How should the church respond to a professing Christian man who wears an earring and wants to become a member of the assembly?
Forum category
Poll Results
How should the church respond to a professing Christian man who wears an earring and wants to become a member of the assembly?
Let him join and fully participate in the ministry. Votes: 24
Let him join, but limit his participation in the ministry (no leadership or teaching rolls). Votes: 5
Deny him membership. Votes: 0
Deny him membership and continually confront him about his sin until he either gets rid of the earring or leaves. Votes: 2
- 135 views
I’d want to know why he has an earring. IMO that would be a deciding factor for limiting his participation in ministry, or anyone else who exhibits any kind of questionable/excessive behavior/appearance. I have no problem with a church having a dress code of sorts for those in leadership and teaching roles.
I have never had a teaching roll though- are they easy to make and tasty? :p
I have never had a teaching roll though- are they easy to make and tasty? :p
I would hound him about it until he joined a C/E church across town! :)
Then I would use him as a sermon illustration
Then I would use him as a sermon illustration
[Jim Peet] I would hound him about it until he joined a C/E church across town! :)Okay, now that right there is funny!
Then I would use him as a sermon illustration
INACIAS
They came, both men and women, as many as had a willing heart, and brought earrings and nose rings, rings and necklaces, all jewelry of gold, that is, every man who made an offering of gold to the LORD. (Exodus 35:22)
Therefore we have brought an offering for the LORD, what every man found of ornaments of gold: armlets and bracelets and signet rings and earrings and necklaces, to make atonement for ourselves before the LORD.” (Numbers 31:50)
I used have two earrings almost 20 years ago. The main reason I pierced it was because I liked how it looked, but I do have to admit it was my way of flaunting my Christian liberty. I am so glad that those who discipled me did not make a big deal of it because eventually I grew out of that stage as I matured and got older in life.
[Jim Peet]There were all kinds of things that weren’t “a big deal” in the OT. I’d be very hesitant to use the OT to either justify or condemn or create a doctrinal stance on appearance. IOW, we can’t toss out Duet 22:5 as irrelevant in a discussion about women wearing suits and ties or pants and then embrace Ex. 35:22 in a discussion about men wearing jewelry.They came, both men and women, as many as had a willing heart, and brought earrings and nose rings, rings and necklaces, all jewelry of gold, that is, every man who made an offering of gold to the LORD. (Exodus 35:22)Therefore we have brought an offering for the LORD, what every man found of ornaments of gold: armlets and bracelets and signet rings and earrings and necklaces, to make atonement for ourselves before the LORD.” (Numbers 31:50)
I think Joel hit it on the head- his reasons for wearing jewelry were founded in an attitude of rebellion, so to speak. Compassion, solid teaching, and time took care of his attitude, which resulted in a change of behavior. There’s a guy who wears a bracelet with the name of his unsaved son engraved on it as a sort of vow and reminder to pray for his salvation. A preacher back home in WV took a vow and stopped shaving his beard as an expression of his grief because his son left his wife for another man (yeah, you read that right). So while a bracelet or long beard on one guy is a show of rebellion or vanity, on someone else it could be a symbol of a prayer burden.
Of course, every choice needs to fall within the realm of clear Biblical principle and reason. I’d not take kindly to someone who vowed not to bathe or brush their teeth, KWIM?
The same principle (of getting at the ‘why’ of something) can apply to those things we associate with conservative Christianity though. Just because someone doesn’t wear jewelry or make-up or go to movies etc.., or they choose to wear dresses, have long hair, or homeschool- none of that means they have a Godly reasoning and attitude backing up their choices. Proper discipling and choosing folks for leadership and teaching roles involves honest and trusting relationships that allow one to get to the heart of the matter.
Are those who think earrings on men are sinful basing that on the idea that earrings are worldly and worldliness is sin?
I found Joel’s comment about the spiritual maturity factor interesting and insightful. I don’t want to turn this into a music discussion, but Joel’s comment about maturity leading to an abandonment of earrings reminded me of a statement I read from a pastor who was being criticized for the style of music used in his church. He defended the use of rock-style music by saying that their target audience was seekers and new Christians. This seems to me that he was implying that spiritually immature people prefer that type of music. If young men wearing earrings is a sign of spiritual immaturity that they can eventually grow out of, then it seems that rock-style music in church is a sign of spiritual immaturity that people can grow out of. However, this wouldn’t be as simple as taking out one’s earrings; it would require someone to switch churches or else change the music in their own church in order to live out their maturity.
Jim, stop chasing those earring wearers our way, would ya? :bigsmile:
Susan, I bet a teaching roll is dry and flaky. :p
I found Joel’s comment about the spiritual maturity factor interesting and insightful. I don’t want to turn this into a music discussion, but Joel’s comment about maturity leading to an abandonment of earrings reminded me of a statement I read from a pastor who was being criticized for the style of music used in his church. He defended the use of rock-style music by saying that their target audience was seekers and new Christians. This seems to me that he was implying that spiritually immature people prefer that type of music. If young men wearing earrings is a sign of spiritual immaturity that they can eventually grow out of, then it seems that rock-style music in church is a sign of spiritual immaturity that people can grow out of. However, this wouldn’t be as simple as taking out one’s earrings; it would require someone to switch churches or else change the music in their own church in order to live out their maturity.
Jim, stop chasing those earring wearers our way, would ya? :bigsmile:
Susan, I bet a teaching roll is dry and flaky. :p
If young men wearing earrings is a sign of spiritual immaturity that they can eventually grow out of, then it seems that rock-style music in church is a sign of spiritual immaturity that people can grow out of.My reason for wearing earrings was much different than several of my unchurched background hip-hop culture guy students that wear it purely for fashion, not rebellion. For me, I grew up with a fundy background, went to a fundy college (although it turned CE right after I graduated) and then got my earrings right after I graduated from college. Again I really like how it looked more than anything, but deep down it was a subtle way to poke a legalistic fundy in the eye. My urban students have never been in a context where earrings were looked down on like me so they don’t even know that it would be rebellion. Many of them are fitted with earrings when they are a child by their parents so their cultural context is much much different. For them, I don’t see it as immaturity to grow out of like it was for me. I would say the same for music.
Ask him where he got it done because you are looking for a quality source for your next one.
INACIAS
I knew they were old enough to no longer need an allowance.
By the way they both outgrew the fad. The 2nd one when he joined the Marines. The oldest one when the second one told him he looked like a f**ry
By the way they both outgrew the fad. The 2nd one when he joined the Marines. The oldest one when the second one told him he looked like a f**ry
I was wondering what the reply from the general audience would be for this one. I have to say that I am a little surprised.
I, personally, don’t like guys wearing earrings, or much in the way of jewelry at all for that matter. But since this is a question about what should be done in the church, my opinion is pretty much useless, since only Bible matters when dealing with that.
I don’t see any real biblical passages dealing with this, other than the basic idea that men and women should dress in a manner than is obviously different (even though how that was done in OT times when everyone pretty much had the same robe-ish look is beyond me).
I have to agree that a lot of it comes down to attitude, in my mind. Not to branch off or start a fight on another topic, but; the best immediate example that comes to me is style of dress for the church. My church does not have a dress code, but we do emphasize the importance of reverence in our worship and giving our best for God. For some of us, that means a sport coat and tie every Sunday (that’s me), and for some of us, that means a polo shirt. As long as they can wear it in good conscience, it’s fine with me.
There is a young couple in my church, both reasonably new converts to Christianity, where the husband has a pierced ear. I have never seen him wear an earring, but I have been tempted to ask about it. I would imagine he doesn’t wear an earring since it was something that has to do with his old (very rough) lifestyle, and he has flushed everything to do with that.
I, personally, don’t like guys wearing earrings, or much in the way of jewelry at all for that matter. But since this is a question about what should be done in the church, my opinion is pretty much useless, since only Bible matters when dealing with that.
I don’t see any real biblical passages dealing with this, other than the basic idea that men and women should dress in a manner than is obviously different (even though how that was done in OT times when everyone pretty much had the same robe-ish look is beyond me).
I have to agree that a lot of it comes down to attitude, in my mind. Not to branch off or start a fight on another topic, but; the best immediate example that comes to me is style of dress for the church. My church does not have a dress code, but we do emphasize the importance of reverence in our worship and giving our best for God. For some of us, that means a sport coat and tie every Sunday (that’s me), and for some of us, that means a polo shirt. As long as they can wear it in good conscience, it’s fine with me.
There is a young couple in my church, both reasonably new converts to Christianity, where the husband has a pierced ear. I have never seen him wear an earring, but I have been tempted to ask about it. I would imagine he doesn’t wear an earring since it was something that has to do with his old (very rough) lifestyle, and he has flushed everything to do with that.
What would you do if a young woman with a nose ring wanted to worship God with you? Serious question
Worship God.
[A.M. Mallett] What would you do if a young woman with a nose ring wanted to worship God with you? Serious questionUm….I’m curious why this question even needs to be asked. What are the only truly biblical bases for telling someone that they’re not welcome to worship with us? If there’s any uncertainty about my answer to the question, well, there would be no question…it wouldn’t enter my mind.
Modern church culture appears to have divided the folks into 4 groups- those who are visiting or attend but have not committed to church membership, church members, lay workers, and official leadership. There are different ‘requirements’, so to speak, for each group. We don’t really expect anything of those who attend without being members, a certain amount of agreement with the doctrines and standards of the church from members, and then higher standards of doctrine and conduct for those who have some teaching or leadership roles, with the pastor and his family living in the goldfish bowl.
The Biblical underpinnings of these categories is the big question that we should be asking ourselves.
The Biblical underpinnings of these categories is the big question that we should be asking ourselves.
My short answer a couple of comments ago was based on experience. I have sat/stood next to a woman younger than me during a church service who had a diamond stud in her nose and flower tattoo on her foot. For a time, this person was a member of the church and also filled teaching roles for children and other women. It was never a question as to whether or not I should worship with this person.
To Susan’s point: I once heard it said by a speaker (I think it was D.A. Carson) that all of the requirements for pastors given in 1 Tim. 3 can be found elsewhere in scripture as conduct requirements of all believers — except for being “apt to teach.” Of course, “husband of one wife” would apply to women as “wife of one husband.”
To Susan’s point: I once heard it said by a speaker (I think it was D.A. Carson) that all of the requirements for pastors given in 1 Tim. 3 can be found elsewhere in scripture as conduct requirements of all believers — except for being “apt to teach.” Of course, “husband of one wife” would apply to women as “wife of one husband.”
[Brenda T] To Susan’s point: I once heard it said by a speaker (I think it was D.A. Carson) that all of the requirements for pastors given in 1 Tim. 3 can be found elsewhere in scripture as conduct requirements of all believers — except for being “apt to teach.” Of course, “husband of one wife” would apply to women as “wife of one husband.”Very true, but we don’t make those requirements a ticket for admittance, so to speak. We usually only apply those measures to those who hold an ‘official’ position in the church. I do believe, however, that we breed a certain amount of hypocrisy, and possibly contribute to personality worship, in expecting such high standards for leadership, but not in the laity. Not to say that high standards don’t apply to leadership, because obviously there IS a Biblical standard for leadership, not the least of which is the additional accountability to God. It’s a conundrum, because on the one hand we say that we should not place any ‘pressure’ on the laity to meet Biblical standards of conduct because that’s legalistic, but yet if leadership is truly leading, admonishing, teaching, edifying, rebuking… then further sanctification should be taking place.
http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys.php] http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-sick004.gif
[BryanBice]I ask the question because if a ring in the ear might offend, I surmise that a ring in the nose would offend even more greatly among some. However, such jewelry are cultural rather than indicative of the heart. Some cultures find it attractive including the culture of Abraham and the Israelites. We see it in our western pop culture among the youth predominantly. I do not find it attractive for my part but some might. For those who object, how comfortable would you be among the children of Abraham in David’s day? We tend to project our very limited cultural worldview upon others and judge them accordingly.[A.M. Mallett] What would you do if a young woman with a nose ring wanted to worship God with you? Serious questionUm….I’m curious why this question even needs to be asked. What are the only truly biblical bases for telling someone that they’re not welcome to worship with us? If there’s any uncertainty about my answer to the question, well, there would be no question…it wouldn’t enter my mind.
Yes, Susan, we agree. We do appear to often have double standards where the Bible does not. We expect less from some than what the Bible expects and we expect more from others than what the Bible expects.
By the way I’m smiley-challenged and can’t tell what that smiley is doing at the bottom of your comment. :~
By the way I’m smiley-challenged and can’t tell what that smiley is doing at the bottom of your comment. :~
Fainting. Maybe this one would have better. http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys.php] http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-sick014.gif
Regarding earrings and Israelite culture, I believe Dr. Bauder’s most recent article addresses that. Some may think that we should not have a problem with earrings in various parts of the face or head, because cultures in the Old Testament did that. But, if I understand Bauder’s article correctly, just because it was a practice or pattern in the Old Testament does not make it an acceptable principle to follow today.
Good Grief!! The guy wears an ear ring. So what? Is he clean? Why any guy would want to wear something like that is another story, but he does, and all the little busy bodies need to mind their own business. His relationship is with Christ, not some fallible human that may not wear an ear ring, but is addicted to drugs or something else.
It should be a non-issue.
It should be a non-issue.
I voted for the first option of letting him participate fully in ministry - however, a lot more investigating would have to take place before any man who comes into the Church (earring or no earring) joins and fully participates in the ministry, including (and especially) leadership roles (though active ministry, as we define ministry [is our current usage of the word ministry a biblical one?] is leadership). While we hound on the man who is wearing an earring until he joins the C/E church across town (I get the humor, but I am not inclined to enjoy this kind of joking, personal preference), the ravenous wolves dressed in sheep clothing slip by unawares and destroy fellowships from the inside out by pitting believers against one another until the candle is completely extinguished.
Questions I would ask about the man wearing the earring, and of any other man:
1. Is he a man governed by and walking in accordance with the Holy Spirit and the Word of God?
2. Is he spiritually mature and able to teach or lead in the particular area of ministry that he desires to fill?
3. What are his qualifications (in accordance to Scripture - not man) for the ministry that he seeks to fill?
4. Why does he wear the earring? Does he consider it to be an issue of Christian liberty? How does he support his view?
5. Is he willing to consider the weaker brothers who find the earring offensive and consider their spiritual walk in place of what he believes to be his Christian liberty? (Determined most likely by the answer to the first question.)
Are we more focused on the outside appearance than the inward relationship with God? While we pit ourselves against each other, the world around us laughs its way straight to hell.
Matthew Shipman
Questions I would ask about the man wearing the earring, and of any other man:
1. Is he a man governed by and walking in accordance with the Holy Spirit and the Word of God?
2. Is he spiritually mature and able to teach or lead in the particular area of ministry that he desires to fill?
3. What are his qualifications (in accordance to Scripture - not man) for the ministry that he seeks to fill?
4. Why does he wear the earring? Does he consider it to be an issue of Christian liberty? How does he support his view?
5. Is he willing to consider the weaker brothers who find the earring offensive and consider their spiritual walk in place of what he believes to be his Christian liberty? (Determined most likely by the answer to the first question.)
Are we more focused on the outside appearance than the inward relationship with God? While we pit ourselves against each other, the world around us laughs its way straight to hell.
Matthew Shipman
I am a little amused that this is even a question. I know moms who pierce the ears of their infant boys! An earring often means very little today. Why would anyone refuse membership to a person JUST because of an earring?? The only qualifications I have ever heard of are salvation and baptism.
If we are going to refuse membership based on an earring, what about an ankle bracelet, a toe ring, should the church start asking if private parts are tattooed or pierced? Seriously - if there is a problem with the ear being pierced, wouldn’t it bother you more to know that other parts are pierced too?
Denying membership or even leadership SOLELY based on an earring, well, I just don’t see any biblical basis for that.
If we are going to refuse membership based on an earring, what about an ankle bracelet, a toe ring, should the church start asking if private parts are tattooed or pierced? Seriously - if there is a problem with the ear being pierced, wouldn’t it bother you more to know that other parts are pierced too?
Denying membership or even leadership SOLELY based on an earring, well, I just don’t see any biblical basis for that.
indicates that no one believes an earring to be an impediment to church membership.
Discussion