As I was driving in my car today, the words "Teacher's Edition" dropped into my spirit. Do you remember having had a chance to glance at the Teacher's Edition of a textbook in school? What was wonderful about the Teacher's Edition is that not only did it have the information given to the students, it contained the answers to questions asked!
What a challenge it is today to be a dance ministry leader! When someone accepts the challenge to lead, it is pertinent that we also have access to the right information and the answers needed to efficiently teach people. How many dance ministries are suffering today at the hands of ill-equipped leaders? More than we'd like to admit...
If given the opportunity to serve, leaders must not rely on someone else to provide the roadmap we need. We must each seek to know how to lead the ministry according to the Word. It is also practical to obtain experienced wisdom, but we must remember that what may work for one ministry may not exactly fit our circumstances.
In order to assemble the "Teacher's Edition" for dance ministers, we must include the following contents:
1) Charting the Course: Instructions
Provide clarity to your dance ministry team by providing clear communication (calendars, checklists, contact information). This can be done via email, through text messages, on paper, through online notification systems, or through all of the above. As it is often said, "Sharing is caring."
Is your ministry aware of requirements and upcoming dates far enough in advance to plan properly?
Are there general guidelines regarding ministry qualifications, expectations, appearance standards, conduct, garment requirements, etc?
Having a roadmap in place will minimize confusion, but not having one will guarantee roadblocks!
2) Lesson Plan: Information for the Student
Develop lesson plans to guide the ministry toward progress. For example, structured team studies will help the ministry be on one accord when studying the Biblical foundations of movement as a ministry (book readings, specialized workshops, directed group studies, research topics, etc).
Draft a plan to complete choreography before deadlines to assist us in knowing if we are using our time effectively or need to make adjustments (Are we projecting accurate completion times? Are we missing scheduled ministry engagements because we did not have time to complete the piece? Have we mastered the necessary technique needed to hasten the choreographic process?).
Forecast activities for the year and then establish regular checkpoints to see if adjustments need to be made (technique application, planned conference attendance, membership growth, etc).
3) Questions and Answers
Leaders should be more knowledgeable than the people we lead in our area of expertise. When a dance ministry leader has not studied or properly applied themselves to excellence, it will reflect on the ministry. Although the leader may not develop all of the choreography and select all of the garments, he or she should not be ignorant concerning these areas.
Pleading ignorance does not work for leaders! Each leader should make it a priority to become the "resident expert" and be able to provide accurate information to the team. (How embarrassing is it when dance ministry leaders are not able to provide Biblical references to dance beyond David? We've got to do better!)
4) Staff Development: Publisher's Notes
The Bible reminds us to know those that labor among us. Not only should we study dance ministry from a Biblical perspective, researching the progress being made by others today will help us to avoid "reinventing the wheel." Learning about other dance ministry leaders can both inspire us as well as teach us valuable lessons in what not to do.
In addition, we should take steps to get to know those we minister with, so that we may know how to pray and provide guidance unique to the people we lead. Exercising discernment will reveal to us if a situation is a behavioral problem or a spiritual one...
5) Giving Honor: Acknowledgments
It does not cost us much to be appreciative. Too many times, those who labor in ministry are encouraged to do a thankless job. Let not that be said of us. Dancers need to know that leaders are servants too! Taking the time to announce praise reports, birthdays, anniversaries, and other milestones will make people feel appreciated and unified.
Beyond the movement ministry, we must show gratitide to our Pastors, supporting ministries, families, mentors, and other people who make what we do possible. In the forefront of all of this, we must not fail to give thanks to the LORD for making what we do possible!
Not only should we seek to be disciples, but we should be able to impart in a way that brings glory to God. We cannot take the mandate to teach lightly-- We MUST practice what we preach! Teaching others in the arts can be a challenge, but one that we can successfully navigate if we have the right reference guide: The BIBLE!
(New King James Bible Version)
Luke 2:46-47
Now so it was that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers.
Romans 2:21
You, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself? You who preach that a man should not steal, do you steal?
Hebrews 5:12
For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food.
James 3:1
My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.
Showing posts with label Leadership. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Leadership. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Menace-Tree
When we are over-anxious for an opportunity, we may fail to pray to the Lord for His direction. So many dance ministers today are eager for an opportunity and will say "yes" to every invitation. When we are confident in our assignment in the Body, we will trust the Lord to guide our every step.
Affiliations, networks, organizations, groups, clubs, and the like may be great places to be enriched in resources and information concerning the ministry of movement. Desiring to belong to a program, organization, group must be decided with the correct intentions, or we are destined for disappointment. As painful as it may seem, some not-so-Godly connections may give us wisdom in making better choices down the road.
Many people desire mentoring in the worship arts, and this is noble. The problem lies in that many who may not be called to mentor others may see a financial opportunity in becoming a guru to the masses. When we are misaligned concerning who has influence in our lives, we may find ourselves broken, wounded, tormented, and confused in the end. Just become someone is popular in a field does not mean that they have ability to lead us.
Here are questions to consider before choosing a mentor:
1- Does the ministry seem to evolve entirely around him or her in spoken messages, websites, pictures, or other published materials?
2- Are you selecting the person based on perceived popularity?
3- Do you feel like an outsider or sense an elitist behavior from the leader or within the organization he or she governs?
4- Do you feel as though (or have you been told that) you must have a dance ministry license or special ordination in order to be considered legitimate in the dance ministry realm?
5- Do you believe that connecting with certain leaders will give you more credibility?
If we are not aware of the traps that exist to hinder us, we may discover that some leaders appear to be powerful in public, but are a disaster in private. We must pray to the Lord for the ability to distinguish the good fruit from the bad. We must stay connected to the Tree of Life, and we must know that this is the prerequisite for uniting ourselves with other righteous leaders.
When the Lord links us with the right leaders to pour into our lives, we will experience the benefits of such a relationship. Forging a relationship with the intentions of gaining notoriety for ourselves may be an issue concerning our hearts. Before we can connect with anyone, we must be sure to be connected to the One that is able to lead, guide, promote, and develop us in His perfect will.
Ezekiel 17:24
And all the trees of the field shall know that I, the LORD, have brought down the high tree and exalted the low tree, dried up the green tree and made the dry tree flourish; I, the LORD, have spoken and have done it.”
Matthew 3:10
And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
Matthew 7:15-20
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them.
Related Links:
Tor-Mentor
Affiliations, networks, organizations, groups, clubs, and the like may be great places to be enriched in resources and information concerning the ministry of movement. Desiring to belong to a program, organization, group must be decided with the correct intentions, or we are destined for disappointment. As painful as it may seem, some not-so-Godly connections may give us wisdom in making better choices down the road.
Many people desire mentoring in the worship arts, and this is noble. The problem lies in that many who may not be called to mentor others may see a financial opportunity in becoming a guru to the masses. When we are misaligned concerning who has influence in our lives, we may find ourselves broken, wounded, tormented, and confused in the end. Just become someone is popular in a field does not mean that they have ability to lead us.
Here are questions to consider before choosing a mentor:
1- Does the ministry seem to evolve entirely around him or her in spoken messages, websites, pictures, or other published materials?
2- Are you selecting the person based on perceived popularity?
3- Do you feel like an outsider or sense an elitist behavior from the leader or within the organization he or she governs?
4- Do you feel as though (or have you been told that) you must have a dance ministry license or special ordination in order to be considered legitimate in the dance ministry realm?
5- Do you believe that connecting with certain leaders will give you more credibility?
If we are not aware of the traps that exist to hinder us, we may discover that some leaders appear to be powerful in public, but are a disaster in private. We must pray to the Lord for the ability to distinguish the good fruit from the bad. We must stay connected to the Tree of Life, and we must know that this is the prerequisite for uniting ourselves with other righteous leaders.
When the Lord links us with the right leaders to pour into our lives, we will experience the benefits of such a relationship. Forging a relationship with the intentions of gaining notoriety for ourselves may be an issue concerning our hearts. Before we can connect with anyone, we must be sure to be connected to the One that is able to lead, guide, promote, and develop us in His perfect will.
Ezekiel 17:24
And all the trees of the field shall know that I, the LORD, have brought down the high tree and exalted the low tree, dried up the green tree and made the dry tree flourish; I, the LORD, have spoken and have done it.”
Matthew 3:10
And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
Matthew 7:15-20
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them.
Related Links:
Tor-Mentor
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
"Bored of Directors"
Leadership is not something to be used as a bargaining chip. There are many ministry leaders today who are holding onto positions for dear life, but are not leading the people in the way that they should go. Many dance leaders have been appointed to serve in a Ministry Director capacity for which they are not prepared. It is my prayer that churches are not implementing movement ministries out of a necessity to "keep up with the Joneses."
It is better for a leader to have the passion for dance before accepting the appointment to lead. Experience is a bonus, but the impact that wrong motives or misdirected guidance can have on people can scar them for a lifetime. Politics and family/friend relationships too often play a large part in leadership selection.
Now is not the time to lead blindly. If we are called to stand in front of the crowd, then we must walk in the path that the Lord had set before us. Too many dance concerts showcase dance groups with little or no understanding of movement as a ministry. Many dance leaders are frustrated, burned-out, or outright bored in their current positions. Many organizations are forcing movement ministries into a carbon-copy type of group activity, and are not asking the Lord for His will to be done.
If He instructs us to move from a position, then we should follow Him to experience the fullness of His calling. If we lack passion, then we must seek God for restoration and instruction. There are lives hanging in the balance, and more leaders to be developed. Let us make sure to move ourselves out of the way so that we are not a stumblingblock to others.
2 Chronicles 12:6 (NKJV)
So the leaders of Israel and the king humbled themselves; and they said, “The LORD is righteous.”
Isaiah 9:16 (NKJV)
For the leaders of this people cause them to err, and those who are led by them are destroyed.
Jeremiah 23:32 (NKJV)
Behold, I am against those who prophesy false dreams,” says the LORD, “and tell them, and cause My people to err by their lies and by their recklessness. Yet I did not send them or command them; therefore they shall not profit this people at all,” says the LORD.
Matthew 15:13-14 (NKJV)
But He answered and said, “Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted. Let them alone. They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch.”
It is better for a leader to have the passion for dance before accepting the appointment to lead. Experience is a bonus, but the impact that wrong motives or misdirected guidance can have on people can scar them for a lifetime. Politics and family/friend relationships too often play a large part in leadership selection.
Now is not the time to lead blindly. If we are called to stand in front of the crowd, then we must walk in the path that the Lord had set before us. Too many dance concerts showcase dance groups with little or no understanding of movement as a ministry. Many dance leaders are frustrated, burned-out, or outright bored in their current positions. Many organizations are forcing movement ministries into a carbon-copy type of group activity, and are not asking the Lord for His will to be done.
If He instructs us to move from a position, then we should follow Him to experience the fullness of His calling. If we lack passion, then we must seek God for restoration and instruction. There are lives hanging in the balance, and more leaders to be developed. Let us make sure to move ourselves out of the way so that we are not a stumblingblock to others.
2 Chronicles 12:6 (NKJV)
So the leaders of Israel and the king humbled themselves; and they said, “The LORD is righteous.”
Isaiah 9:16 (NKJV)
For the leaders of this people cause them to err, and those who are led by them are destroyed.
Jeremiah 23:32 (NKJV)
Behold, I am against those who prophesy false dreams,” says the LORD, “and tell them, and cause My people to err by their lies and by their recklessness. Yet I did not send them or command them; therefore they shall not profit this people at all,” says the LORD.
Matthew 15:13-14 (NKJV)
But He answered and said, “Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted. Let them alone. They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch.”
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