This Commentary is simply to get believers in Christ not only asking questions, but learning from them to glory God in these end days! To center more upon learning from God’s Word and not seeking entertainment for the sake of entertainment. And for us to develop our own Christian view into what is permissable in a true setting of worship and praise of God.
Sunday morning on March 8, 2026, 11 am, at the Anchorage Moravian Church, I may mention something about Yupik Dancing in the Church or in any religious setting for that matter. It has always been my opinion that Jesus Christ in His teachings always goes beyond the world view of the people and cultures he speaks to.
What is your opinion on dancing at Church? We don’t have a United International Moravian Ministry group stance on this and it demands discussion. We are seeing “Yupik (and other Native) Dancing”, more and more around us in the Anchorage area.
Not to offend anyone, but to seek God’s mind on this is always good. What I’m thinking and correct me if I am wrong, but the truth is when we allow our Culture; even our Alaskan Native dancing to get in the way, if it weakens the gospel message, we need to stop it! Or stop going to that Church. Proper spiritual discernment is necessary on this issue.
I learned in Moravian Theological Seminary (where I earned my Masters of Divinity in 1977) long ago, in theology class that Christ transcends culture! We learned that the gospel can be expressed in any culture, but it can never be fully identified with one; in other words our expression of faith in Christ is not necessarily through culture, but it is always above culture.
It is my thinking and I can change, but I think Eskimo dancing should be done outside of worship, not during. The danger is that it can become a distraction, and simply entertainment. Certainly, if it takes away time spent in the Word of God, it is a distraction. If and when dancing is done (and it has happened occasionally in the Anchorage Moravian Church), it must glorify God, not to entertain or showcase talent.
True spiritual dancing in my mind and spirit is that it should help the congregation to focus on Christ not the individual dancers. If it is done the clothing and movements must be considered wholesome and respectful, which our Yupik Culture already does. But one big problem that detracts is that so often for the viewers, when the Yupik dancing happens, before it is never explained thoroughly enough on what the dancing stands for; what is it saying or meaning? Especially when we are speaking of worshipping the God of scripture not our Yupik ancestral shaman spirits.
Please note that I am not putting any Church down. The bible declares that dancing is ok! David danced before the Lord. Our Honduras Moravian Revival people dance before the Lord! I’ve danced with them in the various communities of Honduras. I’ve seen people of all ages break into dance by the dozens. But please hear this. But we must be watch over our flocks, not to use dancing as a form of entertainment, but only for worship! And it must be done “in decency and order”.
Lastly, if we do dance, whether Yupik dance or not, it should be for for worship of Jehovah God, not solely for self expression, but for glorifying God, helpful to the church, not destructive, not seductive.
The dance should be solely focused on the Triune God in true Worship & Praise. John 4:24 says, they that worship Him must worship Him in Spirit and Truth.
I hope this commentary promotes discussion. We do not want only a form of godliness and denying the power of it in these last days. It is not a matter of dance but life!
Note: This commentary was published a week or so ago and erased due to technical problems on website. Thankfully we got the website going again!