Things to Look For When Choosing A Song

• Clarity of words
• Message that agrees with the Bible (you'd be surprised how many "Christian" songs don't!)
• A climax or build in the song draws people into the song and message
• A melody that appeals to the majority of the targeted audience
• "Danceability" of the song; how easily the words can be interpreted into moves

Choreography Tips

• Listen to the song over and over... at least 20 times. The song MUST be in your spirit before you can minister it to others!
• Make interpreting the words your first priority. This distinguishes us from the world!
• Extensively study the song: its meaning, its purpose, its effects. Try using our Song Analysis Worksheet.
• Brainstorm! Move to the music without any plan or set ideas and see what comes forth.
• Think of what you would do if you were saying what the singer is saying with the same passion.
• Concentrate on the meaning and purpose of each phrase instead of each and every word.
• Sign language can be used as a basis to create dance moves.
• When you're stuck on a word/phrase, think about synonym words/phrases and how to interpret them.
• Though it is easy to watch someone else's choreography and try to use it as your own, your anointing is so much stronger when you go the extra mile and allow God to inspire your ministry's dance.

Six Types of Dance as Used and Implemented by N'Him

• Praise - A dance of thanksgiving, giving glory to God by using your movements to either testify to others of His goodness or thank Him for His goodness.
• Worship - An intimate dance between you and the Lord. Movements are personal, reverent, and yielding.
• Celebration - A victory dance full of excitement! A "party" dance that celebrates anything from love to God's grace to a financial blessing… whatever God's placed on your heart to celebrate!
• Warfare - A militant, forceful dance full of confidence and boldness that speaks to your circumstance or to the devil with directness.
• Travail - A dance of encouragement either to yourself or others, in times of discouragement or trouble. It reaches to God for help, guidance, direction, and relief.
• Prophetic - A God-given dance that ministers to a person's heart for a specific word of encouragement, direction, or confirmation.

Expression

• Heartfelt expression is important! It helps to turn dance into ministry.
• Step out of your own shoes and into the shoes of the singer(s).
• Relate the word/phrase/portion of the song to a situation in your own life. This will help you to better express the song.
• Both facial and body expressions are necessary and important.
• Concentrate on the meaning of each phrase instead of each and every word.
• Allow your moves to build as the song builds and fall as the song falls.
• Videotape yourself or your team. Watching yourself helps improve your expressions.

How to Dress

• Don't let anything you wear (or don't wear) draw the attention of the audience away from the message of the song.
• Be modest! Ministry is not your time to be cute or handsome and noticed.
• Keep all of your "bouncy elements" wrapped up, tied down, and/or pulled in.
• Choose colors that match the message of the song.

Invest In Your Calling

• Attend anointed dance ministry workshops like Karitos or our N'Him Dance Ministry Symposium. See www.christiandance.com for a current listing of workshops around the country.
• View dance ministry videos like those of Patdro Harris, Chosen Generation of Karen Wheaton Ministries, Ann Stevenson, N'Him, etc.