church attire

[ImaginaryDay]

These conversations are always so interesting. Personally, I wear what I can as to show respect for where I am - the house of God. Lately, that has only been a clean/neat pair of jeans or khaki's, button down or polo shirt, and decent shoes. it's all I can afford. But since I can't afford more, I'm not going to tell myself it's allright to settle for less.

Now, lest I be harangued by those who would wear more casual (read: jeans/t-shirt/shorts/sandals), I would ask - if it isn't important what folks wear to church, and you are okay with what you wear, what's the trouble with those who wear the suit and tie? And please don't say "it's not". Many times when I see the issue come up, mostly in the form of blogs that appear on my Facebook page, it is accompanied by a picture of a person in ripped jeans, nose ring, and tattoo's. And the question is then posed "is it really important what people wear to church?" The assumption is that, out of guilt, I'm supposed to say "no". But let's replace the pic of ripped jeans/nose ring/ tattoo with a guy in a suit/tie or a lady in a skirt and blouse. What would the answer be then? Maybe a hint:

to me and I'm sure plenty of others, the suit and tie, if we ever step back and take an unbiased look at it, is ridiculous, especially on hot days. ties especially are stupid when it comes to practicality.

I think casual to whatever the person can afford should be the norm...everywhere. Let's make those who like to show off their clothes, the oddball/feel out of place, not those who have better things to concern themselves with or those who could not dress "up" if they wanted to.

I honestly think it's a "look at me" thing to help the insecure out with themselves. We aren't what we wear.

 

[All4Christ]

Today, I had many appointments and I didn't have time to go home. I ended up wearing jeans to church. They were nice jeans and I wore a modest sweater. Most women there wore long skirts and a blouse. None judged me for what I wore or even took a second glance. I think it is important to try to dress in a way to respect God - hence why I typically dress up some, but if we have a choice of attending in casual clothes vs skipping Church because we can't dress up...I know God would want us there. It's also important to not focus on others. Encourage respect to God in our dress, which also includes modesty, but ultimately focus on God - not others.

 

[7angels]

These conversations are always so interesting. Personally, I wear what I can as to show respect for where I am - the house of God. Lately, that has only been a clean/neat pair of jeans or khaki's, button down or polo shirt, and decent shoes. it's all I can afford. But since I can't afford more, I'm not going to tell myself it's allright to settle for less.

Now, lest I be harangued by those who would wear more casual (read: jeans/t-shirt/shorts/sandals), I would ask - if it isn't important what folks wear to church, and you are okay with what you wear, what's the trouble with those who wear the suit and tie? And please don't say "it's not". Many times when I see the issue come up, mostly in the form of blogs that appear on my Facebook page, it is accompanied by a picture of a person in ripped jeans, nose ring, and tattoo's. And the question is then posed "is it really important what people wear to church?" The assumption is that, out of guilt, I'm supposed to say "no". But let's replace the pic of ripped jeans/nose ring/ tattoo with a guy in a suit/tie or a lady in a skirt and blouse. What would the answer be then? Maybe a hint:

scripture tells us that acting godly is wrong. this is what the pharisees did and they were called hypocrites. is it wrong to wear a suit and tie the answer is no it is not. it all depends upon your attitude. if you come to God hungry for Him then according to scripture you will be filled and it matters not what your outward appearance is like.

God bless

 

[Tangible]

scripture tells us that acting godly is wrong.

I don't know where you would see this in scripture. There is nothing wrong with acting godly, and actually this is what God expects of us. The Pharisees were criticized for being hypocrites and for forcing people to observe laws in addition to what God had given them.

There is nothing wrong with practicing personal piety. Read Paul about how we are to conduct ourselves.

 

[Kenny'sID]

These conversations are always so interesting. Personally, I wear what I can as to show respect for where I am - the house of God. Lately, that has only been a clean/neat pair of jeans or khaki's, button down or polo shirt, and decent shoes. it's all I can afford. But since I can't afford more, I'm not going to tell myself it's allright to settle for less.

Now, lest I be harangued by those who would wear more casual (read: jeans/t-shirt/shorts/sandals), I would ask - if it isn't important what folks wear to church, and you are okay with what you wear, what's the trouble with those who wear the suit and tie? And please don't say "it's not". Many times when I see the issue come up, mostly in the form of blogs that appear on my Facebook page, it is accompanied by a picture of a person in ripped jeans, nose ring, and tattoo's. And the question is then posed "is it really important what people wear to church?" The assumption is that, out of guilt, I'm supposed to say "no". But let's replace the pic of ripped jeans/nose ring/ tattoo with a guy in a suit/tie or a lady in a skirt and blouse. What would the answer be then? Maybe a hint:

If you think God feels more respected by you if you wear nicer clothes, then have at it. Cloths just aren't a big thing to me.

Wear a suit if you want, I'll think no less of you, but I assume I can still have my option on suits? I even like the no tie casual dress with a suit jacket, it's actually practical...I mean if you need to keep warm anyway.

My opinion... normal, clean/casual, and under/over dressed should never be an issue at any gathering, church or otherwise...it's just not that important.

Tattoos, ripped jeans an body jewelry? No my bag, but when was the last time you say someone in church like that? And if you did, you'd just need to get over it, what are you going to do? run them off?

 

[ImaginaryDay]

Wear a suit if you want, I'll think no less of you, but I assume I can still have my option on suits? I even like the no tie casual dress with a suit jacket, it's actually practical...I mean if you need to keep warm anyway.

My opinion... normal, clean/casual, and under/over dressed should never be an issue at any gathering, church or otherwise...it's just not that important.

As far as suits go, I'm not sure I really would myself. In a perfect world, I'd at least have dress slacks, shirt (tie??, maybe) and sport jacket. Most shirts I find have one button too few/not long enough, and I can't afford the sport jacket yet, so I deal the best I can.

Anyway, we can all have the opinion we want, sure, but the prevailing opinion seems to be on the side of "don't judge my shorts and sandals, suit dude!" - and not just in the thread, but other places. I'll see if I can dig up a link to what I mean if you'd like.

But the reason I quoted your post initially is that it did seem important to you - enough to imply that those who dress "up" should be considered the 'oddball' or the one out of place.

Tattoos, ripped jeans an body jewelry? No my bag, but when was the last time you say someone in church like that?

You'd be surprised. But I am moving toward a more conservative church culture so it's not as prevalent. But, of course, they'd be welcome (just as I was) and I wouldn't run away screaming - just as no-one else did when I showed up.

 

[Kenny'sID]

enough to imply that those who dress "up" should be considered the 'oddball' or the one out of place.

Not an intentional implication at all.

You'd be surprised. But I am moving toward a more conservative church culture so it's not as prevalent.

Then we have to wonder are some churches even churches with what they teach.

 

[ImaginaryDay]

Then we have to wonder are some churches even churches with what they teach.

How do you mean?

 

[~Anastasia~]

One point I can't remember if it's been made was the point of distracting others, and being a disruption by our presence.

It is unloving to be a distraction, and if we intentionally stand out, we need to examine very carefully to see if the root is not in pride (even the pride of false humility).

I'm not judging anyone either way, just saying these are fairly common issues and worth being aware of.

And it doesn't recommend any particular style of dress, but depends on what's typical for wherever you attend.

There can be legitimate reasons for a rather casual acceptance - I attended a church in farm country where livestock chores still have to be done on Sunday, and it wasn't practical for most to be in suit and tie and at Church on time. But of course they took off the muck boots before coming to church.


But whether casual or dressy, if the community has a style of dress, and we want to participate, we should respect that to a degree, so we don't make a spectacle of ourselves in Church, invite people to speculate our motives (or lack of them) and perhaps sin while doing so, distract people from the service because they are thinking about our clothing, and so on.

I actually do pretty well at ignoring other people's clothing most of the time, but I remember two incidents years later. One was at an AoG where a woman wore a closely fitted and very short dress, sitting right in front of me, and during the music was shimmying in a way more suited to a nightclub than a church service. Another was at a non-denom where a young man had done something to his hair so that it looked rubbery, reddish orange, and was arranged in a series of curved spikes over and down the center - all I could think of was a rooster cap - and he seemed to come and sit in front of me without fail, even when I moved.

Another thing, if someone comes to church, pretty much no matter how they come, they should find acceptance. But if they stay over time, they may need some guidance. Without examples, I realize this could be interpreted wrongly in either direction, but I hope it will be received in the spirit I offer it.

However, in some churches, I have learned there is the expected role even of the older women to keep a certain order, and while that is admirable, I think it must be done with love so as not to inadvertently push someone away from church, which would be the greater sin.

 

[RDKirk]

I wear a hoodie and jeans out of respect to poor people who cannot attend with fancy clothing (matthew 23:12)

That seems rather like skipping breakfast on Sunday morning, out of respect to poor people who don't have food to eat.

If you have such persons in your congregation, give them better clothing.

 

[jerrygab2]

I can say I go against the grain in my Church and probably many modern churches. At my Church the man dress in t-shirt and jeans (except the Priests) but I wasn't raised like that so I always go in a dress shirt and tie with dress pants. I maybe alone but I think if we can we should show respect and acknowledge that going to God's house is not something we should treat lightly or like we are going to the store

 

[Gnarwhal]

When I was growing up in an evangelical church I thought a t-shirt and shorts were acceptable, and it was for them, sadly. Now that I'm Catholic, I don't show up without a button-up collared shirt and (at least) a nice pair of jeans or slacks. I've gone to daily Mass a couple of times in a t-shirt but I was kind of in a pinch, so I didn't have a chance to change.

I think if it can be helped, it's appropriate to wear your Sunday best. And like my catechists would say, "modest is hottest".