Oliver Douglas and dress codes

The way one dresses is a mode of communication. It can't be helped. (I'm not talking of those who through poverty or oppression are bereft of food and raiment.) When you wore your coat and tie, you communicated that you were serious about your job. When you "loosened up," you communicated that your attitude had changed, and you set the tone for those under you.

This spills over into church attendance as well, despite those who kick against the principle.

 

If that is your wish, then wear a coat and tie to church. So tell me, what kind of, and your quote, "mode of communication" did the excellent 'rainment' of the Pharisees convey? Then again, maybe that is where you got your idea.

 

Exodus 28:2
Make special clothing for Aaron to show his separation to God – beautiful garments that will lend dignity to his work.

 

What the Pharisees did was make clean the outside only. Those who are made clean inside will not neglect the outside.

 

Jesus Himself made a point of the dress of the Pharisees. I doubt our Lord was dressed in the same rainment. Two things angered Jesus while here on earth, the temple moneychangers and the hypocrisy of the established religious order.

 

Which has nothing to do with this thread.

 

But there is a professional dress - I see a difference in the kids behavior when we have jean day for the teachers which why I chose not to participate.I do reap the rewards as a teacher and my fellow teachers don't seem to understand why. I dress up a bit more most days anyway. Nothing against what they wear - my choice.

We have five services that range from very traditional to very casual - the ones in between the two are a hodge-podge. I'm most comfortable wearing on Sundays what I wear to church M-F. The pastors dress differently for the services they preach or lead worship in.

 

The episode of Green Acres where the men all dress up in their "oil changin'", "pig sloppin'", and "wood choppin'" suits was hilarious!

That's all I have to add to this since I added my .02 in the other thread.

 

There was a time when we went for a job we dressed in our best to impress the person hiring. The job may have required coveralls, blue jeans or suit and tie. It didn't matter the job we dressed in our best.

In the military there was a dress code. It was deemed it played a vital role in our psyche. We shaved on the battlefield. We polished our boots and even polished our brass. It was important to discipline and again affected our psyche.

Shouldn't we at least do the same for church services? If not to impress others, at least to impress ourselves. A right mind in church is as important as a right sermon.

Cheers,

Jim

 

Contrary to popular belief 1 Corinthians 11 addresses the lack of reverence in the ceremony of the Lord's Supper. Many see the word "worthy" as meaning some unaddressed sin in our lives. The truth is Paul addressed their cavalier attitude and lack of reverence in this service.

I bring that up because it is an example of how we should conduct ourselves in worship. There is no reason to be so cavalier and irreverent in our services and it disrespects God. Even in our dress.

 

You hit the nail on the head!!! You wear what you are most comfortable with, and by the way I do too. I'm not into what other wear but I'm into what I wear. If other are comfortable with their attire for the most part so am I. The reason I say for the most part, you could ask me what so and so wore and more than likely I couldn't tell you.

Do to the other thread I went to both services today and made it a point to observe what folks were wearing.

First service 131 men, 68 in suite and tie, one in bluejeans and one T shirt and 37 polo shirts with collars.129 women in first service three women with rather low cut tops, showing a lot of cleavage and about 80 skirts 1/2 to 3/4 up thigh and three pair of paints rather tight and the rest rather normal in my book, your book might be a little different.

Second service 239 men 201 in suite and tie the rest casual wear 2 polo shirts with collars and 266 women only about 25 with skirts up to 1/2 way on their thigh about 15 paints suits everything else rather normal.

I didn't see in either service anyone say anything or treat anyone different do to their dress. Second service has more professionals than first so they dress in more suits and professional attire.

All seemed to come to worship, have fellowship and be taught God's Word.

 

Sometimes we wear stocking hats in church. Sometimes we leave our coats on. Sometimes we even wear gloves. Sometimes we bring our own slippers. Sometimes we take our socks off. We never wear shoes, though.

How would that go over in your church?

 

Why is a suit and tie considred our best? Where did God mandate such dress? I guess, we are going more on traditons and cultural norms. Bible says nothing about a tie. I guess, it is all in a person's mind what is the right thing to wear.


I know many people who wear suits just don't push that on me. I am a professional and never dress in business attire. It just isn't me.

 

How is it you know the condition of someone's heart based on whether they wear coat and tie, or jeans and polo?

 

Where did I ever mention any particular articles of clothing?

 

Agreed.

The nicest thing I own is a fancy dress I bought to wear at a wedding (bought it for only $3 brand new at a second-hand store here in Europe---originally priced at 118 euros, but I digress ). Because that is the nicest thing I own, by opinions here, I should wear that dress every Sunday.

I won't, however, because a) it's a summer dress and I'd freeze b) I hate dresses, pretty much c) I'd stand out like a sore thumb. d) The people in our churches would feel badly about their own clothing. and e) God sees my heart and not my fancy dress.

As I said in the other thread, I can worship God in the shower, when I'm in my PJs, when I'm in my work clothes, or when I'm in my everyday clothes. Everything is naked before the Lord anyway.

Again with the disclaimer that I don't advocate that individuals show up to church in shower or sleepwear. LOL!

 

How about showing up naked? :laugh: :thumbs: If I try that, I imagine it'd clear the house out pretty quickly. "Don't look Ethel!!"

 

Hopefully worship is a lifestyle and not just what we do on Sunday for an hour. Having said that there are many ways to show reverence for differing reasons.

We show reverence when we kneel or lay prone to pray. This is certainly a higher level of reverence than other positions.

When we make extra effort to dress in a higher standard than we do for many other things this also shows a higher level of reverence. We can do a great many things in beach wear and cleaning the house clothes. But it is a lesser standard.

 

I don't think I've ever seen an episode of "Green Acres"

That's fine and it is your preference. I don't concur and respectfully disagree. I've seen some people wear "suits and ties" that are so poorly fitted, so improperly cared for, wrinkled, tattered, and just plain cheap that don't look good at all and only a few feet away a person wearing well pressed slacks, a clean and fitting shirt, and takes care of themselves and then just a few more feet away a person wearing well kept jeans, a t-shirt, and sneakers who are all able to access the holiness of God regardless of their dress.

When we make a big deal out of how someone appears (including adding credibility to their "testimony" by their appearance) we miss the reality that God doesn't care what a person does or looks on the outside but cares for the inside.

Dress is completely a societal thing. What was the norm 100 years ago isn't today. What was the norm 500 years ago isn't today. It is constantly changing. We can't and shouldn't attach holiness and spirituality with appearance.

Don't forget that John the Baptist wore really poor clothes and that Jesus only had a cloak and tunic.