I was kicked out of an Apostolic church once...

Ladybug4Jesus · #1 12th July 2009, 04:31 PM

I attended an Apostolic church with a friend of mine after my family left the baptist church we were going to. This was when I was about 9. I attended for years, with short hair and pants on. Then, when I turned 12, one of the ladies of the church that I got along with very well told me in a round about way that I should stop cutting my hair and begin wearing skirts. After a few weeks of not complying with this subtle request, I was sent into one of the pastors offices and told that I couldn't attend any longer if I don't comply with the traditions of the church. Needless to say, I stopped going because I just don't believe in a church that is more worried about the physical than the spiritual.

Anyways, I don't know a whole lot about the Apostolic church as a whole, is this a common occurance?

RestoreTheRiver · #2 12th July 2009, 05:56 PM

The term "Apostolic Church" is used by different groups, to mean different things. It sounds likely that the church you mentioned was one of the Pentecostal "Apostolic Churches." They use the term to express their desire to be as close to the New Testament Church, as they undertand it, as possible.

I don't believe kicking a child out because of her clothing and hair style meets that goal particularly well; by the way.

This forum uses the term "Apostolic Churches" to mean churches that trace their leadership back to one of the Apostles; that is, churches that are in historic Apostolic Succession. These churches include the Roman Catholics, the Eastern Orthodox, the Anglicans, and others.

This is important to us as a means of maintaining the faith and practice of our Lord and His Church, as received through living tradition, from New Testament times, to the present day.

Michael

longhair75 · #3 12th July 2009, 09:27 PM

I was told by the priest in my last Roman Catholic Church that it would be better for all concerned if I were to worship elsewhere.

I took that literally as being ejected from the RCC.

Rudolph Hucker · #4 12th July 2009, 09:55 PM

And made the reciprocal of Tony Blair's spiritual journey I see!

Ladybug4Jesus · #5 13th July 2009, 07:23 PM

Originally Posted by RestoreTheRiver

The term "Apostolic Church" is used by different groups, to mean different things. It sounds likely that the church you mentioned was one of the Pentecostal "Apostolic Churches." They use the term to express their desire to be as close to the New Testament Church, as they undertand it, as possible.

I don't believe kicking a child out because of her clothing and hair style meets that goal particularly well; by the way.

This forum uses the term "Apostolic Churches" to mean churches that trace their leadership back to one of the Apostles; that is, churches that are in historic Apostolic Succession. These churches include the Roman Catholics, the Eastern Orthodox, the Anglicans, and others.

This is important to us as a means of maintaining the faith and practice of our Lord and His Church, as received through living tradition, from New Testament times, to the present day.

Michael

Thanks for shedding a little light on this Michael. I think you might be right about that particular church, when I asked the family I was attending with what was going on, they told me that the church believed their lifestyles should reflect that of the biblical lifestyle, as closely as possible. I then had to ask them why the men could wear pants, because men wore robes back in the bible day, and why do they watch tv, use computers, drive cars...seems a little hypocritical and frankly unchristian to kick a kid out of church for such a little crime when not a single member of that church TRULY lives up to the "biblical lifestyle as closely as possible".

PaladinValer · #6 14th July 2009, 11:42 AM

In some Apostolic Churches' individual parishes, the clergy may ask that people dress appropriately; in other words, wear something like a dress or slacks and a collared shirt.

In others, I could show up in a t-shirt and blue jean shorts with my leather sandals, and no one would blink an eye.

It is always best to wear something a little more than "lazy day" when you first go to a parish. Look at what the people are wearing; if you see a lot of people wearing dresses and collared shirts, then you probably should as well. If you see many people wearing casual dress, then no one should be bothered.

As an acolyte, I personally have to wear something beyond casual: I wear dress slacks with a collared shirt (I try to stay in liturgical color as well, although white works best with the alb I wear). However, when I find the chance to worship on a Wednesday, I come with a t-shirt and jeans (shorts of course during the warmer months), and everyone treats me no differently than our vested priest.

Above all, as the rector (priest-in-charge) or another of the clergy what he or she would like to see worn by the laity. Most of the time, they'll say "come with whatever is decent (though perhaps that goes without saying) and comfortable to you," but if they ask you to at least wear something a little better than casual, then it is best you do so. Otherwise, people may look at you a little strangely.

Ladybug4Jesus · #7 14th July 2009, 05:03 PM

Paladin,

You know, it wasn't about dressy with them though. The women wore denim skirts and t-shirts. The problem was I wasn't wearing a skirt, I was wearing pants.

Though, if it was about dressy, I would have a problem too. I believe that you should dress YOUR best for God. But my best and your best are probably a lot different. My sense of dressy might be your sense of casual. But why does that matter when I am fellowshipping with my brothers and sisters and praising the Lord? Is he going to love me less because I am so broke I can't afford any more than a t-shirt and jeans? Not MY God.

PaladinValer · #8 14th July 2009, 06:25 PM

Originally Posted by Ladybug4Jesus

Paladin,

You know, it wasn't about dressy with them though. The women wore denim skirts and t-shirts. The problem was I wasn't wearing a skirt, I was wearing pants.

Though, if it was about dressy, I would have a problem too. I believe that you should dress YOUR best for God. But my best and your best are probably a lot different. My sense of dressy might be your sense of casual. But why does that matter when I am fellowshipping with my brothers and sisters and praising the Lord? Is he going to love me less because I am so broke I can't afford any more than a t-shirt and jeans? Not MY God.

A lot of Apostolic churches' parishes simply prefer their congregants to wear appropriate clothes.

Do not get me wrong; if I were the rector of my own parish, I'd have no problem with people coming to worship wearing denim jeans and t-shirts, even the women. So long as nothing was revealing and everything modest with no obscene messages or graphics, I really wouldn't be bothered. However, some priests (and bishops if we're talking about cathedrals) desire a little more.

The question isn't about whether God will think you any different, but whether you are obedient to someone God Himself called to Holy Orders. And as such, disobedience to the priest isn't all that different in this sense to disobedience to God.

If I were to go to a parish and learn that my dress was inappropriate, I would humbly apologize and, next time, I'd dress to their standards. Such humility is the absolute basis of Christian practice, least we fall into pride.

Ladybug4Jesus · #9 14th July 2009, 07:13 PM

Ah, I didn't think of it that way. Not sure I completely agree, but I will have to study, think, and pray on it a bit. Thank you for your insight.

RadixLecti · #10 15th July 2009, 12:17 AM

Originally Posted by PaladinValer

A lot of Apostolic churches' parishes simply prefer their congregants to wear appropriate clothes.

Do not get me wrong; if I were the rector of my own parish, I'd have no problem with people coming to worship wearing denim jeans and t-shirts, even the women. So long as nothing was revealing and everything modest with no obscene messages or graphics, I really wouldn't be bothered. However, some priests (and bishops if we're talking about cathedrals) desire a little more.

The question isn't about whether God will think you any different, but whether you are obedient to someone God Himself called to Holy Orders. And as such, disobedience to the priest isn't all that different in this sense to disobedience to God.

If I were to go to a parish and learn that my dress was inappropriate, I would humbly apologize and, next time, I'd dress to their standards. Such humility is the absolute basis of Christian practice, least we fall into pride.

Paladin (and Ladybug):

I strongly suspect that the OP Ladybug is referring to a Pentecostal/Fundamentalist denomination called "the Apostolic church" or some derivation of that name. If this is the case you are discussing apples while she is discussing oranges.

Ladybug:

For the purposes of this forum Apostolic churches are those various churches whose institutional structures all descend from the same common ancestor. In other words at one time all of our churches were the same church, but since that time they have separated from each other. This would include Catholics, Orthodox Christians, Anglicans and a few other similar groups.

Because of our shared origins our churches have many similarities in worship, theology and traditions which is why there is a separate forum for these groups to discuss issues unique to these churches.