Please see the post Drama!Drama!Drama! for the beginning of this series.

This is a response to a comment from The Use of Dance.

I have read my own blog and I have a serious confession. My writing style certainly makes me sound like I am the world’s authority on the subject so I apologize for that. What I am trying to do here is to document things I have seen work effectively in the dramas we have performed (please visit The Use Of Video blog to see examples)

I said there was much to say on this topic, so I will address it here some more (and look forward to input from others on the subject).

A great question was asked about Dance and emotions: “Is an emotional response the most important reason we do something in church?” (I told you this was a great question!)

• My response: Absolutely not. Never do anything for emotions sake alone. Emotions are the icing in the cake, so to speak, but not the cake. A great servant is our embodiment of emotions, but as a master, emotions definitely leave much to be desire. Besides we are ultimately wanting to create a spiritual effect toward GOD.
• Emotions…they are so terribly wonderful and and wonderfully terrible all as once, aren’t they? They can be such an enhancement of who we are, such as when when JESUS was moved to have compassion,, but EMOTIONS ARE HORRIBLE MASTERS. I wish I did not know that from personal experience, either.
• So the reason we do a dance is not for an emotive response, although that may happen, but it should not be THE reason.

The next question is: “Is there any explanation of the dance so that uniformed members can understand it?”

• Scriptually I have not an exhaustive explanation if that is what you are looking for, however, here is where I came to with Dance. It is an art form. How many people get art? Many do on an instinctive level. Art is such a gift from the LORD along with the appreciation of true beauty (not just what the world treats as beauty, but what GOD treats as beauty). Worship GOD in the beauty of HIS holiness.
• For me, dance doesn’t have to convey the whole Gospel message, just a portion. It has a part to play (that is a “play” on words! Ha!) I find that the uninformed respond emotionally and then open up to what you have to say. They drop barriers adn walls that have been put up for whatever reason.
• Here is one example: We invited a friend to church, who in turn brought her son. This young man had just gotten out of a legal scrape though we did not know it at the time. After worship and right before the sermon we had a break-dance routine performed. Afterwards we went to lunch with them and here is what the young man said to us: “I wasn’t really into your church until the dancer came out. Then I paid attention.”
• When you connect with someone on whatever level they are willing to receive at that point in their life when you have an audience with them (this is why there are so many “Elements” used in our productions as people respond to different media and art) they will be left with an openness after the meeting. An open window is better than a closed door.

Next question: “Who in dance is the worship primarily for, the dancers or the audience?”

• So why do it? Do it to the glory of GOD. Watch this video I did in honor of our dancer’s practice and performances.
• This reminds me of a description I just heard on local radio about beautiful stained glass windows in Gothic cathedrals that need binoculars to see. They are beautiful, but most people cannot see them as they are high up and away from those on the ground. That is because they were made for GOD to see the beauty. This is a church architectural design element of the time when GOD’s character was the reason a cathedral was built. Dance for the LORD first. If others can see it with spiritual binoculars then fine.
• For me, each time I include a dance, I never make it the main event. This is whyI call this series of blogs Drama: Elements. Dance one element I use in drama.
• I always instruct the designers of a dance routine on the basic idea I have for a segment of the production, but then I am often asked, “What if they don’t get it?“. I think I have already answered that.
• Dance is a powerful medium that can show the beauty of GOD. It seems people get it even without a precursor of narration and I suppose it is something GOD has put in us all in which we can appreciate beauty in an art form on a spiritual level.  however, if I have communicated through a dance and no one “gets” it, I have still worshipped GOD. If I witness and no one “gets” it, I have still obeyed GOD.
• That being said, I always make dance a part and not the whole. This is how I have been led to this point. So if some receive not the dance, maybe they will open up and drop their guard with comedy, acting, visuals or music.
• But everytime I use dance it just accentuates the whole play or production. People just get AND appreciate dance.

I will end with this: When you connect with anyone, a open avenue awaits. Dance does that, art does that, music does that. We try to use each element.

I told you I had a lot to say. I hope I haven’t “worded” anyone out. And thanks to mdeste for an opportunity to get a little more in depth on this passionate subject. It is commentary like this in which I look forward to participating.

Do everything you do with passion to glorify GOD.

Til later…