Worship In Spirit and Truth

As we worship in spirit and truth for ministry we need to know when it is appropriate to dance or wave flags in the spirit so called prophetically or if it should be a planned choreographed piece. There is a place for both but the question is when and where. I pray this article will give you some insight on how to minister in dance and with flags in an orderly fashion to bring all glory unto our Heavenly Father.

John 4:23 But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. 24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth. We need to know and understand the God we are serving. He is faithful and true, the righteous Judge, full of mercy, grace and love for His children.

Ephesians 4:1 - 16

I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, 2 with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, 3 endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. 7 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift. 8 Therefore He says: "When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men."

When Jesus left this earth He did not just leave us behind - He sent His Holy Spirit to live inside us to teach us His ways so we can share heavenly things to others, just as He did.

9 (Now this, "He ascended"--what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.) 11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head--Christ- 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

Free worship or dance that is led by the Spirit may be used to edify and encourage your own or another's spirit. Just as speaking in tongues edifies and builds up our own spirit so does our movement in free (Spirit led) worship. This type of ministry is best developed when done in the home during private worship or if there is room in the back of the sanctuary where your focus can be totally on the Lord and not on the people around you. This is where your your movement vocabulary can be expanded. When your language before the Lord becomes clear and people around you begin to understand what you are communicating, then it may be time to begin to share with the congregation.

It is best to have a dance or flags or both intermixed choreographed when a special presentation of the word is given. This way you can present what the Lord has given you to minister and there would be no surprises. Of course there may be exceptions if your dance partner or team can flow and adjust to what the Holy Spirit may desire to change. It is very important to develop a good relationship of trust with your Pastor and worship Minister, because when ministering in front of a congregation it is a totally different situation. It is of great importance that your movement speaks clearly of the message being presented through the worship leader or special music on a CD. There is not only a responsibility to the Pastor and worship leader but to the congregation as well. Flags and dance are to enhance the worship experience not be a distraction.

1 Corinthians 12:4 - 11 He gives us what we need for ministry. Dance and flags are a ministry.

4 There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:

8 for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.

A prophetic message may be given through a dance or flag movement during the appropriate moment during the service. This type of message may be brought forth with the Pastor's approval or request. Please share with your Pastor what the Holy Spirit is showing you and see if it agrees with him and if it is the right time. The message may be for another time in the future so do not discard what God has given to you, He may want you to develop it more. If you are willing to be used by God He will bring it to pass at the right time.

Those who cannot speak use sign language. We have an advantage through dance and flags because we not only have words to the songs we are ministering to but also have music that touches our emotions and penetrates to the heart. Movement with dance and flags speak loudly to the congregation. The old saying "Actions speak louder than words" is a very good explanation of what is happening when we minister in dance and flags. Each person may interpret what they are seeing a little differently in their spirit because of where they are in their walk with the Lord, but the message should be very clear in your movement when ministering to a congregation.

Order within a church setting is of ultmost importance.

Tongues and prophecy

1 Corinthians 14:20 - 25

20 Brethren, do not be children in understanding; however, in malice be babes, but in understanding be mature. 21 In the law it is written:

"With men of other tongues and other lips I will speak to this people; And yet, for all that, they will not hear Me," says the Lord.

22 Therefore tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophesying is not for unbelievers but for those who believe. 23 Therefore if the whole church comes together in one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those who are uninformed or unbelievers, will they not say that you are out of your mind? 24 But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an uninformed person comes in, he is convinced by all, he is convicted by all. 25 And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed; and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God and report that God is truly among you.

This should be what we truly desire for those who enter into our sanctuary. That all would have an understanding to the point we recognize that God among us. This is where we gain revelation, wisdom for our situation, healing in our bodies and our minds become renewed. When we gather to worship we should be focused on experiencing God. This sets us up to receive His word through the message that the Pastor is delivering. We need to hear from God, not man. We do not need to force anything onto people through this type of ministry. This type of ministry can appear to be a very much of a get in your face type of ministry. This is due to the largeness of the flags and moving about the people in the congregation. If people are concerned about getting hit with a flag or understanding your ministry then it has become a distraction instead of a ministry of service to the people.

Order in Church Gatherings

1 Corinthians 14:25 - 33

26 How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. 27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at the most three, each in turn, and let one interpret. 28 But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in church, and let him speak to himself and to God. 29 Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge. 30 But if anything is revealed to another who sits by, let the first keep silent. 31 For you can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be encouraged. 32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. 33 For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.

As we lift our hearts in praise (our flags are an extension of our hearts) the powers of darkness have to flee. Picture a procession that comes before the King. All the rejoicing because the people are glad the King is coming to visit them, or is passing by them. Everything stops the stores close and all come out waving their praises to their King. The King's presence drives out all His enemies away from His presence and into hiding because of His authority. At this point there is no need for a warfare dance but a victory dance may be appropriate. If there is still a tug in your heart or spirit to do a warfare movement at this point it may be more of an issue within yourself, home or community. Find the source so you can bring it to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. The Holy Spirit may be pressing you to intercede for someone or something. Listen carefully so you don't miss it.

As we come before the Lord with our offerings of thanksgiving this draws Him near to us. In His presence there is fullness of joy and healing of relationships. He desires for us to be complete, lacking in nothing. When all areas of ministry are joined together He is lifted up and exalted and all glory will be given unto Him as He draws all men unto Himself.