Contents

• CDF is a network
• CDF draws people from different backgrounds
• CDF is Christ centered
• CDF is Spirit filled and Church blessing
• CDF is a proper organisation

• ICDF is a network
• ICDF helps start new Christian Dance Fellowships
• ICDF is NOT a funding organisation

• If there is no CDF in the country where you live – become an ICDF Friend
• If you live in a country that has a CDF – join your CDF
• Become an ICDF Supporter
• How to contact ICDF

• STEP 1. Contact ICDF and become an ICDF Friend/Supporter in your country
• STEP 2. Acknowledge God as the owner of the vision
• STEP 3. Understand that communication is the most important thing you can do in starting a CDF
• STEP 4. Understand that CDF is an organisation and that it will take time and effort to set it up
• STEP 5. Acknowledge what this is a task is more than...
• STEP 6. Start talking with others about the vision of CDF
• STEP 7. Contact ICDF to discuss becoming a Country Representative
• STEP 8. Continue to share the vision and grow the network your country
• STEP 9. Gather together a core group to work on the formation of the organisation
• STEP 10. Work with ICDF to finalise the process of becoming a CDF

• What is an ICDF Country Representative?
• How do you become an ICDF Country Representative?
• What can't an ICDF Country Representative do?
• What is a Pre-Charter CDF Co-ordinator?
• How do you become a PCCDF Co-ordinator?
• What is a CDF National Co-ordinator?
• How do you become a CDF National Co-ordinator?
• What do you need to be an ICDF Country Representative, PCCDF Co-ordinator or CDF National Co-ordinator?

STARTING A CDF
– A publication of The International Christian Dance Fellowship

1. What is a Christian Dance Fellowship (CDF)?

• CDF is a network
A Christian Dance Fellowship is a community of people who want to bless, encourage and support one another by the use of dance and creative movement arts in the full expression of Christian faith and in the life of the Church ie. the worldwide body of Christ.

• CDF draws people from different backgrounds
A Christian Dance Fellowship draws people together from different backgrounds of dance style and denominational affiliation with a unified vision to advance the role of dance in all aspects of Christian life. Learning to cope with differences is an important part of being involved in a Christian Dance Fellowship. It means that we actively seek and encourage participation from all areas of the body of believers who follow Jesus and identify with our aims.

• CDF is Christ centered
A Christian Dance Fellowship is Christ centered. We trust our inspiration to come from the mind of Christ and, through our ministry, we aim to bring glory and honour to God, not to our own individual names or that of CDF.

• CDF is Spirit filled and Church blessing
A Christian Dance Fellowship encourages the full expression and use of the whole range of spiritual gifts to bless the worldwide Church. We acknowledge that gifts are given freely, to be shared freely, and should be used in a responsible and mature way.

• CDF is a proper organisation
A Christian Dance Fellowship has an organisational structure within a country that is relevant to the following broad aims:

(a)	The organisation should cover or be able to cover the whole of the country
(b)	The organisation should encourage membership from as wide a base as possible and should deliberately include people from more than one individual church, denomination, city or region.
(c)	The organisation should be capable of running independently of any particular individuals, free of personal prejudice, and should be governed by a set of rules or procedures (normally a constitution) which describes the structure of the organisation and how it is run (including such things as administration, committees, elections, finances, membership lists etc)
(d)	The organisation should find a balance in the structure which keeps minimal control through a caring oversight structure but encourages maximum involvement and support for members at the local level - churches, districts, cities etc.

2. What is the International Christian Dance Fellowship (ICDF)?

• ICDF is a network
The International Christian Dance Fellowship or "ICDF" is the linking entity for all the Christian Dance Fellowships around the world. Each Christian Dance Fellowship or "CDF" that has been properly established and properly accredited by ICDF is a full member of ICDF (i.e. a chartered CDF). ICDF is the big network of all the smaller CDF and other Christian Dance related networks. ICDF links CDFs and other ministries and organisations so that we can achieve the aim of encouraging and supporting each other all over the world.

• ICDF helps start new Christian Dance Fellowships
Another role of ICDF is to encourage and assist in the formation of new CDFs in countries where none exists. This means that we work with people from such countries who are interested in the aims of CDF to spread news of what is happening in the world of Christian Dance and encourage any vision and action to form a CDF in that country. We appoint Country Representatives and work closely with people throughout the formation process to ensure that Fellowships are set up on a secure and stable basis so that they can gain experience and understanding as they mature into fully chartered CDFs.

• ICDF is NOT a funding organisation
ICDF operates with limited funds that are raised mainly by tithes and contributions from member CDFs and from supporter fees and other donations. These funds enable us to print material and maintain other communications within our network. ICDF encourages and supports the formation and running of individual CDFs in many ways, but there are no funds allocated to provide direct financial support to any CDF. Each CDF is encouraged to operate within the framework of its own resources and finance, trusting in god's provision for the work entrusted to this ministry.

3. How do you link in with ICDF?

• If there is no CDF in the country where you live – become an ICDF Friend
If you live in a country where there is no CDF and would like to investigate starting one or at least keep in contact with what is happening in the rest of the world of Christian Dance, then you need to register with ICDF Administration, currently in Australia. By registering as an ICDF Friend, we can keep you in touch with world happenings via email, especially any events in counties in your region, and also with any other people from your country who register with us as an ICDF Friend. There is no charge to register as an ICDF Friend.

If you believe that God's timing is right to move towards establishing a CDF in your country and you believe that somehow God wants you to be part of the vision of making this happen, please contact ICDF to discuss this further. Together we can work towards achieving God's will in regard to this.

• If you live in a country that has a CDF – join your CDF
If you live in a country where there is a CDF, you are automatically connected with ICDF and all the other CDFs around the world through membership and involvement with your own CDF. Your own CDF will share news from around the world in their newsletters from time to time. Your own CDF will be supporting the work of ICDF as they are able via tithes and other donations.

• Become an ICDF Supporter
Both ICDF Friends and members of individual CDFs can choose to specifically encourage the ministry of ICDF by becoming an ICDF Supporter. This can be done by paying a yearly contribution of $AUD20 or $US20 either direct to ICDF Administration in the case of no CDF in your country, or included with the normal membership fees you pay to your CDF. ICDF Supporters also help by praying specifically for needs in the world of Christian Dance. Their fees provide some additional funds to help ICDF in the work of forming new CDFs. Supporters receive copies of ICDF newsletters and other updates.

• How to contact ICDF
To become an ICDF Friend or Supporter if there is no CDF in your country, send us the following details:

(1)	Your name
(2)	Your address
(3)	Your phone number (and fax number if you have one)
(4)	Your email address
(5)	If you are part of a group, let us know the name of your group and the name of the group's leader
(6)	The name of the church you attend
(7)	If you wish to become a Supporter, please enclose an international bank cheque or your credit card details for an amount of $AUD20 or $US20.

You can contact us by email to:	info@icdf.com
or mail to:	ICDF PO Box 943 Lane Cove 1595 NSW Australia
or fax to:	+61-2-9437 5610

4. How do you start a CDF in your country? - The 10 Step Plan

• STEP 1. Contact ICDF and become an ICDF Friend/Supporter in your country.
Before we can start discussing any process for starting a CDF, we need to establish contact with you so you can get to know who we are and we can get to know who you are. (see Section 3 above for contacting ICDF)

• STEP 2. Acknowledge God as the owner of the vision.
We believe that the vision of the Christian Dance Fellowship movement has been God ordained and God appointed and therefore happens in God's way, with God's provision and God's timing. Even though ICDF sets down specific guidelines and requirements for starting a CDF, we believe that it is important for us all to continue to pray and seek God about any move to set up a CDF. It is important for us to be responsive to God and each other throughout the entire process.

• STEP 3. Understand that communication is the most important thing you can do in starting a CDF.
It is important to establish and maintain communication on two levels to start a CDF. Firstly, it is important that you can communicate the vision of starting a CDF to others in your country. If this is really God's timing, others will identify with the same vision. For the fellowship to grow you need to successfully share and communicate the vision with others. Secondly it is important that you keep in regular contact with ICDF throughout the process. ICDF has people with experience in starting and running CDFs who can help give guidance and support at every stage. It is vital for ICDF to oversee and approve the various stages of becoming a CDF. We need to be informed of the latest developments so that we can responsibly and effectively do that.

• STEP 4. Understand that CDF is an organisation and that it will take time and effort to set it up.
CDFs are established as properly constituted organisations which have a legal structure, operational procedures to follow, people to administer, necessary tasks to be accomplished, meetings to arrange and membership to consider. This means that the people starting a CDF must make the time and provide the dedication and effort necessary to set all this up.

You need to understand how CDFs work and how ICDF works. Read the ICDF constitution and the model constitution for CDFs. You need to understand any legal requirements that your country, state or province might have in setting up an association or organisation like a CDF. This includes any processes for setting up bank accounts, auditing accounts and any taxation implications. While there is no official time for how long all this takes, based on experience we advise that the process should generally take not less than 2 years but could take up to 5 years.

• STEP 5. Acknowledge what this is a task is more than.
It is important that God inspired individuals can move beyond the vision to action. This means that leaders who encourage and inspire others need more than vision. You need passion, energy and support. You will need the passion that will enable you to communicate the vision to others and help order priorities for your own life including how you devote your resources – time, energy, money. You will need the energy to keep going for the long haul and the times when you think you are the only one doing it all. You need support from your spouse and family if applicable. You need support from your wider Christian family – especially pastor and church, and you will need support from others to carry the vision forward and help in all the essential small tasks. You will also need to rely on more than your own strength and abilities. Remember to pray, trust in God's provision and strength, and also very importantly, continue to communicate.

• STEP 6. Start talking with others about the vision of CDF
Assuming that you have the support from your family and church, it is important to start talking with others both inside and outside your immediate group to find out who else God is calling to be involved. Remember that you may need to talk to and/or ask many people before you find the few who recognise and respond to God's call.

• STEP 7. Contact ICDF to discuss becoming a Country Representative.
ICDF appoints people to be Country Representatives when it is clear that they have a vision for and an understanding of what it takes to start a CDF in your country and/or they have networks within the Christian Dance community in your country which would be important in the establishment of a CDF. Country Representatives are expected to help encourage the formation of a CDF but they don't necessarily have to be the one who eventually becomes the founding National Co-ordinator. They may take an important role in the formation process but they are not expected to do everything themselves to start a CDF. It is important for a Country Representative to keep in regular contact with ICDF. We want to work together with those who God appoints to be forerunners and establishers as well as those who are appointed to be consolidators and encouragers. See Section 5 – Country Representative/National Co-ordinator for more on this role.

• STEP 8. Continue to share the vision and grow the network your country.
By now you (and/or others who work with you and share your vision) should be able to travel and meet others in your country both inside and outside your local region or city to share the vision of starting a CDF. You should also be able to organise events such as prayer meetings or gatherings of dancers to share together and to talk about the vision. You should also look to using existing networks of churches, Christian artists, conferences, seminars etc to help promote the vision of CDF. Collect names and contact details (including email) of all interested people who you meet.

• STEP 9. Gather together a core group to work on the formation of the organisation.
In addition to establishing a list of potential members, you need to work at getting a core group of people together who can commit to working towards the formation of a CDF. This group should include representatives from more than one Christian denomination. Once you have reached this stage in consultation with ICDF, you can be classified as officially being in the formation or Pre-Charter process. Someone then should apply to ICDF to be the Pre-Charter Co-ordinator (see Section 5). From this point on it is even more important to work closely with ICDF. It is important to keep moving forward and to show progress by the holding of regular meetings and producing a record of these meetings (minutes) which should be sent to your colleagues in the Pre-Charter process and to ICDF.

During this time you will need to work on the following activities:

(a)	Establish and maintain a membership database
(b)	Work on writing a constitution. This can be based on the model constitution and include things legally necessary in your circumstances. ICDF can help with the basic needs of the constitution but you need to find out any other requirements.
(c)	Produce a logo for your CDF
(d)	Establish record keeping (including financial), set a membership fee, design a membership form and process membership applications
(e)	Have some method of communication with members, such as a newsletter
(f)	Organise any other activities as you are able or want to do such as workshops, sharing days, concerts, teaching and conferences.

• STEP 10. Work with ICDF to finalise the process of becoming a CDF
The final things necessary for becoming an official Chartered CDF are:

(a)	The sign off by ICDF on the proposed constitution and logo.
(b)	The organisation of a special meeting to elect the National Co-ordinator and National Committee, ratify the constitution and logo and receive the charter from the official ICDF representative who will attend.

5. ICDF Country Representatives, Pre-Charter CDF Co-ordinators & CDF National Co-ordinators

For all those thinking about being an ICDF Country Representative, Pre-Charter Co-ordinator or CDF National Co-ordinator here are a few more thoughts and practical tips which you should keep in mind.

• What is an ICDF Country Representative?
An ICDF Country Representative is someone appointed by ICDF to be a contact person for ICDF in that country. The appointment of a Country Representative is usually only for 1 year initially but is reviewed and discussed together when we see how things are going. The role of this contact person is to receive news and communications from ICDF and to send communications to ICDF on a regular basis as to what is happening in your country with Christian dance and related areas of interest.

If there are other ICDF Friends registered in your country, then the ICDF Country Representative is identified to them and is expected to help spread Christian Dance news to the other ICDF Friends in your country. Depending on what networks have already been established in that country and what resources are available to the ICDF Country Representative, the CR may undertake other activities to link people involved in Christian Dance and related fields in that country and encourage mutual support. CRs may also decide to be involved in starting the process to become an official CDF.

ICDF may conceivably appoint more than one Country Representative in any country. This would only be done if it is seen as helpful in overcoming any agreed economic, geographic or other constraints which might limit the spread of the CDF network in certain countries or regions.

• How do you become an ICDF Country Representative?
You need to apply to ICDF and supply details and references requested. Your application will be reviewed and discussed by the ICDF Steering Committee. The members of the ICDF Steering Committee are responsible for approving any application for Country Representative on behalf of all the members of ICDF. Contact ICDF for an application form.

• What can't an ICDF Country Representative do?
Until you have permission from ICDF, you can't call yourself Christian Dance Fellowship of (your country) (or local language equivalent). Also you do not have permission to print any letterhead or documents or produce any other material either in writing or electronically which identify you as a Christian Dance Fellowship or as a representative of ICDF without approval from the ICDF Steering Committee. The ICDF Steering Committee will discuss with you at all stages in the process how you should represent yourself and any CDF that is being formed.

You need to be careful and responsible how you represent ICDF and the CDF Network. Remember that we seek unity in diversity through being centered on Christ, not sameness or conformity to any one denomination's way of doing things or any one style of dance. You cannot use ICDF as an endorsement of your own position on any issue without discussing this with ICDF first.

• What is a Pre-Charter CDF Co-ordinator?
A Pre-Charter CDF Co-ordinator is someone appointed by ICDF to co-ordinate the pre-charter process of forming an official CDF in that country. Once a PCCDF Co-ordinator has been appointed, they officially take over from any ICDF Country Representative and that role ceases to exist. A PCCDF Co-ordinator will need to be able to gather and lead a team of people who are committed and willing to help in completing this process.

• How do you become an PCCDF Co-ordinator?
You need to apply to ICDF supported by the nominations of at least 5 people who are already registered as ICDF Friends in your country. It is not necessary to have been an ICDF Country Representative nor is it required that you automatically go on to become the CDF National Co-ordinator. The important formation tasks require certain understandings of administration and giftings and may be all that the Lord is calling you to.

• What is a CDF National Co-ordinator?
The CDF National Co-ordinator leads the National Committee which has been elected to run the affairs of a CDF according to its constitution. The National Co-ordinator makes sure that the National Committee meetings are held on a regular basis and that proper records are kept of National Committee meetings and membership lists. The National Co-ordinator generally chairs the National Committee meetings. Although it is the National Committee's task to run the CDF, it is the National Co-ordinator's role to make sure that the National Committee functions properly and effectively. It is not the National Co-ordinator's role to do everything that needs doing on the committee, but it is generally seen as the National Co-ordinator's role to encourage committee members and help find people to fulfil certain roles or tasks.

The National Co-ordinator is the representative for that CDF on the committee of ICDF and votes on behalf of that CDF on any ICDF matter referred to a vote or expression of opinion. All CDF National Co-ordinators are encouraged to attend any international conference where the full ICDF Committee is called to meet if at all possible. ICDF also encourages each CDF to support their National Co-ordinator or representative to attend such meetings of ICDF. It is the National Co-ordinator's role to ensure that communication is maintained between that CDF and the ICDF Steering Committee, including sending of copies of minutes and national magazines, newsletters, or other relevant publications.

• How do you become a CDF National Co-ordinator?
The procedure to become a CDF National Co-ordinator should be part of the Constitution of your CDF. Basically, instead of being appointed by ICDF on application, National Co-ordinators are elected by members of the CDF of that country after being nominated by members of that CDF.

• What do you need to be an ICDF Country Representative, PCCDF Co-ordinator or CDF National Co-ordinator?
Apart from the things already mentioned like vision, passion, energy and support, it is helpful if you have:

(i) Resources to communicate – The resources to be able to communicate on AS WIDE A BASIS AS POSSIBLE.

Means of communications are –
(a)	Telephone
(b)	Fax
(c)	Email & internet access
(d)	Ordinary mail (reliable mail service)
(e)	Ability to travel (freedom and time to travel and access to transport)

It is increasingly important (at least for communicating with ICDF) that if possible, you have access to a computer with internet access and an email address that you can check on a regular basis. You should have access to at least 2 of the above means of communication, but the more the better.

(ii) Money – All of the above would require different amounts of money to provide- either your own or some source that you are able to organise. The amounts required would vary from country to country and would depend on how communication methods were used and how far your communication needed to go. If you have access to someone else's computer and internet (work, friend, school, college, library) then this may help if you don't have your own. Sometimes your church or group may help by providing resources such as internet access, fax or photocopying or even some funding. Once you have enough interested people in your country, you can start to collect fees which will cover the costs in communicating with them. When you have started as a CDF, the CDF National Co-ordinator should be entitled to have expenses reimbursed but in practice you will still need to fund some things from your own resources.

(iii) Ability to speak and write in English, or having access to someone who can do so – This is essential in communication with ICDF and other CDFs around the world.

(iv) Time – Even with all the vision and resources available to you, if your passion does not reorder your life to make some time available for the work of being a Country Representative, PCCDF Co-ordinator or CDF National Co-ordinator then the vision and goals of CDF ministry will not be accomplished. A lot can be achieved with apparently limited resources, but if time, effort, and faith are not applied nothing effective will happen.

(v) The ability to attend CDF/ICDF or Christian dance related conferences outside your country – Attending such conferences is a wonderful way to get connected with the wider world of CDF and obtain support and encouragement from other CDF members.