Casual approaches to worship

[pinoybaptist]

The fact is,MNW, the subject of dressing up or down in church has been discussed to death in this Board, and with 121 posts, I don't think you were aware of that.
Those who argued for 'dressing up, almost always went away feeling like they were Pharisees of this age, somehow insensitive to the crying need of 'getting the masses' into church and not scaring them away by those who would have dress codes or would dress stiffly, in a manner of speaking, or maybe in so many words, told by the more 'laid back' to catch up with the 20th century or the 21st Century.

 

[mnw]

Thanks 4given and pinoy. I am beginning to see some themes on the Baptist Board and appearence seems to be one of them. At least when we are with Christ we'll at last all be wearing the same thing: fine linen white and clean.

 

[donnA]

Originally posted by gb93433:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by donnA:
Do you have to dress up before you worship God? Think how many people in the world not allowed to worship God if that were true.

Didn't you know that clothes make the person? </font>[/QUOTE]Yeah, but make them what?

 

[donnA]

We apparently live in a culture where what you wear is very important. But what does scripture say about people wearing the finest clothing? Are we to choose them over those who are not dressed as well? Reading the BB one would think thats exactly what scripture says. Wether or not anyone likes it, we judge people based solely on what they wear, how nice thier clothing is. So that the person who does not have these ttypes of clothing thinks they can not go to church, they can not even be christians becasue they don't look like all those nicely, fancy dressed people in church. The message they are getting from church people is, you have to be able to dress up for God or don't bother.

 

[Trotter]

For many people outside of the church. the preconceived notion is exactly what donnA said, "you have to be able to dress up for God or don't bother."

Personally, I'd rather see them saved in a T-shirt and blue jeans as in hell wearing a suit.

I believe in wearing your best to church, as does my wife and daughter. But dress should not be a divisionary thing.

The current trend of 'dressing down' for church is to help thoseoutside the church to see that they will be accepted. Of course this trend is ruffling many feathers in the 'old gaurd'... but look at the hullabaloo that blew up when people tried to bring ungodly music and hymns into the Baptist church...

In Christ,
Trotter

 

[RayMarshall19]

As a result of the discussion I have read here I have decided to quit going to church so that my clothes will not be judged by the "strong" Christians or be a stumbling block to the "weak" ones.

 

[Johnv]

Originally posted by Brice:
Why does it seem the “groups” that dislike CCM because it’s worldly (in their opinion) unusually end up telling me I have to wear nice (by the world’s standards) clothes to church?

Excellent point. On one hand, CCM is denounced as "worldly", yet dressing up according to worldy standards is encouraged. Go figure.

 

[Mexdeaf]

I have been through the Bible many times and have yet to read 'Thou shalt wear a tie to church.'

I meet with God every morning and I don't wear a suit and tie to do it. Usually it is just my 'pajamas'- exercise shorts and maybe a t-shirt if it is a little cool. We usually have a good talk- real good talk if I let Him do most of the talking. He doesn't seem to mind that I don't have a tie on.

I wouldn't go to church dressed that way, but not because I need to dress up to impress God or even to show Him respect. I dress nicely according to the custom of the church I am attending out of respect for my brethren. Here in Mexico, not too many of the pastors wear ties (the ones who do usually have been influenced from pastors in the USA). A nice button-up shirt or polo and some Dockers are fine. If I am in the USA, a tie and (if I am preaching) a suit coat are de-rigeur.

That's my take. For as little as it is worth.

 

[mnw]

No one has said "Wearing a shirt and tie makes you a better person." Neither has anyone said "You can not worship God without nice clothes."

What people are saying is that it is right to make sure our appearance is fitting for the situation. If that is the nicest pair of jeans and the cleanest t-shirt you have, praise the Lord, get to church. If you have a shirt and tie then I believe that is the best thing to wear at church.

It never amazes me how something can be written and regardless of how it was written people just swing to extremes and get all upset.

My problem with people coming to church wearing the same thing they would to a social club is that it can be (note, can be, not is,) indicative of how the person sees the church.

It feeds into the come as you are and leave as you came culture. They just can not be bothered to dress up. In my experiance, note, my experiance, those who take little time to physically prepare themselves for church have spent even less time spiritually preparing for church.

Why does it seem the “groups” that dislike CCM because it’s worldly (in their opinion) unusually end up telling me I have to wear nice (by the world’s standards) clothes to church?

CCM is disliked because of the music used. Appearance that shows care and concern and thought for the situation is right whether the world does it or God's people do it.

At the moment in our cultures wearing ties is still the recognised way of looking smart and and being respectful of the situation. I fully expect in the next decade ties will have passed off the scene.

It is not REQUIRED, but it is recommended.

 

[bobbyd]

Yes, the clothes make the man...but the Holy Spirit makes the Christian (the Spirit indwelling in the true believer), and my Bible tells me that we are to worship in "Spirit and in truth" and not in a coat and tie.

 

[gb93433]

Originally posted by bobbyd:
... and my Bible tells me that we are to worship in "Spirit and in truth" and not in a coat and tie.

I like a coat when it is cold but I would like to have a tie for some blabber mouths when I need it so I can tie it around their neck.

 

[Salamander]

http://www.churchinthenow.org/home/home.asp

Even the "bishop" has recently shaved his goatee, but this has to be the epitomy of "casual approaches to modern worship"

 

[Johnv]

Don't know anything about that church, but what about the church is contrary to Christian doctrine?

 

[Shiloh]

Judge Alito before the Senate Panel in jeans and t-shirt. What would be wrong with that? Is God less important to you than the Senate Panel?

 

[rbell]

But Shiloh,

In 1800, had Alito been before the Senate for confirmation, he would have worn a powdered wig.

Today, that would be viewed as strange attire.

Just pointing out that what is defined as "appropriate," whether senatorial or religious, can change...

 

[Joshua Rhodes]

What makes it casual? The use of a website?

 

[CarolinaBaptist]

It is amazing to see the emotion caused by such a simple question. Personally, I think we should offer our best to the Lord when we gather corporately for worship. I do realize that not everybody has a coat and tie or a dress. I also realize that what would be "my best" would not necessarily be someone else's best.

Let's all be honest here though-the dressing casually phenomenon now seen in most churches has nothing to do with economic status. It has everything to do(and is marketed by most churches as such) with our "comfort." Since when did the church get the notion that we should be comfortable when we worship God? Also, the notion that we should dress casually so as not to offend non-church goers is simply absurd.

 

[Joshua Rhodes]

Some of us place no importance on this issue at all. As I've said, I'll wear a tie sometimes (as well as a vest), and other times just an open coller shirt, sometimes a polo.

Comfort is not really an issue for me, although it is for some, I'm sure. I'm not sure how much stock is in the "offense" argument for non-church goers, but I don't really pay attention.

 

[rbell]

Originally posted by Joshua Rhodes:
Some of us place no importance on this issue at all. As I've said, I'll wear a tie sometimes (as well as a vest), and other times just an open coller shirt, sometimes a polo.

I promise I'm not becoming pharasaical on you, but...

Shouldn't you wear pants also?

Just a thought.

(crawls back into his cave)

 

[Shiloh]

The bottom line here is the nonchalant attitude the Christian has toward the things of the Lord today. This started by many churches having as come as you are attitude or in todays terminology a contemporary service. This is so every body can come and no one will feel inferior. We want to make it easy for everybody. This has resulted in many "professions" and not many "possessions". We have many people that can "talk the talk" but they don't "walk the walk".