE YOURSELF so that the Lord can exalt you! Yes, people may be able to give you a platform, but there may be strings attached! How many people in the industry have you heard of who have to do things because a contract requires it? I bless the Lord for the freedom to travel, teach, dance, and encourage people and He gets ALL of the glory! I am also thankful for those who have shown us favor along the way and obeyed God by extending us a chance to magnify Him. Before you send that email, post that video, or send that "ministry bio" remember to ask the question, "Lord, is this You, or is this ME?"

New King James Bible Version

1 Corinthians 10:31
Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

Revelation 3:8
I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name.

Sunday, April 1, 2012

Strengthen That Which Remains

In every ministry, group, or organization, change is inevitable. Often, many dance and movement ministries start out with great momentum, but stumble along the way. Disagreements, disunity, and division can creep in and alter membership, introduce bitterness, and cause massive departure. It can even dismantle the ministry altogether. We should not be surprised when this happens, but we should be prepared.

True dance and ministry leaders should not be destroyed when alterations must be done. Moses was a great leader, but he had to deal with the sons of Korah who rebelled openly against his leadership. It is important to note that Moses continued to behave righteously in the midst of adversity, and acknowledged that Korah and his camp were revolting against the Lord (instead of trying to justify himself). When controversy appears in ministry, we must resist the urge to defend ourselves in order to look good before other people. What we must remember to do is to continue to walk according to the Word and remain obedient to God. He will take care of those who stand against Him.

We must keep in mind that there will be people who will remain with the leader after the storm passes. These people are watching how the leader responds, endures, and recovers from conflict. Leaders can unknowingly cause further damage by making insensitive remarks, revealing confidential information, behaving self-righteously or telling the story in a way that exclusively benefits themselves. Although there is no need to mislead people about the facts, wisdom will teach us that all information is not necessarily public information.

I have personally experienced heartbreak in ministry, but thanks be to God, I continued to listen to Him as I was going through it. While facing a particularly challenging time, I distinctly remember Him saying, "Strengthen that which remains." Instead of focusing on the negative, I was reminded to encourage those whose commitment extended beyond my own personality, popularity, charisma, and even shortcomings. Through it all, I learned how to become a better and more effective leader. I was also able to reflect back on the experience with joy. We are now stronger than ever!

If you are dealing with difficult leadership, pray about how God wants you to handle the situation. Do not allow yourself to become critical, accusatory, or revolutionary outside of God's will. Make sure that you are following a leader that is in right fellowship with God. Sometimes, we stay too long under a leader who can no longer steward us and become problematic instead of progressive.

Facing adversity as a leader? Remember that ALL leaders face challenges. How we respond will expose us as great front-runners or expose us as unqualified to command. The people who stay with us will internalize how we treat others and imagine themselves in the same position. We must look beyond our own need for justice and remain just in all we do.

Continue to review the mission of the ministry and make sure that objective has not been lost. Encourage obedience to the voice of God, and stay in position until the Lord ordains a move. When we strengthen those who stay, we may rediscover the joy of ministering with like-minded believers, united in focus: To spread the Gospel and bring glory to God.

NEW KING JAMES BIBLE VERSION

Nehemiah 2:18
Then I told them of the hand of my God which was good upon me; as also the king's words that he had spoken unto me. And they said, Let us rise up and build. So they strengthened their hands for this good work.

Luke 22:32
But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

Revelation 3:2
Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.