My ministry has received and invite to compete in May. I'm really not sure about it. Part of me says do it but part of me think that competing is going to far. Our dance is about praise and worship to our Lord.
This is how I was feeling and i didn't or don't feel led to do this. When the letter came I did even think how my address was given. I've never done anything like this, close to this , but instantly it made me feel uneasy. I'm glad I didn't feel alone is this decision.
Tabra - I must agree with everyone, We must look at the spiritual damage that competing will do. Although, the members of your ministry may be spiritual mature enough to separate competing from worship; Do you really want to risk the spiritual authority that rest in competing. Competing redirects the focus from God to yourself. It creates a spirit of boast and self pride. These type of spirits can and will undo the unity in a ministry.
Wow! that's heavy. . . I must say I have to agree with Ellaysa and Delicia. We should never be competing. Whoever started competitions probably had not given great thought to what the Word says..... we are to be light shining for Jesus pointing people to Him, whether it be in word or deed, or ministering in dance. God is not competing against Himself, He is God! If the body is fitly joined together there would be no room for competition.
All I can say is amen to Rekesha! Thank you for re-posting Delicia. I am of the same heart and mind. As a leader, we have to be careful what we are leading others into. The world tries to put a new face/mask on competitions and make them seem Godly... It is only a form of godliness(praise dancing, choir comps, mimes, etc.). For if we all receive our gifts from the same Holy Spirit... how can the Spirit of God compete against itself? Either 1 of 2 things will happen; You will: 1) Win, get earthly acclaim, a prize and be puffed up in pride or 2) Lose, and leave resenting your brothers and sisters in Christ who placed ahead of you, leave in a spirit of defeat and feeling cast down or leave determined to beat them next time and work on "showmanship" instead of cultivating a spirit of worship and producing a new greater anointing.
Now, if you are the winner: Ask yourself, why do i feel the need to compete? If it's for acclaim: aren't we ministers of light and glory? Aren't we supposed to be lifting Christ up so that He can draw men unto Himself?
If it's for the prize: Is that the prize we are supposed to be seeking after? Or are we to press toward the mark for the prize of the High calling of God in Christ?
And if it causes you to be proud... well, the Word of God has plenty to say about the proud. All of these traits puts us outside the will and character of God.
Now, if you are the one who doesn't win and you leave feeling resentful, angry, defeated/cast down or any such emotions... those are definitely not Christ-like characteristics.
Hey Tabra... I just want to share with you a blog written by my sister Rekesha Pittman on this very subject.
Judgment Day
There is a growing sector of those who seek to capitalize off of worship arts ministries. While we can all creatively justify our reasons for doing something, we must always remember that the Lord is a Just Judge. When it comes to competition in ministry, we must be careful that we are not vying to claim any glory for ourselves. We are working for an eternal reward.
Recently, I was asked to serve as a judge for a Praise Dance Competition. This was the second time in a week that I was made aware of this type of event happening nearby. While this is nothing new, it is still disturbing to me nevertheless. One advertisement for a similar gathering proclaimed that the dancers were competing to defeat the devil. I could only shake my head in astonishment at the state of many dance ministries today.
If we are one Body, can we truly compete against ourselves? If one of our arms is significantly bigger than the other through weightlifting more on one side of our body, will we not be looked upon as deformed? This is the equivalent of competition in ministry.
No matter how "friendly" we aim to be while competing, it is human nature to try to be the best at what we do. As a result, we may exhibit ungodly behavior as the intensity of competition arises. In order to win, that may mean that our opponent may suffer some sort of setback (falling during ministry, flags and props that are not functional, etc.), be ill-prepared (unpolished choreography, less-than-spectacular garments, etc.), have less of a "fan base" (which makes it a popularity contest), or a multitude of other disqualifiers.
Would I judge the ministry of dance based on who is the most "anointed?" Is the winner determined by who has the most complicated choreography? Should I give an honorable mention to the group that has the best garment design? As I have previously written, not every invitation is to be accepted. While I can only answer for myself due to my personal conviction of advocating for the education and development of ministry through the worship arts, I will have to respectfully decline all such "opportunities."
New King James Version
Matthew 7:1-2
Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.
John 7:24
Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.
Romans 14:13
Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way.
1 Corinthians 4:5
Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one’s praise will come from God.
1 Corinthians 9:25
And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.
Comments
Now, if you are the winner: Ask yourself, why do i feel the need to compete? If it's for acclaim: aren't we ministers of light and glory? Aren't we supposed to be lifting Christ up so that He can draw men unto Himself?
If it's for the prize: Is that the prize we are supposed to be seeking after? Or are we to press toward the mark for the prize of the High calling of God in Christ?
And if it causes you to be proud... well, the Word of God has plenty to say about the proud. All of these traits puts us outside the will and character of God.
Now, if you are the one who doesn't win and you leave feeling resentful, angry, defeated/cast down or any such emotions... those are definitely not Christ-like characteristics.
Amen Commissioners? :-)
Judgment Day
There is a growing sector of those who seek to capitalize off of worship arts ministries. While we can all creatively justify our reasons for doing something, we must always remember that the Lord is a Just Judge. When it comes to competition in ministry, we must be careful that we are not vying to claim any glory for ourselves. We are working for an eternal reward.
Recently, I was asked to serve as a judge for a Praise Dance Competition. This was the second time in a week that I was made aware of this type of event happening nearby. While this is nothing new, it is still disturbing to me nevertheless. One advertisement for a similar gathering proclaimed that the dancers were competing to defeat the devil. I could only shake my head in astonishment at the state of many dance ministries today.
If we are one Body, can we truly compete against ourselves? If one of our arms is significantly bigger than the other through weightlifting more on one side of our body, will we not be looked upon as deformed? This is the equivalent of competition in ministry.
No matter how "friendly" we aim to be while competing, it is human nature to try to be the best at what we do. As a result, we may exhibit ungodly behavior as the intensity of competition arises. In order to win, that may mean that our opponent may suffer some sort of setback (falling during ministry, flags and props that are not functional, etc.), be ill-prepared (unpolished choreography, less-than-spectacular garments, etc.), have less of a "fan base" (which makes it a popularity contest), or a multitude of other disqualifiers.
Would I judge the ministry of dance based on who is the most "anointed?" Is the winner determined by who has the most complicated choreography? Should I give an honorable mention to the group that has the best garment design? As I have previously written, not every invitation is to be accepted. While I can only answer for myself due to my personal conviction of advocating for the education and development of ministry through the worship arts, I will have to respectfully decline all such "opportunities."
New King James Version
Matthew 7:1-2
Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.
John 7:24
Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.
Romans 14:13
Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way.
1 Corinthians 4:5
Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one’s praise will come from God.
1 Corinthians 9:25
And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.