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Clothes you Wear to Church - 6/13/2008 11:32:47 AM
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MrFribbles
Posts: 963
Joined: 1/29/2007
From: Hawaii, but I've moved around since then
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In another thread, someone made the claim that it would be wrong to wear casual clothes to church instead of more formal clothing -
quote:
The same goes for wearing tee shirts and blue jeans to church (if you do indeed own better clothing).
My question is, what are your thoughts about the clothes we wear to church? Is there a biblical mandate?
I'm more interested in the casual vs. formal discussion, not so much the modesty issue, but if you want to discuss that, then go for it!
_____________________________
Reason is the natural order of truth; but imagination is the organ of meaning.
-C. S. Lewis
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RE: Clothes you Wear to Church - 6/13/2008 11:37:52 AM
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elastic
Posts: 2628
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From: NYC
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my current church is very casual...the preacher himself mostly wears blue jeans and flip flops.
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. that's what God looks at. God doesn't care if you wear a suit or a tie, or fancy hat.
and off topic, I love your avatar MrFribbles...black adder is one of my favourite britcoms.
_____________________________
I am always here, unless I am somewhere else.
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RE: Clothes you Wear to Church - 6/13/2008 11:46:50 AM
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1love1God1way
Posts: 2003
Joined: 5/16/2005
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I just finished reading "No Perfect People Allowed" by John Burke.
It's about the need to create a "come as you are" culture in the church.
While I didn't agree with all of his theology, I think he is absolutely correct that loving people means to love them where they are at, and not trying to change them before they are allowed to come in.
I'm staff right now at a mega church, and I am required to dress up most days, and it frustrates me. It's not what I grew up in. It's not me. I have to change who I am before I can enter in and be accepted.
And it's really not just staff. The entire church is dressy. I don't know how they would handle some kid coming in with his skating clothes on or something.
_____________________________
-Ben-
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RE: Clothes you Wear to Church - 6/13/2008 12:08:04 PM
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JimboFletch
Posts: 5842
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I used to wear coat & tie on Sunday mornings, more casual Sunday evenings, and even more casual on Wednesdays and other events.
One day my teenage son asked me why I wore the coat & tie on Sunday mornings but not the rest of the week. After realizing my reasons were not really valid, just tradition, I very seldom wear a tie any more.
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RE: Clothes you Wear to Church - 6/13/2008 12:17:38 PM
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stellaluna
Posts: 3543
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I wear whatever I want, as do most people attending. (If it's 100 degrees outside, you'll see a lot of shorts; snowing brings out the bundled up people.)
Our preaching minister does also mostly wear blue jeans. No one cares.
_____________________________
CW Underground
"In one century, we went from teaching Greek and Latin in lower schools to teaching remedial English in colleges."
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RE: Clothes you Wear to Church - 6/13/2008 12:20:17 PM
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LCannon
Posts: 1271
Joined: 2/22/2007
From: Lebanon, OR
Status: online
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My preference is just that; my preference. Regardless of the pastor(s) or the other congregates, I wear a shirt/tie/jacket/slacks and continue to stand for civility and order if only for myself.
_____________________________
"Many of our prayers are for an easy solution. God is more glorifed in Him
when souls exhibit His Grace under pressure." -Elisabeth Elliot-
"But at my stumbling they gathered in glee...[but]How long, O Lord,
wilt thou look on?" -Psalms 35:15-
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RE: Clothes you Wear to Church - 6/13/2008 12:48:45 PM
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davemiller7
Posts: 721
Joined: 3/5/2008
From: NC via NY
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Thank you (I guess) for introducing my words from another forum. For those of you who don't know, it is the Rock and Roll forum. Now that you have, let me try to explain my feelings on the matter. The "world" today dresses in tee shirts, blue jeans and flip flops (very casual) and there's nothing wrong with this. And by the way, I didn't say "causal clothes," I said "tee shirts and blue jeans."
God did not send us His "everyday" Son with a "that's good enough" attitude. He sent us His very best, One who was to die for our "that's good enough" sins. Supposedly, anyway, we go to church to honor and praise God, in addition to learning His will for us. I don't believe that God will dishonor us because we don't wear "good" clothes to church, but............... Is it honoring and praising Him if we don't care enough to at least dress in something besides the clothes we wear to work or play? Is it too uncomfortable to wear "good" clothes for a couple of hours, once or twice a week? It wasn't too uncomfortable for Jesus when He was hanging on the cross, bleeding and dying for our sins was it? I don't think there is any comparison!
God sent us His very best. Can't we at least dress as though we appreciate what He has given us, and done for us, and will continue to do for us? I'm sure He won't deny us access to Heaven if we don't dress up a little bit and just show up at church in our "cleanest dirty shirt," to quote Kristofferson's song. I just like to present myself a little better than that, just to show my appreciation to HIM.
-Dave
quote:
ORIGINAL: MrFribbles
In another thread, someone made the claim that it would be wrong to wear casual clothes to church instead of more formal clothing -
quote:
The same goes for wearing tee shirts and blue jeans to church (if you do indeed own better clothing).
My question is, what are your thoughts about the clothes we wear to church? Is there a biblical mandate?
I'm more interested in the casual vs. formal discussion, not so much the modesty issue, but if you want to discuss that, then go for it!
_____________________________
The Prayer of Protection
The light of God surrounds me,
The love of God enfolds me,
The power of God protects me,
The presence of God watches over me.
Wherever I am, God is.
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RE: Clothes you Wear to Church - 6/13/2008 12:51:37 PM
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1love1God1way
Posts: 2003
Joined: 5/16/2005
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God sent us his very best. . .
. . .in the form of a ragged son of a carpenter, lower class, dust in his beard, average looking man.
_____________________________
-Ben-
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RE: Clothes you Wear to Church - 6/13/2008 12:55:03 PM
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JimboFletch
Posts: 5842
Joined: 4/11/2005
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quote:
God sent us His very best. Can't we at least dress as though we appreciate what He has given us, and done for us, and will continue to do for us? I'm sure He won't deny us access to Heaven if we don't dress up a little bit and just show up at church in our "cleanest dirty shirt," to quote Kristofferson's song. I just like to present myself a little better than that, just to show my appreciation to HIM.
Dave, do you wear your Sunday best for each and every service or just Sunday morning?
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RE: Clothes you Wear to Church - 6/13/2008 12:58:57 PM
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rcjames
Posts: 5054
Joined: 7/15/2005
From: Oklahoma
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Our Church has a wide variety of clothes on Sunday morning, though mostly casual.
As for me I wear blue jeans, a pull over golf shirt a pair of cowboy boots; and I am the Pastor.
Thanks
RC
_____________________________
Just a country Preacher's humble opinion
Read the first chapter of my latest book here;
http://www.deliveranceofsara.com
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RE: Clothes you Wear to Church - 6/13/2008 1:01:00 PM
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rcjames
Posts: 5054
Joined: 7/15/2005
From: Oklahoma
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quote:
ORIGINAL: LCannon
My preference is just that; my preference. Regardless of the pastor(s) or the other congregates, I wear a shirt/tie/jacket/slacks and continue to stand for civility and order if only for myself.
I really do not see where a coat and tie is indicitive of civility and order; tradition maybe, but civility and order?
Please explain.
Thanks
RC
edited for spelling
< Message edited by rcjames -- 6/13/2008 1:07:35 PM >
_____________________________
Just a country Preacher's humble opinion
Read the first chapter of my latest book here;
http://www.deliveranceofsara.com
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RE: Clothes you Wear to Church - 6/13/2008 1:02:53 PM
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1love1God1way
Posts: 2003
Joined: 5/16/2005
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: rcjames
quote:
ORIGINAL: LCannon
My preference is just that; my preference. Regardless of the pastor(s) or the other congregates, I wear a shirt/tie/jacket/slacks and continue to stand for civility and order if only for myself.
I really do not see where a coat and tie is indicitive of civility and order; tradition maybe, but civility and order?
Please explain.
Thanks
RC
edited for spelling
You know. . .like. . . James Bond.
_____________________________
-Ben-
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RE: Clothes you Wear to Church - 6/13/2008 1:04:10 PM
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BerianAardvark
Posts: 371
Joined: 5/10/2008
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My brethren, do not hold your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with an attitude of personal favoritism. For if a man comes into your assembly with a gold ring and dressed in fine clothes, and there also comes in a poor man in dirty clothes, and you pay special attention to the one who is wearing the fine clothes, and say, "You sit here in a good place," and you say to the poor man, "You stand over there, or sit down by my footstool," have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil motives? (James 2:1-4)
Likewise, I want women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly garments, but rather by means of good works, as is proper for women making a claim to godliness. (1 Timothy 2:9-10)
Looks to me the condition of the heart is more important than dressiness of the clothing.
Tim
_____________________________
The Law is for the proud and the Gospel for the brokenhearted - Martin Luther
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RE: Clothes you Wear to Church - 6/13/2008 1:16:20 PM
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LCannon
Posts: 1271
Joined: 2/22/2007
From: Lebanon, OR
Status: online
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quote:
civility and order
I knew I would rankle some sensibilities<teehee>but I will stand, after all(most) all news anchors wear a tie as part of their 'uniform' of authority, civility and order; why can't I?
_____________________________
"Many of our prayers are for an easy solution. God is more glorifed in Him
when souls exhibit His Grace under pressure." -Elisabeth Elliot-
"But at my stumbling they gathered in glee...[but]How long, O Lord,
wilt thou look on?" -Psalms 35:15-
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RE: Clothes you Wear to Church - 6/13/2008 2:03:55 PM
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doinkdom
Posts: 3861
Joined: 4/12/2005
From: The higher lowcountry
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Our type of clothing is purely tradition and cultural relevance and nothing to do with what the bible says about corporate worship.
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RE: Clothes you Wear to Church - 6/13/2008 2:05:07 PM
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davemiller7
Posts: 721
Joined: 3/5/2008
From: NC via NY
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: JimboFletch
quote:
God sent us His very best. Can't we at least dress as though we appreciate what He has given us, and done for us, and will continue to do for us? I'm sure He won't deny us access to Heaven if we don't dress up a little bit and just show up at church in our "cleanest dirty shirt," to quote Kristofferson's song. I just like to present myself a little better than that, just to show my appreciation to HIM.
Dave, do you wear your Sunday best for each and every service or just Sunday morning?
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.
quote:
ORIGINAL: rcjames
Our Church has a wide variety of clothes on Sunday morning, though mostly casual.
As for me I wear blue jeans, a pull over golf shirt a pair of cowboy boots; and I am the Pastor.
Thanks
RC
Your church, your privilege, RC.
quote:
ORIGINAL: 1love1God1way
God sent us his very best. . .
. . .in the form of a ragged son of a carpenter, lower class, dust in his beard, average looking man.
And you missed my point entirely. Jesus may have had dust in His beard, and His physical appearance may have been ordinary, but He was far greater than anyone you or I can even imagine. So, if that's the way you choose to feel about our Lord and Savior, your privilege also.
It's not that I'm trying to impress God, any of the congregation, or anyone else for that matter. We go to church to honor and praise God, our Creator, His Son Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, and The Holy Spirit, sent to guide, direct, and comfort us. Yes, we can do that in tee shirts and blue jeans, 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.
_____________________________
The Prayer of Protection
The light of God surrounds me,
The love of God enfolds me,
The power of God protects me,
The presence of God watches over me.
Wherever I am, God is.
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RE: Clothes you Wear to Church - 6/13/2008 2:06:16 PM
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BerianAardvark
Posts: 371
Joined: 5/10/2008
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: LCannon
quote:
civility and order
I knew I would rankle some sensibilities<teehee>but I will stand, after all(most) all news anchors wear a tie as part of their 'uniform' of authority, civility and order; why can't I?
As I understand the OP the question was:quote:
My question is, what are your thoughts about the clothes we wear to church? Is there a biblical mandate?
You may stand as you choose, but when you make forms and formality of dress mandatory for the congregation are you not judging by externals and falling under the injunction of James 2:1-4?
Tim
_____________________________
The Law is for the proud and the Gospel for the brokenhearted - Martin Luther
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RE: Clothes you Wear to Church - 6/13/2008 2:08:44 PM
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doinkdom
Posts: 3861
Joined: 4/12/2005
From: The higher lowcountry
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If we really want to worship God in truth of who we are, we should just strip it all off and stand before Him naked without the facade of who we think we are.
Cause that's what He sees. 
_____________________________
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RE: Clothes you Wear to Church - 6/13/2008 2:11:27 PM
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fiat_lux
Posts: 305
Joined: 5/21/2005
From: Ottawa
Status: offline
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quote:
God did not send us His "everyday" Son with a "that's good enough" attitude. He sent us His very best, One who was to die for our "that's good enough" sins. Supposedly, anyway, we go to church to honor and praise God, in addition to learning His will for us. I don't believe that God will dishonor us because we don't wear "good" clothes to church, but............... Is it honoring and praising Him if we don't care enough to at least dress in something besides the clothes we wear to work or play? Is it too uncomfortable to wear "good" clothes for a couple of hours, once or twice a week? It wasn't too uncomfortable for Jesus when He was hanging on the cross, bleeding and dying for our sins was it? I don't think there is any comparison!
First, what I'm about to say is my own conclusion on the matter; I'm not judging yours and I respect that you see this as a way of honouring God, something which is important for both of us. I respect you for thinking this through and seeing this as a way of honouring God - I'm pretty sure there are a lot of churchgoers who haven't done this thinking.
In my mind, however, I honour God in my heart and through my actions; to me, a focus on appearance and attire risks implying that I'm honouring outward forms and appearances which may look good but don't really matter one way or the other to the gospel or to my relationship with God. Plus, my service to God doesn't begin or end on Sunday mornings, so either I should always be dressed very well, or I should put less of a focus on being dressed well at all times, not just Sunday mornings. I choose the latter.
You're right that God sent us his only Son, but he sent that Son in the attire of a working-class labourer (carpenter). Some of those labourers today (myself included, at some points in my life) don't actually own suits, and if someone has to choose between buying a suit they don't really need and spending the money on something more worthy, I'd personally suggest they choose the second option.
I should note the latter goes only so far as being more casual - I wouldn't wear clothing that I thought might be offensive or provocative in a given situation.
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RE: Clothes you Wear to Church - 6/13/2008 2:44:02 PM
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JimboFletch
Posts: 5842
Joined: 4/11/2005
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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.
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RE: Clothes you Wear to Church - 6/13/2008 2:56:17 PM
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elastic
Posts: 2628
Joined: 4/15/2005
From: NYC
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quote:
I try to dress better than tee shirts and blue jeans
for some folks, tee shirts and jeans might be the best they have, or the best they can afford.
_____________________________
I am always here, unless I am somewhere else.
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RE: Clothes you Wear to Church - 6/13/2008 3:10:10 PM
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rcjames
Posts: 5054
Joined: 7/15/2005
From: Oklahoma
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: LCannon
quote:
civility and order
I knew I would rankle some sensibilities<teehee>but I will stand, after all(most) all news anchors wear a tie as part of their 'uniform' of authority, civility and order; why can't I?
Didn't rankle anything of mine, I was just hoping to get clarification on civility and order, of which I did not get.
All we got is that we have to look like Larry King to be civil and in order.
Go figure.
Thsnks
RC
_____________________________
Just a country Preacher's humble opinion
Read the first chapter of my latest book here;
http://www.deliveranceofsara.com
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