Another "Dressing Up For Church" Thread

[2Timothy4:1-5]

Do you think you can handle one more?? I hope so, because I really need to get something off my chest.

Well, okay, it's not that serious, but I do have a question for those who think we should always wear our "Sunday Best" to church.

Okay, here is my question.....When talking about dressing up for church, why just stop at a suit and tie for the men and a nice dress for the ladies?? Why not go all the way!!! Let's get a tux for all the men and beautiful evening gown for the ladies!! After all, we're coming into the presence of the King, right? Of course we are, so we should dress like it, right?? Right!! Nothing says roality like a tuxedo or evening gown.

Okay, now I know I'm going overboard here, but I just wanted to point out how "silly" the "we gotta get dressed up for church" bit really is. If you wanted to go all out in the way of dressing for church, then a tux or an evening gown is the way to go.

Kenneth

 

[Kathy]

I think that we may intimidate folks who cannot afford the types of clothes that others wear...make people feel inferior. I'm not poor, I'd consider myself to be middle class and let me tell you, there are people in the church who can put me to shame when it comes to clothing...I know they don't mean any harm and they really do look nice!! I think we're seeing alot of churches toning down in this area to attract more unchurched people, which is a great thing and not a compromise at all!! They are doing what it takes to reach the lost...same with churches offering traditional services as well as contemporary services...once you get them in the door, you hit em with the truth!

Kathy
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[onestand]

why wait to get them in the door? we are the church, not the building...meet them where they are and love them there.

 

[post-it]

Originally posted by Kathy:
I think that we may intimidate folks who cannot afford the types of clothes that others wear...make people feel inferior.

I know what you are trying to say here, But you may be crossing the line as below.

I'm not poor, I'd consider myself to be middle class and let me tell you, there are people in the church who can put me to shame when it comes to clothing...

Subconsciously you do feel ashamed of your status in life by not being able to dress nicer like the richer folks in your church. This is called envy and borders on coveting and is a sin. You may want to learn to accept that middle class is just fine.

I know they don't mean any harm and they really do look nice!! I think we're seeing alot of churches toning down in this area to attract more unchurched people, which is a great thing and not a compromise at all!!

I think the word is pretense, also a sin. To pretend to be or act falsely. I know this doesn't sound right, but I have to call a sin a sin. Would you agree, that putting on a false front to bring in new souls to the Lord is wrong? I think Jesus would not be pleased with lying to the unchurched and poor.

They are doing what it takes to reach the lost...

This means that the ends justify the means. Also a sin. No good fruits can come be deceit.

same with churches offering traditional services as well as contemporary services...once you get them in the door, you hit em with the truth!

AKA, Fraud and Misrepresentation, both criminal actions if done by any person or business in American. Are you saying its ok for the Church?

Kathy
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[Kathy]

Thanks Dr. Frasier Crane - I didn't realize I was harboring all of this...you've certainly brought it to light

It's absolutely unbelieveable to me that a person on this board would literally pick apart and totally psycho-analyze every word I said. I do not covet other peoples clothes...I was simply stating my opinion on the matter...

This really upsets me...now I know why I stopped posting here...for fear of being mocked and ridiculed by the "brethren"!

Kathy
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[Frogman]

Don't let it bother you. Or else we will think you really have issues.

BTW, did you notice, I "dressed up" even for my BB photo, I had just taken the tie off and my wife snapped the photo, she wouldn't take another after I put the tie back on, so this was all I had to submit

God Bless
Bro. Dallas

 

[jshurley04]

Kathy,
It is sad that a fellow Texan had to be such a non-compassionate person towards you. (I almost called him a jerk) I understand that when it comes to wearing the "Sunday Best" that one person's best is another persons lawn mowing clothes. For those who are attending services there is nothing wrong in coming nicely dressed even if it is casual. I do not support the blue jeans and tshirt movement, and I do believe that those on stage should be held to a higher standard. If you come to my church, as one lady did one time, wearing a tank-top, no undergarment, short-shorts and flip-flops you will be welcomed with open arms. We will invite you to come back and not say one word to you about your dress. BTW, this lady was very attractive. Within about a month of coming like this, she began to atleast wear undergarments. About 2 months after her first visit, she and her family accepted Christ as savior and there was never another issue with dress again. She never wore skirts or turtle necks, but she was always dressed comfortable and modestly.

 

[Precepts]

Haven't these "under-priviledged" ever been to a thrift store? I'm a "rich" plumber, you know, one of those who make as much as doctors make, and I go to bargain stores and thrift stores to buy nearly all my clothes. The same places the "poor" shop. The tangent of oppressing others because many wear suits and dresses to church is silly. It's just evidence of the casual mentality to a formal meeting with Christ, that's Who I dress for, not the "church".

I had a missionary tell me he wished he could afford an expensive suit like the one I had on. I gave him $50 and told him where "Value City" is on 19/41 Tara Blvd in Jonesboro, Ga. Go buy him one just like it.

But hey, dressing accordingly is for the saints, anyone is more than welcome at our church, except the devil of course! The devil likes to make people think stuff like others are oppressing the poor and making the poor think they are oppressed.

I dress for Jesus, afterall, He "dressed" for me!

 

[Greg Linscott]

When we "dress to impress," are we really doing it to "go all out for Jesus" (as implied by Kenneth with tuxedos and evening gowns)?

I don't think so.

We should attempting to convey to ourselves as well as those around us that we are not taking worship "casually." When we dress for a job interview, we don't wear formal wear, but we generally do attempt to present a "polished" appearance- because this conveys respect for authority, and communicates that you take things seriously.

Just for the record: as I have posted elsewhere, I have several people who attend our services clad in jeans. I welcome them with a handshake and smile, and treat them just like the people who wear skirts, dresses, suits, or ties. I honestly don't make a huge deal out of it. However, we are also in rural Maine, where jeans are pretty standard fare, even at formal occassions like weddings and funerals!

 

[Charlesga]

Hey Kathy--

Don't sweat the very uncompassionate post, and I hope you keep posting. Some folks are out to criticize and over analyze anything and anyone without taking into account people's feeling or their own common sense (or lack thereof).

As far as dress in church, I don't recall seeing the early Christians dressed in suits and ties and dresses as they went to church. Clothing is cultural in nature. Yes, be modest, but beyond that focus on your heart before going to worship, not on what to wear.

Charles

 

[Precepts]

O.K., So this lady professing to be a witch got saved 4 weeks ago. She stood up in church and testified the reason she was late, she had to go back home and so up the slit in her dress so she wouldn't look like a floozy. Now go figure? Why would some one as far gone as aprofessing witrch, get saved, and after only 4 weeks know she should dress appropiately? No one has said ANYTHING to her about dress.

Get mad, sad, or glad, the lady says she's SAVED!

 

[dianetavegia]

Hey Brother Ricky, I'm not sure she needed to stand up and testify to her 'holiness' and sewing up the slit in her dress. Seems to me she should have kept that in her heart.

Kathy, I know exactly what you mean! I dress nice but not expensive clothes. Some people have hair cuts that cost more than everything I'll have on combined! I don't put thought into what I'm going to wear each week.

We have some VERY rich and some VERY poor in our area. I hope they all feel at home!

Diane

 

[Dr. Bob]

James 2:1-10
My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don't show favoritism.

Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, "Here's a good seat for you," but say to the poor man, "You stand there" or "Sit on the floor by my feet," have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?

Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? But you have insulted the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? Are they not the ones who are slandering the noble name of him to whom you belong?

If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, "Love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing right. But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.

For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it."

 

[Greg Linscott]

Good point, Dr. Bob, in reminding us not to judge strangers by their clothing when they come.

However, "poor man in shabby clothes" doesn't generally describe Christians wishing to "dress down" in their designers jeans and Tommy Hilfiger polos (or whatever).

Again, I have no problem accepting people no matter how they're dressed. The issue that concerns me is why we want to treat a service dedicated to the corporate worshipping of a holy God like it's a trip to the mall, complete with Starbucks in the lobby, hip music, and the rest. If jeans "is all they got," fine. That's often what we've got up in this neck of the woods. But if it's a choice to dress down because that's "who I am," to me it becomes more of a self-centered rather than God-and-others-centered issue.

 

[Kathy]

Why can't professing Christians accept people the way they are? Who are they not to when Jesus accepts us as we are, flaws and all (jeans and shorts too). A IFB church I used to go to would plan outings and FROM THE PULPIT would announce that if you cannot "dress appropriately" don't bother to come! I guess this is why this topic is "hot" to me...They say "come as you are" but once you are there "make sure you wear a suit and tie and ladies, calf length dresses/skirts! Oh, and don't forget ladies, you aren't allowed to cut your hair and men, please wear WHITE shirts..." blah blah blah! That is NOT the love of Christ AT ALL!

Kathy
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[pinoybaptist]

Brother Greg Linscott said:

The issue that concerns me is why we want to treat a service dedicated to the corporate worshipping of a holy God like it's a trip to the mall, complete with Starbucks in the lobby, hip music, and the rest. If jeans "is all they got," fine. That's often what we've got up in this neck of the woods. But if it's a choice to dress down because that's "who I am," to me it becomes more of a self-centered rather than God-and-others-centered issue.

Hit the nail dead center, sir.

And Kathy said:

A IFB church I used to go to would plan outings and FROM THE PULPIT would announce that if you cannot "dress appropriately" don't bother to come! I guess this is why this topic is "hot" to me...They say "come as you are" but once you are there "make sure you wear a suit and tie and ladies, calf length dresses/skirts! Oh, and don't forget ladies, you aren't allowed to cut your hair and men, please wear WHITE shirts..."

suit and tie and calf length dresses and skirts, haircut, white shirts, in an OUTING ?!!

C'mon, Kathy, you gotta give them more credit than that.

 

[Kathy]

Originally posted by pinoybaptist:
Brother Greg Linscott said:

</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />
The issue that concerns me is why we want to treat a service dedicated to the corporate worshipping of a holy God like it's a trip to the mall, complete with Starbucks in the lobby, hip music, and the rest. If jeans "is all they got," fine. That's often what we've got up in this neck of the woods. But if it's a choice to dress down because that's "who I am," to me it becomes more of a self-centered rather than God-and-others-centered issue.

Hit the nail dead center, sir.

And Kathy said:

A IFB church I used to go to would plan outings and FROM THE PULPIT would announce that if you cannot "dress appropriately" don't bother to come! I guess this is why this topic is "hot" to me...They say "come as you are" but once you are there "make sure you wear a suit and tie and ladies, calf length dresses/skirts! Oh, and don't forget ladies, you aren't allowed to cut your hair and men, please wear WHITE shirts..."

suit and tie and calf length dresses and skirts, haircut, white shirts, in an OUTING ?!!

C'mon, Kathy, you gotta give them more credit than that. </font>[/QUOTE]I guess you didn't call me "Sister Kathy" as you did "Brother Greg Linscott" because we differ in opinion...CLASSIC

Kathy
&lt;&gt;&lt;

 

[pinoybaptist]

[snipped]

[ March 15, 2004, 11:03 AM: Message edited by: Dr. Bob Griffin ]

 

[Kathy]

[snipped]

[ March 15, 2004, 11:02 AM: Message edited by: Dr. Bob Griffin ]

 

[onestand]

Hmm ok so now we can't have a fellowship time in the lobby and welcome brothers and sisters as well as new comers with a hot cup of coffee and maybe a cookie? What happened to hospitality and a chance to get to know each other and new people? I know it's very difficult for my family to get up early in the morning for service and it's very nice to be greeted with a "wake up" cup of coffee to help freshen my listening skills.

My concern is, if you place so much pressure on people to dress in what YOU think they should be dressed in, they are taking more time to listen to what you want rather than God's voice.

As far as hip music, well that's always going to be a widely debated issue. I like it along with others, some do not. Kind of beating a dead horse in my opinion.