Praise dancing, or liturgical dancing, is a way to worship God rather than a way to entertain others or to express oneself artistically.¹ While dance at church is indeed inherently artistic, artistic expression is not the primary goal. Instead, liturgical dance is primarily intended to worship and glorify God.

Praise dancing is often performed to a fast, upbeat tempo and is characterized by waving one’s arms overhead, clapping courageously and swaying one’s body. Praise and worship dance have strong similarities to modern dance; however, other styles have entered the mix, including, but not limited to ballet, jazz, hip-hop and many other musical traditions. Praise dancing might even sometimes incorporate gymnastic elements, as well as the use of props such as banners, flags or other visual elements.¹

Anyone who feels called to celebrate their faith and worship God can participate in praise dancing; they need not be a professional dancer or a dance student, although majoring in dance at a Christian university can certainly allow you to celebrate the Word of God. Praise dancers can be of any age, gender or experience level. The only requirement is that the dancer truly feels spiritual joy and has a desire to both worship God and share their faith with others through dance. 

When you are compelled to move, you are honoring the desire to worship God that He has placed in your heart. Human bodies are temples, and through the lens of Christ, you can use movement to worship and give praise to God the Father. Praise dancing can be as simple as swaying your body back and forth while listening to worship music, or it may involve complex, choreographed movements. You may be called to dance for Him in whatever way your heart and body tell you to move. 

One of the amazing things about God’s creation is that every being is unique in their own way. While humans may share similar genetic makeup, they each have their own different experiences and views, including views on the validity of dancing in worship. Some might welcome dancing in religious settings with open arms, while others might not, but in passages such as Psalm 149:3, the Bible does welcome dancing as an expression of worship of God. In recent years, churches have become more open and inviting toward different forms of worship, including dance.

Dance and worship are intricately linked, as one can inform and inspire the other. Dancers have been given a special talent from God, and they can use faith-inspired creative movement to share the good news of Jesus Christ. All the various forms of art, including writing, singing, playing an instrument and dancing, can be used to glorify God and share biblical truths.

Though dance in worship can look very different for everyone, all forms of worship dance give praise to the Father. Dancers may sometimes have the ability to share their talents with church congregations, while others might dance privately to worship God in their own space. No matter the setting or the form, dancing is an exuberant form of worship when it has the pure intention of honoring God and celebrating the Christian faith.

Are you interested in pursuing a dance degree at a Christian university? Grand Canyon University’s College of Arts and Media offers a Bachelor of Arts in Dance degree, which allows you to grow in your passion while surrounded by a Christian student community. The College of Arts and Media encourages our students to nurture their God-given talents in a way that glorifies God while preparing them to pursue various career opportunities. 

In addition to our dance programs, GCU offers the Bachelor of Arts in Worship Arts with an Emphasis in Media and Production Ministry degree from the College of Theology. In this program, students are taught technical skills that are applicable to the worship arts programs of churches and parachurches. 

Begin your journey at our private Christian university, which offers college education rooted in the biblical teachings of Christ. Fill out the form on this page to request a consultation with a university counselor to discuss the admission process and requirements at GCU
 

People who enjoy dancing can use it for God’s glory, as a means of celebration and worship and to serve the body of Christ.² It is important to remember that if God put a desire in your heart to dance, sing or create another form of art, you were made to use your talents to glorify God.

Culture may tell the faith community that dancing for God can only look like praise dancing, but deep down, a relationship with God is personal and individual. If He has put a flame in your heart to praise and worship dance for Him, seek out opportunities to do so. Our God is abundantly good, gracious and overflowing with love. Through your creative talents, you can glorify and praise His name.
 

What Does it Say About Dancing in the Bible

There are plenty of instances of dancing in the Bible. In the Bible, Psalm 149:3 says, “Let them praise his name with dancing…Praise him with tambourine and dance…”³ In 2 Samuel 6:14–22, David dances before the Lord with all his might, providing us with a wonderful example of what it truly means to surrender to God in worship.

The Christian faithful are encouraged to dance for the Creator, no matter which style of dance or form the art takes, and to do everything possible to celebrate and praise His glory. Honor your desire to dance and do it for Jesus.

All in all, combining worship and dance is a beautiful way to glorify God. No matter your background, your affiliation or your generation, you can dance for God and use movement as a way to praise Him. Dance is a universal expression of emotion, and it can be a beautiful way to express your joy and gratitude for the One who gave you those gifts and talents.

The Use of Dance at Church

Integrating creative movements into worship services at churches and parachurch settings can be an impactful way to communicate your faith and strengthen your relationship with God. Through dance, worshippers can participate mind, body and soul in the worship of God.

When integrating dance and worship in church settings, you might consider the following contexts:
•    Prayer: Praise dancing may help worshippers achieve a heightened state of engagement as they are led in prayer by the pastor.
•    Scripture: Dancing may sometimes accompany scriptural readings, perhaps serving to illustrate or to aid the interpretation of a scripture passage. Dance is, after all, a form of artistic communication, and so it can be appropriate to use it to convey the message of God’s Word.
•    Faith affirmation: Through dance, the audience and the dancers themselves can affirm their faith and grow closer to God.
•    Faith celebration: The Christian faith can be joyous, and dance at church can be used to celebrate the congregation’s faith while glorifying God.

When dance is incorporated into worship services, there are a number of factors to consider beyond the context. Dance may be improvised — a heartfelt expression of spontaneous joy — or it may be choreographed and planned in advance. It may be a group activity or a solo endeavor, and it can adhere to any number of dance styles.