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This is not about God but us and that is not an excuse, this is America where you can get clothing for nothing. It's funny how we can afford computers, High Def LCD, Xbox etc....but all of a sudden clothes are too expensive.
I don't even know what High Def LCD is and my computer is a rebuild. My 16 YO does have an Xbox, but he bought it with his own money that he saved for several years. I'm also not sure where I would get "pretty dresses" for free?
Now, I have never dressed scantily for church, but that is only my opinion. I am sure there are people in the congregation who look at me and might have a different opinion. We have several different services at my church. 7:30 AM seems to be the older generation...the dress casual nice. 10:00 AM is a mix of family and again, older generation. You will find a mix of dresses, down to jeans. Noon is Spanish Mass. I have seen that service also run the gammit. 5:00 PM is usually the youth, because they have youth group later that evening. They dress very casual and certainly some of them dress in a manner that I would not allow my children (whether at church or on the playground), but I also think that it is wonderful to see young people at church. I am sure that this is an issue that we will not agree on. I know I allow my girls to wear jeans (), but they are not allowed to wear hatertops. I was brought up wearing my "Sunday best". Getting dressed up was what going to church was all about. Of course, maybe that was because we only went at Christmas and Easter. I believe that going to church is about worshipping God, not about impressing my fellow parishoners with the latest fashion.
When new to an area and looking for a church, I used to put on a nice shirt and clean sneekers.
But I'd wear jeans and a rather patched up black denim jacket.
My intention was to see if I was judged by my clothes.
Even in churches where women wore head coverings, I felt welcomed.
"But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers.
"God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth." John 4:23,24
As for modesty, we shouldn’t lead others into temptation.
Standards for the actual service?
Prayer, teaching from Scripture, edification and encouragement, admonishment as needed, praise in song and word and even dance, and the Lord’s supper.
Special presentations are good too.
Very interesting thread. This was an issue at my former church. (UPC) It would be just shocking for me to walk in the church in any pair of pants, but women on the platform wore skirts a hair above the knee and hooker hose! (Fishnet) with super high heels on too! What happened to not judging????
I don't even know what High Def LCD is and my computer is a rebuild. My 16 YO does have an Xbox, but he bought it with his own money that he saved for several years. I'm also not sure where I would get "pretty dresses" for free?
Now, I have never dressed scantily for church, but that is only my opinion. I am sure there are people in the congregation who look at me and might have a different opinion. We have several different services at my church. 7:30 AM seems to be the older generation...the dress casual nice. 10:00 AM is a mix of family and again, older generation. You will find a mix of dresses, down to jeans. Noon is Spanish Mass. I have seen that service also run the gammit. 5:00 PM is usually the youth, because they have youth group later that evening. They dress very casual and certainly some of them dress in a manner that I would not allow my children (whether at church or on the playground), but I also think that it is wonderful to see young people at church. I am sure that this is an issue that we will not agree on. I know I allow my girls to wear jeans (), but they are not allowed to wear hatertops. I was brought up wearing my "Sunday best". Getting dressed up was what going to church was all about. Of course, maybe that was because we only went at Christmas and Easter. I believe that going to church is about worshipping God, not about impressing my fellow parishoners with the latest fashion.
It is respect, not impressing anyone. The question how would you dress if you were invited to the White House? or an anniversary dinner with your wife to a nice restaurant?
I personally don't care what people wear to church but you have to admit ALL the reasons for dressing down on entering God's House is absolutely weak.
I know where you are coming from. I was once a 1611 KJV-only fundamentalist Baptist......
My point is not to be into legalism but we should still dress at least like we would for jury duty. You wouldn't show up for jury duty in a t-shirt and jeans so why would you do that in church? It is about showing the same respect for the Lord as you would for man.
There are thrift stores and other used clothing stores where people can find decent clothing for affordable prices.
Question-Why not just show for church in pajamas, bathing suits, sweatpants, flip-flops or anything else that is convenient?
Answer-Because we are supposed to be an example for the unsaved. If we don't even care enough to dress properly for church, how will anyone take our faith seriously?........
"I personally don't care what people wear to church but you have to admit ALL the reasons for dressing down on entering God's House is absolutely weak."
In the first place, It is not "God'sHouse" !!!!! God does not live in houses built by hands.
" However, the Most High does not dwell in temples made with hands, as the prophet says:
'Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool. What house will you build for Me? says the Lord," Acts 7.48 & 49.
And in the second place, if you were meeting in your own home would you dress up for the assembly???
Is "dressing down" the opposite of "dressing up" ? If so, who said we should " dress down" ???
Please show me a scripture that says we should all be in fine apparel. 'I can find nothing at all as to how men are to 'dress', but in 1 Timothy the women are told to " adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing."
The concept of what is appropriate to wear is a human doctrine, not a scriptural one. Back in the days of the early disciples, even men did not wear trousers! ALL, both male and female, wore robes. And each of them may have had only one 'good' robe.
I suppose if I’d showed up… (a stranger to a congregation who didn’t know if I was saved or anything), it wouldn’t have been acceptable.
It was my way to determine if my clothes mattered or if I was valued as a human being despite my attire. (I did have a nice shirt and clean sneekers)
If I was shunned, then I'd know that people were only looking on the surface and placing importance on having the appearance of acceptability.
I was not disappointed, those times when I chose to do this, but I have not been to THAT many churches.
No. I didn't continue wearing jeans after that - nor did I wear a suit and tie.
Please do not take this as advice to dress down.
<sigh>
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), but they are not allowed to wear hatertops. I was brought up wearing my "Sunday best". Getting dressed up was what going to church was all about. Of course, maybe that was because we only went at Christmas and Easter. I believe that going to church is about worshipping God, not about impressing my fellow parishoners with the latest fashion.
