This has happened at Baptist Church I have been attending.

Our pastor told our youth leader he had to wear pants and a button up shirt anytime he is working with kids which include worship service. I guess you could say anytime he is working.
Eighty degrees and he'd run me off, I wouldn't be able to stand it, I'd be affraid of passing out, can't take heat at all.

 

Does he have a reason? We don't have a nursery, but we don't have a lot of little babies either. I'd prefer a "cry room" myself, in lieu of a nursery.

I agree with the pastor on this. There is no biblical precedent for separating the children into a separate "church".

I'm with you on this one. I would guess that this is done in order to "attract" people to a "casual" church.

Well, I'd decide on my own to walk up, in front of him, and kick the thermostat down a few notches.

I was in a church meeting at the first of August outside Mexia, Texas. It was 103 degrees that day, there were approx. 150 people in a very old church built for about half that, and the a/c went out. The church is in a field, so there's not even any shade trees hanging over the building. Plus, I think with the age of the building, it had no insulation. Needless to say, it was HOT! Everyone was sweating to high heaven, but we all were, so we didn't notice the smell.:tongue3: One lady had an epileptic seizure in mid afternoon. At the same time, I must say that was one of the most Spirit-filled meetings I've been to in a while. There was shouting going on all over the place, or maybe I was just hallucinating.:smilewinkgrin:

Anyway, 80 is too hot for a church, especially in Texas. It would probably be cooler to open the windows.

My question is, why does the pastor have all of this authority to decide such things as you listed above? Is the congregation just complacent to his demands, or are the majority the ones feeding him these ideas?

FYI, you live in Sweeny, and there is a very nice Primitive Baptist Church just 40 miles away in Alvin. I'd visit there if I lived in Sweeny.:smilewinkgrin: That's really not too awful far for a Primitive Baptist to drive to church. I drive about 30 miles, my pastor drives about 35 miles, and that's going to church in our own town!

If you're interested, I'd be happy to give you directions, unless of course you want to be normal and go to church near your home.

 

Why would you complain on the BB with such a laundry list about a church you no longer attend? What will be accomplished in that?

In one of your other posts, you said,

Isn't this what you were doing at this church?

Did you make an appointment to see the pastor and share your concerns with him?

Did you make an effort to get to know any of the younger folks that you found to be inappropriately dressed?

I know...I'm probably just being grumpy. But still...

 

I'm with rbell when he mentions speaking to the pastor.

I'm a long-time independent Fundamentalist, so I know all about getting fed up with a situation and packing my bags. Yes, there's a time for that; and with today's trends, I'm not optimistic about your pastor changing his direction. Nevertheless, I don't write the Bible, I just read and teach it; and it says you should go to him and try to win him over first, then take others, then tell it to the church, and then break fellowship if all else has failed.

 

James, what do you mean 80 degrees it too hot for a church building in Texas? Man, that's 25 degrees cooler than our outside temperature has been up here most of the time. Everybody ought to be happy.

Actually, unless I have misread Bro. Talmadge, what he is talking about is leaving the AC set at 80 degrees when the building is not in use. Notice it is something that is going to cause a jump in the utility bill rather than something that will save money.

 

I'm not sure what you want us to say? And why air it here on BB? We can't help you. We don't know all the details...

It sounds like you want to slander a pastor.

Reminds me of what happened today at a restaurant... 2 ladies (in their 60s) were sitting in the booth across from my wife and I... They were talking about their former pastor, and how he wanted to build up the youth, and try to get more teens in the church. They were glad that after a couple yrs he had gotten upset and left. They didn't see the need of those teens ruining "their" church. They sounded like a couple hens cackling...

It took all my effort to sit there and not say, "You know you are GOSSIPPING? And A church is not a "club" and it is not YOUR church it is Christ's."

But I didn't know them, or even the church or pastor they were bad mouthing, so I sat there "enjoying" my food.

And we wonder why the unchurched don't want to be a part of us.

 

Sounds like a new fangled church . . .

Do they meet in a Movie Theater?

 

I resent that remark. My church meets in a movie theater.

 

OOOOOOps

Are they a new fangled church?

One out of two is better than 2 out of 2 . . .

 

That's odd...does he say why?

Again with the first question, why?

As opposed to having a dress code? And where would we find that in the Bible?

Yes, yes, I understand the modesty issue, but honestly, I have been in churches that were casual-dress and I have been in traditional churches. Remembering problems with modesty I can think of more in the traditional than the casual. Perhaps because modesty is a heart issue rather than a dress code issue.

Again, why?

Yes, those ties go nice with our filthy rags, no? I'm sorry, I don't mean to be rude, but maybe the worship is ice cold because some are focusing on what others are wearing rather than on Jesus.

There are some strange things there, but I'm not sure any of us our getting the whole picture. As for the dress issue, what we wear is cultural. The Bible does not dictate ties. It does not dictate business attire for worship. Modesty? yes. Our best? It would be nice, but its not found in scripture. I, the wearer of WalMart brand clothing will not judge anyone on what is best. Although, my Aloha shirt I bought on vacation cost about as much as two dress shirts and two ties...I guess, I could go in my best (that would include my teeva sandles too).

Seriously, dress being cultural, we all worship within our own culture anyway, so finding a different church will probably be best for you.

 

Well maybe I am just in a good mood or something, but I understand the need to vent and not have anywhere to do so. Maybe the accusations seem a little nitpicky to some, but this has always been a place where we can throw things around with people of similar belief systems.

Anyway, if you do go back (and I think you should not just quit over those things) talk to your pastor. Maybe there isnt anyone to keep a nursery or perhaps there is a reason there isnt one at this time.

As for Children's church, I personally like it (and the Bible also doesnt tell us to have a choir too - families are seperated there) and our church has it every other week. MAybe yall could suggest that or even the frst Sunday of the Month.

As for the thermostat, are the buildings small? I think this issue could be easily worked out.

I say go talk to him. If he will not hear you out, then consider other options. I find that most pastors are willing to listen to complaints if they are aired in a nice tone.

Best wishes,
Tater

 

That may be so, but if I'd have thought of it that way, I wouldn't have needed to write the story about the hot church meeting.

You'd think I'd know a few things about a/c since my dad has been in the business for 43 years now. Go figure.:tongue3:

Outside temps notwithstanding, even if you have a slight breeze outside, opening windows and doors is cooler than sitting in a broiling church with little or no a/c.

We have 2 units at the church; one to run in summertime, and the other to impress the neighbors.:smilewinkgrin:

 

I'm wondering if what he's talking about is running the air at 80 all the time, instead of turning it off between services. We do that, mainly to keep the humidity level down and protect the musical instruments and the electronic equipment in the sanctuary. We discovered that if we turned the air in there completely off during the week, moisture accumulated in the computer that runs the screens for the power point, and it wouldn't work. Also, the piano, guitars and drums experienced distortions and the fabric on the chairs started to smell a bit like mildew. The air runs all the time on the first floor of the educational building, but the pastor and staff have their offices in there.

Half our congregation wears shorts to church in the summer, and a few people have come with a sleeveless T shirt. I can's seem to find that passage in the scripture where it says that there is a required dress code for a Christian worship service. Or is there someplace in scripture that says "It ain't real worship if you ain't uncomfortable"?

 

80 degrees F., right???

Sounds hot, doesn't it???

Tell ya what do-----temp. is set on 80, right?? Outside temp must be what, 98, maybe???

Next Sunday---rig you up a PA system---run the wires over to the parking lot---or just wherever the Sun is "blarein' down"---set you up a folding chair so you can watch the preaching from the chair through the window--and listen to the PA system speakers----see which is hotter----the preacher preaching where its 80----or you listening where its 98!!!

One poster sited---he'd get up in front of the preacher and turn the 'stat down a notch or two-----no problem for this preacher(me)---buddy---you're cold---turn it up a notch---you're hot--turn it down a notch

No nursery?? Get one

No children's church---don't need one---my kids never had one----when they were young---we brought colorin' books and crayons---and they "colored" during church---S-I-L-E-N-T-L-Y!!! When they got old enough---the color books "went"----now my girl is 13---she's back to bringing coloring books with her to church----:laugh:

 

Well, I guess comin' to church in a hot summer day in your birthday suit will be fine as well. Ain't nothin' in th' Bible says Jesus Christ and his apostles weren't in their birthday suits, right ? Paul certainly didn't say anything 'gainst comin' to church any way you please, as well.

So, yeah, come to church in shorts, in suits, in briefs, or nothin' at all.
Come to church with your unshaved whiskers. Don't brush your teeth, or gargle, or try to look at least decently presentable out of respect to your fellow church goers, if not the Head of the church.

After all, ain't nothin' in Scriptures about fresh breath.
Heck, barf for all anybody cares, too. Ain't no Scripture 'gainst barfin in church, either.

 

seriously, are we going to surprise God if we show up in shorts or a t-shirt?
a dress code for church is very extra biblical and those who enforce this kind of thing are very damaging to the testimony of the Church.
I would be very nervous if i was to turn people away from the house of god over something this petty.

 

Why do we always exaggerate and go from one thing (wearing shorts) to the extremely ridiculous (birthday suits) as a means of justifying our own beliefs/convictions?

 

Because it's the only thing you can do when you have no biblical argument