New to CF and to Lutheranism

MetalheadKara

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Hello everyone. I'm Kara, I just joined the forum a few days ago. I've been a Christian my whole life, but a Lutheran only a few months. What attracted me was not just that Lutheranism matches my beliefs, but also that I finally found a church where I wasn't shunned because of how I dress or what music I listen to. Now I'm trying to get the word out to other Christians in the rock and roll community that feel they can't attend church for fear of rejection by the congregation. Yes, there are people out there who share your love for Jesus Christ and would welcome you with open arms!

Just thought I'd introduce myself since I'll be spending most of my time on this particular thread. Looking forward to making new friends!
 
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LilLamb219

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Welcome to the forums!

I'm curious...how do you dress that other churches shun you?


Hello everyone. I'm Kara, I just joined the forum a few days ago. I've been a Christian my whole life, but a Lutheran only a few months. What attracted me was not just that Lutheranism matches my beliefs, but also that I finally found a church where I wasn't shunned because of how I dress or what music I listen to. Now I'm trying to get the word out to other Christians in the rock and roll community that feel they can't attend church for fear of rejection by the congregation. Yes, there are people out there who share your love for Jesus Christ and would welcome you with open arms!

Just thought I'd introduce myself since I'll be spending most of my time on this particular thread. Looking forward to making new friends!
 
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MetalheadKara

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Welcome to the forums!

I'm curious...how do you dress that other churches shun you?

I wear a lot of black, leather, spikes, and t-shirts of metal bands. I never wear revealing clothes, but at the churches I visited before I found my current church, I would either be avoided or informed that it was not Halloween yet. :doh:
 
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Luther073082

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I wear a lot of black, leather, spikes, and t-shirts of metal bands. I never wear revealing clothes, but at the churches I visited before I found my current church, I would either be avoided or informed that it was not Halloween yet. :doh:

If I where recommending something I would recommend you dress at least semi-dressy. Such as a nice pair of slacks/dress paints and a nice blouse for women, either that or a dress or skirt that isn't too short/revealing. For men I would say a nice pair of dress paints and a polo shirt or a button up shirt. Tie and sport coat or even a suit is optional.

I don't think it makes much of a difference of how you dress outside of church as long as you arn't wearing revealing clothing or clothing with sinful messages on it. But in church, unless you can't afford it. . . you are going to be in the presence of Christ, so you know it might be nice to dress a little nicer. I'm not saying make a grand show of it as some people have done, but just a more respectful looking appearance would be good.

You are free to dress how you wish however, it is not like Christ won't accept you wearing spikes and the whole like. It's more of a question you need to ask yourself if you are showing him the proper respect. Something to consider anyways.

So I'm guessing your church is likely ELCA then? I'm just guessing because they tend to have a little bit more open attitude about these things.

Edit: I'm making the assumption, perhaps the wrong assumption that you dress like this when you go to worship.
 
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MetalheadKara

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If I where recommending something I would recommend you dress at least semi-formally.

I don't think it makes much of a difference of how you dress outside of church as long as you arn't wearing revealing clothing or clothing with sinful messages on it. But in church, unless you can't afford it. . . you are going to be in the presence of Christ, so you know it might be nice to dress a little nicer. I'm not saying make a grand show of it as some people have done, but just a more respectful looking appearance would be good.

You are free to dress how you wish however, it is not like Christ won't accept you wearing spikes and the whole like. It's more of a question you need to ask yourself if you are showing him the proper respect. Something to consider anyways.

So I'm guessing your church is likely ELCA then? I'm just guessing because they tend to have a little bit more open attitude about these things.

It is an ELCA church. Thank you for your suggestions, this is actually something I've thought long and hard about. In the end, dressing formally for church felt "false" to me, if that makes sense. It's hard to explain.

As for showing Christ the proper respect, I considered that, too. But to me, formal dress seems to be for the benefit of other people. We dress formally at certain occasions because it's sort of an unwritten social rule. The way I see it, we are all "naked" to Christ in a way. He knows our hearts and minds. I believe I show Him the utmost respect in church regardless of what I'm wearing.
 
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Luther073082

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It is an ELCA church. Thank you for your suggestions, this is actually something I've thought long and hard about. In the end, dressing formally for church felt "false" to me, if that makes sense. It's hard to explain.

As for showing Christ the proper respect, I considered that, too. But to me, formal dress seems to be for the benefit of other people. We dress formally at certain occasions because it's sort of an unwritten social rule. The way I see it, we are all "naked" to Christ in a way. He knows our hearts and minds. I believe I show Him the utmost respect in church regardless of what I'm wearing.

I tend to think that people dress and appear in public in the way in which they wish to be perceived.

That's up to you.
 
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wordsoflife

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If I where recommending something I would recommend you dress at least semi-dressy. Such as a nice pair of slacks/dress paints and a nice blouse for women, either that or a dress or skirt that isn't too short/revealing. For men I would say a nice pair of dress paints and a polo shirt or a button up shirt. Tie and sport coat or even a suit is optional.

I don't think it makes much of a difference of how you dress outside of church as long as you arn't wearing revealing clothing or clothing with sinful messages on it. But in church, unless you can't afford it. . . you are going to be in the presence of Christ, so you know it might be nice to dress a little nicer. I'm not saying make a grand show of it as some people have done, but just a more respectful looking appearance would be good.

You are free to dress how you wish however, it is not like Christ won't accept you wearing spikes and the whole like. It's more of a question you need to ask yourself if you are showing him the proper respect. Something to consider anyways.

So I'm guessing your church is likely ELCA then? I'm just guessing because they tend to have a little bit more open attitude about these things.

Edit: I'm making the assumption, perhaps the wrong assumption that you dress like this when you go to worship.

I totally disagree. Man looks on the outward appearance; God looks on the heart. She should dress however she wants.
 
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DaRev

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I totally disagree. Man looks on the outward appearance; God looks on the heart. She should dress however she wants.

Maybe she wants to be perceived for who she is.

While it isn't necessary for someone to dress formally to attend service, one should dress in a manner appropriate to approach the Almighty God. When we attend the Divine Service we do so not to impress others or make a fashion statement, but to seek God's forgiveness for our sins and give Him thanks and praise for His blessings to us. It's all about Him, not about us. For someone to think "I'm only going to church if I can dress how I want" is going for the wrong reason.
 
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MetalheadKara

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Maybe she wants to be perceived for who she is.

I'm glad you said this, because that's what I was trying to say when I said dressing up for church felt "false" to me. I didn't want to be one of those people that seems like one person in church and another person outside of it.
 
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MetalheadKara

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While it isn't necessary for someone to dress formally to attend service, one should dress in a manner appropriate to approach the Almighty God. When we attend the Divine Service we do so not to impress others or make a fashion statement, but to seek God's forgiveness for our sins and give Him thanks and praise for His blessings to us. It's all about Him, not about us. For someone to think "I'm only going to church if I can dress how I want" is going for the wrong reason.

To clarify, I don't go to church dressed to impress or to make a fashion statement, I just wear what I do every day. I believe God welcomes me into His presence no matter what my earthly body is covered by. He sees into the soul within it.
 
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MarkRohfrietsch

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To clarify, I don't go to church dressed to impress or to make a fashion statement, I just wear what I do every day. I believe God welcomes me into His presence no matter what my earthly body is covered by. He sees into the soul within it.

I'm old school, so I still wear suit and tie (I'm one of about 12 in a congregation of a couple hundred.

I'd much rather that you came to Church and not have to worry about how others think about how you dress (within reason;)).

God bless you, and welcome to our forum!:)
 
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QuiltAngel

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Thanks very much! Sorry if I posted this thread in the wrong place, I'm still learning which forum is for what.

You did not post in the wrong forum. There are 3 parts to TCL. This part is the main forum where all of us post, no matter what Synod we attend. Then there are the 2 subforums where in the ELCE, etc. one which represents the more liberal side of Lutheranism and the LCMS, etc one which represents the more conservative side of Lutheranism.

Now, while I agree that we should tone done some of what we wear on a daily basis when we attend worship, I am not going to shun someone who doesn't do that. I am thankful when people attend worship as we want to encourage attendance at the service, not discourage it.
 
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DaRev

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And in what manner is that?

Adam and Eve were naked in the garden and they had no problem approaching God.

:doh:

And at that time there were no clothes, so naked would have been appropriate to approach God. But there also was no sin for which to seek God's forgiveness in reverence and humility.

(Here we go again!)
 
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