Welcome to 2018! The number 8 signifies a new beginning. If you are like me you are looking forward to new beginnings in your life.

I'm pretty sure you are preparing spiritually with fasting and prayer as most churches do around this time. Certainly, you will be preparing your dance ministry for another year of dedicated service to the Most High.

So if you are ready to get your dance teams or ministries off to a great start here are 5 tips to remember.

1. Always Start With God

God should be first and foremost in your life as a praise dancer as well as on your dance teams. Cultivating a life a prayer, scripture reading, and removing sin from your life is the only way to be an effective minister of dance. That means you can dance, usher in the presence of God, and shift the atmosphere.

I believe every dance leader should take the time to encourage their dancers to live their lives in this manner even if they are children. Teaching them young will only lead to much greater success and anointing when they are older.

2. Check All Garments

Do you have a dance wardrobe within the church or do your dancers take their garments back home with them? In any case be sure to tidy up any rips or attempt to take care of any stains. It is a good time to think ahead to Resurrection celebrations and plays coming in the Spring. If dancing will be a part then be sure to run a check on the garments early so you won't be overwhelmed.

3. Search for New Music

Search for new music for your dance ministry that will minister to the people of God and the heart of God. Watch the Gospel music industry as well as the praise and worship category for new music.

4. Add Dances to Your Repertoire

I know many dance ministries like to film their dances for YouTube. However, those videos can be put to good use by using them as a reminder of the choreography you put together for specific songs. This a great way to build your repertoire so that you will not exhaust yourself by trying to come up with new routines each week. A repertoire of dances can also be used when you go outside of your church for dance ministry.

5. Take Care of Your Health

All dancers should be healthy and ready for movement. I remember those long times when the Spirit was high and we danced for a long time. I was in pretty good shape but I wished I was in better shape.

I know you are ready for a new year and new beginning. Represent 2018 with garments of favor, vision, and new beginnings with these statement tees.