Culture Clash: Dress Down vs Dress Up

[rbell]

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

I can't. My heels I have don't match.

 

[webdog]

I can't. My heels I have don't match.

...then do the swimsuit

 

[rbell]

...then do the swimsuit

Believe me, that wouldn't be respectful.

 

[thegospelgeek]

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.

So true...

I had seen many people being judgemental over those who dress lower than them but had thought about it the other way untill I heard a song (that is not really a song, but a testomony with soft music in the background) titled "Testimony" from Seven Day Slumber. He talks about his cocain addiction and the man who lead him to Christ, how he judged him when he saw him in a suit and tie, and how wrong it was to judge someone on their appearance.

It is truley acultural issue, even the concept of dressing modestly is cultural. What one culture considers modest is not in another. I know God never changes, but cultures do. As I said earlier, I wear jeans and polos at times. There are some places that this would be inappropriate and wrong for me to do. There are other places, such as some of the ministries mentioned in the tread were jeans would be great, but a suit would be wrong.

I just let the Holy Spirit take care of it unless it becomes a distraction.

 

[Pastor Larry]

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

So if someone is bothered by a Hooter's T-shirt or a playboy T-shirt, they are wrong? If someone objects to a woman who wears a low cut shirt, they are wrong?

I hardly think so. Let's face it: There are some clothes that do make a statement about spirituality. Blanket statements such as you made are no more helpful than blanket statements about suits and ties.

 

[tinytim]

True, I was talking in general.. concerning either dressing up or down...
I think we all agree that dressing immodestly reveals many things... especially the lack of spirituality.

But this thread is not talking about modesty, it is talking about dressing up or down.
I have seen women dressed up that were immodest.. as well as women that were dressed down that were not immodest.

 

[Jon-Marc]

Since I've always been involved with the music ministry, I've always preferred to wear a suit--except on Wednesday night when it's more casual. Then jeans and sneakers are what I prefer. I never once saw anyone up north in church in shorts or sandals before moving to Florida, but that seems to be very common here. In one church here in Florida even the pastor wore shorts on Wednesday.

As for immodest dress, the Bible means dressing to entice or to draw attention to one's self--like a lot of jewelry or a fancy hair style or expensive clothing that says "Look at me; I've got money!"

 

[Trotter]

I prefer to dress down. I do not own a suit, and only have two ties that I know of. my pair of dress shows are well worn and somewhere in the closet... I wear my tennis shoes. I don't do tee shirts, so it is usually a polo of some sort and slacks (can't get in my jeans... they must have shrunk).

I have no problem with those who want to dress up for church. My wife will not enter the sanctuary unless hse has on a dress/skirt unless we are there to work, same with her mom. Nor do I have a problem with women wearing pants in church.

I go to church to worship my Lord, not show off anything.

 

[preachinjesus]

Allow me to prod a little bit - when is "an apropriately tailored suit" needed?

Usually for a wedding or funeral. Depends on the circumstance.

 

[Jim1999]

Growing up in the 30's and 40's, there was a certain decor that was acceptable on Sundays. As a lad, I always wore polished boots, knee high socks, short trousers, suit coat, jumper and tie plus a cap. This was norm.

The suit thing carried on into the 50' 60's and even 70's when I began to see the change taking place and less formality in the church meetings.

I really think it is a societal thing rather than when is it proper. The proper part comes in your own heart and mind. Old fellows like myself must adjust to the changes, whether we alter our clothing habits or not.

Cheers,

Jim

 

[webdog]

So if someone is bothered by a Hooter's T-shirt or a playboy T-shirt, they are wrong? If someone objects to a woman who wears a low cut shirt, they are wrong?

I hardly think so. Let's face it: There are some clothes that do make a statement about spirituality. Blanket statements such as you made are no more helpful than blanket statements about suits and ties.

So the person that has those articles of clothing are automaticlly linked to "spirituality"? Define spirituality. Are they lost if they wear those?

 

[saturneptune]

So if someone is bothered by a Hooter's T-shirt or a playboy T-shirt, they are wrong? If someone objects to a woman who wears a low cut shirt, they are wrong?

I hardly think so. Let's face it: There are some clothes that do make a statement about spirituality. Blanket statements such as you made are no more helpful than blanket statements about suits and ties.

I believe if you would read the above posts, in particular post 10 of mine, you would see that the point was made that dress must be modest. Your examples are really out in left field. I have never seen a shirt such as you describe in over 50 years of going to church. The only problem is on rare occasion I have seen dress not modest, but not trying to make a statement, just the way they dressed.

 

[rbell]

Some people advocate dressing casual because they have a casual attitude about church.

I think we should be cautious about assigning motives to someone. Just because someone dresses less formally, doesn't mean they don't take worshiping God seriously.

 

[thegospelgeek]

I believe if you would read the above posts, in particular post 10 of mine, you would see that the point was made that dress must be modest. Your examples are really out in left field. I have never seen a shirt such as you describe in over 50 years of going to church. The only problem is on rare occasion I have seen dress not modest, but not trying to make a statement, just the way they dressed.

I have witnessed both the Hooter T-Shirt and the Playboy shirt in church. And no I'm not talking about a ministry to homeless, destitute, or addicts. Just plain old midwest american church. And in each case it was representative of a deeper spiritual problem.

I think we should be cautious about assigning motives to someone. Just because someone dresses less formally, doesn't mean they don't take worshiping God seriously.

I know what you are saying but JD did say some, not all.

 

[Jim1999]

I think there is a huge difference to casual dress and wearing traditional suit and tie and wearing clothing that is revealing or blatantly poor taste, such as Playboy sweaters or provacative t-shirts.

I include bluejeans with tears in knees, legs and elsewhere. These simply demonstrate disrespect for the house of God. My opinion.

Cheers,

Jim

 

[thegospelgeek]

I think there is a huge difference to casual dress and wearing traditional suit and tie and wearing clothing that is revealing or blatantly poor taste, such as Playboy sweaters or provacative t-shirts.

I include bluejeans with tears in knees, legs and elsewhere. These simply demonstrate disrespect for the house of God. My opinion.

Cheers,

Jim

Agreed...

HUGE difference

 

[Bob Alkire]

I know times change, but I was taught that one wore their best to church in honor of God. What was meant by that is that you never dress any better for anything than church. Some folks the best they had was bib overhauls and that was for God as well as the best wedding in town. I have seen everything from bib overhauls to fine 3 piece suits in church at the same time and for the wedding of one of the richest folks daughter in town at the same Baptist church and all were welcome at church service as well as the wedding.

 

[TC]

I include bluejeans with tears in knees, legs and elsewhere. These simply demonstrate disrespect for the house of God. My opinion.

Cheers,

Jim

Way to judge by externals. What if they just had a bad morning? What if someone just had a flat tire on the way to church and ripped his pants changing the tire? Do you just assume the worst if they don't tell you otherwise?

 

[TC]

I know times change, but I was taught that one wore their best to church in honor of God. What was meant by that is that you never dress any better for anything than church. Some folks the best they had was bib overhauls and that was for God as well as the best wedding in town. I have seen everything from bib overhauls to fine 3 piece suits in church at the same time and for the wedding of one of the richest folks daughter in town at the same Baptist church and all were welcome at church service as well as the wedding.

Sunday best is a man made tradition. Modesty is the Biblical mandate.

 

[Jim1999]

I have eyes to see and ears to hear and a mind to discern. God gave them all.

I can tell the difference between a person who has been through distess and one who wears "torn" jeans that are purchased that way.

Besides, a person who had a flat tyre would advertise that fact. As a pastor, I greeted people coming and going and I knew the people.

Cheers,

Jim