Scripture says, King David “danced before the Lord with all his might” (II Samuel 6:14). Luckily, David was King, so no one could stop him. 
However, if King David showed up in one of our churches today, I’m afraid his two-step would get him the boot.
So we were in church yesterday, and the worship band played the popular song, “I am Free.” The chorus goes like this:
I am free to run (I am free to run)
I am free to dance (I am free to dance)
I am free to live for You (I am free to live for You)
I am free (I am free)
Yes, I am free
Pretty simple huh? Nevertheless, it’s an energetic song, designed to get believers up and moving. The problem is, most evangelical churches put a cap on how much “moving” should actually go on during worship. For instance, if I had taken that song to heart and began dancing through the aisles, it would do more than raise a few eyebrows. It would rouse the ushers. The only way to get ousted from an evangelical church faster than throwing a tomato at the pastor, would be to dance during worship.
So even though Christians sing about being “free to dance,” most of us would never, ever, consider such a notion. At least, not in church. Truth be told, you really aren’t “free to dance” during most worship services… even though we sing so.
Which creates a bit of a problem for those of us who believe the Bible is our primary rule of faith and practice. Not only does Scripture include dancing as part of an appropriate form of corporate worship, it also sanctions
- shouting
- kneeling
- prophesying
- lifting up hands
- speaking in tongues
- public repentance
- clapping
A church that condoned such things during its services would be labeled Charismatic or Pentecostal. The rub, however, is that these expressions are rooted in Scripture. Not only was Jewish culture physically expressive when it came to worship, un-emotive faith is oxymoronic. I mean, is it really possible to believe our souls have been cleansed of sin, that we are guarded by the Almighty, and that our eternal destiny is fixed, and not get a little excited? Yet, you’d be hard pressed to find an appropriate level of enthusiasm in our corporate worship.
How we worship does not seem to correspond with what we say we believe.
The reason that the early Christians could suffer such persecutions (physical and social), was because they really believed what they professed. If Jesus truly rose from the dead, as they claimed, and was returning to upright this out-of-whack world, then being flogged, flayed, and thrown to the lions, was sufferable. In this light, dancing during worship was not only tolerable, it was assumed. Why is it, then, that we Christians can’t get more enthusiastic during corporate worship? Could it be we don’t really believe what we say?
Alright, I get the decorum argument. It’s a mixed setting and we don’t want to make people feel uncomfortable. Cool. But have you ever thought that our lethargy is just as much a turn-off as our animation? Besides, if we gather to worship God, then who’s our audience?
So I’m thinking: If you really want to be a rebel Christian nowadays, forget selling everything and living among the homeless. Instead, try dancing during worship. Sure, you probably won’t get beheaded. But getting laughed out of church is a real possibility…
Definitely depends on the church, Mike. Most mainline denominations barely stand to sing and worship. And, frankly, I don't really care who's uncomfortable with the lifting of hands, prophesying, the gift of tongues or praying in tongues, or anything else done in good order to worship the King of Kings. Worship is unguarded devotion to God in Jesus in obedience to the Spirit. When people are more concerned or worried what others beside them might think about that, they've missed the entire purpose. Preach it, Mike.
Thank you for putting this in such clear terms. I'm saving it for the next person who wants to debate the "need" for such "emotionalism" during worship. Usually the same ding-dongs who behave like lunatics over a football or baseball game!
This is a great post Mike. It is convicting, because as a charismatic, I haven't been following in Biblical directives for a while. It is so easy for us to pick and choose what parts of the Bible we want to obey as evangelicals.
On a tongue in cheek note, y'all need to check out this link: http://tinyurl.com/yg9hbyd
I had posted it on Facebook previously, but this is pretty funny.
Thanks again for making us think. This is why I refer to your blog so much.
The Bible does put some rules on how we are to worship. 1 Cor 14:40 for instance says worship should be orderly.
I don't know if I have seen too much 'orderly' dancing. Unless you consider country style line dancing, which might actually be a pretty big draw here in the south.
I doubt very seriously if David's dancing appeared "orderly" to the average person–it even embarrassed his wife. Dancing in the Spirit is not about performance–it's about all out worship to God. A person who's operating in the Spirit understands God's order and operates within His parameters.
Was David dancing in Church?
No. It was in a more public place.
And he was naked. His wife pitched a fit over that.
No, David wasn’t dancing in a so called church building. He was dancing before the Holy of the holies. He was dancing right before the throne of God… He was showing loud and clear that God was his God. He was showing praise to the God that had spared the lives of the Levites as they were obedient to the handling of the ark of God.
So where shall I dance before the Lord for saving my life? In my home alone so that no one can see the joy God has given me?
David went on to tell his lovely wife that it was not she nor her father that had chosen Him but God… You might also note that Michal was struck barren for her judgement on David.
I see that this is a post from last year but still I must address this issue. Thank you Mike for this well written post!
Hi! i worship at a typical english anglican Church. At all-age services we now introduce ‘ energy praise’. a chance for those that wish to make their worship more physical and allows people to let it loose in the presence of God. If you bottle up your emotions, any emotion, it will fester and go bad. i am a Zumba instructor and obviously love to dance. i usually end up at the front of Church, showing people that it’s ok to dance in Church. we are dancing because we are filled with awe and happiness for, with and in our God. but we do draw the line at nakedness!!
very good read! Not only do we read that David danced…..he told the daughter that thought he was just being a little unruly…..that God chose him above her, her dad, and the way I see it….all her “kind” and for that reason….he would dance before God! I think that 2 Sanuel 6 should be inspiration to all those who feel that their church is holding them back from truly expressing their worship before God and feel like they are being told in what manner they should do so. I borrowed your great photo….for a post I am writing about this subject..but I love your coverage of this great subject even more!