to dance or not to dance...

[billie]

I think what Mr. Jacobson's trying to say( correct me if I'm wrong) is what Fiddle said that performing dance is different than spontaneously dancing and that choreographed dance shouldn't be done in church. I'm not sure I agree or disagree with this point of view, I just wanted to point that out.

[RustyAngeL]

I met my husband Square Dancing with two other nurses I worked with. It was a lot of fun and it's full of wonderful people. No drinking is allowed before or during a dance since it requires you to follow difficult commands. The class lasted a year and a half. Steve and I had a wedding dance that our Square Dancing Club threw for us. We danced until 1990 until I had my car accident and I could no longer dance. I miss it. I have no problem with dancing so long as it's decent.

[Floatingaxe]

Come on, detractors! We are a people of excellence! There is nothing wrong and everything right with choreography! It is excellence before the Lord that we seek! There is nothing wrong with planning! What do you think about musicians? They get together and practice too!

You just cannot compare secular dancing with worshipful dancing before the Lord. Our whole congregation does it every service! It is spontaneous and pure! The dance team does it as worship leaders before the Lord with joy and reverence! God's heart is blessed by these things. He commands us to worship Him with our whole being.

Edited July 21, 2006 by Floatingaxe

[gekko]

do everything as unto the Lord.

that includes dancing.

i'll dance for the Lord whereever i am. whether it be choreographed or random.

i'll do it for the Lord. you may think im not - but you dont know me. so keep out of it. eh?

im mostly baptist - and i dance to the hymns.

There is also no place in the church for drums and electric guitars on sunday am. If a missionary comes here from say Africa... they will tell you that is how people raise up demons.... not the Spirit of God.

yeah. so most hymnal tunes come from secular tunes - and many hymns are the same as national anthems. so what's your point?

just because in africa they may be used to raise up demons (which hasn't been proven or disproven) that it shouldn't be in the church?

i agree alot of "worship" in churches these days is entertainment - and should be stopped.

but i'll dance whether its piano or the beat of a jambe.

[Floatingaxe]

The dancing before the Lord that David did one day was not 1. In the church nor 2. Was it the whole congregation.

What is being done today is entertainment in the church under the disguise of worship when it is no where near the real thing.

Looking back on real revivals of the past people were on their knees before the Lord, sometimes weeping over their sin, repenting, loving him.... not jumping around like a bunch of crazy people.... and I have seen this running around the room called "worship dance".

God does not move in the paranormal realm but supernatural realm. When we worship him, it is in spirit and truth... not planned practiced dancing.

There is also no place in the church for drums and electric guitars on sunday am. If a missionary comes here from say Africa... they will tell you that is how people raise up demons.... not the Spirit of God.

I would not do this in your church.

God is #1... the pastor #2 to consult on this. There is a reason why most Baptists are against the dancing in the church and there is a reason why many who do dance in church have also fallen from sound doctrine.

God does not need our "excellence" in dancing. He wants your heart. If you heart is set on the dance, it is not properly set on the Lord.

Choreography is for the world, not the church. It is not real.

I am sorry that you believe as you do! God wants our very best and He wants all our praise and adoration! We are free people in Christ, LawyerForGod, and God is the creator of music after all! He created even us with rhythm in our own bodies, so why not have an instrument of rhythm? Drums are used in Psalms.

All praise and honour belong to God alone...it is Satan who tries to steal that for himself. When we deny ourselves in worship, we are allowing Satan to stifle praise and worship that belongs to God. When music or dance exalts Jesus Christ and NOT the world or the flesh, and edifies the church, then you can be sure that it is NOT entertainment! What you are describing is religiosity, not true worship! God hates religiosity.

I wish you could come and see for yourself how the Lord is worshiped in our church! There is not a hint of worldliness or the flesh in it! God is honoured in all. What do you think we will be doing in heaven anyway? I plan on dancing up a storm with God! After all he dances over us with joy! Hallelujah!

Galatian 5:1... "Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage."

Edited July 21, 2006 by Floatingaxe

[Floatingaxe]

"keep out of it eh?" what kind of talk is that?

This is an important issue for the church. I have watched what has happened in the church for decades and where there has been dance, there is also much other errors.

More and more people are concerned about bringing the world into the church rather than the church changing the world.

Many people can't even see the difference.

It has been proven that devils are raised by certain music.

While I agree with you that the world has seeped into the church at large, you must certainly be aware that there are many, many local bodies of believers who do have it right! The "motto" to our mission statement is, "Touching Heaven, Changing Earth."

Devils aren't "raised by certain music". They are a definite influence upon music, even creating it. Lucifer was the first musician, after all, and as he fell, so did music, because he then began to create music for himself, no longer for God.

[Guest Epiphany]

oops

[Floatingaxe]

Again, devils are raised by music.

Just ask members of many rock bands, who have been satanic.... ask the Eagles.

Ever hear some of their music backwards? I have as well as other groups including the Beatles.

Satan is warping the minds of many because of music and dance.

Of course I agree with you..the devil is heavily involved in the music scene..He was the angel of worship in his glory days. His goal is to rob the glory that belongs to God, steal His praise and the abundant life of the believer.

John 10:10: "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."

Luke 11:23: "He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me, scatters" or "This is war, and there is no neutral ground. If you're not on my side, you're the enemy; if you're not helping, you're making things worse."

His goal is to destroy and kill, both spiritually and physically, so you are very right about Satan's influence.

There are ways to combat evil influences of music in the church (people), and that is to teach each other that you must not allow small compromises of secularity to creep in. Be transparent before God in all things you do. The Holy Spirit sees all things and He is there to help us be faithful! Keep your mind on the Word of God, reading, studying, and memorizing.

I also realize that not all churches are equipped with leaders that are following God's ways in the freedom of the Holy Spirit, and so delving into this type of worship and ministry could very well be a treacherous thing. But there are other healthy local bodies that are free and responsible, taking their job before the Lord seriously, who bother to teach the truth about these things.

Blessings.

[nebula]

Ps 149:3 - Let them praise His name with the dance; Let them sing praises to Him with the timbrel and harp.

Ps 150:4 - Praise Him with the timbrel and dance; Praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes!

Ec 3:4 - A time to weep, And a time to laugh; A time to mourn, And a time to dance;

[gekko]

More and more people are concerned about bringing the world into the church rather than the church changing the world.

yah. and apparently 75-85% of america claims to be christian. its a shame.

---

ask the Eagles.

Ever hear some of their music backwards? I have as well as other groups including the Beatles.

sorry. this hasn't been proven even when they play it backwards. its been disproven over and over again.