ICDF Diploma Courses

ICDF DIPLOMA IN DANCE MINISTRY

An ICDF Diploma in Dance Ministry is issued on satisfactory completion of 25 credits of the ICDF Diploma in Dance Ministry Course.

25 credits covering:

• Biblical Foundations and History of Dance in the Christian Church (3 credits)

• Arts in Christian Ministry (3 credits)

• Dance in the Worship Service (3 credits)

• Working effectively with others (2 credits)

• Outreach and Christian Community (2 credits)

• Leading Workshops and Intercession (2 credits)

• Dance classes and conditioning (2 credits)

• Spontaneous dance (1 credit)

• Dance composition (1 credit)

• Christian life elective (2 credits)

• Conference elective (1 credit)

• ICDF Network elective (1 credit)

• Project (2 credits)

​

ICDF CERTIFICATE IN DANCE MINISTRY

An ICDF Certificate in Dance Ministry is available on satisfactory completion of 15 credits chosen from the ICDF Diploma in Dance Ministry Course.​

15 credits chosen from:

• Biblical Foundations and History of dance in the Christian Church (3 credits)

• Arts in Christian Ministry (3 credits)

• Dance in the Worship Service (3 credits)

• Working effectively with others (2 credits)

• Outreach and Christian Community (2 credits)

• Leading Workshops and Intercession (2 credits)

• Dance classes and conditioning (2 credits)

• Spontaneous dance (1 credit)

• Dance composition (1 credit)

• Christian life elective (2 credits)

• Conference elective (1 credit)

• ICDF Network elective (1 credit)

• Project (2 credits)

​​​

A Brief Outline of some of the Course Papers

1. Biblical Foundations and History of dance in the Christian Church (Foundations 1): reading and delving into the history and Biblical basis for dance in the Christian setting. Enhance your own understanding and gain ideas to share with others. Tutor: Mary Jones

2. Working Effectively with Others (Foundations 2): An introduction to various aspects of leading groups and encouraging wellbeing through dance and togetherness. Reading and practical exercises. Tutor: Francoise Bale

3. Dance in the Worship Service (Foundations 3): Guidelines and ideas for dance in worship services. Reading and practical exercises. Tutor: Mary Jones

4. Outreach and Christian Community (Foundations 4): Ideas on outreach, the community (including the online community) and the arts, particularly dance. Reading, researching and practical exercises. Tutor: Lucy Jarasius

5. Leading Workshops and Intercession (Foundations 5): Guidelines for leading workshops that encourage participants to have wider experiences of dance as prayer for others and the world around us. Reading and practical exercises. Tutor: Mary Jones

6. Arts in Christian Ministry (Foundations 6): Reading and delving into how the arts, and especially dance, have been used over the centuries and today. Reading and practical exercises. Tutor: Debbie Bright

7. Dance Classes and Conditioning (CaraMayan Technique): A Christian alternative to yoga, tai-chi, pilates and contemporary dance – Gentle exercise, worship, prayer and meditation to Scripture and music. Some reading and lots of practical work. One option for Diploma/Certificate requirement to learn a new dance technique. Tutor: Mary Jones

8. Dance Classes and Conditioning (Safe Dance): Theory and practice in safe ways to exercise and dance; how God designed our bodies to move. Tutor: Susie Bond

9. Spontaneous Dance (Spontaneous): Dance that is not choreographed (improvisation and free dance expression); ideas and practical exercises to increase confidence and variety in dance movement for worship and prayer. Tutor: Debbie Bright

10. Chrisitan Life Elective (Christian Living): Basic teaching of our faith; a reminder to the more mature, key teaching for those newer to the faith; drawn from the thinking and writing of Christian leaders, including on areas such as prayer, Bible study, the Trinity and dealing with grief. Tutor: Debbie Bright.

​​​

ICDF DIPLOMA INTRODUCTORY COURSE

The ICDF Diploma Introductory Course [6 weeks] consists of six modules of one week of study per module covering dance in the Bible, a lifestyle of worship, praise dance equipment, leading congregations and Christian dance groups and arts in ministry and outreach.  This program is designed to provide an introduction to the ICDF Diploma Course for those preparing to return to full time study.  On completion of this course students will receive an ICDF Diploma Introductory Course Certificate of Completion.

​

ICDF DIPLOMA FREE TASTER 

The ICDF Diploma in Dance Ministry is offers a free-of-charge One Week Taster course covering a portion of a paper in the ICDF Diploma in Dance Ministry program.  This is to give potential students a taste of what the course involves and to  help them to decide whether to enroll in the Certificate or full Diploma Course. A FREE Taster course includes tutor guidance and feedback!

​​​

​

THE TRAINING PROCESS

The course involves reading, video viewing and written work, technique classes and practical assignments. Along with most Christian educational institutions, the ICDF Diploma adopts adult-learning principles, and all students are treated as adult learners. Participants in this program are, therefore, expected to take charge of their own learning process. It is expected that each selected participant will be committed to meeting the requirements of the relevant course and complete all work required for assessment.

 

All theory work will be given via email. We will also be facilitating group and individual work in various ways via internet platforms, and, where possible, via face-to-face workshops. Practical work will be completed in the student’s local community in the following ways:

 

1. Mentor - each student will be required to have a mentor who will provide support to the student. The mentor’s assistance will be acknowledged by the student in a way that is agreed to by student, mentor and ICDF Diploma Faculty and is appropriate to the local situation. The mentor need not be a dancer but needs to be a mature Christian with an understanding of the arts and ministry.  The mentor will meet with the student on a regular basis and will be able to communicate with the ICDF Diploma Faculty.

 

2. Technique classes - The technique component is not the focal point of the course. It is there to make sure each student has a foundational knowledge and practice in major classical and/or contemporary techniques that are relevant to the student’s culture and ministry objectives. Classes will vary from student to student depending on what is available and suitable at the local level. The ICDF Diploma Course Director may suggest that a student study CaraMayan technique via the internet, if more appropriate. In addition, a set of YouTube dance classes in a wide variety of styles is also available for students experiencing lockdowns or other situations that prevent attendance at local dance schools. If the student is already a trained dancer, (s)he may apply for Review of Prior Learning and discuss with the ICDF Diploma Course Director how (s)he plans to maintain her/his fitness.

 

3. Assignments – practical assignments will take place at a church/community level in certain subjects. These will need to be videoed with the results sent by mail or internet to the relevant teacher along with any written work required. Again, alternative methods are available to students experiencing situations preventing completion of assessments in the usual way. Such adjustments will be suggested by individual tutors, and may include such approaches as videoed workshops.

​