RE: Clothes you Wear to Church (Full Version)

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mikejonesoftn -> RE: Clothes you Wear to Church (6/13/2008 3:10:15 PM)

32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. - Matthew 6:32-34




davemiller7 -> RE: Clothes you Wear to Church (6/13/2008 3:39:29 PM)

Glad to know that I'm not the only one here old enough to remember..................uh, forgot what I was going to say. [;)]

And I agree, if anyone else wears tee shirts and jeans, I really don't care, nor do I think any less of them. Some people don't have anything much better. Bless them. I just prefer to wear something better than work clothes to church.

I really hadn't intended to get drawn into a big discussion on the topic, but since someone used my quote from another thread to start this thread, I figured I better jump in and defend myself because I was getting jumped on.

Have a blessed day,
-Dave

PS: Happy Fathers' Day to all you Dads out there.
-Dave

quote:

ORIGINAL: JimboFletch

quote:

ORIGINAL: davemiller7
Didn't say "Sunday best," Jimbo. I try to dress better than tee shirts and blue jeans. Sometimes I wear dress shirt, tie, dress slacks, sport coat or suit, etc., sometimes open neck shirt (long or short sleeves, depending on the weather) and casual slacks. Unless it's a "work" event or picnic, etc., that's how I dress.

Thanks for clarifying. I'm the same way, I couldn't come in t-shirt & jeans, but that's just me - I don't get upset if someone else is comfy like that. I only dress in t-shirt & jeans to work in my yard.

quote:


....but if we would wear dress clothes to weddings, funerals, fancy parties, you name it, why would we not wear dress clothes to church? Is celebrating God in His House, less of an "event" than secular gatherings? Not in my opinion. That's why I don't wear tee shirts and jeans to church.

In the last few years I've found that a lot of people don't wear fancy clothes to weddings or funerals or much else like they did when I was young.




JimboFletch -> RE: Clothes you Wear to Church (6/13/2008 3:55:23 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: mikejonesoftn

32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. - Matthew 6:32-34

That was... uhmm... edifying. What's it got to do with the topic?




doinkdom -> RE: Clothes you Wear to Church (6/13/2008 4:14:45 PM)

[sm=unimpressed.gif][sm=shocked.gif][sm=smile.gif]




betterisoneday -> RE: Clothes you Wear to Church (6/13/2008 5:06:55 PM)

Interesting thread to jump into... I agree that what is in your heart/attitude is more important than the clothes, but I also think that goes both ways. A couple examples, I spent a few years in a church where if you didn't wear at least a tie, if not a full suit, it was considered that you couldn't have any spot in the church other than taking out the trash/cleaning up potlucks (yes, seriously).

In other churches I've attended the music leader went out of his way to not comb his hair on Sunday mornings (about mid-back length) and wear a baseball hat. Not necessarily bad but he would state to any who would listen that he did this to prove that a man could have long hair and wear a hat in church because his parents never allowed it growing up. Another pastor wore shorts and a t-shirt, both full of holes and stained, to prove that he was more accepting than those who wore suits.

I find both those extremes a problem. Someone in a suit can be just as welcoming as someone in a t-shirt, and just because you don't wear a suit doesn't mean you are worthless.




MrFribbles -> RE: Clothes you Wear to Church (6/13/2008 6:08:19 PM)

I figure, since I started this whole shebang, that I should throw my two cents in...

quote:

i believe that the inside is what counts. you can dress up on the outside but it doesn't change the condition of your heart.


I tend to agree with this. Obviously, there's nothing wrong with someone who says, "I will dress up for church, because I feel God deserves it," as long as they don't look down on people who don't feel that way. Similarly, there's nothing wrong with someone who says, "I'll dress casually, because it helps me worship God better," as long as they don't look down on those who dress up.
I would say it's sinful for a church to have a dress code for all of its members (in terms of formal wear, not in terms of modesty or offensive pictures/phrases on shirts - again, that's a whole other topic), though if it wants to have a dress code for its staff/preachers, I suppose that's their prerogative. I, personally, wouldn't work in such a church, but that's my personal conviction there.

quote:

and off topic, I love your avatar MrFribbles...black adder is one of my favourite britcoms.


Thanks! It is a brilliant show, though sadly I've only seen that season.




Stronger2day -> RE: Clothes you Wear to Church (6/13/2008 6:30:03 PM)

I am glad that someone started this conversation. I struggle with this. I think that most agree that the price of the clothing doesn’t matter, as all children are welcomed in His House. My husband and I personally feel more comfortable in khakis/polos and dresses/skirts because we feel that we’re bringing Him our best. Just about all churches we have attended are very casual. That is fine and dandy, but lately I’ve noticed a couple of torn jeans and T-shirts, and even a pair of pajama bottoms. Note that I am certain that these were not needy families. I’d rather have them at church than not have them, don’t get me wrong.

I have bigger issue with ladies/teens wearing mini skirts and cleavage revealing shirts. I know it shouldn’t matter, but shouldn’t church be a safe family place where we should have a little modesty demonstrated in front of our daughters, sons and husbands?

Your thoughts??




rcjames -> RE: Clothes you Wear to Church (6/13/2008 7:37:53 PM)

Until the 1950's Pastors in my Denomination were forbidden to wear neck ties; as they were considered to be "Adornment".

Personally I think those old codgers were pretty smart to figure out a way to not wear ties to Church.

This regulation and others concerning dress (with the exception to dress modestly; whatever that is) went the way of the Dodo bird a half century ago.

Thsnks
RC




OLEEguacamole -> RE: Clothes you Wear to Church (6/13/2008 7:45:45 PM)

i think we should wear linen ephods.




mikejonesoftn -> RE: Clothes you Wear to Church (6/13/2008 8:06:47 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: JimboFletch

quote:

ORIGINAL: mikejonesoftn

32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. - Matthew 6:32-34

That was... uhmm... edifying. What's it got to do with the topic?


Sorry. Forgot some out. It's in Matthew 6:25-34.

Basically God talks about not having things such as "clothing" so don't worry about it. My point is that he know that some people may not be able to afford certain types of clothing, so if he doesn't blame you for it, it wouldn't matter how you dress at church.




Covaan_Meshuga -> RE: Clothes you Wear to Church (6/13/2008 8:52:23 PM)

When we enter into the House, men should present themselves there in their best attire, even if that means a 3-piece suit and tie, and women should wear dresses, hats, nylons and closed-toed shoes. The necks of their dresses should be above their clavicles, her sleeves past her elbows, no makeup, and jewelry should be minimal. Little boys and girls should be appropriately dressed as well. Little girls should know, by the time they are five, how to keep their knees together while seated, and if they don't remember, a knuckle-thump on the head is a good reminder.




ta_mosquito -> RE: Clothes you Wear to Church (6/13/2008 9:12:46 PM)

[sm=icon_smile_yikes.gif][sm=icon_smile_faint.gif]

Covaan_Meshuga - I can't tell if you're joking or not.




Qtman -> RE: Clothes you Wear to Church (6/13/2008 9:21:55 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: ta_mosquito

[sm=icon_smile_yikes.gif][sm=icon_smile_faint.gif]

Covaan_Meshuga - I can't tell if you're joking or not.


Me either. I hope she was.




Covaan_Meshuga -> RE: Clothes you Wear to Church (6/13/2008 11:05:21 PM)

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

Oh, I was feeling fiesty.

I just had to write that! That was what it was like in the church I was in in about 1954, because I remember the visiting man who came to that church. He expressed a desire to be part of that church, but one of the men told him that he would have to quit wearing his diamond tie tack. When the man asked why, the church-man responded that the church didn't believe in wearing jewels and gold. The man said, "But this is real -- made by hand of G-d -- and I cannot wear it, while the people here wear fake gold and fake jewels, and that is all right?" He declined to join.

Really, when I go to services, I wear the same thing I wear to work, weddings, parties, etc. On rare occasion, I will wear jeans to services, but mainly, I wear my regular pants, blouses, and often a suit jacket. One thing I never wear, ever, are t-shirts, because I think they are ugly and look like I left the house in my underwear -- something I am not prone to do, although I have wandered in my yard in the early morning hours in my PJs! [:)]




ta_mosquito -> RE: Clothes you Wear to Church (6/13/2008 11:29:30 PM)

Whew! LOL!

I was worried about the "sleeves longer than the elbow" thing. In the winter that works, but not in the summer! (And no, I don't wear sleeveless tops/dresses, so that wasn't the issue - it was whatever between the shoulder and elbow!)

Hubby generally wears khakis/slacks and a button down shirt to church; I wear either slacks or a skirt and a blouse, sweater, etc. or a dress (rare). One of the deacons wears shorts, a polo shirt, and sandals with bare feet; he catches flack for it, but he doesn't care. There are people that wear jeans, but they're usually younger than the average age of about 50; most of the older men wear a full suit - tie, jacket, etc.

My church in MN was more casual; most people wore jeans although I did see an occasional tie. In fact, this last visit home I saw a guy in a tie and jeans. [8D] I've been known to wear jeans to church there, but I'd not do it here because of the different church culture.

I dress up for weddings and such more than I do for church, but (1) it's expected socially, so I have to put up with the discomfort, and (2) I'm not gonna wear dry-clean only dresses to church because that would cost more money, and I need to be a good steward of my finances. [;)] I'm always clean and presentable at church, though.




Doc65 -> RE: Clothes you Wear to Church (6/14/2008 8:19:47 AM)

quote:

for some folks, tee shirts and jeans might be the best they have, or the best they can afford.


Amen to that. My home congregation pastor once told me that he had had a run-in with a gentleman who excoriated a young acolyte who had shown up wearing rumpled jeans, a somewhat thread-worn shirt and tattered tennis shoes; he informed the youth that he neede to dress better than that if he was going to come to church. He pulled the irate man aside and told him that what the boy was wearing was his best...

The same pastor also informed me that he had been having problems with a family's spotty attendance. As it was, the parents told him that they didn't feel right, as they didn't have proper clothing. What he told them (and still sticks with me to this day) was, "It doesn't matter what you wear, as long as you come; if you don't come, you can't hear the Word of God, and that's what's important..."

And as far as linen ephods, no clothes, etc. I wholeheartedly agree with Tink-

quote:


[sm=icon_smile_yikes.gif][sm=icon_smile_yikes.gif][sm=icon_smile_yikes.gif]
FORK!!! NOW!!!!!




lexie -> RE: Clothes you Wear to Church (6/14/2008 5:34:57 PM)

quote:

When we enter into the House, men should present themselves there in their best attire, even if that means a 3-piece suit and tie, and women should wear dresses, hats, nylons and closed-toed shoes. The necks of their dresses should be above their clavicles, her sleeves past her elbows, no makeup, and jewelry should be minimal. Little boys and girls should be appropriately dressed as well. Little girls should know, by the time they are five, how to keep their knees together while seated, and if they don't remember, a knuckle-thump on the head is a good reminder


Hey! You've been to my church before!!!!

We're not that bad, but some of the older folks wish it were still that way. I challenge the conventions of the church on occasion. I refuse to wear pantyhose in the summer (and much of the winter!), I wear a scarf on my head rather than a hat, and [sm=icon_smile_yikes.gif] bright pink nail polish on my toes which you can see in my open toe shoes. I'm sure the old ladies are wondering what kind of heathens they're letting into the church.

Unfortunately, a lot of churches these days are falling prey to legalistic rules surrounding dress and attire and losing sight of what is really important. I've pointed that out a few times in my church, and it's nice to see over the years, people loosening their stance.

Our church is still pretty formal on Sundays, but we're not going to turn anyone away for the way they are dressed. In the end, how you come to church is up to you, as long as it doesn't offend any sense of deceny.




Tinkerbell_ -> RE: Clothes you Wear to Church (6/14/2008 6:58:48 PM)

The only pet peeve (if you could call it that) is when men wear baseball caps in the sanctuary. *shrug* Other than that...wear what you want and sing your heart out to the Lord. [sm=icon_smile_sing.gif]




humbleinspirit -> RE: Clothes you Wear to Church (6/15/2008 1:03:10 AM)

Whew Abiyah, you had me worried for a moment there! It just seemed so unlike you! [:D]

quote:

Interesting thread to jump into... I agree that what is in your heart/attitude is more important than the clothes, but I also think that goes both ways. A couple examples, I spent a few years in a church where if you didn't wear at least a tie, if not a full suit, it was considered that you couldn't have any spot in the church other than taking out the trash/cleaning up potlucks (yes, seriously).


A few years ago when I wasn't feeling so good about myself, I would show up in church with a sweat shirt and jeans, not that was a bad thing of itself, but my heart was not in the right place.

I believe while we do not have to "dress up" per say that we should take care in what we do wear to church. be it a t-shirt and jeans, or a dress shirt & pants, etc.

The church that I have attended has a casual dress code, which I am quite happy with.




Covaan_Meshuga -> RE: Clothes you Wear to Church (6/15/2008 1:11:40 AM)

sorry! but it was fun!




humbleinspirit -> RE: Clothes you Wear to Church (6/15/2008 1:14:30 AM)

[sm=hammerhead.gif]




saraimay75 -> RE: Clothes you Wear to Church (6/15/2008 3:10:57 AM)

God speaks to me no mater what I am wearing. I wear what I can afford.




Purposeful_Life -> RE: Clothes you Wear to Church (6/15/2008 3:25:02 AM)

I think it is a matter of appropriateness [a word?] and culture.

God speaks to me in the shower - for example - but I would wear more items to church where I believe He might speak to me too.




car2ner -> RE: Clothes you Wear to Church (6/15/2008 8:09:29 AM)

quote:

I think it is a matter of appropriateness [a word?] and culture.

God speaks to me in the shower - for example - but I would wear more items to church where I believe He might speak to me too.


Good point. If you wear jeans in a church where everyone is dressed up, you are a distraction. I have seen folks come into a casual church while wearing a suit and they felt out of place, even though the congregation didn't think any more or less of them for it.

I guess it is like going over or underdressed to a party. It is Not that we have to fit in to please God but so that our clothing doesn't become a distraction.




rcjames -> RE: Clothes you Wear to Church (6/15/2008 9:12:45 AM)

If folks at Church are paying attention to what others wear then they are at Church for the wrong reason.


Thanks
RC




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