Does the UMC allow dancing in church?

[JesusFo11ower]

I heard they disprove dancing, especially dirty dancing, but what do they think about dancing in church for worship?

 

[Historicus]

Liturgical dance is included in worship by some congregations. Others (like my church) sponsor dance-based exercise classes. There was a time in our history when it was frowned upon, but not so much today.

 

[circuitrider]

Any opposition to dancing faded long ago, at least in my part of the country.

 

[JesusFo11ower]

Well I like to sway and sometimes move my arms during music and I was wondering if I ever tried a UMC would they be offended.

 

[circuitrider]

It depends on the UM church and the style of worship they have. UM Churches have all worship in a lot of different ways from contemporary, to traditional, to liturgical.

If the church uses contemporary worship than sway and raising hands probably fits just fine. In a liturgical church it probably wouldn't fit in.

The best way to see what is usual is to go and watch what everyone else is doing.

 

[GraceSeeker]

We have a Zumba class in our fellowship hall, we have liturgical dance as part of our Annual Conference's worship services, I've seen a lot of dancing accompanying VBS presentations (and I don't mean just the children). What I have not seen is someone dancing at a wedding reception at the church, but there is nothing in our written church policy to preclude it -- though I don't know how it would be received.

 

[Pastor Don]

UM Congregations are like ice cream shops. They have a flavor for everyone if you look hard enough. My background is Church of God. I was stunned when I entered into the UMC and found that people do not clap or interact with the sermon or so I thought. I was asked to be a guest speaker at another UMC church 10 miles down the road and all that changed. I think what is beautiful about the UMC is that there really is something for everyone if you take the time to look for it.

Peace,

Don

 

[JesusFo11ower]

My background is Church of God.

Out of Anderson, IN or Cleveland, TN? I currently attend a church of God (anderson) and I really love it.

 

[simplegospel1144]

The dance is worship. We are created to worship Him. All things were created for and by Him. When dance is frowned at, run from the Sprit-quenching rubes and know God does not attend those services.

 

[BryanW92]

The dance is worship. We are created to worship Him. All things were created for and by Him. When dance is frowned at, run from the Sprit-quenching rubes and know God does not attend those services.

Can you see that you are being no different from every other person who says, "If you church doesn't __________, then get out because the Holy Spirit isn't there."?

Some people dance as a part of worship. Some people sit quietly. Neither is more or less correct than the other.

 

[simplegospel1144]

No, I am saying do not go to places that quench the Spirit as defined in the bible. If people sit, great! Dance is not required, but worship is.

 

[circuitrider]

No, I am saying do not go to places that quench the Spirit as defined in the bible. If people sit, great! Dance is not required, but worship is.

No, what you actually said was that if people didn't like dancing in church that God wasn't going to attend those services.

There are some theological problems with that. First, God is everywhere and he doesn't need to show up or attend. Second, human beings don't get to say where God will or won't attend a service. The Holy Spirit isn't a mindless fire that you can pour water on and "quench" at will. God's spirit moves where he wills and human beings certainly can't control him.

And by the way, I have no problem with appropriate worshipful dance in church.

 

[simplegospel1144]

Totally not scriptural but love ya anyways!

 

[circuitrider]

I notice that you aren't a Wesleyan Christian. My guess is that there are quite a few areas where we would think differently about what is and is not scriptural.

I'd love to read a scripture where dancing preferences quenches the Holy Spirit. But I'm betting you can't find one.

 

[simplegospel1144]

"I notice that you aren't a Wesleyan Christian" I repented lol

 

[circuitrider]

"I notice that you aren't a Wesleyan Christian" I repented lol

Uh huh. So is this one of these trolling missions from a person who has left Wesleyan Christianity to return to convert the heathen who haven't seen the light the way you have?

If so, thanks but no thanks.

 

[simplegospel1144]

No, I do not have a mission. You have what you have. Be happy. We are in the Body.

 

[circuitrider]

No, I do not have a mission. You have what you have. Be happy. We are in the Body.

Glad to hear it. We do get that here. We get folks who for some reason seem to think that Wesleyan Christians aren't Christians and try to convert us, usually to some form of hyper-calvinism. It kind of gets on my nerves. There are enough non-Christians who need to hear th gospel without Christians try to convert each other from one Christian group to another.

 

[simplegospel1144]

True that! Calvins scare me lol

 

[ByTheSpirit]

I say just do it. If you are doing it to worship God and show your enthusiasm for Him, who cares what others think. If they throw you out for something so beautiful and genuine then they saved you a lot of trouble in staying with such a congregation.

But if you are doing it to show off, then that is another affair entirely...