Pastor wears Hawaiian Shirt in pulpit

[Greg Linscott]

This article is taken from Jenny Geddes' Stool, one of World Magazine's "Pastor Blogs." ( http://billsmith.worldmagblog.com/archives/001498.html ) It was written by Bill Smith. In light of all the discussion on church dress, I thought it might be interesting to you folks here on the BB.

Don Ho Goes to Church
I read recently of a woman who was sure she had uncovered another Harper Valley PTA because some old brick downtown church members got upset when their minister showed up to preach wearing an Hawaiian shirt. Of course, the old fogeys were so blind (in the case of having to look at clergyperson wearing an Hawaiian shirt one might be grateful for the Ray Charles gift) that they could not see the benefits of having such a happenin' pastor.

What, besides a total lack of taste, is communicated by the minister performing the specific duties of his unique office, wearing the Hawaiian shirt? A few suggestions. How about a lack of competence? Studies haves shown that patients have more confidence in a physician attired in traditional white coat rather than street clothes. Why should I trust a minister to handle God's Work rightly, if he does not have the sense to save his lei for vacation.

What about irreverence? I had the opportunity, along with some ministerial colleagues, to meet with the Governor my state in his office. I noted with more than a little amusement that those who usually make a point of dressing like golf pros were attired in suits and ties. Our God, who is a consuming fire to be worshiped with reverence and awe, apparently does not rate the dignity and formality shown by men in an appearance before the Governor of Alabama.

What about lack of respect for one's office? It is said the Ronald Reagan never went into the Oval Office except in tie and jacket. Of course, Bill Clinton wore his jogging shorts and later apparently his briefs or less. (Thanks to MTW we know his preference in style of underwear.) That speaks loudly to anyone who has even residual hearing for the truth that in one important sense, clothes do make the man.

What about immaturity? "Hey, look at me! I'm so cool I wear Hawaiian shirts when I am serving as God's mouthpiece." The Reformed minister will find much to commend the Geneva gown that hides the minister and communicates to the congregation, "I am a man whom God has made nothing but consecrated to preach the Word of Christ." I

So far as I am concerned, if that minister shows up again in some pulpit wearing an Hawaiian shirt, "Book 'im, Dano."

 

[Jim Ward]

 

[pinoybaptist]

Heeeeeehaaaaaawwww!!!!

Ride 'em, cowboy !!

 

[Jeffrey H]

What about irreverence? I had the opportunity, along with some ministerial colleagues, to meet with the Governor my state in his office. I noted with more than a little amusement that those who usually make a point of dressing like golf pros were attired in suits and ties. Our God, who is a consuming fire to be worshiped with reverence and awe, apparently does not rate the dignity and formality shown by men in an appearance before the Governor of Alabama.

He makes a valid point. We dress up in our best for what we consider to be important. Maybe the pastors did not want to stick out like a sore thumb in their "golf" attire.

However, God is not really impressed with our dress, is he? Scripture commands us to dress modestly and nothing more, nothing less. God looks at our hearts. Suits and ties are always optional because there is no scripture that speaks specifically that we wear suits.

If you want to keep people out of your church, then make a requirement that "true Christians will want to put on a suit on the Lord's Day."

 

[All about Grace]

Reminds me of Jesus' words to the religious leaders of his day in Mark 7:8-9 -- "Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men. You nicely set aside the commandment of God in order to keep your tradition."

Anyone want to buy a suit?

 

[dianetavegia]

From the day school is out until it's back in session, our church is on 'dress down'. Anyone who wants is more than welcome to come in sandals and shorts and some do!

Our previous pastor who is now in a state position in Ok. preached one sermon in a dress. Whoops! He actually was dressed as Joseph and had his son come as a young Jesus... as 'Joseph' shared what he might have thought, seen, heard and felt from the time he asked Mary to marry him until Jesus was left behind at the temple. Very touching sermon..... but I'd better write him and tell him how upset I am cause he didn't wear a shirt and tie that day! Oh Well.

Some people take the Joy out of Jesus!

Diane

 

[pinoybaptist]

I got a closetful of faded jeans here with artfully torn knees, anyone want some ?

[ March 11, 2004, 10:24 AM: Message edited by: Barnabas ]

 

[Xingyi Warrior]

Crucify him!!!! Oh my God the next thing we know the ladies will all be wearing pants!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Bro. James Reed]

If the Pastor knows that it upsets people in his congregation, why would he continue to do it? Sounds like he doesn't care as much for the flock as he is supposed to.

Would the Pastor wear a Hawaiian shirt to a job interview? How about to a funeral? There's a little thing called respect. When entering the house of God I think we should have some respect for God and his congregation.

Whether his attrie is against scripture or not is not what I'm going to argue. But, if he's going into the church, knowing full well that he will upset many people and stir trouble amongst the brethren, then he is breaking scripture.

Can anyone name someone from 100, 75, or even 50 yrs. ago who would have dressed down to go to church? As long as they do not conflict with God's word, then traditions are important.

Now if it was a poor family who could not afford nice clothes and they had to wear what they owned, then that is a different story.

Our traditions concerning apparel do not conflict with scripture, so the verse in Mark does not apply.

I think it's a shame that any pastor would want to cause strife amongst the brethren. Especially those in his own flock.

 

[USN2Pulpit]

In addition to slacks of course, on Sunday morning, I wear a collared button shirt and a tie. I normally repeat that pattern in the evening. On Wednesday night, I wear a polo or golf-style shirt. My polo shirts say either "Awana," "CPBC," or "Center Point" - or some other Christian theme. I have, at times, worn those polo shirts on Sunday night. And once, I wore a suit with a turtleneck shirt instead of a tie. So far, no one has been offended.

I do feel that a pastor/preacher must dress appropriately and with respect to his congregation. Perhaps this pastor was dressing in accordance with a "theme" for the night.

 

[Jeffrey H]

Now if it was a poor family who could not afford nice clothes and they had to wear what they owned, then that is a different story.

This is always a valid concern. In my church, we have folks ranging from poverty level to upper-middle class. We downplay dressing up so no one feels out-of-place.

Our pastor always wears a suit because that's what he prefers.

 

[Terry_Herrington]

I thought our authority is strictly from the bible. If so, modesty is the key, nothing more.

The Pharisees are coming out of the woodwork.

 

[Gina B]

All that over a colorful shirt? ROFL!
I saw my daughter's heart surgeon in a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. I had no doubt about his capabilities.
In fact, I have more confidence in someone who is comfortable in themselves enough to not dress up to please someone else's idea of who they should look like than someone who doesn't.
Do you really think God is more pleased with those wearing a 3 piece suit every sunday while some members struggle to keep their kids backs covered, or missionaries lack proper funds, or with a Christian who doesn't waste his money trying to look like a magazine picture?
Take a shower and don't be immodest is about as far as I'd be able to go in good conscience when looking at my pastor.
Gina

 

[All about Grace]

In the world of external, identity-based pseudo-righteousness, one's spirituality is judged largely by their appearance.

As a result, things such as suits vs hawaiian shirts become an issue.

As in NT times, Jesus' standard of spirituality is never sufficient for the pseudo-spiritual b/c it is internal-focused (love God & others).

 

[dianetavegia]

Originally posted by Terry_Herrington:
The Pharisees are coming out of the woodwork.

Yep, Terry!

Diane

 

[Pastor Larry]

While I am not hung up over what people wear to church, I think there is merit in "dressing the part." Many companies who went "business casual" in the 90s are now going back. When I worked in the business world, you could tell when an account exec had a client meeting by the way that they dressed. The way we dress does send a message about what is going on in our minds and hearts and about who we are. I think we need to stop short of insisting that other people dress exactly the way we do, but we also need to stop short of an "anything goes" mentality. Personally, I think Hawaiian shirts in the pulpit demonstrate a lack of seriousness, a frivolity that might work well for a youth activity or a casual get together. I think there are better options. That being said, I don't think wearing an Hawaiian shirt in the pulpit is "sinful" per se. But we need to exercise some more seriousness, or soberness, as the NT puts it.

 

[Artimaeus]

Originally posted by Xingyi Warrior:
Crucify him!!!! Oh my God the next thing we know the ladies will all be wearing pants!!!!!!!!!!!!

What a person wears communicates nearly as loudly and clearly as their words but, at least there is room for discussion about the relative merits of what is being communicated. I am 100 times more offened by the irreverent use of the phrase, "Oh my God..." then I ever would be by a Hawaiian shirt. I was not offened in the slightest by your facetiousness in making a point, I have used that method myself frequently but I am very tired of the offhand use of "God" for emphasis. If my pastor doesn't wear a tie in the pulpit, I don't think I would even notice, and if I did, I wouldn't care but when a former pastor kept using this same phrase repeatedly I called him on it and he stopped.

 

[All about Grace]

The Pharisees were extremely serious with their wide phylacteries and extra long tassels.

Dress when preaching is totally cultural. If your culture is one of suit & tie, wear it. If it is more hawaiian shirts, go for it.

Even Warren espouses this mindset.

 

[Greg Linscott]

I understnad we can get too caught up in this issue. However, no one (to my knowledge) is advocating checking dress at the door, or imposing a "church uniform."

The point is what we are saying by what we are wearing. Even the Scriptures indicate that clothing had significance other than modesty. Proverbs 31:22, for example, commends the virtuous woman for wearing high-quality, attractive clothing.

I understand that a suit and tie isn't "God-ordained." What I don't understand is how we Christians feel it necessary to defend a casual, flippant attitude in our corporate worship of God, whether in dress, language, or attitude.

Would we get this much discussion and disagreement if the article was condemning, say, parents allowing young children to play tag in the church auditorium before the service?

 

[Dr. Bob]

I have preached in a swim suit on the beach.

I have preached in levis and torn t-shirt at camp.

I have preached in a Hawaiian shirt on the last cruise!

I have preached in a robe in a liturgical church.

I have preached in a banded collar or turtleneck almost exclusively for the past year.

And when I feel like it, I preach in a suit and bow tie.

If a "suit-and-tie" (instituted, btw, by John Calvin for pastors rather than cassocks or robes of the papists) is FORMAL and dockers/polo shirt is NOT FORMAL, then let's keep going and get it right.

BOW TIES and TUXES. It doesn't get more formal than that. Why would someone condemn dockers and then just wear a suit/tie? Don't they KNOW we have to dress up to go visit God once a week?

(Okay, removing tongue from cheek. But have a great selection of bow ties I'll loan you when you take man-made legalistic standards of dress to the fullest extent . . )