Praise Dance
Ministry
CICELY GARNER, CHAIRPERSON
SHEKINAH GLORY
At First Baptist Church, praise dancing is a form of dance that expresses outward praise to God mainly in church services. It encompasses all expressions of worship and praise through dance. Praise dancing has experienced a revival of sorts in churches all across the globe. All cultures and ethnic backgrounds bring their own flare to praise dancing through their cultural-specific movements. For example, praise dancers in Africa will use their bodies in praise with African dancing. American praise dancers tend to use more hand movements, ballet, and interpretive dance. Most praise dancing is done with upbeat music with lyrics that describe thankfulness or feelings of joy and praise.
Praise dancing is mainly practiced by those of the Christian faith but is not always done within the four walls of the church. Praise dancing is becoming sort of a movement that is catching on everywhere. You can see praise dancers performing as background dancers for Gospel artists, in rallies, and in marches.
Praise dancing can come in many forms. There are dances of rejoicing, dances of praise, and dances of celebration; all keeping with the theme of praise dance. Dances of rejoicing are primarily done with leaps and turns. Dancers are expressing the joy that is already in their hearts towards God. Dances of praise exude the same emotions as dances of rejoicing. Celebratory dances are generally very colorful, can include many dancers, use flags and streamers in their choreography, and may include pageantry.