My heart is moved this morning. Recently, our community suffered the loss of a beautiful 14-year-old girl, as beautiful and precious as a flower, who took her own life because she was being bullied at school. She happened to be friends with one of the teens on my dance ministry, who was heartbroken to hear of her passing. As a matter of fact, our whole city was devastated.
It's a tragic and sad story, and it got me to thinking more intensely about our purpose and impact. As Dance Ministry leaders we should always look for ways to do what we do, which is minister. And sometimes we have to look beyond the stage of the sanctuary or a program. We can't confine our ministry to the four walls of our church. Our communities need us.
I started thinking about what I could have possibly done to save this beautiful sweetheart's life although I didn't personally know her. Is there anything I could have done to reach her?
While it's too late for that young lady, it's not too late for us to reach others. My team is generally welcomed to have a friend tag-along for practice, but I was inspired to do more and to reach further so I've officially launched a monthlyBring-A-Friend day with our teen group.
Our teens were asked to bring a friend who may need new friends in her circle, who may need to be in a wholesome and loving environment; who may need to escape, even if for few hours, the not-so-pleasant happenings of her life; who made need that warm welcome, that opening and closing prayer, and a set of arms around her shoulder.
I've been that girl before. I needed that extension of love. I needed those friends. While, as a child, I didn't find those things in dance ministry, I'm now in a position to offer those thing, and I am committed to ministering in dance, not just on "stage" but in my sweats and tee-shirt . . . .during our practices.
The world NEEDS your ministry. I challenge you this week to look for new ways to reach someone outside of your church through your ministry. It could be as simple buying a cake and drinks, as hosting a Bring-A-Friend Day, but the impact it makes could literally change and save a life. And that's what we do it for right?
Is your ministry is structured from practice to performance to impact those who need you most? I invite you to take your ministry to excellence by enrolling in The Dance Ministry Manual Online Workshop. We have opened registration early; you don't have to wait until next week; you can register right now and get started right away. Make the investment in your ministry to be more excellent, then take that ministry to the world. On and off stage.
If you're already a participant, share with us in the Facebook Group how your ministry is reaching the world off stage.
With a heart of gratitude and agape love,
Kimberly
