Should there be a dress code in Church?

Aaron, just keep on writing!!! 8o)

 

Aaron,

Could you post the scripture for your five points listed.

Thanks
Pete

 

My opinion:

wear what you want - it does not matter what you dress in, it is your relationship with Christ that is important - I do not see Jesus refusing to sit down with people anywhere on the basis of their attire.

 

I think the reason why this is such a "hot topic" is the mistaken assertion that dress codes are designed for God...when they are in fact not for God ...but for man.

Dress codes are observed when the church makes the assertion that a Christian is incapable of decerning what should be considered godly apparal.

In theory...nobody should have to be told what will cause another Christian to become destracted from thoughts of godliness. But in reality what seems modest to one person can be very immodest to another. I believe that churches that observe dress codes, do so, to not be ambiguous about this subject.

In Christ,
Laurenda

[ March 19, 2003, 08:34 PM: Message edited by: Wisdom Seeker ]

 

You get your relationship with Jesus Christ right--you'll get your dress code right! Everytime!

Blackbird

 

Scarlett O, Jim1999, Jimmy,...I feel the same way. Thank you.

I was wondering, should we pass a law saying we should wear uniforms to church? (meant sarcasticly)

I see the kids coming to Vacation Bible School, Wed. nights, in shorts. Some would never come at all if we didn't pick them up. Now you want to tell them that they have to wear a certain attire to worship God. Or even repent and come to God requires a certain look.

I have seen you before at church, and believe me Scarlett O, it does turn my stomach. I have seen Mr. and Mrs. Well Dressed, and their children Look at me, and I am all that. And I have seen how they treat those not so 5th Ave. And it is mean. Its shameful.

How do you dress when you pray at home?

I wonder how fresh and new Moses and the congregation looked, going toward the mountain to hear God.

I wear shorts, and I sit on my back porch and praise God, worship him all the time, and talk with others in my shorts. And God has blessed me more than anyone could ever imagine.

All the jibber-jabber about dress code is nothing more than legalistic mumble jumble. I have said this many times, but God see you in the shower naked, as well as everywhere else.

This is some of the very stuff that causes people not to go to church. I agree...its not about joining the club, its about worshipping God.

Sherrie

 

1.) God is not limited to the church building. He is everywhere. That being the case, I am not sure the point of feeling obligated to dress up at church.

2.) Meeting God in clothes? Come on now. God made me. And naked was a part of that. Clothes is purely the covering.

3.) I ditto Jim. It is all about the heart.

4.) A dress code leaves out the work of the Holy Spirit in my life.

 

Sure. The first four are in 1 Tim. 2:9. The fifth I already cited.

I see I neglected a 6th point. Our clothes should be inexpensive.

 

So what do you guys do when that teenager I encountered comes to church in that mini-micro skirt--or that fella who comes and who wears a pair of those kinda jeans where the waist is touchin' his knees and you can see his frazzlin' tail end. Adam and Eve covered up more of themselves with those itchin' fig leaves--cause the Bible says that they were ashamed of their nakedity.

It ain't that my wife hasta wear a dress every time she goes to church--she can wear slacks or jeans--and does on Wednesday nites--I personally have what I call "Wednesday nite" clothes--Duck Head and Docker britches with a nice button down shirt freshly pressed with starch--I do the ironin', believe it or not!! Duck Head britches are a "LU-LU" to iron!

You can come to church "buck necked" if that's what you want to do--but you'll be the one embarrassed! I ain't gonna call you down from the pulpit--I'll just ignore ya--and I guarantee the next time you come you'll be "dressed and in your right mind!"

Blackbird

 

I have read all of your thoughts and have found them interesting. Yet, no one has taken into account that we represent God inside and outside of the church. I believe we ought to honor God in all ways, but also in our physical appearance. The Bible teaches us that we should separate ourselves from the world. The world wears mini skirts, shorts, and jeans outside the church and most would have no convictions about wearing them inside the church. Therefore, as Christians we should not identify with the world. we are to dress appropriately inside and outside of the church building. we must remember that The Church is not contained in a single building. If you are saved you are part of the body of Christ and His church. Therefore,We carry it with us everywhere we go. I would love to hear your comments. Thank You!

 

Haven't noticed this very much this winter

We live in a university town. What's a dress code?

 

Sometimes I pray while in the shower. Can I come to church naked?

Dress should be appropriate for the occasion. A public meeting to worship the King of Kings warrants, I think, better clothing than a day at the race track.

Sure, some unchurched folks don't know any better, or have any better. So, we should both welcome them and teach them.

I am saddened by the flippant attitude expressed by many Christians by their attire for public worship.

Dress code? No, just lead by example, backed up by a little admonition from the pulpit now and then.

 

Penn Jim,

By golly, you just hit the nail on the head--by the way, how many SCUD's have you found in your backyard lately since this war with Saddam started--We've had a meteor shower of um around here--drops harmlessly to the ground--some fall into ponds and lakes--no explosions yet! Of course, they say if you can hear an explosion--chances are--that particular bomb didn't have your name on it!!

See you later, buddy!

Blackbird

 

Nobody has answered my question about those Micro-mini's nor those britches down to the knees yet! Come on, folks! I'm in a bind here! The deacon's want a pastoral reply by this comin' Sunday!!

Blackbird

 

Sometimes I pray while in the shower. Can I come to church naked?

Dress should be appropriate for the occasion. A public meeting to worship the King of Kings warrants, I think, better clothing than a day at the race track.

Sure, some unchurched folks don't know any better, or have any better. So, we should both welcome them and teach them.

I am saddened by the flippant attitude expressed by many Christians by their attire for public worship.

Dress code? No, just lead by example, backed up by a little admonition from the pulpit now and then. </font>[/QUOTE]Do you know the difference between "naked" and "necked"?

"Naked", means "you ain't got no clothes on".

and

"Necked", means "you ain't got no clothes on, and you up to somethun".


I think the post about clothing communicating hits the nail squarely on the head. If you dress "up" then that could be construed as "putting on airs", if you dress "down" it communicates a lack of respect for the occasion. Let's try splitting the difference and dress to where it isn't even noticed one way or the other. A church should have fairly high minimum standards for modesty and let the Holy Spirit, Bible, and elders of the church teach by example.

 

Well, I think ya oughta round up all those folks who don't live up to the church's rules and expectations, and put them in the choir. . .that way everyone can keep an eye on them; and if they do anything wrong you can all pick up your stones and start throwing. (sarcasm)

Personally, I have enough trouble keeping the log out of my own eye that I don't have time to take the beam out of anyone else's.....I'm too busy to do eye exams.

I like what Ruth Graham was quoted as saying when a reporter asked her if she worried about Billy being tempted while he was on the road traveling. She said, "It's my job to love Billy, it's God's job to make him good. . ." Changing ppl is God's business....not mine. He can make them into what He wants them to be. And we can't expect ppl who are not saved, to act and live as though they are.
IMHO.

Amen to what Sherrie said

In Him,
Grace

 

Blackbird,

Turn the Air Conditioning on so that they will freeze?

Make sure the boys wear their shirts on the outside of pants to cover?

I'm not sure there is a good solution to your problem. Set a positive example. This seems to work better than critcism for young people.

Our young youth director's wife is having a great influence on our young girls. I'm not sure what is said in the youth group, but dress is not discussed in the main sanctuary.

I have noticed that if one couldn't tell by the age of the face of women, one could tell what generation they belong to by the way they dress.

The Senior Adult women seem to dress "UP" more than the younger adult women, but in our church most people dress modestly and I don't think anyone is snubbed by their dress.

I like what someone said, we should dress in such a way to not draw attention to ourselves.

I hope someone has the answer to your question, Blackbird.

edited to correct spelling

[ March 20, 2003, 12:11 PM: Message edited by: Thankful ]

 

Blackbird, I would suggest that if micro-mini or droopey-drawers are members of your church that they should be talked to by a same sex mature member who is close to them (family member if possible). If that doesn't work, then it is time for a little more church discipline. Have two or three members go and talk with them. Immodesty is a sin whether at church or away. If that doesn't work then the situation should be brought to the attention of the whole church. Remembering that respentance is always the goal. If no repentance is forthcoming then revoking of membership must be considered. Avoid legalism AND avoid license. If they are not members, you have no authority over them, preach it from the pulpit so that members and nonmembers alike know that this is not the position of your church. Use tact and love, of course, but firmness and leave no doubt.

 

Dear Sherrie,
This all seems to touch a deep nerve with you.

I honestly don't pay attention to what others wear. Other than, I notice, for example, if a baby has on a really cute outfit, for eg. Or if one of my kids has shown up in the same shirt for the last 3 days.

What I hear from you and from some others on this topic is that you pay a great deal of attention to what others wear and presume that they are paying a great deal of attention to what you wear.
Those dressing down may actually be the ones paying more attention to this issue. (And I don't dress up greatly. I have one or two ordinary outfits that I wear over and over and over.)

I wish you were in my church; I would learn a lot from you. And perhaps vice versa.
But regardless of whether or not we wore shorts or not, I think you and I would actually have a lot of "standards" in common.
I have to yet to come to church without my teeth brushed or my hair combed, and I doubt you have either. I also clean my fingernails. But here I am at home and I have yet to comb my hair. Yet I have prayed plenty today. And God hears people with yellow teeth, straggly hair, and grubby fingernails.

There is no Biblical command to brush and floss several times daily. And wasn't really possible a hundred years ago. We all seem to agree that clean and neat is a good idea. By whose standards? My ancestors sometimes only washed their hair several times a year. Probably the same for yours. I used to take a bath in the tin tub once a week. (Yes, I'm that old! )
Now I shower like most Americans.

And it is true that a lot of people who are unconcerned about what they wear to church do dress up more than that for a wedding or a funeral. My children can be married regardless of what I am wearing that day, but I do expect to wear something different then than if I am cleaning house or going on a picnic. Yet I am not going to stand at the door and critique the guests' outfits. Nor am I going to critique any elderly cousins who still only bathe once a week.

Karen

 

double post

[ March 20, 2003, 01:09 PM: Message edited by: Karen ]