Acceptance of dress

Who could object to reaching out to the lost?

 

At our church, we accept people who visit just as they are. No one would ever be turned away because of how they are dressed.

After they come to Christ, we still accept them the way that they are and trust the Holy Spirit to convict in whatever areas conviction needs to occur. It's pretty amazing the things that I sometimes feel I need to address with someone, if I just keep preaching and teaching the Bible, it usually gets corrected without me making an issue of it. God is great at being God and whenever I try to help, I usually mess up what He's got going on.

Example - we had a young lady start coming who was working as a dancer in a strip club. She dressed in a very provacative manner, and one that I was uncomfortable being around. But as she surrendered her life to Christ, the changes in behavior and appearance were evident almost immediately, and I never had to mention it.

Not sure exactly what you're asking, but for us, there is no "standard" for dress. We tell people to "come as you are", and that doesn't change due to membership.

 

Sounds somewhat like what our church would look like. We bus people in, van them in, and some even walk in.....we're just glad they're in.

 

We as Christians don't object to how the lost or unsaved dress when coming into our church at all. We accept them just as they are. What we object to is how CHRISTIANS or suppose to be born again believers dress like when coming to church. WHO do Christians emulate when coming to church.

Do Christian women dress provocatively, in wearing form fitting pants, tight tee shirts or even cut off shorts? And do young Christian men honor Christ when wearing baggy pants, untied sneakers, rings in their ears, noses and sports affiliated jerseys? This is the issue. Not about the unsaved, but rather how do young Christian men and women honor the Lord by their dress?

 

We don't care what people wear. Our services will have men in suits and women in dresses and bonnets. We also have jeans, tshirts, and tennis shoes. Of course, in Branson, we have many on vacation during "the season" and so our church has more transient visitors than some (sometimes upwards of 200 visitors in one service). For us, the dress is not an issue. God sees the heart... and if the heart is not pure, it doesn't matter what they're wearing. Psalm 24 says that only those with clean hands and pure hearts will ascend the hill of the Lord. Why should the rules be different for a church?

 

Our church doesn't care what clothes people wear. I agree with poster Ron Arndt that it's really not about how the unsaved dress, but how we as Christians dress. I was one of those bus kids that didn't act right, look right, talk right, etc... but the love of the people who were in the bus ministry made a huge difference in my life. They didn't look down on me because we had absolutely nothing, no discipline or anything. They kept on loving me and taking me church. I sat through preaching that instructed Christians how to act, dress, etc.. once I was saved, I had heard and read in the Bible how God's children were supposed to behave in all areas of life. So, I began obeying God. If the people had worried about what I looked like, or how I acted before I was saved and if they would have tried to instruct me before, I would not have listened. I would have been offended. That's what pushes people away - "holier than thou" attitudes. There wasn't anything in me that wanted to do right. But through their love, I came to know Christ and learned how He wanted me to live.

I believe when we start worrying about how people dress instead of if they are saved, then we are doing more harm than good.

 

What does the Bible say about how Christians should dress when they come to church?

 

Shoes and shirt. No attire with offensive phrases such as profanity are permitted. In other words, the same standard that one would expect if going to McDonald's or a shopping mall. Other than that, there is no dress code. It's come as you are.

 

I did not say that I was taught how to dress when coming to church. I said I was taught how to dress period. As Christians we are to dress pleasing to God, not just in church, but all the time. So whatever I wear to the store, to run errands, to eat out, etc... I could also wear to church because it would be pleasing to God.

 

We run several buses and for the most part/99% of those bussed in by us "whitefolks", they are black! They don't dress "right", they don't act "right". They don't smell "right". They don't talk "right".
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NO PROBLEM! The problem lies with people "after" they get saved! 7-11 "No Shoes No Shirts No Service" Why should a Baptist Church have any less standards than a 7-11 store?

 

I agree with Ron Arndt as well. And very good point Aundie!

How we dress as born-again Christians trying to walk with God matters no matter what setting we are in.

 

A few years ago I picked up 4 guy's off the street and brought them to church with me, I heard several people say what are they doing here, I wasnt a member there for very long after that.

 

Servant

That is so sad. I am sorry you had to experience that. But I am more sorry that those unsaved buddies of yours weren't welcomed just as they were.

 

It certainly isn't biblical to exclude anyone from worship or fellowship becasue you don't approve of their clothing. You can't change a heart by changing clothes.

 

That is exactly, absolutely, right !
Preach on, Ron !

 

So if a bunch of college aged girls came into your church buck nekked, would you permit them to stay for the whole service, or would you respectfully escort them out, encouraging them to come back a little less "exposed"?

Interestingly, I was getting berated on this board for attending a beachside service in Maui when I was on vacation. People literally came out of the water to join the service in whatever swimwear they wear wearing. Everything from a surfer in a wetsuit to a girl in a bikini top and boardshorts. Interestingly, some who agree here with the "come as you are" attire were espousing that "come as you are" at this beachside service was not biblical (even though no one there was remotely immodest, given the locale and situation).

I agree with you, donnA, that it isn't biblical to exclude anyone from worship or fellowship becasue you don't approve of their clothing. But it is certainly not unbiblical if a church has a nominal "shirt and shoes required" standard.

 

part of what you have noticed, Johnv, I believe truly is because the same people who preach hard at the CHRISTIAN'S need to dress modestly and according to higher standards, are very often the same ones who will accept the UNSAVED just as they are.

I know you probably will have some examples of where this does not hold true, but in my experience this is true of the majority. Those of us who have stricter personal standards of dress very often understand that the unsaved have more pressing needs to deal with first.

 

I don't disagree with you in the slightest there, bapmom.

I'm kinda stupmed as to why no one has answered my question.

For those who say the unsaved should come as they are, and who believe it's unbiblical to impose a dress code:

If a bunch of college aged girls came into your church completely naked, would you permit them to stay for the whole service, or would you respectfully escort them out, encouraging them to come back a little less "exposed"?

There's a huge difference between approval of attire, and having a nominal "shirt and shoes required" standard. I can't for the life os me see where a nominal "shirt and shoes required" standard is in any way unscriptural.