I had a 12 year old voice student who was an excellent dancer. We ended up selecting a song from Barlow Girl for her to sing and she, along with two other youth group friends put together a beautiful dance. She danced and sang while the other two danced and it was one of the creative things our church had done in the 4 years I had been there as the worship minister. The leadership promptly squashed any ideas we had of doing something like that again because they felt too many people were uncomfortable, including themselves.

I understand the need for orderly worship but when something that is pure and holy is cast aside in fear because it is an artistic expression and goes against the grain of the church’s tradition then I think there is a problem. In this case, it was not a free form of expression but something we planned and rehearsed for two solid months so that the dance and clothing was appropriate and my student could be equipped to sing and dance together.

I am saddened when we try to force worhsip into a small box because we believe that is what God wants and expects. He is more concerned about the hearts of those gathered in worship than he is about musical style, sermon content, drama, choirs etc.

Amos 5:21-23 “I hate, I despise your religious feasts; I cannot stand your assemblies. Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them. Though you bring choice fellowship offerings, I will have no regard for them. Away with the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps.”

If the heart is wrong it doesn’t matter about dance, music, or anything else…it is destible to God.

Dance is a particularly interesting and powerful form that can be an amazing story telling tool. I, of course, cannot dance at all! However, I think everyone should dance, just not in public.;)

At one point, however, some “break dancers” (if that’s what you call them) took the stage and did their thing. It was great to see young mostly African-American and Hispanic young men be involved in a church thing.

But I couldn’t help but wonder – where is the Gospel in this?

It once again boils down to preference, as long as it goes with what the word of God is saying then go with it.

Oh yeah, by the way was Jesus a political figure, might as well stir up something else, please don’t respond.

Your point about orderly gifts, however, is a great point. What that means is harder to flesh out but it is something we should struggle with gladly.

I would say there is resistance to this since it is not egalitarian and puts a very skilled artist “above” those who think they are artists. This is what I have seen and hope will not be the norm.

I am not saying, however that there is no structure or framework for the actual ministries, just not one that supports artists in the way I am asking about. And, it is “asking” more than telling.

I am BY NO MEANS saying that God cannot be worshiped through all forms of art and creativity. On the contrary, I am an ardent advocate of celebrating God’s grace and glory through the arts. However, Paul shows us a more excellent way: orderly church services wherein people serve according to their gifts, not according to their hobbies.

I think you make good points, I just want to be clear if you’re talking hypothetically or if you’ve seen this as a legitimate and/or growing problem