Worship takes many forms and each individual has personal ways of responding to God’s presence. While some may grow still and quiet, others sing out with raised voices and uplifted hands. Some experience the Holy Spirit’s nearness in a solitary walk while others find God in the midst of a Sunday morning crowd. There are those, however, who respond to God’s presence in an entire-body fashion through the power of dance.
“It’s something that has to come out of every end of my fingers and toes,” noted Cropwell Baptist Church member Katy Dornberger, who serves as coordinator of a summer ballet program at her church.
“We all say ‘hallelujah’ all the time and it comes from the root ‘halal,’ which means ‘to act clamorously foolish before the Lord.’ Dance is my way of praising Him,” she said.
The idea of praising God through dance is not new. Throughout the Bible are examples of people who expressed the joy of the Lord with dance.
David danced before the Lord as the ark was brought into Jerusalem (2 Sam. 6); the Israelite women danced in gratefulness after the Lord had brought them safely across the Red Sea (Ex. 15); upon the prodigal son’s return to the fold, his family and friends celebrated with joyful dancing (Luke 15).
But over the centuries, dance has been abused, misused and often turned into something distinctly ungodly, said Denie Riggs, owner of Winds of Worship, a Christian dance academy in Muscle Shoals.
Riggs said that often dancers on television and stage employ almost nonexistent attire and sexually explicit movements to draw attention.
Secular dance programs for kids have followed suit, growing increasingly immodest and inappropriate.
As a result, the reputation of dance has suffered, taking on a worldly and sinful cast, she said.
However, Riggs and a growing number of Christian dancers and dance ministries have taken on the task of restoring this form of worship to God’s people.
“We believe that God created dancing for praise and adoration as a method for His people to give Him glory,” said Riggs.
Riggs, who was raised in a home where any form of dance was strictly forbidden, said she began to see interpretive movement in a different light when she saw on television a male skater performing to “The Lord’s Prayer.”
As she watched the dance of worship on ice, she felt herself choking up. “I immediately knew the Lord was birthing in my heart a new ministry,” she said.
When she shared her feelings with her husband, Michael, she learned that he’d been experiencing some of the same feelings.
Further indication of the Lord’s leading came when in the next few days, they received several requests to add dance to the curriculum of their Christian music school, Muscle Shoals Music Academy.
“We knew that if God was drawing us into the form of worship, He would open the doors,” said Riggs.
“We feel called of God to fulfill Psalm 150, which talks of praising God in the dance,” she said. “Although God is amazing, and worship dance is awesome; this program has been a struggle. But we continue, in pursuit of giving Him the worship He deserves.”
God similarly opened doors for the Briarwood Ballet at Westwood, a ministry of Westwood Baptist Church, Forestdale. According to the program’s secretary, Cindy Best, ever since the church voted to begin the ballet ministry four years ago, God has met every need, down to the smallest details.
The Westwood membership as a whole has been supportive of the ballet ministry and many individuals have contributed not only money, but also time and talents.
For the entire church, Best said, “It’s been a God thing. Everybody has worked as a team, and God has worked through this ministry to reach a lot of people.”
The Westwood ballet’s performances are more than just recitals, Best said. They are worship services. People come and bring their families and friends to enjoy what they may think is simply a beautiful evening of dance characterized by modest costuming and movements accompanied by Christian music.
“But it’s more than that,” said Best. “It’s an incredible experience. In everything we do, we promote the Word of God, and He has continued to bless us in what we’re doing.”
Dancing can be a form of worship for the individual dancer, as well.
“The first time I danced in church was during a choir program,” Dornberger said. “After dancing in the secular world for so long and then getting to dance in a spiritual place — specifically for God — it was so different. I remember telling my mom I felt like I wasn’t even doing it. I could feel the Spirit leading me.”
Dornberger realizes, however, that nondancers may not understand her desire to worship God with movement. But she’s comfortable with that.
“God made everybody different,” she said. “He likes diversity and as long as whatever you do is directed toward Him and as long as He said it in His word, it’s OK.”
Share with others: