Stephanie,
You have just taught me something...I think that the word before rehersal is great, I might have to use that...This is a strange season...God is strategically moving...it is no coincedence that you are the one that has been chosen for this assignment...you were not tainted, therefore you had the ability to see clearly. As the new leader of N-Him (with karmel in the background of course)one of the things that I enjoy learning from Karmel is organization...she is an awsome resource...we have paperwork to cover the paperwork...lol...please feel free to stay in touch on the info@n-him and we can prayerfully help you tweak something...and I am sure that some other members will have great ideas...one thing that i would encourage outside of that is that you begin to fast and pray for your team...mabe even institute a day of fasting and prayer corporately for the group...there are some issues that won't leave until you turn your plate down and seek the face of God and as you become sensitive to the voice of God he will show you exactly how to deal with each individual person....on returning members...you have to be careful not to walk in flesh even tho they may have...if God has called them to minister through dance you don't want to hinder that...this is where rules and regulations come in. Make sure that you make them fit your ministry...always be the team that God called you to be.
Be Blessed
Sonji
: Hello Everyone,
: I am new to this website and have found it to be an invaluable treasure. As well, I am fairly new to ministering as a praise dancer and am in need of some expert help.
: In late January of '07, I joined the praise dance team, which was under the leadership of my pastor's wife. About a month after I joined, Pastor and wife asked me to assume leadership of the dance ministry stating that she would be taking some time off. This was especially difficult on the team since they had emotional attachments to her as the First Lady as well as the leader of the dance ministry. Additionally, we were preparing an African dance that had not been completed. The news of her departure was delivered at the last rehearsal prior to the actual ministry moment. Thanks be unto God, I was well received by the team. However, their pain was very tangible; hence, I inherited the task of trying to maintain a healthy ministry while the true reason for our leader's departure was still dancing on the team.
: As I type, I'm reminded of how faithful God was during those times and how awesome He remains. Since that time, Pastor has divorced and some of the old members have left the dance ministry. The latter I consider an answer to prayer!! I purpose to teach the women from the Scriptures before every rehearsal. My saying to them is "There is no ministry without the Word". As a result, we are growing more and more spiritually. Needless to say, it shows during ministry moments. That's good and I'm really glad about it. But, my concern now is that we have no structure. The ladies are wonderful to work with; however, I think we need to develop rules and/or policies to govern the dance ministry but I really don't know where to start. How do you handle requests to minister at other churches or functions, missed rehearsals, old members who want to return, or even new people who want to join? These are just a few queries. Your help and that of your readers would be greatly appreciated.