Should there be a dress code in Church?

Good Post, Karen.

I sometimes tease the ladies when they all seem to wear red on the same day and I have on blue (which is what I usually wear) that no one called me to tell me to wear red.

Or I will compliment them on their dress.

This is all done in fun.

As I have said before, I don't think anyone really cares what anyone else wears in our church, but modest dress is appreciated.

 

Our good brother responded to my complaints of "authoritarian" dress codes as in fact being a matter of oversight. He then wondered if I believed in church discipline.
You ask a very good question, bro. I certainly do. I practiced it regularly when I was a Sr. Pastor with direct and private confrontation where necessary. I have also practiced it in my current position. Our entire deacon board paid a call on a gossip. She got the message that our Sr. Pastor was not her dart board.
But upon what authority do we carry out discipline? The pastor's only authority is the Word of God. Beyond what the Scripture says, the pastor is only giving his opinion, which has no more inherent value than the opinions of any and all of his other members. The pastor is not some "man of God" any more than any of the men of that congregation are men of God.
I appreciate the good post from the pastor here who shared how he dressed like a CEO but was willing to get dirty serving. He didn't care about how his people dressed. Been there, brother, and I appreciate you.

 

How true this is, Blackbird, but I have noticed that
my idea of modest clothing is not always the same
as that of others'. I enjoyed Aaron's post so much
because he used Scripture, not his ideas based
upon Scripture, to convey a dress code.

I, like your wife, Blackbird, wear pants, only I never
wear dreses or skirts. I feel so totally exposed in
them -- vulnerable, in a way -- that modesty, for
me, means a pair of long pants. I like to wear a
longish shirt or blouse and somtimes a suit jacket
over them. That is my idea of modesty.

Some have said that they are too busy making sure
they toe the mark to be worried about others, and
that is a fact. Just because I feel immodest in a
dress does not mean I should criticize others who
wear dresses.

However, as I have mentioned elsewhere, I was
shocked when I visited a church some months ago,
only to be confronted by a young lady who turned,
faced my husband and me, and bent over, showing
us what is normally very covered by even the
skimpiest of bras. Before the service began,
another nearly-middle-aged woman turned and
did the same thing. I thought the show was over
when the music began, but no. The young lady
who sat in front of us bent forward the other way
and we were confronted with a great portion of
an ample area which should have been covered by
her panties, only she was wearing a cherry-red
thong.

Had I been there alone, I would have gotten up and
gone home, but I stayed, so I watched the young
ladies, specifically. From their actions, it was
obvious that all of them were members of that
church. I called the church the next day and asked.
It really did not phaze the person I spoke with.

???

 

Karen said:

Sorry Karen it was not me who started this thread, I only gave an answer, like everyone else did.

As far as church, I think that funny, because if you really knew me, you would not say anything like that. tee-hee.

I seldom look at what others are wearing, maybe it is because I have so many kids to tend to. We all have our designated line-up-sitting for church sitting in the pews. That is so you are in reach of bopping, or thumping. Depends on which is quicker and easier to do. Pencils and paper doodling is not allowed with my group. We are there to hear the sermon, and worship. Oh, and theres no "just moving the lips", you actually have to make a joyful sound.

I am however a defender of the underdog most of the time. I will look for that one person who is ignored, or whatever. I am not like some who post here. I do not always go with the flow, or change my opinion in the middle, to run with the crowd. I am a poor, but a clean person. I am not middle class or rich. Yet I dress most appropreate. But if for question sake, I will wear shorts if the occassion arises.

Matter of fact...I have once. Once when traveling through Ashville, NC. Nicest bunch of people. Welcomed me and my family with open arms. Even invited us to dinner. Showed us a shortcut too.

I will also, gladly stand next to someone who is wearing shorts, and worshiping the Lord. I am sure the outside attire will not be whats being questioned.

I too find Penn. Jim...while standing in the shower one of the best places to pray. Nothing at all standing between you and the Lord.

Sherrie

 

Thanks, Abiyah!

 

People love to tell me that because I choose to keep the Sabbath, that I am "Law Based" and it is all about the New Testament now.

Well using that reasoning, all of the references to dress in the Old Testament are Negated. What do we find then for dress codes in the New Testament?

Matthew 3:4 "Johns Clothes were made from Camel Hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist".

Clearly this was a different style of dress, often depicted as "Rugged". Clearly this is the example for the modern church.

 

Okay, I am one of those that think one should dress up for church; however, one time I learned differently.

We were having a revival meeting. I was told that I did not have to play the piano or organ because we were going to have guest musicians.

I went to my aerobics class, dressed in t-shirt and long shorts, didn't have time to change, thought I would just sit at the very back of the church and no one would notice. Now this church is in a resort town, but most people dressed to the nines to go to church.

When I arrived the service was just starting, suddenly over the speaker this voice said, Betty, will you please come play the organ?

You get the picture, I had to walk all the way from the back to the front dressed for aerobics class. I think I was the only one that really noticed.

This taught me a lesson that God wants a person to serve Him, worship Him, no matter how they are dressed.

 

It is a good thing that I am not the one in charge of a dress code anywhere. I am color blind, have no taste, and no fashion sense whatsoever. I can't see a dress code, but I can see a modesty code. That should be enough to get a good thread started. I can hear it now...
"3.17" above the knee is immodest"
"3.16" above the knee is Godly"
"Naked is OK with me"
"Muslim women are WAY too exposed"
"no belly buttons"
"Well, where I come from..."

 

Our Sunday school teacher asked us what we would do if a woman came to church wearing a pair of short shorts. After thinking on this a minute, I answered, "It depends....if she looks better than I do in them, she definitely has to go!!

Cindy

 

Cindy,

I love your sense of humor!

Grace

 

Ben...I was going to post the very same thing!

Sherrie

 

What a person wears tells a lot about a person. This it true in the churchand outside of the church.

 

And how important what another person wears is to someone observing them... is also very telling about a person.

 

James 2:1-3
My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool"
The church my wife grew up in would ask people to leave the services if they weren't dressed up to code. It always struck me as a bit much!If it had happened to me when an unsaved druggie, I would have never came back.

 

BEN; YOU wear that to church and let me know what happens.

Blessings,
Sue

 

What will happen?

Sherrie

 

I don't know. That's why I want Ben to do it instead of me!

 

Well,
In some fundamental churches I have been exposed to, he would first be shunned, possibly even asked to go home and change, especially if too much leg was showing!

When the deacons are all former bouncers, and there's not a shred of denim in evidence, (except of course in floor length jumpers) you have to worry!

I do recall something about putting the poorly dressed in a place of honor somwhere in the scripture, but its is conveniently forgotten! Like most of scripture, out of sight out of mind!

 

I love the comment, (can't remember where I heard it), that when we read the Bible we ought to read those portions we have NOT underlined.

Grace