While I am all for creativity and love some rather suspect music, I do not think such things are appropriate at a Christian worship service on any level. And why have a whole church do the Gangnam style after worshiping our Lord? I’m a liberal, but not that liberal.

Mainly, I see this as a continuation of a pattern I’ve observed for 20+ years. The pattern has been subtle historically, sort of a “holy lust”.

Here’s one example: I’m not sure about your part of ubf, but in my part of ubf, every Christmas program had a duet with a single brother and a single sister. It seems innocent enough but it was always an odd, uncomfortable, romantic dance to watch during Christmas time. I lived with one brother who had to do the dance, in hopes he would get married. He shared with me how he struggled immensely with lust during the dance, but felt utterly afraid to talk about such things with his shepherd or anyone else, for fear of never being allowed to get married.

Another example from the last ubf conference I attended: One of the young sisters helped make the banner. She put a strange cornucopia-looking symbol on it, complete with stars. When I asked what it was, no one would talk about it and no one seemed to know how that related to Jesus’ love (which was the theme of the conference). Most agreed though when I mentioned it looked like a phallic symbol. Why was such a strange symbol allowed? The answer given to me was: To encourage that sister to participate in the conference.

I mention the leaders here because we all know how much control a ubf leader has and because leaders are responsible for reviewing any program. In the case of the dance in Germany, if it was right after worship service, the director/leaders most certainly approved it or at least allowed it.

I remember leaders being very upset over things that program choreographers wanted to do (choice of music, dance partners, etc.) But often they would give in at some point as long as the dance was related to ubf heritage somehow. Then they would take credit for being “progressive” and try to gain points with the younger students, even dancing themselves perhaps.

Sorry for the rambling…not sure if I’m answering your questions or making this more confusing.

The point is as you mention: “whatever is expedient to the mission of ubf” or “whatever advances loyalty to the ubf cause”.

Such principles are dangerous guides that can lead to immorality and illegal activity, and have on both accounts.

Are you referring to the provocative dance style? I recall feeling uncomfortable during some dances at various points, but I can’t attribute those to the leaders, who largely were not the ones choreographing the dances.

As for illegal or immoral, I agree that the setup allows (or condones) practices if it is expedient to the mission. I recall one person bragging about how he brought a person to a conference by (deceptively) telling him they were going to an amusement park. Its okay if it furthers “the program.”