Should We Dress For Church Like We’re Meeting With the President?

As I posted on Facebook when someone posted this article:

My feelings about this are mixed. I certainly don’t believe we should “dress down” for church. On the other hand, it is striking to me how cultural this whole issue is. I’m not even talking about the foreign mission fields—I’m talking about right here in Des Moines from neighborhood to neighborhood. Of the 5-6 neighbor guys I have a relationship with, I would be shocked if more than 1 of them owned any kind of a suit or sportcoat. So if I were to invite them to a church where that is the predominate dress of most of the men in the church, that would be like me being invited to a Burmese church where the men wear sarongs. If I came in pants I would feel extremely out of place. That’s why I appreciate that the “dress code” (by that I mean the culture of dress, not any kind of a formal policy) here at Grace Church is so varied. I truly believe that no one would feel unwelcome simply because of the way they were dressed. (Now, should we encourage Christians who are immodestly or sloppily dressed to grow in discernment? Yes, but that is a different issue.)

People are dying and going to hell today.

And you are bantering about clothes.

it doesn’t happen. My point was that I’ve only ever witnessed the exact opposite of what was being presented. I think, often, people take offense when there is no legitimate cause. Further, I believe, often, what they are really upset about is an unapologetic proclamation of truth, and they are uneasy being around people who are more spiritually mature. But, it’s easy to focus on the externals and claim you weren’t loved, welcome, etc.

Not sure what IFB-3 is. Hyles-Anderson style? If so, I wouldn’t stick around in something like that long enough to care what they think about dress styles anyway. Find or start something new if that’s all that’s available.

It’s one thing to have a different style of dress and have the expectation of being welcome. It’s another thing altogether to have a different style and expect to change the culture of a church so that they adopt your style and look up to you because of it.

Currently preaching through Exodus on Sunday mornings. Was interested to consider that the priestly garments God instructed in chapter 28 were designed in the fashion in which they were for “glory and for beauty” (28:2,40 KJV). Not saying that this necessarily has any prominent application for us in the N.T, era, although we are clearly described as being a “holy priesthood” according to 1 Peter 2, but it almost makes me smile thinking how many Christians and churches try to downplay the area of dress as if it is more spiritual if we look like we simply crawled out of bed and wandered into the auditorium. The warnings of James in his epistle seem more aimed at denouncing pride and elitism as opposed to ridiculing those who would seek to honor God by worshipping Him with beauty and dignity.

…..if Mr. Obama goes the way of several other Illinois politicians I can think of, we could one day imitate “dressing up to see the President” by donning the garb of a prison guard.

Apropos nothing, but I did go to church with many prison workers (guards and otherwise) when I lived in Waseca, where 10% of the population is in the federal prison.

[Kirk Mellen]

The warnings of James in his epistle seem more aimed at denouncing pride and elitism as opposed to ridiculing those who would seek to honor God by worshipping Him with beauty and dignity.

So true.

[Kirk Mellen]

Currently preaching through Exodus on Sunday mornings. Was interested to consider that the priestly garments God instructed in chapter 28 were designed in the fashion in which they were for “glory and for beauty” (28:2,40 KJV). Not saying that this necessarily has any prominent application for us in the N.T, era, although we are clearly described as being a “holy priesthood” according to 1 Peter 2, but it almost makes me smile thinking how many Christians and churches try to downplay the area of dress as if it is more spiritual if we look like we simply crawled out of bed and wandered into the auditorium. The warnings of James in his epistle seem more aimed at denouncing pride and elitism as opposed to ridiculing those who would seek to honor God by worshipping Him with beauty and dignity.

I’ll tell you what. If we start making our church buildings look like Solomon’s temple in majesty and glory, I’ll happily dress in clothing appropriate for that venue. However, as long as our church buildings are designed to be simply functional spaces, and not places of glory and beauty, I’ll continue to believe that our dress should be modest, orderly, and not standing out, or attempting to show glory and beauty.

[Kirk Mellen]

Dave:

It is hard to look at God’s instructions concerning His tabernacle and the priestly attire and then also look at the Scripture’s description of the New Jerusalem and come away with the impression that God is all that impressed by our multi-purpose buildings…

Do you have enough gold, or are you going for the more portable tabernacle look? (Of course I’m kidding)

The reaction against “Sunday best” attire corresponds with the rebellion against empty religion, witnessed since the 60’s. This is a much larger cultural issue than a suit and tie.

Side note: IFB-3 = Independent, Fundamental, Bible, Believing, Baptist

How about IFB-3 = Independent, Fundamental, Bible Believing Baptist

“Do you have enough gold, or are you going for the more portable tabernacle look? (Of course I’m kidding)”

Well, God supplied all that was needed for the Israelites when He spoiled the Egyptians on their behalf! :)

[Bob Nutzhorn]

Second, I was making calls to a girl’s home who I was told was not allowed to come to our youth group activities. I wondered why, so I called her. She had been met at the door of our church in the early 70’s by a couple of leaders in the church and told that the young men she had with her needed to go away because they were dressed liked hippies. This was a young lady who had recently come to Christ who wanted her friends to come hear about Jesus.

Had they shared the gospel with “hippies,” the next thing you know they might have been following the teachings of some bearded guy who wore some type of robe and sandals…………………………………………………..oh wait, nevermind.

[dcbii] However, as long as our church buildings are designed to be simply functional spaces, and not places of glory and beauty, I’ll continue to believe that our dress should be modest, orderly, and not standing out, or attempting to show glory and beauty.

Do we insist that simple, modest, and orderly clothing cannot also be beautiful clothing?