On a different thread I had a discussion with @John of Japan about proper dress for attending church. I started a thread asking how people dressed when attending a service. This topic bleeds into another more general topic, one that piques my curiosity.
I believe that much of our customs arise from tradition and culture but often are not (or no longer are) shared within society as a whole. This does not mean by any means that these customs and standards are wrong in and of themselves, although it may be wrong to impose on other people.
For example, a man may wear a suit to church as an act of worship or as an expression of self-righteousness. A drummer may play the drums in church as an act of worship or to receive praise for his ability. A man may dress casually as an act of worship, or to appeal to certain people.
Those who do not share the custom being practice may often, and erroneously, think the worse. A man wearing a suit is doing so to elevate himself. The drummer is seeking praise. The man dressing casually is being disrespectful and looking for approval.
I currently have chosen to attend a church that meets at a school. It is a very active church, and God is using the congregation in the community. But I know people who believe that this is inappropriate because a school cafeteria is not a “sacred space” in their valuation.
I’ve attended churches that had a permanent structure but the sanctuary was set up to be rearranged as needed. It did not look like a traditional sanctuary. Chairs replaced pews. This became a major issue with some members as they believed the absence of pews and use of interlocking chairs was dishonoring to God.
Ultimately my point is that there are two sides to these traditions. There is often a legitimate reason for holding a custom, but there is also a legitimate counter position. I believe that we need to worship in spirit and truth, and this worship may not look exactly the same between congregations. But we also believe that we may need to consider counter-views when we become tempted to suggest our preferences and practices to other people.
@John of Japan mentioned what is a good example, although I am not sure that it was a serious one, that men should keep their knees covered.
This is actually a cultural standard in places (men should not expose their elbows or knees in public as this is disrespectful). So a congregation may hold this view, and out of respect never expose their knees or elbows. I believe this is absolutely appropriate for that group of people. But I believe imposing this as a standard of respect onto other people is problematic (thinking that a man wearing a short sleeved shirt to church is disrespecting God would be a false assumption and a projection of social norms onto another culture).
This is an issue for me in one area (probably a few areas), and that is raising hands in worship. Please do not misunderstand me. I do not believe it is wrong to raise hands in worship. I believe it is good, if it is in spirit and truth. But I have to catch myself from thinking that it is out of a false sense of piety.
The problem is not with people who raise their hands in worship. In truth, the problem has nothing to do with these people. The problem is with me. It is something foreign to my customs, my experiences. I have been led to tears, very much moved by the Spirit. But I have not been led to raise my hands. It is an expression of worship that is foreign to me. So I am tempted to assume the worst and I have to pull back on that assumption.
I believe that much of our customs arise from tradition and culture but often are not (or no longer are) shared within society as a whole. This does not mean by any means that these customs and standards are wrong in and of themselves, although it may be wrong to impose on other people.
For example, a man may wear a suit to church as an act of worship or as an expression of self-righteousness. A drummer may play the drums in church as an act of worship or to receive praise for his ability. A man may dress casually as an act of worship, or to appeal to certain people.
Those who do not share the custom being practice may often, and erroneously, think the worse. A man wearing a suit is doing so to elevate himself. The drummer is seeking praise. The man dressing casually is being disrespectful and looking for approval.
I currently have chosen to attend a church that meets at a school. It is a very active church, and God is using the congregation in the community. But I know people who believe that this is inappropriate because a school cafeteria is not a “sacred space” in their valuation.
I’ve attended churches that had a permanent structure but the sanctuary was set up to be rearranged as needed. It did not look like a traditional sanctuary. Chairs replaced pews. This became a major issue with some members as they believed the absence of pews and use of interlocking chairs was dishonoring to God.
Ultimately my point is that there are two sides to these traditions. There is often a legitimate reason for holding a custom, but there is also a legitimate counter position. I believe that we need to worship in spirit and truth, and this worship may not look exactly the same between congregations. But we also believe that we may need to consider counter-views when we become tempted to suggest our preferences and practices to other people.
@John of Japan mentioned what is a good example, although I am not sure that it was a serious one, that men should keep their knees covered.
This is actually a cultural standard in places (men should not expose their elbows or knees in public as this is disrespectful). So a congregation may hold this view, and out of respect never expose their knees or elbows. I believe this is absolutely appropriate for that group of people. But I believe imposing this as a standard of respect onto other people is problematic (thinking that a man wearing a short sleeved shirt to church is disrespecting God would be a false assumption and a projection of social norms onto another culture).
This is an issue for me in one area (probably a few areas), and that is raising hands in worship. Please do not misunderstand me. I do not believe it is wrong to raise hands in worship. I believe it is good, if it is in spirit and truth. But I have to catch myself from thinking that it is out of a false sense of piety.
The problem is not with people who raise their hands in worship. In truth, the problem has nothing to do with these people. The problem is with me. It is something foreign to my customs, my experiences. I have been led to tears, very much moved by the Spirit. But I have not been led to raise my hands. It is an expression of worship that is foreign to me. So I am tempted to assume the worst and I have to pull back on that assumption.
