DON'T be a dance leader if...

I am so grateful for every leader I have ever worked under because I have learned so much from each of them. I observed their leadership style and grew through their education. Some of those leaders taught me to seek God and love dance. Others taught me to push myself to be better. While a few, taught me exactly how NOT to lead. I have learned 5 criteria's along the way that should exclude a person from becoming a praise dance leader. I am not trying to be negative; I just strongly believe we should be aiming towards greatness in the body of Christ.

If you are contemplating becoming a dance leader at your church, first ask yourself if you should. Being a leader of a small group does not mean you have that same spiritual authority to lead a specialized ministry. Some of these will seem obvious but, believe it or not, there many praise dance leaders who fit these faux pas.

Don't be a dance ministry leader if....

1. You Don't Dance

Does this not seem obvious?! Why would a church put a non-dancer in charge of a dance team? Why would a non-dancer accept being in charge of dance team? Spare me the, "There was no one else" cliché. Its mind boggling! It's surprising how many praise dance leaders I have met who do not dance. Yet wonder why their dances are a hot mess, their dancers are unmotivated, and their dance ministry is not growing. An appreciation for dance and the ministry is not a justification to lead in an area in which you are completely inexperienced.

It does not work that way! When I bring things up like this, people like to bring up that saying: God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called. It is the most nonsensical thing I have ever heard. Though inspirational, it is not biblical. My bible says:

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit... John 15:16

For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, Romans 12:4

There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— Ephesians 4:4

For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. Romans 8:29-30

In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, Ephesians 1:11

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10

I can keep going! God won't call you and then equip you; that doesn't make any sense. Don't bring up Moses, because Moses had Aaron who spoke for him when he couldn't. God did allow things to happen in Moses life that prepared him for the calling God had on his life. I feel like that saying encourages mediocrity, when we should have a spirit of excellency when it comes to the things of the Lord. Our personality, likes, dislikes, and natural abilities were all given to us before we were born. The Lord didn't just create a bunch of people and is now winging it trying to equip people as He calls them. We were created with a purpose. We are the body of Christ. In a body, an arm can't be a leg and a tooth can't be a nail because you'll look like a monster. Yet, that is what we are doing to the body of Christ when we try to fit in a place where we were not created to be.

There are leaders who have never had an interest in dance and don't even have rhythm. The LEADER will present excuses as to why they just can't have rehearsal. Their heart isn't in it, and that's okay because it is not their calling. However, that person has no business being a dance ministry leader. They are only hindering and stunting the growth of not only the church ministry, but the personal ministry of the dancers. If you do not like to dance, you have no business being a dance ministry leader.

2. It Is Not 100% Your Calling

The first time I ever danced, my soul felt like it was finally home. That is the moment I knew what I was called and created to do. There are leaders who like dance and can dance, but don't see themselves in dance ministry for the long haul. That's okay too. There is nothing wrong with that. An important part of discovering your calling is through developing your talents and gifts. Some ministries and talents will lead you to your purpose. If you are still finding your way, volunteer in as many ministries as possible. Some people know right away, others have to search for it. I am not saying you cannot be part of the dance ministry group. I am saying you should not be a dance ministry leader.

Don't use dance leadership as a stepping stone for "bigger things." Every ministry is important to God. One is not more important than the other. They are all different methods of delivering the same message. When dance is 100% your calling, you will give 100% of your effort, time, and resources to the ministry. If you are not willing to give your all to dance ministry, then you have no business being a dance ministry leader. Which brings me to my next point.

3. Not Willing to Invest and Grow in Dance

It is irresponsible to become a leader in anything without first acquiring knowledge.

An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.

Proverbs 18:15

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Proverbs 1:7

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because you have rejected knowledge, I reject you from being a priest to me. Hosea 4:6

Take my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold,

Proverbs 8:10

Moses escaped persecution and was adopted by Pharaohs daughter. This allowed him to receive the training, education, and preparation To prepare him for his purpose. God needed an Israelite without a slave mentality to boldly demand to release his people from captivity. It took an educated man to know how to handle a delicate situation in a foreign culture. He was raised a certain way, so that he could use his knowledge to do the will of God. He used his secular teaching to bless the kingdom of God. Why is it then, that so many leaders and churches are against seeking knowledge and developing dance technique?

There is a quote that says: Once opportunity knocks at the door, it is too late to start preparing.

You wouldn't start packing your luggage when they start boarding at the terminal. Then why do you think you can just "wing it" and make it up as you go along? You were created for a specific purpose at a specific moment, and if you are not prepared God will move on to the next available vessel that is prepared. You need to invest and be willing to grow in order to be a successful leader. If you find it unnecessary to take dance classes and courses, read dance books, attend conferences, and find opportunities to learn about dance ministry, you have no business being a dance ministry leader.

4. You Have No Interest in Seeking God

Yet another obvious criteria that so many dance ministry leaders lack. Some leaders get so caught up in the pageantry and the flashiness, that they have no sustenance. They get into the ministry because they like the pretty garments and the choreography looks fun and or cool. They are leading their dancers to destruction! They are teaching their dancers the wrong priorities. They are teaching their dance team that dance is not important enough to be taken seriously. They are teaching their dancers that a superficial relationship with God is acceptable. This one does not need back up scriptures, or long explanations and examples. It is what it is. If you have interest or desire to develop a relationship with God, then you have no business being a dance ministry leader.

5. Jack of All Trades; Master of None

This saying means if you dabble in a little bit of everything, you will never be able to master anything. Your mind is too scattered and you do not give anything 100% of your attention. Regardless of how many talents you've been given, you only have ONE purpose. I strongly believe that nobody should ever be a leader of multiple ministries. It stretches the person out and they will not able to lead well. I am not saying you can't be involved and help out in multiple ministries. I am talking about leadership. Your ministry will crumble under the pressure, then slowly suffocate and die.

I have seen this happen so many times, and it saddens me greatly. Many times, mediocre leaders fell under the above criteria. Other times, great dance leaders let the ministry fall through the cracks because they became too busy. Not every opportunity is a blessing from God. The enemy dresses himself as an angel of light. A wolf in lambs clothing. He will offer amazing positions, titles, and opportunities to distract you from your calling. Look at how he tempted Jesus in the desert. He tempted Jesus with the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. There is a quote in Spanish that I love and it roughly translates to: The devil knows more because he's old, not because he is wise. The enemy is not ignorant to you and your calling. He is not ignorant to you and your calling. He has been studying humanity for thousands of years. He knows what he is doing. Do you?

I have been asked: What else can you do for Jesus? But I think of Martha (Luke 10:38-42) and how unsatisfied she was keeping busy. Why did it not fulfill her? Why was it not enough?

Jesus reminds Martha that even though there is a lot to get done, only one thing is actually important: Everything comes secondary to spending time with Jesus. Busyness hurts our relationship with the Lord; and it is in the presence of God that your purpose is revealed.

Being the leader of a dance ministry requires you to make decisions on your dancers, spiritual growth, music, garments, choreography, dates, transportation, fundraising, etc. You can't also try to lead the choir, and children's ministry, and homeless outreach program, and the media production team, and be church secretary, and... and... and...

I once heard someone say: I have an assistant in each ministry I lead, that runs it for me.

Then you're not a leader! Any ministry you accept to take responsibility, should have your undivided attention. Good leaders delegate work, bad leaders delegate responsibility. Others can help you with the workload but that responsibility falls solely on the leader. If the ministry fails, God holds the leader accountable not the members. Nothing is more frustrating than an absent leader who refuses to relinquish the title.

It is great that you are multi-talented. I'm not trying to be a hater. Continue to use all your gifts for the kingdom. But, if you are mediocre at a bunch of things, then you're not a blessing. We're meant to make an impact, and being average is not going to impact anyone or anything. Busyness should not be your goal, it will only neglect your calling. You become like the man who hid his talent in the dirt (Matt 25:14-30), except you are hiding your talent in busyness. What if Jesus decided to run away to the other side of the world because he was afraid to die? Hypothetically, he would have continue preaching the word of God and performing miracles. What good would that have brought? Had He not died for our sins, the world we live in would be vastly different. He would have buried his calling under his talents. If you are the leader of multiple ministries, than you have no business being a dance ministry leader.

-Wendy B.