Dance

From SPARK

"To worship God in dance is biblical. The Bible commends it (Psalm 149:3; 150:4). Scripture gives many references to the use of dance as a form of joyous celebration and of reverent worship." Lucinda Coleman

Considerations

• It is wise to involve indigenous people from the community and get their advice.
• The indigenous people will know the cultural use of different dances and movements within dances.
• Some cultures associate certain dances with social activities that would not be appropriate for a Christian production.
• Non-indigenous dances created by Christians from outside the culture may make Christianity seem like a foreign religion.
• Foreign dances may encourage seeing Christianity as separate from one’s life.
• Foreign dances may be unappealing especially to nonbelievers.
• Foreign dances may encourage dependence on outsiders for new dance material and development.
• Foreign dances may stifle creativity because it’s usually impossible for the indigenous person to create using a foreign model.

Questions to ask

• Are the genders, clothing, and colors appropriate in the culture?
• Will the people misinterpret the meaning?

If appropriate in the culture, give a summary of the meaning or purpose of the dance.