“Let it be a dance we do, may I have this dance with you? For the good times and the bad times too, let it be a dance.” Ric Masten
My parents were enthusiastic participants in the 1970’s folk music revival and continue to be active in music and dance circles to this day. So, my childhood involved a lot of folk dance and music. There were a lot of contradances. And I learned to waltz at a young age. I remember my mother teaching us to polka to “Roll Out the Barrel” and later learning the steps and spins of the schottishe. In college I got to try other styles including ballroom dancing and salsa.
There is something in all of these coupled dances that contra dance instructors call “giving weight.” This is where two hands meet and arms both pull just enough, not too much. There is a magic in this holding firm, slight pull, that gives the spin, the move, the energy to come alive. A floppy arm doesn’t work. Nor does it work to pull so hard one’s partner can’t resist stumbling forward!
There is something similar too in paired figure skating, contact improv, even the childhood game of holding hands with someone, leaning back, and spinning until you’re both dizzy.
If both partners don’t “give weight” and pull a little the whole move just falls flat. Or worse crashes into the ground. If someone pulls too hard, their partner can’t keep on their feet and falls. But when the balance is just right, so much more is possible than one body can do alone.
Shared ministry is like this. In congregations with a minister and professional staff you’re sharing power and ministry. Together. In a lay led congregation you’re sharing power and ministry with each other. No one person is solely in charge. . .
