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Dawn Churchill, CDF USA
Midwest Regional Coordinator

 
   
   

 


 

   
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Intended for use of worship dancers, leaders, and their teams for personal meditation or group devotion and discussion.

 

Choreography & Ministry Suggestions
for Solo Dance Ministers

This article, thoughtfully and prayerfully composed, is a combination of lessons I have
learned over the last 15 years in dance ministry. I pray it provides you with encouraging
suggestions, creative ideas, and disciplines of wisdom. While much of this article’s content contains my thoughts, feelings, and opinions…I pray that some of what is shared here will serve as proverbial guidance for you as you seek His will.

Proverbs 1:2-5 For attaining wisdom and discipline for understanding words of insight; for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life; doing what is right, just, and fair; for giving prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young – let the wise listen and
add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance.

To dance or not to dance? Solo, that is…Therein lies the question. The first place we
must begin in a discussion about solo dance ministry, is whether God has called you to
minister ALONE in dance. We are ALL called to dance alone in our prayer closets, in loving adoration at His feet. But has He called you to minister in dance publicly as a solo ambassador and servant for Him? Only the Lord can truly reveal your calling as a solo dance minister, so my first suggestion is to seek Him in prayer and ask Him to confirm your calling in the mouths of 2-3 witnesses. Solo dance ministers come in all shapes, sizes, ages, and with various technical (or non-technical) backgrounds. One thing I can say for certain however, they all have that “certain something”, that sets them apart as anointed dance ministers, that not all worship dancers possess. While difficult to put into words, I will try to describe that “certain something”…

*They grasp and hold a congregation’s attention ~ whether technically trained or not,
anointed solo dance ministers have an amazing ability to grip the hearts of people and keep their attention through the entirety of a song. Their ability to communicate through
movement, along with God’s powerful presence upon them, allows them to minister the
message of a song with precision.

*They communicate God’s heart and usher in His presence ~ there is always a compelling release of God’s anointing and a fullness of His presence as these anointed dance ministers express the heart of God through movement. Congregants feel the nearness of His touch upon their hearts and experience breakthrough in areas of personal need (physical, mental, emotional, spiritual).

*They minister in dance prophetically ~ proclaiming a “timely word in due season” through movement that brings exhortation, edification, and comfort. Also, anointed solo dance ministers humbly bring attention to Him whose almighty power dispels works of darkness.

Do these points describe YOU??? If you’re not sure, ask someone you respect and whose opinion you value as wise and discerning. He will willingly confirm your calling as a solo dance minister (assuming that is His calling upon you) when you ask in faith. So ask!!!

Assuming the Lord has already confirmed your calling as a solo dance minister, the remaining points I will address here are matters of discipline and ministry focus for you to consider…

*Training ~ I suggest at least 3 full years of disciplined study & training in your chosen
area of movement (dance, flags, mime, etc.) It is soooo important to achieve mastery of
basic movement disciplines so you will attain proper posture, alignment, balance, control, etc. As well, when you minister alone, you need a WIDE variety of movements to draw from to communicate the message of the song you have chosen. And so, you MUST increase your movement vocabulary and continually hone your skills.

*Continued Skill Training ~ I have learned the hard way, at times, that I must continually
hone my skills as a dancer, even those skills I have previously mastered. “If you don’t use it, you lose it” is such an appropriate lesson to consider. I find I must continue to practice and/or take lessons for personal strength and agility, even though I teach lessons all the time. Muscles become weak without consistent use, so it is imperative that you rehearse those skills you have already mastered.

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Dawn Churchill, CDF USA
Midwest Regional Coordinator

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127 Argo St. Washington, IL 61571 309) 360-5878