Looks Matter!

Make sacred garments for Aaron that are glorious and beautiful...

Ex. 28:2 (NLT)

    

     "It doesn't matter what you wear, as long as you are giving God the glory"..."David danced out of his clothes."  How many times have you heard someone say this, or even seen these comments written under video footage posted on the Internet? Somewhere along the way, people have gotten the idea that dancers can present themselves to the Lord and the congregation in the sanctuary wearing just anything, even taking scriptures out of context to justify their tackiness.

     We have already talked about appropriate dress in earlier articles (Cover Your Assets, Pt. 1 & 2 ; In-Vest!, and The Hem of My Garment), as well as many others who have written about garments in their blogs. But it can never be said enough that looks are everything! The way dancers are dressed can determine whether the dance ministry is even allowed in a church, or can cause it to be shut down by the leadership. For the amount of information available today, there is still way too much cleavage showing, too many visible bra straps, panty lines and silhouettes in the sanctuary. Other unacceptable attire for dance ministry includes:

• large earrings
• long, curved nails
• dirty or wrinkled garments
• ballet slippers with strings tied in a bow (they are to be tucked in, the strings are not a decoration)
• loose, flying hair
• loud color nail polish (on hands and feet)
• jewelry (other than wedding rings)
• wearing tube socks or houseshoes that look like ballet shoes instead of appropriate dance shoes ( please go and invest in a real pair of dance shoes)
• gloves that don't fit
• wearing gloves while dancing barefoot (doesn't make sense)
• garments that are too tight
• wearing a leotard without an overlay, overdress, vest, or drape
• wearing a dress or skirt with no tights and palazzos or culottes underneath
• not wearing proper supporting undergarments so body parts are jiggling
• dirty dance shoes

     I'm sure there are a lot of items that could be added to this list...but you get the message. Have you ever seen a professional dancer wearing any of the above? In an article by Rebecca Breau, Prize-Winning Looks: Why Costumes Count*, the author quotes judges from professional dance competitions who say:

• "Too much skin happens a lot. There is a way to show the body in dance and not be too revealing" ~ Jackie Del Preete, (Dance Olympus/DANCEAMERICA)
• "If the costume doesn't match the piece's mood, it ends up being distracting" ~ Holly Humphreys,(Hollywood Vibe)
•   "...Look at the dancers that you've got in your ensemble and make choices that work for everyone" ~ (Randy Allaire, L.A. Danceforce) 

     If the world sets standards that are acceptable for dancers, how much more should the sacred dance community observe what they are wearing in the sanctuary?  Again...one of the main reasons the dance ministry is not accepted and respected is because of the way that the dancers are dressed. When you are dressed inappropriately, not only do you bring shame to the Lord's Name, you make it more difficult for those who take their ministry seriously! Most of these garment issues can be taken care of inexpensively: For less than $5.00, a small amount of  fabric can be draped over one  shoulder and pinned under the opposite arm to make a nice drape over a leotard... it's not fancy, but it really works until you can get something made.  A pair of ballet or jazz shoes can be found for less than $25.00 online... If you insist on getting that airbrush pedicure on Saturday, please wear your shoes on Sunday... Study the origins of modern dance and see why dancing barefoot with gloves is incongruent. The list goes on, and bears repeating: Looks Matter!

Please enjoy God's Providence Dance Assembly, and look at their simple, beautiful attire:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
End notes: Photo: Kathleen Brown, Foot of the Cross Ministries
*Articles: Why Costumes Count by Rebecca Breau, Dance Magazine-Competitions, Winning Ways
 The Hem of My Garment - blog 3/10
 Cover Your Assets - blog 8/10
 In-Vest! - blog 10/10

Shopping, Anyone?

   For those of you who thought that this was going to be another one of those Christmas-shopping-bashing articles---NOT! I love shopping, especially for other people. Hopefully if you love to shop, you also love to share. If you are still looking for a special holiday gift, there are  two great places to find beautiful, well-made garments and worship instruments at just the right price.

     Annette Johnson is a very dilgent garment maker in the Atlanta area, specializing in elegant, one-of-a-kind garments. She has many beautiful items on her website for large or small dance ministries and soloists. Annette speads a lot of time studying dancers' movements in order to create garments that will illustrate God's glory and beauty, while maintaining modesty in the sanctuary. Her large inventory features tunics, palazzo sets, full-length dresses with palazzos, ephods and sashes in the fabric and color of your choice. Garment of Praise gives you "...another reason to dance like David!"

     Another exciting website to visit is Foot Of the Cross Ministries, owned by Kathleen Grace Brown in Houston.  Kathleen makes beautiful tabrets, glory hoops and streamers for worship.  Her worship instruments are specifically designed and named for different types of worship dances: "Let the Redeemed of the Lord Say So", "River of Healing", and "Fire" to name a few.She also makes dainty jewelry items with dancers in various poses, just perfect for that special dancer in your life. Kathleen is also a member of the NLDN and CDF, and ministers regularly in dance all around the Houston area. Watch her website for teachings on worship instruments in 2011!

   Please visit these websites while you are doing your holiday shopping, where you will find all kinds of items for everyone. Blessings!

Garment of Praise - http://www.garmentofpraisecoga.com/

Foof of the Cross Mnistries - http://www.footofthecrossministries.com/

In-Vest!

     We are living in a time when everything is expensive! Basics like food, water, shelter, clothing and transportation are causing many of us to struggle just to make ends meet. For those of us who are part of the Worship Arts Minstries, it can become even more challenging to get garments, music, worship instruments, and other things that we need...so it seems. There are already many suggestions that have been offered on how to save money, raise funds, and do things to be well-equipped for ministry without "breaking the bank".

     Anytime we make a committment to do something, there is always a cost involved, and if we are really commissioned of God to a ministry, He will provide us with everything we need to do His work, even if it comes to us in ways that we didn't expect:

"Is there anyone here who, planning to build a new house, doesn't first sit down and figure the cost so you'll know if you can complete it? If you only get the foundation laid and then run out of money, you're going to look pretty foolish. Everyone passing by will poke fun at you: 'He started something he couldn't finish.' "(Luke 14:28 - The Message)

     I recently attended a Dance Conference where it was reported that garments were stolen--yes stolen from a vendor's rack, and someone even took a garment that someone else had saved up money to purchase. I can't imagine which God they are going to praise while wearing some stolen garments, and I hope and pray that they won't dance in them. I also hope that the ones who were stolen from will receive double from what was taken away, especially the one who saved up for their special praise wear. I also know of people who will join a dance ministry and say: "If I have to buy garments, I'm not dancing" or complain about how much the items cost...expecting the ministry to pay for their garments. While it is true that some churches have the budgets to purchase garments for their dance ministries, most of the time we have to purchase our own. Remember if God called you, He will make provision for what you need. You don't ever have to steal, feel entitled, or demand that someone else pay for what you need.

    When I was in college, we had an Acting instructor who had three words for us when we were preparing our stage work for class: "Invest! Invest! Invest!". By this, he meant, (1) Spend time honing your craft; (2) Spend time researching your work and (3) Spend money on your costumes, props and anything else you need to have an excellent performance. The secular arena is aware of this, so how dare do we who know God try to get away with anything less? Time out for not investing our resources into what God has given us to do....time out for not knowing why we do what we do... and time out for not honing our skills to be our best. It's time to In-Vest!

Please C.Y.A. ...Part II!

     I received so much response from this article that I was inspired to continue with a Part II of Please Cover Your Assets! There is so much to say about this topic that it's impossible to tell  it all, but if all of us who have voices will speak out, I believe that those who have ears to hear will listen, and act accordingly. There are many who want to please God, but don't have anyone to give them positive guidance, and still others who have already decided that they will do as they like, regardless of what is said or shown to them. We already know that there is a trend, not just in the dance ministry but in the world, to show as much of ourselves as we possibly can and that same trend comes to church services every week-- not only among dancers but in the Praise Team, the choir, and the congregation.

     God tells us that there should be a difference between the way we look, and the way that others look. Did you know that some countries in the Middle East call the United States "The Great Satan" because of the way women are dressed? I was saved in an Apostolic church that did not believe that women should wear pants, jewelry, make-up, seamed stockings, open-toed shoes or sleeveless dresses. Now that is an extreme, but there is truth in the doctrine that we are to be separate from the world. We can be beautiful and fashionable, and still dress appropriately.

   Many past and present arguments state:

•    Women should dress modestly so that men won't stumble
•    Women are their brother's keeper
•    Women have to dress in a certain way to show that they are "good" girls

    I don't agree with any of those statements, and this is why:

•    If a man has an issue, he will have one until he gives it to God,  although we should not be part of it
•    We should be concerned about others, but their problems are theirs until they release them
•    Just because a woman dresses in a certain way does not always mean that her heart is right

    The reason for wearing appropriate garments is that we are perceived in whatever way we present ourselves. If we appear naked, then that is the way people will see us. We dress in a certain way because of the One that we represent. A while back, I danced at a traditional Baptist church where there were some older "church mothers". I didn't have a lot of garments or money to buy an overlay, so I bought a piece of chiffon fabric and wrapped it around the bodice of the dress. One of them came to me after I danced and said: "I saw the worship in your dance. That was very classy". Thank God for that! So, for those of us who continue to make excuses for dancing without appropriate garments, what do you think these same elders are saying when you dance?

     So, before you go out to minister, or even go outside, here are some things to think about:

• What do I want people to see when they look at me?
• Do my garments enhance the message I am bringing, or do they take away from the essence of it?
• What does God think of what I am wearing?

     Lastly, on a teleconference, I heard a well-known dance garment maker say: "If you are not ready to buy appropriate garments, maybe you are not ready to minister in dance". That may sound harsh, but there is truth in what she is saying. Once again, if you don't know what to do, find out first, count the cost, pray for guidance, and...Please Cover Your Assets!

Please C.Y.A. (Cover Your Assets)!

     There is a growing trend in the dance ministry to dance without coverings underneath skirts and dresses. Even with the large number of conferences and workshops where classes are taught about proper dance ministry attire, it is still going on and bringing a lot of undue attention where it is not needed. The body is not dirty or shameful, because everything that God has created is good (Gen.1:31) however, because we live in a fallen world, we have to be careful of what we are showing when we dance in a worship community. What is appropriate for the dance studio or the stage is not for the sanctuary, which is sacred space where all of the focus is to be on the glory and beauty of God, and not on us. Many people have written about this topic in blogs and articles throughout the internet, but it can never be stressed enough...Cover Your Assets!

     In the book of Exodus, God gave instructions to Moses that Aaron and his sons were to wear certain types of priestly garments in the tabernacle for glory and beauty (Ex.28:2). In verses 42-43, He told him to make garments to cover their nakedness:

Make linen underwear to cover their nakedness from waist to thigh. Aaron and his sons must wear it whenever they enter the Tent of Meeting or approach the Altar to minister in the Holy Place so that they won't incur guilt and die. This is a permanent rule for Aaron and all his priest-descendants.

(The Message)

   

     There are other elements of the garments that God required, and although we are no longer under the law of Moses there are still certain standards that we have to maintain to keep the reverence and respect of worship in the sanctuary. This is not being legalistic or to put anyone in bondage. Once again, the focus of worship dance is always on God and not on the person, although they are the channel God uses to bring the message in movement. Imagine someone doing an anointed dance, and when they jump, all you see is...you get it. There are so many beautiful inexpensive palazzo (wide legged) pants being made to go under skirts and dresses in all colors and patterns,  there is no excuse for anyone to be going without them. A lot of pastors do not allow dance in their churches because of dancers wearing garments that reveal too much, are too tight, or specifically, the dancers are not covered properly underneath. So many men (and women) come into the church struggling with all kinds of visual addictions, and the last thing they need to see is someone's crotch in the sanctuary...just keeping it real! 

     We must always remember who and what we represent when we dance. Contrary to what anyone says or what you see anyone else doing, it does matter what we do in the sanctuary. Don't be a hindrance to anyone; if you are not sure about what is appropriate, do some research, ask questions, invest in workshops, learn about dance garments, and look around to see what is correct. Listen if someone makes a suggestion about how to be well covered, and don't get an attitude!

We put no stumbling block in anyone's path, so that our ministry will not be discredited.

2 Cor 6:3 (NIV)

      Someone is always watching what we do. With the advent of YouTube, Facebook, MySpace and other social networking venues, our work can go around the world in less than 2 minutes. Just because someone says they are in awe of us publicly does not mean that in private, other things are not being said. We can't control people's thoughts or conversations, but we can control what they see. Let's be sure to keep our assets properly covered!

    Please enjoy this video and watch how freely dancers can move for Christ with the proper attire:

The Hem of My Garment

     I remember going on the bus to the fabric store downtown with my grandmother, who was a professional seamstress. I watched while she inspected yardage, looking for the tiniest flaw and haggling with the shop owner to get the best price, recognizing quality fabric and knowing its worth. As she sewed, she would often sing an old hymn called She Only Touched the Hem of His Garment:


Oh, touch the hem of His garment!
  And thou, too, shalt be free!
His saving power this very hour
    Shall give new life to thee!
  ~by G.F. Root

     Among movement ministries, there has been a welcome increase in the number of garment makers, bringing a wide variety of styles and price ranges from which to choose. The downside of this is that some garment makers have become competitive and territorial, and some dancers have become more concerned with buying expensive garments than enriching their spiritual man. We should always invest in the best garments we can afford, but we don't have to purchase all of them at once! And we definitely should not be made to feel that the God's anointing will not be upon us if our garments are not the most elaborate, or  look down on those who wear garments that are simply made.  Remember that the anointing of God was ON Christ before it was IN His garment (Mark 5: 27-30), and the anointing also moved through Peter's shadow when he walked past people (Acts 5:25).
     God works from the inside out (Acts 1:8), and whatever we wear is secondary to what is in our hearts. Wearing beautiful garments means nothing if we are empty on the inside, have no Christ-consciousness towards others, or are hiding insecurities about ourselves underneath what we have on. God is All-Powerful, and can take someone who knows absolutely nothing about garments and move through them for His glory---because their hearts are pure (I Sam 16:7). So, before you put on that beautful dance garment, remember that what you are wearing inside is even more important than what is seen with the natural eye.

    Be blessed by this video...

Glorious Garments!

The proliferation of movement ministries over the years has been phenomenal. All styles and genres of dance are now being represented everywhere. The rapid growth of these ministries always brings questions about finding and wearing appropriate garments. Everyone I know has at least one story about dance or mime ministries dressed in ways that, well...let’s just say that they didn’t go to garment class at the conference! It takes time and planning to shop for ministry garments that exemplify God’s glory and beauty (Ex. 28:2), and are affordable. Contrary to the belief that says “it doesn’t matter what you wear as long as you are giving God the glory”, the garments we wear are part of the overall presentation of the dance.

Fortunately, there is a new book to help you learn about the ministry aspect of garments along with resources to guide you in obtaining garments for your dance ministry and budget. I highly recommend Garments of Glory by Jocelyn Richard, director of Visual Praise Ministries and Dance Studios in Augusta, GA. Jocelyn has done all of the “footwork” for you by creating a comprehensive downloadable e-book that is full of Biblical teaching and resource information. This full color ministry guide is available at www.thepraisedancelife.com, and is very reasonably priced. It will be an excellent addition to your dance library. So, pick up your copy of Jocelyn Richard's Garments of Glory today, and start looking glorious for Christ!