RUMORS OF A DANCING BAPTIST
Posted by Hugh Poland at 7/24/2009 8:26 AM 
Categories: uncategorized
Tags: Celebration Baptist Dancing
Categories: uncategorized
Tags: Celebration Baptist Dancing
Watch this YouTube video in its entirety first, then you'll understand my comments. (And if someone can patiently teach me how to embed video in this blog, I'd be grateful!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-94JhLEiN0
By now you're either rejoicing at the creative celebration, or your sensibilities have been offended. If it's the latter, reading any further won't do your blood pressure any good.
There are all types of Baptists. Southern, American, National, Northern, Independant, Regular, Primiitive, Reformed, General, and probably even Specific. I'd like to start a new quasi-denomination--Dancing Baptists.
Just look at the wedding party in the video. Can you imagine a closer group of friends? I wish I was in their circle. Obviously they didn't learn all that choreography in one quick Friday night wedding rehearsal. But what a celebration! I don't know the bride or groom, but I found myself wanting to celebrate with them. I was so happy for a couple I've never met.
And just where's the solemnity befitting the occasion, some might ask? Please. Who says you can't take vows seriously and smile at the same time? There are those in life who seem to make it their goal to warn others if they smile too much. Where's the reverence? Where's the organ? God surely can't be for this, can He? But dance is throughout the scriptures, first because it was a valid cultural expression, and second as a metaphor for life itself and the acceptance of Christ (Matt. 11:17).
I think this couple got it right. (Some will scoff at the woman minister, but that's another discussion for another day.) Jesus invites us to a wedding feast. Someday in heaven there will be rejoicing and celebrating like we've never known. I'm afraid us Baptists are going to be left out if we don't learn that God gave us happy feet that need to be let out of the box every once in awhile.
Pirouette, anyone?
Hugh
www.hughpoland.com
http://twitter.com/HughPoland
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-94JhLEiN0
By now you're either rejoicing at the creative celebration, or your sensibilities have been offended. If it's the latter, reading any further won't do your blood pressure any good.
There are all types of Baptists. Southern, American, National, Northern, Independant, Regular, Primiitive, Reformed, General, and probably even Specific. I'd like to start a new quasi-denomination--Dancing Baptists.
Just look at the wedding party in the video. Can you imagine a closer group of friends? I wish I was in their circle. Obviously they didn't learn all that choreography in one quick Friday night wedding rehearsal. But what a celebration! I don't know the bride or groom, but I found myself wanting to celebrate with them. I was so happy for a couple I've never met.
And just where's the solemnity befitting the occasion, some might ask? Please. Who says you can't take vows seriously and smile at the same time? There are those in life who seem to make it their goal to warn others if they smile too much. Where's the reverence? Where's the organ? God surely can't be for this, can He? But dance is throughout the scriptures, first because it was a valid cultural expression, and second as a metaphor for life itself and the acceptance of Christ (Matt. 11:17).
I think this couple got it right. (Some will scoff at the woman minister, but that's another discussion for another day.) Jesus invites us to a wedding feast. Someday in heaven there will be rejoicing and celebrating like we've never known. I'm afraid us Baptists are going to be left out if we don't learn that God gave us happy feet that need to be let out of the box every once in awhile.
Pirouette, anyone?
Hugh
www.hughpoland.com
http://twitter.com/HughPoland
LOVED the video, thanks for sharing it! Appreciate your comments too. I'm looking forward to THE wedding feast, probably need to practice my dancing
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Hugh...thanks so much for sharing this video and your thoughts. What a unique and joyful way to celebrate the wonderful union of marriage. I was so caught up in the excitement and was eager to see the bride and groom. In all honesty, I would have loved to have done this myself! So many things we try to take to seriously when God wants us to joyfully celebrate in whatever manner is authentically us!!
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Wow - I really enjoyed this video and found myself watching it closely, through the eyes of the mother of the groom, especially since my son could do this very thing 11 months from now! It reminded me of when King David danced before the Lord with all his might in 2 Samuel 6:14! "David, wearing a linen ephod, danced before the Lord with all his might". If someone was offended, they may be reacting like Michal (King David's wife) did - probably because they were observing and judging rather than being part of the celebration. This video encourages me to want to be more than just a spectator in life and part of the celebration of the blessings God has for us!
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Hugh,
Couldn't agree more. We don't know each other well, so I'm glad i can see you postings on Facebook. It seems we have very common views.
Thanks for sharing.
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I also rejoice in the wedding celebration! My heart also danced down the aisle with them. We have been so stuck in the Baptist can't dance rut that we many times have difficulty rejoicing, when it is time to rejoice. Thank you for sharing your comments on a wonderful celebration and yes lets start a Dancing Baptist Association!
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