Dance as an offering from practiced dancers Praise and petition may also be representative, meaning that part of the congregation acts on behalf of the rest, as when a minister leads the prayers of the people or the choir offers an anthem. In fact danced processionals may be a more valid form of representative praise even than choral anthems, since movement in and out of the nave is a simple necessity and not an adjunct. Also called interpretive dance, it helps people learn through the eye and the heart, what they would learn from a reader or preacher through the ear and the mind. Interpretive dance can be performed during a scripture reading to the actual words of the text, in which case it may be much like mime. It can also be performed to music after the reading to reinforce its message, or be performed instead of the reading to sung lyrics that are based on the reading.
Interpretive dance can also illustrate or take the place of the sermon.
Although the function of liturgical dance determines its essential form, the liturgists must consider independently the style and quality of liturgical dance to be used in worship. In fact, various styles of dance can be presented within the context of the liturgy. Elements of style include postures and movements in the dance, choice of music, and costume. Incorporating Church Traditions To be completely integrated in the worship, liturgical dance should evolve out of existing familiar symbols, ideas and traditions. Dance is simply disciplined movement, shaped by rhythm and aspiring to beauty.