Props...
CREATIVE WORSHIP

THROUGH PROPS

One of the definitions of a prop in Webster's Dictionary is "a support". These "supports" can be used without limits within the performing arts.

For the worship arts performer, so often the goal is to perform without being seen. In other words, the gestures, facial expression, etc. draws the viewers to the message more than the portrayer of the message.

To hear "God really spoke to me during your performance" means more than "wow, you're really good!"

The way in which the Lord has shown me to instruct worship dancers is to:

View the stage as though it were a blank canvas.
Begin to "paint" a picture through movement.
"Layer" the message "line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little, there a little" with items that express the heart of the message.

The use of props in drama or dance is simply another visual art form, not better than nor less than another art form.

Props can inspire movement or enhance movement already begun.
They can precede movement or movement can precede props.

Sometimes it's not until you engage in the use of a prop that the "feeling" for it comes.

To be in a visual ministry calls for a life of humility and a heart for service. Performing is the least of what we do because our highest calling is to be a lover of God.

Just as your costumes are "holy array", so should your props be dedicated to the Lord. Even a piece of drift wood can be separated for the service of the Lord.

Several years ago I had a dream in which I saw a large treasure chest coming down from heaven. It entered into our sanctuary and burst open before me. A multitude of various props came streaming out, many of which I would never have thought to use until that moment.

It greatly impacted my understanding of God's desire for our use of creative expression in worship.

I could not do justice to the things I saw; however, I was able to list the categories of these expressive tools. This list is by no means conclusive or exclusive; it is simply to give inspiration to the creative mind and heart. I will list them in alphabetic order since I did not receive them in a specific order.

Anointing
Bridal
Fire
Heavenly
Intimacy
Kingly
Nations
Praise
Tabernacle
Warfare
Water
Worship

Twelve is the number of Divine government and apostolic fullness and is found numerous times in the bible. For example:

12 sons of Jacob (Genesis 49)
12 stones (Exodus 28:21)
12 loaves of showbread (Leviticus 24:5&6)
12 apostles (Matthew 10:2-5)

A few examples in these categories would be:

1. Anointing:

a. Use various sizes and shapes of anointing oil bottles

b. Create an alabaster box

2. Bridal:

Collect bridal veils of all types and sizes
Place flower petals in a basket to throw
Make several rose bouquets
Bridal canopy or huppah's are easy and fun to make

Fire:
Tie dye or hand paint silk flags and canopies
Find a light with a blower and add fabric strips
Make finger tinsel rings in fire colors
Make various sizes of tinsel hoops in fire colors
It only takes 3 yards of chiffon or silk fabric for a dancer to create great motion

Heavenly:
Create white chiffon overlays with wide sleeves to depict angelic beings
Find a throne type chair and cover it in gold lamae
Lay yards of chiffon in heavenly shades in front of the chair to depict the river of God flowing from the throne

Intimacy:
Make a fabric wall by attaching 60" wide sheer material (any muted color or pattern) to the top of rods that are approximately 4-5 feet in length. This is very effective for someone (or several) to dance behind.
For even more intimacy, place two more fabric walls, one on each side so the drama dancer is closed in with his/her passion for the Lord.
Create a lattice wall and have someone portray the Lord who is peering through the lattice work as in the Song of Solomon 2:9

Kingly:
Make a royal blue or deep purple tufted pillow and trim it
In gold cording and tassels.

Create a magnificent crown using the matching blue or
purple, accenting it with jewels

Find a picture of a scepter and re-create it
Robe patterns are easy to find in the costume section of any
pattern book.

Nations:
A large, light weight globe makes a great prop
Add drama to the globe by placing red fabric under it as
you hold it up to depict redemption

Large flags from various nations can be used in a variety
of ways

1. placed in stands as focal point

2. placed in stands for dancers to dance around

3. carried in processional style

4. held by dancer in movement

Praise:
Use streamers of all sizes and colors
1. ribbon streamers

2. lamae' or silk

Bright colored flags create an atmosphere of praise
Tambourines with colorful tassels

Tabernacle:
Layer and attach 2 sufficient lengths of white chiffon or sheering at one end and hand gather or gather with
elastic. Then attach it to a high point on a wall.

Attach a doll rod at the end of each length.

When the 2 pieces of material are lifted by the doll rods

and spread apart, it creates a dramatic opening; and when

they are thrust upwards and air is allowed to enter, it creates a canopy effect.

(variations)

1. attach to the top of a fixed wall banner

2. use covenant colors of chiffon or sheering

Place a small light on a stand covered in gold lamae' behind the "curtains". For an even more dramatic effect, attach
small strips of material in fire colors on the light and place a small fan below it to cause the "flames" to arise.

Make cherubim overlaid with gold paint and place them on stands facing each other under the chiffon curtains. Placing the "fire" between the cherubim is very effective.
For the ultimate Tabernacle effect, make an Ark of the Covenant with staves, all covered in gold paint and place the cherubim on top. We have one that houses many of our props within.
Other Tabernacle props we frequently use are:
1. Torah scrolls

2. two handled hand washing cup as used at the men's gate

at the Western Wall in Jerusalem

3. priestly garments including an ephod

4. create an altar of incense

5. make white chiffon overlays with large cherubim sleeves

to be worn by dancers depicting living cherubim

Warfare:
Using moire' satin to make flags is a wonderful idea because of the incredible sound air makes against the morie'.
Making flags out of army fatigue material makes another dramatic effect.
Collect a variety of military clothing, especially fatigues, hats and boots for dancers to wear during worship.
Real and plastic swords are great and can be used for angelic representation as well as warfare. If you use real swords be prepared for the weight and make your movements slow. If you use plastic swords you may want to decorate them with strips of sequined material for drama. There are times we feel led to put on white gloves when using swords.
Large, oversized hoops covered with lamae' and decorated with tinsel are great warfare props.

Water:
Purchase or make rain sticks of all sizes.
Make canopies and flags out of light weight silk and tie dye
them in shades of pale aqua, blue, and white.

Make an extra long water canope out of pale blue chiffon.
Place it in a loose curve shape on the stage floor so dancers

can sit by it and depict filling water jugs, etc.

Water jugs of various sizes and shapes can be used to
dramatize our emptiness and desire to be filled and refreshed.

Worship:
To create a worship dance prop out of chiffon, simply tear off 3 yards of a desired color (tearing the chiffon assures you of an even edge) and finish off the edges however you choose.
I would recommend surging or roll hemming. We usually add a row or 2 of sequins. If you use anything heavier, your chiffon will not move as freely.

b. Over sized decorative silk flags on light weight extended

poles that can move above the people creates a wonderful

atmosphere for worship.

c. Using several silk or chiffon canopies at the same time will

allow dancers a creative backdrop to move through.

If you do not have streamers with more than one layer, you can use more than one streamer at a time in your movement.
Finger streamers made of tinsel or ribbon are very effective
in worship.

The decorated staff or rod (Heb. "mattah") can be used in a variety of ways, worship is just one.
There may be moments when your prop is hindering the flow of the heart beat of God through you, when that happens, simply lay your prop down and proceed.