Praise Dance and Its Impact on the Church

Praise dance is a cultural touchstone designed to glorify God through movement. Also known as Liturgical Dance, which means public worship, it's a powerful art form that plays a significant role in churches worldwide.

What is Praise Dance?

Not to be confused with "shouting" or the spontaneous dance done by an individual who feels the presence of God during a praise break, a Liturgical dance is usually choreographed and rehearsed extensively before being performed during a church service or event. It can be performed by just one person or a larger group of dancers.

There are many instances of praise dancing in the Bible. For example, in the Old Testament, Miriam, the sister of Moses, led the Israelites in a dance to celebrate crossing the Red Sea. King David danced with all his might after feeling the Spirit of God. Psalm 149:3 instructs us to "Praise His name with the dance..."

The elements of modern praise dance have ancient roots that can be traced back to West African religious dances. It became widely popular in the Black Church during the 1970s, but there is evidence that dancing as a form of worship was popular in the Christian church as early as the 9th century.

Praise dance can incorporate components of ballet, jazz, and contemporary dance. It can even be done with flags or ribbons. The most significant aspect of liturgical dance is the motivation behind the movements. It's intended not solely for entertainment but to set the atmosphere of a church service or event. Its primary function is to celebrate, minister, and communicate the greatness of God to onlookers.

The Acceptance of Praise Dance in the Church

Praise dance is most commonly practiced in Pentecostal, charismatic, and non-denominational Christian churches. Many Catholic, Lutheran, and Conservative Baptist churches actively discourage or want to ban praise dancing due to concerns about its association with paganism or inappropriate physical expression in worship.

The role praise dance has in the church is significant. Dance is a powerful art form that allows dancers to express their faith and creativity. Some believe that praise dance can be a powerful tool for spiritual renewal, leading to a deeper, more personal connection with God.

Drop a 💃🏾 in the comments if you look forward to seeing a praise dance in church!