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Dance the Word
Is this not David, of whom they sang to one
another in dances, saying: ‘Saul has slain his
thousands, And David his ten thousands’?
1 Samuel 29:5
The singers went before, the players on
instruments followed after; Among them
were the maidens playing timbrels.
Psalm 68:25
If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles
of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with
the ability which God supplies, that in all things
God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to
whom belong the glory and the dominion
forever and ever. Amen.
1 Peter 4:11
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On Your Mark, Get Set... Go!
(A Dancer's Focus On Discipline)
by Sherry Traylor
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Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those
things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press
toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:13-14
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* Sherry Traylor (straylor@zcf.org) attends Zoe Christian Fellowship of Whittier, CA where she serves as Dance Director over several ministries. Sherry has served
the Lord in dance for over 20 years. Sherry has been blessed to facilitate dance conferences, and is in the process of writing a book on the ministry of dance.
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Why are we dancing, and what purpose do we serve when we dance? Let’s take a trip back in time to one of the earliest
references of dance in the Scriptures:
This was one of Israel’s most prominent deliverances. They crossed the Red Sea on dry land and not one of their tribal members
was lost. Never before had they witnessed such a miraculous and powerful feat! God, being their champion, vanquished their
greatest enemy (Pharoah) and they did nothing to cause his demise.
What could be their response? What tribute did they pay to God for such an awesome deliverance? Did they offer sacrifices? No-
the sacrificial system had yet to be established. Although sacrificing would become to be their most sacred method of worship, at
this time it was not available to them. Tabernacle Worship had not yet been established. What outward expression could they do
to show God their immense gratitude? THEY DANCED!!! And dance they did- with declaration, determination, and destination.
The points to be garnered from the text are as follows:
1) Dance Should Be Prophetic
This dance was prophetic in that the prophetess performed it, which indicates the type of anointing that should rest on all dance
ministries. If the first dance was performed by a prophetess, then that defined the anointing on their dance. The prophetic anointing
proclaims the heart, mind, and destiny of God for his people.
Miriam’s dance was prophetic in three areas:
It Proclaimed Dance. Dance would become the suggested medium for celebration. After every significant battle or victory, the
people danced.
It Proclaimed Deliverance. Through the medium of dance, Miriam and her dancers showed forth the delivering power of God
through their bodily movements. Dancing should demonstrate deliverance, healing, and miracles.
It Proclaimed Destiny. The attending message to this prophetic dance was that God would always be their Deliverer. They
were to never put their trust in any other deity but Jehovah God. They were in route to the Promised Land, and this dance
declared that the journey had officially started. Dance declared that God had brought them out of Egypt and that He would
lead them into the Promised Land.
2) Dance Should Be Interpretive
The prophetic deals with interpretation. I am interpreting the thoughts and directives of God, through the medium of dance.
Two points have to be considered:
1. Interpretive Message
2. Interpretive Method
First, what am I interpreting? As a dancer, I am interpreting the message of God, as did the prophetess Miriam. Second, how am I
going to interpret God’s message, or what methods are at my disposal? As dancers, it is incumbent to use the various genres and
styles that are available to interpret properly the scope of what God is saying. The world of Fine Arts is replete with steps, moves,
and interpretive expressions that would enhance our dance ministries. If we are to interpret the message of God, then the methods
should be as beautiful, poignant, and purposeful as possible. When the children of Israel were preparing to bring home the Ark of
the Covenant (I Chronicles 15), David made sure they were properly prepared to offer up to the Lord the best offering possible. The
medium of Fine Arts was employed and David rehearsed them diligently. Thus should be our posture.
3) Dance Should Be Pronouncing
Miriam prophetically pronounced the person and the goodness of GOD. It was not misunderstood who and what she danced about.
In the midst of our methods, let us not forget our message. WE DANCE FOR GOD. Some of the more provocative and
promiscuous movements should not be used to interpret the prophetic message of God. We pronounce the beauty and the
holiness of God- no matter the style of music, or the dance steps chosen. We are pronouncing the goodness and the presence of
God. We should invite praise and worship from our audiences and not invoke questions and doubt.
We dance. We dance because he chose us, and he chose it to glorify him. We dance because he gave us message and method.
We dance because deliverance and destiny is to be prophetically proclaimed. We dance, and shall continue to do so for His Glory.
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Conferences & Workshops
January 26th - January 28th
Praise 2006 International Worship Symposium
Living Waters Christian Fellowship
2459 E. Mountain Street - Pasadena, CA
Phone: (626) 791-7295 Fax: (626) 791-7634
E-mail: rws4mail@aol.com
Online Registration: www.praise2006.com
August 30th - September 3rd
Dancing Preachers International 2006
Nassau, Bahamas
Online registration: www.sabrinamckenzie.org
October 5th - 8th
Gathering of the Eagles
Columbus, OH
website: www.pamelarutherford.org
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Dance Ministry Events
Saturday, January 7, 2006 3:00pm- 6:00pm
Judah First Fellowship for Dance Ministry Leaders
Fore Front 2006... Leading the Charge!
Location: Music Center
135 North Grand Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90012
We'll be installing our first board members, talking about
the upcoming symposium, hearing your announcements
and recapping what was discussed at the Leaders
Seminar. We will close the meeting promptly at 6pm.
For those who can, we'll go over to Calif Pizza Kitchen
and continue the fellowship!
Please R.S.V.P. by 1/5/06 via email to:
stepsbygod@sbcglobal.net.
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Building A Strong Dance Vocabulary
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orcheomai (Strong's #3738) -
to dance (from the rank-like or regular motion)
Context: Luke 7:32
They are like children sitting in the marketplace and
calling out to each other: 'We played the flute for you,
and you did not dance; we sang a dirge,
and you did not cry.'
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pazaz (Strong's #6339) -
to spring (as if separating the limbs)
Context: 2 Samuel 6:16
And as the ark of the LORD came into the city of
David, Michal Saul's daughter looked through a
window, and saw king David leaping and dancing
before the LORD; and she despised him in her heart.
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Company Keepers - Back Issues:
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December 2005
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November 2005
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October 2005
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September 2005
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May 2005
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August 2005
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June 2005
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July 2005
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We want to support you!
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Company Keepers Staff:
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Rekesha Pittman - Editor-in-Chief (Founder- Rain Rein Reign Ministries)
Sherry Traylor - Consulting Editor (Dance Director- Zoe Expressions Dance Ministry)
Grace Schraner - Staff Writer (Dance Leader- Steps on the Rock)
Robin Deane - Staff Writer (Dance Leader- Rejoice Adult Dance Ministry & Victory Praise Dancers)
LaVetta C. Williams - Staff Writer (Founder- Dancing Before the King Ministries)
Marlita Hill - Staff Writer (Founder - Dancing Hill Ministries)
Machelle Lewis - Staff Writer (Assistant - Zoe Expressions Dance Ministry)
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Company Keepers
Dance Ministry Monthly
January 2006 Vol. 2 No. 1
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In This Issue
On Your Mark...
May I Have This Dance?
Event Calendar
Building A Strong
Dance Vocabulary
Dance Ministry Resources
RESOLVE
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ON YOUR MARK...
Calling-The "hope of your calling" is the hope resulting from your being called into the kingdom of God. (Eph 4:4)
Identity- Know who you are in Christ.
Trained- Practice the principles of God’s Word.
GET SET...
Determine Goals and Vision.
Focus- Consider your ways (Haggai 1:5)
Prepare- Trials will come. Leap over the hurdles in life!
Separate Yourself- "Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely. And may your spirit, soul, and
body be kept sound and blameless for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Thess 5:23)
Team Effort- Will bring success to everyone.
GO!
Fulfill Your Purpose- "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven" (Ecc 3:1)
Persevere- Don’t settle for less.
Press Toward the Mark- Victory in Jesus!
REMEMBER… Finish Strong!
2 Timothy 4:7- I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have kept the faith.
Hebrews 11:40- For God had far better things in mind for us that would also benefit them, for they can't receive
the prize at the end of the race until we finish the race.
God Is Asking...
May I Have This Dance?
by Sally Reynolds
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"And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with
timbrels and with dances. And Miriam answered them, Sing ye to the Lord, for he hath triumphed gloriously,
the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea." (Exodus 15:20-21)
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* Sally B. Reynolds (onpointepro@yahoo.com) is the Director of Fine Arts at Covenant Worship Center Ministries which includes Dance Director and
Choreographer of Silent Praise adult dance team. She also serves as Director and Overseer of 3 youth and young adult dance teams, Majestic Praise
(ages 3-11), MOD Squad (ages 12 and up) and Rakad (ages 14 and above) She's currently working on launching her new dance company On Pointe
Productions in Spring 2006!
And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
Colossians 3:17
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RESOLVE
by LaVetta Celise Williams
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The word I’m hearing in my spirit for 2006 is ‘RESOLVE.’ Resolve comes from the Greek word ginon meaning "to come to know,
perceive, realize," and is used in the 2nd aorist tense in Luke 16:4. "I am resolved," expressing the definiteness of the steward's
realization, and his consequent determination of his course of action. This is also a root word from the Greek word ginosko, which
means "to be taking in knowledge, to come to know, recognize, understand," be sure, be aware (of), or to understand completely."
[Mark 13:28-29; John 13:12, 15:18, 21:17; 2 Corinthians 8:9, Hebrews 10:34; 1 John 2:5, 4:2,6 (twice) 7, 13; 1 John 5:2,20.]
As 2006 fast approaches, we, as “Ministers of Dance,” now more than ever, must truly hold fast to the scripture, “But you are A
CHOSEN RACE, A ROYAL PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR (God's) OWN POSSESSION, so that you may
proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; (1 Peter 2:9, NASB). We are truly
set apart from the world, but more and more we’re looking like the world so there is little distinction between us (Chosen Race,
Royal Priesthood & Holy Nation) and "Them." Scriptures call them who don’t know Christ disobedient in 1 Peter 2:7-8.
You can be sure of this: The LORD has set apart the godly for himself. The LORD will answer when I call to him. (Psalm 4:3 NLT).
God will not hear the wicked and ungodly.
The call for 2006 is to RESOLVE:
R – Resolve to be righteous. The Old Testament Hebrew ascribes righteous as that which is just & lawful, straight & upright and
the New Testament Greek says that which is right, conformable to right, and that which is just. We are to be above reproach. Let
us truly walk worthy of this vocation (“calling” in Greek- Eph. 4:1).
E – Eagerly anticipate the coming of Adonai and let our actions reflect such, become or remain eager to please, and esteem
(consider, think) others better than themselves (Phil 2:3). Let us wait on the Lord continually & expect His coming (Psalm 25:5,21,
27:14, 37:9,34, 39:7, Prov. 20:22, Isa 40:31& Hosea 12:6, Luke 12:36, Acts 1:4 & 1 Thess 1:10). Interestingly, the Hebrew &
Greek meaning of the word wait is similar: i.e. expect, anticipate.
S – Become serious about the things of God; seeking to save the lost (those who don’t know our Lord & Saviour Jesus Christ) at
any cost; have a servant's spirit (Matt 23:11), while we study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to
be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (2 Tim 2:15 KJV). If we truly are serious about the business of the Kingdom, then
our study time every day will reflect this.
O – Outwardly outgoing outside the four walls of the church. We must resolve to better communicate with those who are not
like us (same ethnicity, skin color, denomination, etc.). The Great Commission is vital to our very lives and the Kingdom of Heaven
(Matt. 28:19-20), and ultimately tied to our Kingdom purpose, no matter how we walk in the five-fold ministry.
L – Let us love one another unconditionally as Christ does for us. Chuck Pierce says, “let us love like never before.” One of the
greatest commandments El Elyon gave is that we would love Him with all our heart, mind & strength, (Deut. 6:5 & Matt 22:37).
The second command is like unto it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ I wholeheartedly believe in something I have
taught several times these past few years: If you love God, then you love what is God’s. God told Job “whatsoever is under the
whole heaven is mine.” (Job 41:11). It stands to reason if God’s word is truth, and whatsoever is under the whole Heaven is His,
then we LOVE.
V – Vigilant & Victorious. Vigilant as told to us in 1 Pet 5:8a. Vigilant in the Greek means to be watchful, to keep awake,
clearheaded. We are a victorious people – it is time for YHWH’s people to walk in victory always! Having victory means to be
free, have freedom from some troubles, deliverance, help, safety and salvation. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory
through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Cor 15:57).
E – Effective (Isaiah 32:17) Strong’s Hebrew #5656 from #5647– work of any kind, office, service
Effectual (James 5:16) Strong’s Greek #175– be active, efficient, be mighty in, shew forth self
Evangelist (2 Timothy 4:5) Strong’s Greek #2099 (only twice in Scripture)– preacher of the Gospel
Excellent (1 Peter 1:17) Strong’s Greek #3139– strong, mighty, great, resplendent, glorious, magnanimous, magnificent,
suitably splendid
Expectation (Psalm 62:5) Strong’s Hebrew #8615– hope, live, thing that I long for (Luke 3:15) Strong’s Greek #4328– look for
(Romans 8:19) and Strong’s Greek #603 intense anticipation
My sincere hope and prayer for Yeshua’s Ministers of Dance in this Hebraic year 5766 -- the year of SAMEKH VAV; is that we
would RESOLVE to be all of the above as scripture so eloquently commands us; that our connections are divine and Godly and
that we ONLY seek the one true God for all that we are and hope to become.
Shalom ooVaracha (Peace & Blessings)
LaVetta
LaVetta Celise Williams, Dancing Before the King Ministries, teaches & ministers at conferences, workshops, etc on liturgical dance as Destined to Dance. She
is a member of Destiny World Church & the former Dance Director, member of the Nat’l Liturgical Dance Network (one of the founders of the GA Chapter), GA
Dance Commission Sacred Dance Guild & Int’l Christian Dance Fellowship. LaVetta is currently enrolled in the Gathering of the Eagles Leadership Institute to
become a licensed minister of dance. She is a mentor to 9 ministries in California, Connecticut, Florida, North Carolina, Georgia, & Texas. She is available to
speak, teach and minister on the Biblical aspect of praise & worship, dance, flags/banners and all that it entails. Contact her at destinedtodance@hotmail.com.
The Firmament of His Power
2005
Worship in Dance Conference
DVDs Available!
For ordering info, please visit:
www.rainreinreign.com
or e-mail:
products@rainreinreign.com
"Tap Into the POWER!"
Rain Rein Reign Ministries
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To post conferences, workshops,
or announcements:
E-mail: companykeepers@rainreinreign.com
For dance concerts and events:
Please submit dates for February 2006 only.
All submissions must be received by January 25th
for inclusion in the February newsletter.
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