Ball caps on boys and men during worship services

[ktn4eg]

Over the past couple of years I've noticed what seems to be somewhat of a trend (esp. in so-called "contemporary" churches) of some boys and young men to wear ball caps on their heads during worship services.

Now, I wouldn't say that this is necessarily a "sin," especially if some visitor or what I'd guess you'd call "an unchurched" male chose to do this, but, OTOH when I see this on males that are deacons and/or elders or some other "position holders" (ss superintendents, ss teachers, etc.), does kinda bother me to some extent.

Maybe it's none of my business (probably is), and so far I've never talked to anyone else about it, but shouldn't there be some "sense of decorum" about something like this during a public worship service?


Thoughts?

 

[preachinjesus]

How we appear on the outside matters little to God who looks for how we appear on the inside.

 

[thisnumbersdisconnected]

Just say NO!!!!

 

[Revmitchell]

Young folks just do not know what it means to show respect to authority through such actions. In our day and age being casual is what is important. Very sad

 

[saturneptune]

Over the past couple of years I've noticed what seems to be somewhat of a trend (esp. in so-called "contemporary" churches) of some boys and young men to wear ball caps on their heads during worship services.

Now, I wouldn't say that this is necessarily a "sin," especially if some visitor or what I'd guess you'd call "an unchurched" male chose to do this, but, OTOH when I see this on males that are deacons and/or elders or some other "position holders" (ss superintendents, ss teachers, etc.), does kinda bother me to some extent.

Maybe it's none of my business (probably is), and so far I've never talked to anyone else about it, but shouldn't there be some "sense of decorum" about something like this during a public worship service?


Thoughts?

My thoughts are is that it is disrespectful, but would add this. It is probably like the applause thread being mostly cultural, and ultimately, it is a question for each local church, since we are all autonomous.

My reasoning for believing it is disrespectful are the following verses and there are others"

1 Corinthians 11:1-34

English Standard Version (ESV)


11 Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.

Head Coverings

2 Now I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions even as I delivered them to you. 3 But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife[a] is her husband, and the head of Christ is God. 4 Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head, 5 but every wife who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, since it is the same as if her head were shaven. 6 For if a wife will not cover her head, then she should cut her hair short. But since it is disgraceful for a wife to cut off her hair or shave her head, let her cover her head. 7 For a man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God, but woman is the glory of man. 8 For man was not made from woman, but woman from man. 9 Neither was man created for woman, but woman for man. 10 That is why a wife ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels.[c] 11 Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man nor man of woman; 12 for as woman was made from man, so man is now born of woman. And all things are from God. 13 Judge for yourselves: is it proper for a wife to pray to God with her head uncovered? 14 Does not nature itself teach you that if a man wears long hair it is a disgrace for him, 15 but if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For her hair is given to her for a covering. 16 If anyone is inclined to be contentious, we have no such practice, nor do the churches of God.

Now, that begs the question, if there is no hard and fast rule within the local church about coverings, do I have to right to ask a man or teen to remove his cap during church service. Probably if I did, chances are he will tell me to take a flying leap, to be nice about it. There is no tool for enforcement, and the very question asked will guarantee they will not be back. You might also find yourself in a confrontation in the middle of the sanctuary and wish you had kept your mouth shut.

I did not allow my kids to do it, but that was my responsibility. If the culture of the local church does not allow coverings, then those who want to wear a covering should seek out another local church.

Thoughts you asked. I would make sure I understood the situation before I tried to force a hat off someone probably bigger than me in the middle of a service. Better timing would be to get him aside after the service and explain why coverings are disrespectful before the Lord.

 

[Revmitchell]

How we appear on the outside matters little to God who looks for how we appear on the inside.

And yet God told Moses to take his shoes off because he was standing on Holy ground.

 

[Crabtownboy]

American young people are often very easy to spot in Europe with their baseball hat on backwards.

 

[webdog]

And yet God told Moses to take his shoes off because he was standing on Holy ground.

So either we should go to church barefoot...or worry about hats when we are on Holy ground

To answer the op...is it any different than those, including the pastor, who wear cowboy hats in cowboy churches?

 

[Revmitchell]

So either we should go to church barefoot...or worry about hats when we are on Holy ground

To answer the op...is it any different than those, including the pastor, who wear cowboy hats in cowboy churches?

Ok let's not put words in peoples mouths.

 

[SolaSaint]

I blame Rick Waren as usual. He started the casual dress Sunday Service. I also blame our local churches that allow this. Maybe once in a while someone may come to a service who knows no better and we shouldn't make it an issue at that time but it should be taught and preached that this is God's house and we all need to be reverent.

 

[Crabtownboy]

I blame Rick Waren as usual. He started the casual dress Sunday Service. I also blame our local churches that allow this. Maybe once in a while someone may come to a service who knows no better and we shouldn't make it an issue at that time but it should be taught and preached that this is God's house and we all need to be reverent.

I do not know who to blame. Our whole society is CASUAL. I have been ask on two continents, "Why do you Americans dress so poor." I do not have a good answer. We are not completely alone in casual, but we are extreme.

The little village church I grew up in was primarily farm folk, but all the men wore suits and ties and all the women dresses and hats. I was considered as proper and as respectful of the Lord.

 

[webdog]

Ok let's not put words in peoples mouths.

I didn't, they were my words.

 

[webdog]

I blame Rick Waren as usual. He started the casual dress Sunday Service. I also blame our local churches that allow this. Maybe once in a while someone may come to a service who knows no better and we shouldn't make it an issue at that time but it should be taught and preached that this is God's house and we all need to be reverent.

I blame Jesus who wore the same attire as everyone else and wasn't concerned about earthly garments.

 

[webdog]

I do not know who to blame. Our whole society is CASUAL. I have been ask on two continents, "Why do you Americans dress so poor." I do not have a good answer. We are not completely alone in casual, but we are extreme.

The little village church I grew up in was primarily farm folk, but all the men wore suits and ties and all the women dresses and hats. I was considered as proper and as respectful of the Lord.

You answered your own question, todays culture is casual. Sixty years ago the culture was suit and fedora. We have taken it upon ourselves to judge which is 'right', and castigate anyone not adhering to our manmade rules. Modern day phariseeism.

 

[SolaSaint]

You answered your own question, todays culture is casual. Sixty years ago the culture was suit and fedora. We have taken it upon ourselves to judge which is 'right', and castigate anyone not adhering to our manmade rules. Modern day phariseeism.

I think you're right and thus we have many differing types of churches, like Cowboy churches, Rock & Roll churches, etc....

 

[agedman]

You answered your own question, todays culture is casual. Sixty years ago the culture was suit and fedora. We have taken it upon ourselves to judge which is 'right', and castigate anyone not adhering to our manmade rules. Modern day phariseeism.

I think you're right and thus we have many differing types of churches, like Cowboy churches, Rock & Roll churches, etc....

I agree,

The same "judge which is right" is just as much a part of the modern day church as it was at any point in history.

Pharisee-ism has always been a problem rather than focused worship upon God -alone.

Each generation seems to have some great mandate to relegate the past as no longer relevant, perhaps even sinful compared to the modern free style sensual worship.

And each generation refused the warning that the focus was being taken off God and Godliness and put upon "that's what I like."

I heard it all way back in the 60's.

 

[webdog]

I agree,

The same "judge which is right" is just as much a part of the modern day church as it was at any point in history.

Pharisee-ism has always been a problem rather than focused worship upon God -alone.

Each generation seems to have some great mandate to relegate the past as no longer relevant, perhaps even sinful compared to the modern free style sensual worship.

And each generation refused the warning that the focus was being taken off God and Godliness and put upon "that's what I like."

I heard it all way back in the 60's.

You are merely doing the same thing, but holding to the past as being more spiritual and worshipful. True worship hasn't changed since Abel while outer garments have. Anyone focusing on the latter as a judge of the heart is a Pharisee, plain and simple. You want to wear a suit and fedora, go for it. If a young guy wants to wear jeans and ballcap, go for it. If the heart is right its all good. If either are going to snub their noses at the other one they need to take Jesus' words on not judging according to appearance to heart and repent.

Its comical to state today's generation dresses on what they like or attend a church they like...but this wasn't the case 60 years ago. Come on.

 

[webdog]

I think you're right and thus we have many differing types of churches, like Cowboy churches, Rock & Roll churches, etc....

What is wrong with that? I know...its all Rick Warren's fault

 

[JohnDeereFan]

Over the past couple of years I've noticed what seems to be somewhat of a trend (esp. in so-called "contemporary" churches) of some boys and young men to wear ball caps on their heads during worship services.

If somebody did that in our church, I would have no problem calling them out from the pulpit.

 

[webdog]

If somebody did that in our church, I would have no problem calling them out from the pulpit.

On what biblical grounds?