The Gift of Dance

By Jim Day

Mention the word “dancing” in some churches and you’ll either get a lot of raised eye brows or be immersed in the baptistery until you’ve recanted of even bringing the subject up. Yet, on Sunday mornings in other churches, you’d be hard pressed to find a spot in the isles that isn’t occupied by folks jumping up and down or dancing wildly to the latest pop praise music. I am exaggerating, but still there’s some truth to this, and the paradox got me to thinking about the role of dancing and the Church. So, I decided to do a little research on the subject.

Dancing is one of the oldest art forms and means of expressing or communicating emotions known to man. Educators have long known that including dance in a child’s education is not only beneficial for physical fitness but it also helps stimulate the brain to increase memory skills and mental development. In turning to Scripture, I found that the Bible actually has quite a bit to say about the subject of dancing.

The Hebrew word for dance is Karar, which means “to go in a circle, to leap, to run.” Gul, the Hebrew word for spin or turn, means “to be under the influence of any violent emotion or to be glad or joyful.” In Ancient Hebrew times dance was used to express joy, love for the land, thankfulness to God, and served as a form of praise and worship.

The Bible is full of examples of those who danced before the Lord. In Exodus 15:20 we find that Miriam and the women in Israel danced and sang before the Lord. They danced out of great joy for their deliverance from bondage. In 1 Samuel 18, 21, and 29 we find that the women of Israel danced after David had killed Goliath, the Hebrew word used here is “Mekholaw,” meaning “a round or circle dance.” In 2 Samuel 6:14-16 David danced before the Lord as the Ark was moved to Jerusalem, the Hebrew word used here is Karar. In Psalm 30:11 we find that David rejoiced for the Lord had turned his mourning into dancing. In Jeremiah 31:4, 12-13, Jeremiah prophesied of the time coming to Zion when the Lord would restore the dance to the young and old alike. They would rejoice before the Lord with dancing and singing, the Hebrew word here is Chuwl meaning “to twist or whirl in a spiral motion.” There are many scriptures that support dancing, Psalm 149:3 “Let them praise His name with dancing,” Psalm 150:4 “Praise His name with…dancing…,” Ecclesiastes 3:1-4 “There is a time…to dance.” Dance in biblical times was related to joy, praise and worship.

After reviewing the biblical references about dancing, I decided to interview a Christian dance instructor here in St. Louis and was directed to Christina McArthur, the founder and director of the newly formed Ekklesia Dance Company in St. Peters, MO. The Ekklesia Dance Company ministers in churches, schools, hospitals, art fairs, benefits and other venues. According to Miss McArthur, the mission of her company is not just to teach dance, but to “share God’s love and standards for living through the art of dancing and reach out with the Gospel to a world in need.”

I interviewed Miss McArthur to get her thoughts on dance education and how she feels it benefits children, and more importantly, how dance can be used as a form of worship and ministry to share the Gospel. When asked how dance education is beneficial to a child she answered by saying, “The Bible says that our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit and we’re commanded by God to take care of our bodies and use them for His glory. Dance education helps a child develop coordination and balance; it enhances muscular development and increases endurance and strength. Dance stimulates the mind and enhances memorization skills. It also provides discipline, structure and responsibility.”

I then asked her if she thought there were any moral benefits to instructing children how to dance. She replied, “Dance education builds character, respect for others and oneself and helps a child connect to an art form that the Bible classifies as an expression of joy and worship. At Ekklesia, students are not only taught dance technique but how to use dance as worship to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I don’t have to tell you, but we live in a fallen world. Like music, which is another form of worship, the world has taken dance and perverted and polluted it to express sin. Satan will always take what the Lord ordained as a powerful source of worship and ministry and try to steal it, and stop it from changing lives for Christ!”

I then wanted to know why she formed Ekklesia and what her goals were. “My goal with Ekklesia is to train children to use dance to glorify and edify God and not themselves. By expressing biblical principals and dancing to uplifting Christian music, I believe I’m providing an atmosphere that reaches pupils on a very spiritual level. Young people are a product of society and like it or not, the pop culture of music, dance, and media has a huge influence on young people. I believe that we as Christians can create a moral Christian pop culture and re-claim our youth! I have always had a passion for dance. I’ve danced since I was a very young girl and it was then that I decided I wanted to use it to serve Christ. While receiving my dance degree I found a second passion, choreography. Ekklesia allows me to fulfill my calling in life, to worship and create pieces to portray the Gospel. Dance is the oldest form of communication; I can take a dance about Christ anywhere in the world and touch an audience without ever saying a word; that is power! Psalm 149 says “to praise His name with the dance.” And Jesus commissioned us to take the Gospel to all nations. That is why I formed Ekklesia, which means The Called Out.”

Though dancing isn’t one of my gifts, the Lord has given us all gifts to use for His glory. I was impressed by Miss McArthur’s enthusiasm, knowledge of dancing and desire to serve the Lord with her gifts, and at the end of our interview I prayed that the Lord would use her gifts for His edification.

Ekklesia is located at 120 Jungermann Rd. in St. Peters, MO and will be hosting an open house on Saturday, February 26th from noon to 6 p.m. Those wishing to find out more about Ekklesia can reach Christina via e-mail at cballet_2000@yahoo.com or by calling (314) 540-5770. You can also their website at www.ekklesiadanceco.com.