Blue Jeans

[oberland]

Hi all,
Do you think that in a Sunday church service it is ok for the Preacher to wear jeans.

Oberland

 

[Jupiter Drops]

Yes.

 

[Hospes]

Hi all,
Do you think that in a Sunday church service it is ok for the Preacher to wear jeans.

Oberland

Only if he wears Chacos.

 

[RDKirk]

Hi all,
Do you think that in a Sunday church service it is ok for the Preacher to wear jeans.

Oberland

What country? What's everyone else wearing?

 

[Life2Christ]

Jeans are ok but as I see it preachers are supposed to withhold a higher standard than their parishioners. So if I see a preacher wear jeans in a church (not outside) then I automatically think he has "issues".

 

[SavebyGraceandFaith2013]

Hi all,
Do you think that in a Sunday church service it is ok for the Preacher to wear jeans.

Oberland

I believe when true believers gather, the only requirement in the area of dress that should be binding on our conscience is that of modesty. I believe that as long as an individual is dressed modestly then that's what is pleasing and acceptable to the Lord.

But this applies to the whole person as well and not just the outer clothes. The whole person should be seeking to walk in humility and modesty before others.

So in other words... if the said jeans are just normal inexpensive regular fitting jeans... then they, by my conscience, would be acceptable. No where in the New Testament are we commanded to dress a certain way. In fact the whole man made tradition of wearing you "Sunday best" is actually somewhat anti-scriptural. Because it often entails buying expensive ( costly ) apparel, which includes fine jewelry. Both of which are we are commanded not to do.

But if said jeans are designer jeans and faded just the right way to bring attention or very form fitting to also draw attention etc.. etc.. Then they stop becoming modest apparel.

So it's not necessarily just a certain item of clothing, it's what that clothing is revealing about the person wearing it.

Let me just give on example.... look at some of the newer preachers on YouTube. The young "hipsters". The guys who you know without a doubt spend time in a gym everyday to stay fit. Who also spend time tanning and who pay lots of money for hair cuts and hair products. These guys wear jeans but they are a fashion statement along with their form fitting collared shirt and flip flops. The guys who have everyone's attention and the stage to themselves......

In this example... I would say that the jeans along with the rest of the apparel isn't pleasing and or acceptable to the Lord.

But in another example you have Christians in the midwest gathering together and most of the men are wearing jeans, because that's their normal everyday apparel and they aren't wearing them to "look" cool. In this example that I would say that the jeans are perfectly acceptable.

In His grace and peace,

David

 

[GoodSpeed]

Hi all,
Do you think that in a Sunday church service it is ok for the Preacher to wear jeans.

Oberland

yes.
/thread.

 

[Inkachu]

I agree with SavedByGrace up there ^^^. If it's a casual, relaxed sort of atmosphere, and his clothes aren't showy or obviously trying to be "cool" or "sexy", then sure.

 

[REPHAIAHPEDAHEL]

It's okay for a preacher to wear jeans for a Sunday church service.

 

[Angelfrog]

Yep- wouldn't bat an eyelid at it.

 

[aiki]

You know, in my experience, people evidence the significance of an occasion that they are attending, and their attitude toward it, by their style of dress. At weddings, for instance, all of the men are in suits and the women in dresses. Same goes for funerals. My parent's 50th wedding anniversary celebration had the same dress code, too. Everyone was dressed to the nines; no one showed up in jeans and a t-shirt. It seems very...odd to me, then, that when people gather together formally to worship and praise the God of the universe that they cannot be bothered to dress up a bit. Perhaps this is the principle of familiarity breeding contempt, I don't know. But it doesn't seem right to me to come before the Almighty Maker of Everything for a formal occasion of worship looking like I'm hanging out at the beach. It would be highly inappropriate to attend an audience with the Queen of England dressed casually. The message would be clear: "You aren't worth wearing my best." It seems to me, though, that this is exactly what one is declaring when one shows up at a Sunday service to praise and worship God Himself dressed to watch a ball game.

Does God really care what I'm wearing when I'm at a Sunday service? The Bible tells me that God does not look on the outward appearance, but on the heart. Does this mean I'm off the hook when it comes to what I wear to church? I suppose for some, it probably does. For myself, though, even though there is no explicit biblical mandate for my dress at church, I want to give my best to my Master, not just in my conduct and thought, but also in my dress. And God will look upon my heart and see that my choice of dress reflects my desire to honor Him.

Selah.

 

[Angelfrog]

True that we dress to suit the occasion and our attitude can come out in that- but you could also argue that many churches are trying to move past the image of a formal 'Sunday best' God and help people realise that He is approachable and not meant to be tucked away in a church for once a week worship. He's the God of our everyday lives and maybe dressing in a way that isn't so formal but relaxed helps some to feel that He is bound with everyday 'stuff' and accepts them for who they really are. Special occasions (weddings, baptisms, funerals etc) are diifferent to a normal Sunday service for most, I think.

I can see it both ways.

Personally, I wear all sorts. The vast majority of the time, I'm in jeans, as are most of our congregation. It doesn't denote any lack of respect for God, nor has it ever taken away that sense of awe at being there with our Almighty God.

But I wouldn't turn up in scruffy clothing, either, nor anything inappropriate (too short, too tight, too much cleavage, offensive slogans on T shirts etc...I woudn't wear those anywhere let alone church, though).

In our church you can always spot the dragged- to- church or visitors who don't usually go to church by the fact that they're the ones in suits and ties and the woman in formal clothes- occasionally with hats. The rest of us are very informal- but you couldn't meet a bunch of people who respect God more.

In all honesty, when I think back over the services in different denominations I've attended, I've listened to preachers who wore suits, robes and jeans- and it's always been the message that matters, not the clothes.

 

[Albion]

Depends on the church.

I'd say "no" for most congregations, but if it's one of those that openly caters to poorly dressed persons or announces that it wants worshippers to feel that the worship of Almighty God is no more special than watching a football game--then sure.

 

[Inkachu]

I think we should strive to honor God as well as our brothers and sisters in Christ, by being clean, modest, and presentable. That's going to vary depending on where you attend church, your culture, your financial situation, etc. I don't think "your best" is synonymous with "your most expensive, showy outfit". On the contrary, 1 Timothy 2:9 and 1 Peter 3:3 suggest that we do the opposite. It doesn't say wear trashy, dirty clothing, it says to dress modestly, without showing off or trying to impress anyone around you. I understand that sometimes we think "I'm going into God's house, I need to wear the BEST thing I own!"... but that's a worldly, secular line of thinking IMHO. God doesn't care if you own a $10,000 dress or a tshirt and jeans you picked up at Goodwill. What He cares about is your heart. Yes, be modest, be appropriate, be clean. Beyond that... just stop over-thinking it and go be with God. Honestly, if more people came to church dressed casually, I'd be more comfortable being there. I see way too many tight dresses, short skirts, and plunging necklines for my taste there. Of course, someone who's determined to be "hot" could still find skin-tight clothing of any kind, even in the casual category. Sigh. I guess the overhaul needs to be of the mind and heart.

 

[Inkachu]

Depends on the church.

I'd say "no" for most congregations, but if it's one of those that openly caters to poorly dressed persons or announces that it wants worshippers to feel that the worship of Almighty God is no more special than watching a football game--then sure.

Seriously insulting to millions of your brothers and sisters, dude. Not cool.

 

[Albion]

Seriously insulting to millions of your brothers and sisters, dude. Not cool.

THAT was my own personal opinion. And it's possible that some people of the other persuasion have never looked at it in the way I explained but should. I would also point out that there ARE indeed congregations that announce that they want bikers to come dressed as they usually do or that minister in the slums to the poorest of people. No one expects suits in either of these groups. And yes, some churches or missions do indeed advertise that they want whoever shows up to feel it's just like a bull session or chat with God. I'm sorry, but that qualifies--in my mind--for describing that kind of mindset and service as nothing special. In fact, that's the whole idea...to not intimidate the attendees.

However, I do not mind if you have a different opinion.

.

 

[RDKirk]

I would not wear blue jeans if I were preaching to a congregation in rural Vietnam. Blue jeans are expensive there and worn by the well-to-do who flaunt their wealth.

That's why I asked earlier, "What country" and "What does everyone else wear?"

 

[BFine]

Hi all,
Do you think that in a Sunday church service it is ok for the Preacher to wear jeans.

Oberland

*My personal opinion on the matter is no, but I don't force
my opinion on others nor do I disrespect my minister for
wearing jeans.
Also...
I don't like to see the choir in shorty-shorts/micro dresses/skirts and
those half tops on during Sunday service either.

I pray about these things and as of late, the choir has been wearing
more clothing and my minister has been wearing dress slacks more often--
I thanked the Lord for "working behind the scenes on this matter."

 

[seashale76]

This dilemma is solved in Orthodox parishes all over the world during liturgical services- no matter how poor the priest is. They wear vestments. It's a set wardrobe. We see our priests as icons of Christ, who serve at God's altar. It's one of the things that distinguishes the fact that we are participating in the worship of the Kingdom of Heaven.

Outside of the liturgy they wear cassocks- and they are even told what types of clothing they can wear- in the US they generally go out wearing black clothes with a white collar. We like to know who our priests, deacons, bishops, and monastics are.

It's so important to us that the priests who were imprisoned at Dachau made their own makeshift vestments out of what they had on hand before performing the Paschal liturgy in 1945.

 

[MercyandFaith]

Seriously insulting to millions of your brothers and sisters, dude. Not cool.

I don't find his statement insulting in the least, but rather, a critique of the casual attitude that many people have towards worship.


(I say this as someone who frequently wears casual clothing to church; this thread has made me wonder, too, about my own attitude about worship)