dancing in church

[Firefly]

My church is American Baptist and we have a ballet troupe, or dance team,
and they perform during special services. They don't wear revealing costumes
or anything. I'm on the fence about it myself. I don't love it or hate it. I've
asked my pastor about it and while he doesn't love it either, he doesn't see
the harm in it.

I just wondered if any other churches do this or what other people's thoughts
are on the subject.

~firefly

 

[Bizzlebin Imperatoris]

As long as the purpose is in NO WAY to make the dancers feel good, or to entertain the crowd, you should be well off. The purpose of ANY activity in church MUST be focused on God

 

[Echoes Peak]

I don't see a problem with it if the purpose is to glorify, praise and worship God. I've seen absolutely beautiful dance pieces that have honestly made reminded me how awesomely creative our God is.

 

[Andyman_1970]

Ya know Jesus danced when He taught in the synagoge...............

 

[TwinCrier]

I think it's wonderful that the dancers are getting to worship with the talents and gifts they have.

 

[CrystalBrooke]

ive never heard of that til just now...i dont really see anything wrong with it i guess...ive seen ppl jump up and down at church before, so i see no harm in dancing.

 

[Bizzlebin Imperatoris]

Ya know Jesus danced when He taught in the synagoge...............

I'm drawing a blank. Could you quote me the verse please?

 

[eldermike]

My band played at an all night worship in a church that danced to the music. It was new to me but I have to say, it was amazing to see the flags spinning and IMHO it did add to the worship. I would go back if they ask me.

 

[Firefly]

I should've said that I don't think the dancers are showing off in any way.
It seems to very much be done as a witness and form of worship.

Thanks for your responses I've just always been curious about the issue.

 

[Andyman_1970]

I'm drawing a blank. Could you quote me the verse please?

In Luke chapter 4 when Jesus teaches in the synagogue is when Jesus would have danced. IN a synagogue service in the 1st century several things went on during the worship service. One was when the hazan or the caretaker of the synagogue would take the Torah scrolls from the ark (or Scroll closet) and hand them to the teacher of the day (in this case Jesus).

The teacher of the day would then parade the scrolls around the synagogue and the congregation would push and shove to get to the scrolls so they could kiss the Scrolls., because they were so in love with the Word of God. The congregation would also dance as the Scroll was being paraded around, the teacher of the day was responsible for setting the example for the rest of the congregation for the worship, so they would dance also.

When Jesus taught in the synagogue, the cultural and historical evidence would suggest He danced.

 

[Bizzlebin Imperatoris]

Makes sense I suppose, but is He not the Word of God in the flesh? It seems odd that He would dance to a scroll.

 

[Andyman_1970]

Makes sense I suppose, but is He not the Word of God in the flesh? It seems odd that He would dance to a scroll.

The teacher for the day would set the example for passion and intensity for the rest of the congregation.

Is the Scroll not God's Word when Jesus is carrying it? Because He was the Word made Flesh, did that exempt Him from being Torah observant?

Anyway, it is well within the realm of possiblity................

 

[Bizzlebin Imperatoris]

True, it could very well be

 

[TwinCrier]

In Luke chapter 4 when Jesus teaches in the synagogue is when Jesus would have danced. IN a synagogue service in the 1st century several things went on during the worship service. One was when the hazan or the caretaker of the synagogue would take the Torah scrolls from the ark (or Scroll closet) and hand them to the teacher of the day (in this case Jesus).

The teacher of the day would then parade the scrolls around the synagogue and the congregation would push and shove to get to the scrolls so they could kiss the Scrolls., because they were so in love with the Word of God. The congregation would also dance as the Scroll was being paraded around, the teacher of the day was responsible for setting the example for the rest of the congregation for the worship, so they would dance also.

When Jesus taught in the synagogue, the cultural and historical evidence would suggest He danced.

Interesting Andyman. I also love the word of God but don't have a desire to kiss my bible.... though as a KJVO I usually get accused of worshipping the book.

 

[Andyman_1970]

I also love the word of God but don't have a desire to kiss my bible....

You're also not a Jew living in 1st century Israel, so I can see how that might seem strange.

 

[@@Paul@@]

"Culturally and historically" people danced in churches. As someone stated, they kissed bibles too. If it's simply based on ones culture, it is still acceptable? (People also used to dance in the streets, how you'd get hauled off to jail).

I did go to a charismatic church once where people danced.

 

[Iosias]

My church is American Baptist and we have a ballet troupe, or dance team,
and they perform during special services. They don't wear revealing costumes
or anything. I'm on the fence about it myself. I don't love it or hate it. I've
asked my pastor about it and while he doesn't love it either, he doesn't see
the harm in it.

I just wondered if any other churches do this or what other people's thoughts
are on the subject.

~firefly

I think it is wrong.

 

[daveleau]

What does Scripture say about it? Shouldn't that be our first step to deciding on something rather than looking at the actions of our church or congregations?

Psa 149:3 Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp.

Psa 150:4 Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs.

These are not commands but guidelines for the ways that we should glorify God.

Frankie Schaeffer wrote a good book about Christians and our insistence of not using our artistic talents to praise God. It is called Addicted to Mediocrity. In it, he talks of how the church previously took elaborate measures to praise God and glorify God with the arts. But, Christians stopped this at some point and took on a much more hum-drum approach. I think he is right on, and that we have become overly reverent at times and have cast off the talents that God has given us when it comes to praising Him. any judgment we make on an action should not be based on feeling, but on God's Word. If we do it by feeling or by thought and disregard God's Word ont he subject, or try to make God's Word fit our preconceived idea, then we are in the wrong.

God bless you,
Dave

 

[Tenorvoice]

I personally do not see anything wrong with dancing, so long as it is Glorifying God the Father. It is also recorded in 2cd Samuel that David danced before God when the Ark was returned home.

But being a Southern Baptist I kind of look at it the same way that Mark Lowry does,..."It aint dancing if ya don't move yer feet."

***I would still like Andyman to give the EXACT!!! chapter and EXACT verse where it says (word for word) that Jesus danced. ( the only account of dance in the Gospel of Luke that I can find is in 7:32 and this is only Jesus speaking)***

 

[Cright]

I see nothing wrong with it.. dance can be an art.. and if someone would like to do it for the glory of God.. more power to those talented people. Dancing in the isle way is a lil different as it can distract others from their spiritual "feeding time" and I don't think that should be done in church services.

Just my $.02

Carina