Should we dress up for church

[Salty]

Here is a really radical idea. You wear what you want to wear and I will wear what I want to wear and we won't judge each other based on what we wear.

Deal?

I see you point of view for an unsaved visitor - but at what point do we try to make a change.
Do we wait until a salvation decision, baptism, church membership, church leadership?

What would if do if some of the men - were (well you know what I mean?)
wold it make a difference if those men were unsaved, church members, church leadership?

 

[TCassidy]

What would if do if some of the men - were (well you know what I mean?)

Were what? I have no idea what you are talking about.

 

[mcdirector]

What a great thread! I didn't watch the vid Salty. Sorry, but after the reviews above, it doesn't sound all that appealling :/

While I agree we need to be modest and clean, that can mean something completely different to me than to someone that is 20 years old or someone from another culture. I don't want the values others (like a burqua) imposed on me. I may be able to help someone by following what I know God would have me do, but I may be of no help to them by inflicting my dress code.

 

[lexinonomous]

I never understood getting dressed up for church. As a child, I hated the idea of getting ready for church in the morning. I don't think God is judging us on our clothing while we're in a place of worship. It's nice to get dressed up from time to time, but I don't think it's necessary.

 

[Sue-Ellen]

I was always brought up that you dressed up when you went to church so I always do. I feel more comfortable that way. It doesn't bother me if others are dressed up. As long as they are at church then that is the main thing, What they are wearing doesn't matter, it is what is in your heart!

 

[FriendofSpurgeon]

This past Sunday, we had a turkey luncheon on the front lawn after our second service. (Since we are at a busy intersection, it's always interesting to see the looks that we get when we do this-- especially from the Big Red tourist buses that go by.) So this past weekend was much more casual than usual -- lots of jeans, etc. in a very formal sanctuary.

 

[ApollotheBrave]

I love my Sunday traditions: steak and eggs, newspaper, visiting my parents, going to church on Sundays and dressing up. It makes me happy to be well-dressed listening to the word of God and having dinner with family or friends. I like being in this pattern sometimes because the world is such a chaotic place and traditions give me peace of mind.

 

[pwarbi]

How I was brought up I was always told to dress smart for church. Not because it matters to God what you look like, but because it's a sign of respect.

These days people of all walks of life and society are welcome in church, it's not a fashion show, but me personally have always dressed smart for a service, and I probably always will.

 

[annsni]

How I was brought up I was always told to dress smart for church. Not because it matters to God what you look like, but because it's a sign of respect.

These days people of all walks of life and society are welcome in church, it's not a fashion show, but me personally have always dressed smart for a service, and I probably always will.

That's pretty much how I feel. I admit that even as a pastor's wife, I will sometimes wear jeans to church (nice jeans with a sweater and boots - very much what I'd wear on a casual but nice date). I do struggle with it though and tend to just do it when we have an event right after church (We just had our campus' 5th anniversary celebration and it was outside in the freezing cold when it even snowed!) or if the weather is particularly frightful.

 

[dyanmarie25]

I believe we should look clean, neat, and presentable whenever we go to church. We would be listening to God's Word anyway, show some decency.

 

[Salty]

"What you wear is important"
- Thurston Howell III

 

[Johnr1951]

1 nagging question for you.
Would you keep a man out who had long hair, beard, and wore sandals?

I don't think GOD cares what you wear. It's not the clothes, it's the person we should be reaching out to.

 

[Kevin]

I believe if a person was fully clothed they should be welcomed to the services. Now if I showed up in a mini skirt, halter top, and 5 inch heels, I'm not sure what would happen (Besides all the laughing) Eek

 

[pwarbi]

I agree that it shouldn't matter what you wear, and I've no doubt that God doesn't care either but there are standards that people will adhere to and you dress appropriately.

You wouldn't go to a restaurant wearing a bikini, just like you wouldn't go to the beach in a pair of jeans and a woolly hat. You could do, but you wouldn't.

 

[Rob_BW]

Every man should have at least one suit, for marrying and burying.

With that said, I usually only wear a suit to church on special occasions, like when serving communion. Otherwise it's just slacks and a collared shirt.