Culture Clash: Dress Down vs Dress Up

If God had a dress code...dontcha think He would have said so in His word?

Also...church isn't an inauguration. The difference...we worship the Messiah at church.

er, never mind...:smilewinkgrin:

 

my post was so nice, I said it twice.

(double post)

 

I agree with Webdog and TC.

In the States, while on deputation, we mostly visited IFB churches. They vary in "convictions", so we dressed so as to be all things to all men. This meant no skirts with slits (which I don't like anyway. It's just part of the list), no red anything (nail polish, dresses, lipstick, etc---which I don't like anyway. It's just part of the list), only suits and ties, which could not have any characters such as Veggie Tales---there's more to the list, but it's been so long, I can't remember.

We do not dress that way in real life, but we dressed that way because of their preferences.

In our particular mission field, showing up in a suit and tie would make people uncomfortable (thinking you are Mafia). Showing up in a dress and heels would be off-putting because they are poor and cannot dress that way (aside from the fact that we remove our shoes anyway).

We wear our everyday clothes, just the same as the people do. Our clothes are of a different style because we are of a different culture, but not once has anyone acted uncomfortable around us.

We worship Christ in our day clothes, our work clothes, our pajamas, or if we were to wear Sunday best because we worship Christ no matter where we are. Singing a song in the shower is just as beautiful to the Lord as singing in church in a suit and tie.

*Disclaimer---I'm not advocating to go to church the same as you would get in the shower or in your pajamas. HA!

 

I know a church right now where the preacher preaches that the congregation must dress as if the President were going to walk right through the door. My friend said, "I'd be perfectly comfortable wearing dress slacks and a sweater to meet the President." That wasn't the response the preacher was looking for.

Because of his constant preaching on the subject, placing a heavy yoke on the people, they have become critical. They watch the preacher's wife more to see what she is wearing. One Wednesday night she wore a cotton skirt (looks like sweat pants, but is a skirt) and a sweat shirt. The other women stood off to the side and talked about how they wouldn't want to meet the President wearing THAT.

It is causing such division. It's not of God to be sure.

 

Exactly. Don't you think He is more worthy of your respect than any president?

 

The inauguration is sanctified, holy, REALLY?

 

And clothes show how much respect we have...

So if we really respect God we will will come in the best... tux with tails...

As a matter of fact there were people who wanted to show they respected God more, so they enlarged the border of their garments...

This is a cultural thing... not a biblical thing, and in America we have soo many cultures, it is not possible to agree here. I come from a very rural community.. .mostly farmers.. I have seen some come to church in their Carhardt bibs... they have to go out and feed their cattle.. and make it just in time for service... As pastor I respect them by not wanting to "show off" my clothes... I do wear a tie on Sunday morning.. (See a previous post)... but wouldn't I look funny in a Tux with tails preaching to a bunch of farmers in Carhardts?

Now if I were in NY or a big city, I would wear a suit and tie probably on Sundays... and nice dress clothes on Wednesdays.. because well, no farmers in big cities...

You have to understand WV culture also... We don't respect people that want to show that they are better than us.

 

This one may be, but that is another thread...in the politics section :tongue3:

 

I am sorry I forgot myself!

:laugh:

 

Respect, absolutely. And hear this: if my attire causes fellow believers to stumble, I have a responsibility to address that. That's scriptural. If my attire is immodest, that's also a scriptural issue.

Beyond that...it's not addressed in Scripture.

Worship is a heart issue. If our heart is wrong, it may be evident in our attire...but that evidence is not the absence of a coat and tie. I could wear a suit, and still not be respectful. I could wear slacks and a polo, and be very respectful.

Once again, let me point out:

1. If my pastor directs me, as a staff member, to wear certain attire, I will. That is my responsibility to submit to his leadership, and dress preference ain't a hill I'd die on.

2. I always support parents' decisions for their kids regarding attire to church (except, of course, if they're making them dress immodestly or something strange like that). They have every right to do so, and I support that God-given line of authority.

3. I'm being arrogant...but I wish you could see our folks worship together. On the same row we will have all kinds of dress...and our folks genuinely don't let it trip them up.


I must say...when I wear a tie, I can't worship very well, because I harbor hatred in my heart for the inventor of that god-forsaken silk noose. :laugh:

 

I will be preaching at our home church in Alabama on the 25th...and wearing a tie....and hating the same guy .

I don't hate him when I preach here

 

Actually since shirts now have buttons at the collar, there is no practical use for a tie.. it is all about show anyway now...

 

Actually there is a place in the Bible where Jesus speaks of the way people dress.. and he didn't like it...

Matthew 23:1-13
(1) Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples,
(2) Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat:
(3) All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, [that] observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.
(4) For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay [them] on men's shoulders; but they [themselves] will not move them with one of their fingers.
(5) But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,
(6) And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues,
(7) And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.
(8) But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, [even] Christ; and all ye are brethren.
(9) And call no [man] your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.
(10) Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, [even] Christ.
(11) But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.
(12) And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.
(13) But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in [yourselves], neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.

Some things never change...

 

This is not being smart, but is that why the Mormons wear white shirts when they are going about town? I have never seen that connection before...

And I see what you are saying, JD, about the pendulim swinging too far either way...
In life we need a healthy balance.

And a church that would require jeans and flip flops is just as phariseeical as one that would require tuxes (for example)...

What it boils down to is this:
If people associate your spirituality with you clothing, they are not focused on God.. .but on you.

 

Miss America's a special event, too...but I don't wear an evening gown to church.

 

I dare you rbell... Triple dog dare you!!