Church dress codes

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Bighunter43
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Quinn said:

Yes, I mean baseball hats on men. For some reason that one has stuck with me and still annoys me.


We have quite a few ball caps in our church every Sunday. They wear them the entire time, even during the prayer. I don't mind the dressing down all that much, but the caps seem to really bother me. Have a little reverence for where you're at!! (I'm kind of bothered by the people that constantly get up and walk out and back in too…..I mean, you really can't sit still for an hour?) But in all….glad they are in the Lord's house to hear the Gospel!! (Just uncover…lol)
General Jack D. Ripper
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I think it's a respect issue. It's respect to your fellow parishioners and respect to the occasion. At our monastery, shorts are prohibited in the meditation hall and there's a general prohibition against loud printed shirts. We try to keep distractions to a minimum.
Well…you sounded taller on radio.
spud1910
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I know I definitely dress more casually than I did 20 or 30 years ago. But I remember the story the missionary told at the revival where I gave my life to God. It has been more than 50 years ago, but he told about how the children of the tribe to which he was called always wore their best to services. It was torn T shirts and shorts but it was always as clean as they could get it and the best they had out of their reverence for God. To me that is the important thing. If one's attitude toward God is right, it doesn't matter what they wear. If that attitude is wrong, it also doesn't matter what they wear. And sometimes the person in shorts and a T shirt has a better heart for God than the person in a suit.
10andBOUNCE
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Good perspective
747Ag
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spud1910 said:

I know I definitely dress more casually than I did 20 or 30 years ago. But I remember the story the missionary told at the revival where I gave my life to God. It has been more than 50 years ago, but he told about how the children of the tribe to which he was called always wore their best to services. It was torn T shirts and shorts but it was always as clean as they could get it and the best they had out of their reverence for God. To me that is the important thing. If one's attitude toward God is right, it doesn't matter what they wear. If that attitude is wrong, it also doesn't matter what they wear. And sometimes the person in shorts and a T shirt has a better heart for God than the person in a suit.

So... Are we giving our best to God? Interior disposition towards the Almighty? Or are we making excuses? Food for thought.
spud1910
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A good question. Things are very different than they were when I was growing up. But in many ways I feel closer to God than I ever have.
747Ag
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spud1910 said:

A good question. Things are very different than they were when I was growing up. But in many ways I feel closer to God than I ever have.

In my context, the best is tie and jacket. And then why? To impress others? Try to impress God? Or am I am I dressing a certain way because I love Our Blessed Lord and want to show Him the greatness respect? Points for all of us to ponder.
spud1910
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747Ag said:

spud1910 said:

A good question. Things are very different than they were when I was growing up. But in many ways I feel closer to God than I ever have.

In my context, the best is tie and jacket. And then why? To impress others? Try to impress God? Or am I am I dressing a certain way because I love Our Blessed Lord and want to show Him the greatness respect? Points for all of us to ponder.
Yeah, I was a jacket and tie for years. Now I will wear jeans. My thought is my biggest opportunity to sin is not what I wear, but. judging others for what they wear. Sometimes I see someone and wonder how they can dress like that and come to church. But I have come to realize that it may be easier for me to come to church in a 3 piece suit than it is for that person to come to church in worn jeans and a T shirt. Maybe that is their widow's mite.
Hey...so.. um
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I wear jeans and a t-shirt for our kids ministry every Sunday with Nike shoes usually.

For youth, I wear either shorts or jeans, hoodie and a backwards hat mostly.

Dress is largely unimportant to me.
Martin Cash
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Pro Sandy said:



Why?

Why does God care about how you try to impress other people?
It's not about impressing other people.

It's about respecting God and yourself.
Quinn
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Take your dang hat off!
Quinn
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Pro Sandy
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Martin Cash said:

Pro Sandy said:



Why?

Why does God care about how you try to impress other people?
It's not about impressing other people.

It's about respecting God and yourself.
Is God disrespected when I don't wear a coat and tie? So 6 days out of the week I'm giving him the finger? What quality tie should I wear? Only silk? Does it has to be a certain color or pattern? Are funny ties OK? What about ones that light up? A bolo good? Does it only count if I tie a full Windsor? What about a vest? Loafers OK or only tie shoes? What's His policy on the buttons?
Ag9701
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As someone of a different religion, I was very surprised the last time I went to a church and saw the outfits of many females. The outfits I am referring to were very revealing….similar to what you see at parties or people going out for the night. It didn't offend me, but just something I noticed. Didn't seem to bother anybody. Growing up in the 80s and 90s, all of women and girls I knew who went to church dressed modestly. People always seemed to have "church" or "Sunday" clothes…..men and women. I remember when our school asked to dress up for something, they always said wear clothes like you wear to church.
The Banned
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Again, to flip this: if you wear nothing but underwear or shorts to bed, and feel comfortable sending up a good night prayer in that dress, why aren't you comfortable going to church dressed that way?
Howdy, it is me!
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The Banned said:

10andBOUNCE said:

And while I agree the God cares about the heart as mentioned in 1 Sam 16, what is the heart saying if you show up in flip flops and graphic tees?




This. While dressing up isn't a "must" what does it say when you're willing to dress up for work but not for God? Everyone's wardrobe is different, so I'm not saying it all has to be suit and tie, but everyone should be trying to give God the best of what's in their closet.


I love this: "the best of what's in your closet"
Pro Sandy
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Howdy, it is me! said:

The Banned said:

10andBOUNCE said:

And while I agree the God cares about the heart as mentioned in 1 Sam 16, what is the heart saying if you show up in flip flops and graphic tees?




This. While dressing up isn't a "must" what does it say when you're willing to dress up for work but not for God? Everyone's wardrobe is different, so I'm not saying it all has to be suit and tie, but everyone should be trying to give God the best of what's in their closet.


I love this: "the best of what's in your closet"
How do you define best? Your best is different than someone else but you still judge them.
Pro Sandy
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The Banned said:

Again, to flip this: if you wear nothing but underwear or shorts to bed, and feel comfortable sending up a good night prayer in that dress, why aren't you comfortable going to church dressed that way?
Because I don't wear underwear around other people. Our dress is almost entirely a cultural thing. Modesty is good, wearing your best is to impress others.
The Banned
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Pro Sandy said:

The Banned said:

Again, to flip this: if you wear nothing but underwear or shorts to bed, and feel comfortable sending up a good night prayer in that dress, why aren't you comfortable going to church dressed that way?
Because I don't wear underwear around other people. Our dress is almost entirely a cultural thing. Modesty is good, wearing your best is to impress others.


So you would say that no matter what you wear, you're wearing it for the sake of other people? So maybe you dressing down is trying to show others how humble you are. Maybe your version of showing off is showing others how little you care to dress up because you're better than people that dress up.

See how immediately assuming that the way you dress is to impress others doesn't work so well? Maybe we should listen to people's reasons instead of just making our own assumptions.
The Banned
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Pro Sandy said:

Howdy, it is me! said:

The Banned said:

10andBOUNCE said:

And while I agree the God cares about the heart as mentioned in 1 Sam 16, what is the heart saying if you show up in flip flops and graphic tees?




This. While dressing up isn't a "must" what does it say when you're willing to dress up for work but not for God? Everyone's wardrobe is different, so I'm not saying it all has to be suit and tie, but everyone should be trying to give God the best of what's in their closet.


I love this: "the best of what's in your closet"
How do you define best? Your best is different than someone else but you still judge them.


Why are you so focused on judging other people? You take posts that say nothing about judging people, encouraging others to do their best (whatever that may look like) and then say those posters are judging people. Then you turn around and judge people as shows off if they dress nice. You seem inconsistent.
Hey...so.. um
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Quinn said:

Take your dang hat off!


Serious or joking?
powerbelly
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Howdy, it is me! said:

The Banned said:

10andBOUNCE said:

And while I agree the God cares about the heart as mentioned in 1 Sam 16, what is the heart saying if you show up in flip flops and graphic tees?




This. While dressing up isn't a "must" what does it say when you're willing to dress up for work but not for God? Everyone's wardrobe is different, so I'm not saying it all has to be suit and tie, but everyone should be trying to give God the best of what's in their closet.


I love this: "the best of what's in your closet"
I would look out of place wearing my tux to church every Sunday.
KALALL
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I wear a linen ephod ala King David. I've only had a few public indecency charges thrown my way. If our heart is right I don't believe God cares much about what we're wearing.
Quinn
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Hey...so.. um said:

Quinn said:

Take your dang hat off!


Serious or joking?
Based on the winking face that I used for the post immediately after that posted, I would say that I was joking. While someone wearing a baseball hat to a worship service does bug me, wearing one to youth group is a different story, though hopefully you take it off for prayers.
Howdy, it is me!
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Pro Sandy said:

Howdy, it is me! said:

The Banned said:

10andBOUNCE said:

And while I agree the God cares about the heart as mentioned in 1 Sam 16, what is the heart saying if you show up in flip flops and graphic tees?




This. While dressing up isn't a "must" what does it say when you're willing to dress up for work but not for God? Everyone's wardrobe is different, so I'm not saying it all has to be suit and tie, but everyone should be trying to give God the best of what's in their closet.


I love this: "the best of what's in your closet"
How do you define best? Your best is different than someone else but you still judge them.


Nah, I think this is an excuse. We know what's appropriate for our cultures and in line with biblical guidance and intent. If the Holy Spirit resides within, He will guide our choice of dress.

This is also something that I believe evolves as we become more and more sanctified and our convictions change and become more godly, and is why we should not judge others solely on their dress of choice. Of course, we can gently guide as necessary.
Pro Sandy
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The Banned said:

Pro Sandy said:

Howdy, it is me! said:

The Banned said:

10andBOUNCE said:

And while I agree the God cares about the heart as mentioned in 1 Sam 16, what is the heart saying if you show up in flip flops and graphic tees?




This. While dressing up isn't a "must" what does it say when you're willing to dress up for work but not for God? Everyone's wardrobe is different, so I'm not saying it all has to be suit and tie, but everyone should be trying to give God the best of what's in their closet.


I love this: "the best of what's in your closet"
How do you define best? Your best is different than someone else but you still judge them.


Why are you so focused on judging other people? You take posts that say nothing about judging people, encouraging others to do their best (whatever that may look like) and then say those posters are judging people. Then you turn around and judge people as shows off if they dress nice. You seem inconsistent.
Because I firmly believe that these people who say that we should dress our best for church are judging people who don't dress to their standards.

Man judges on the outside by things like clothes. This thread shows that. It's fine to acknowledge that. I'm usually one of the more dressed up folks at my church, it was how I was raised. I don't believe it is what God expects or desires.
Pro Sandy
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The Banned said:

Pro Sandy said:

The Banned said:

Again, to flip this: if you wear nothing but underwear or shorts to bed, and feel comfortable sending up a good night prayer in that dress, why aren't you comfortable going to church dressed that way?
Because I don't wear underwear around other people. Our dress is almost entirely a cultural thing. Modesty is good, wearing your best is to impress others.


So you would say that no matter what you wear, you're wearing it for the sake of other people? So maybe you dressing down is trying to show others how humble you are. Maybe your version of showing off is showing others how little you care to dress up because you're better than people that dress up.

See how immediately assuming that the way you dress is to impress others doesn't work so well? Maybe we should listen to people's reasons instead of just making our own assumptions.
You are probably right. I am intentional when I dress about how it presents to others. Research shows that how we dress affects how others perceived us, so if you don't pay attention to what you wear around others, you probably should. They are paying attention.
The Banned
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Pro Sandy said:

The Banned said:

Pro Sandy said:

Howdy, it is me! said:

The Banned said:

10andBOUNCE said:

And while I agree the God cares about the heart as mentioned in 1 Sam 16, what is the heart saying if you show up in flip flops and graphic tees?




This. While dressing up isn't a "must" what does it say when you're willing to dress up for work but not for God? Everyone's wardrobe is different, so I'm not saying it all has to be suit and tie, but everyone should be trying to give God the best of what's in their closet.


I love this: "the best of what's in your closet"
How do you define best? Your best is different than someone else but you still judge them.


Why are you so focused on judging other people? You take posts that say nothing about judging people, encouraging others to do their best (whatever that may look like) and then say those posters are judging people. Then you turn around and judge people as shows off if they dress nice. You seem inconsistent.
Because I firmly believe that these people who say that we should dress our best for church are judging people who don't dress to their standards.

Man judges on the outside by things like clothes. This thread shows that. It's fine to acknowledge that. I'm usually one of the more dressed up folks at my church, it was how I was raised. I don't believe it is what God expects or desires.


Just go read your first paragraph again. You firmly believe that certain people are committing the sin of judging others. You don't know they are... You believe they are... Which is a judgement of others.

I would encourage you to think that through.
Pro Sandy
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The Banned said:

Pro Sandy said:

The Banned said:

Pro Sandy said:

Howdy, it is me! said:

The Banned said:

10andBOUNCE said:

And while I agree the God cares about the heart as mentioned in 1 Sam 16, what is the heart saying if you show up in flip flops and graphic tees?




This. While dressing up isn't a "must" what does it say when you're willing to dress up for work but not for God? Everyone's wardrobe is different, so I'm not saying it all has to be suit and tie, but everyone should be trying to give God the best of what's in their closet.


I love this: "the best of what's in your closet"
How do you define best? Your best is different than someone else but you still judge them.


Why are you so focused on judging other people? You take posts that say nothing about judging people, encouraging others to do their best (whatever that may look like) and then say those posters are judging people. Then you turn around and judge people as shows off if they dress nice. You seem inconsistent.
Because I firmly believe that these people who say that we should dress our best for church are judging people who don't dress to their standards.

Man judges on the outside by things like clothes. This thread shows that. It's fine to acknowledge that. I'm usually one of the more dressed up folks at my church, it was how I was raised. I don't believe it is what God expects or desires.


Just go read your first paragraph again. You firmly believe that certain people are committing the sin of judging others. You don't know they are... You believe they are... Which is a judgement of others.

I would encourage you to think that through.
When we are telling others they need to dress up for church to impress God, we say that because we are judging them for their dress.
The Banned
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Pro Sandy said:

The Banned said:

Pro Sandy said:

The Banned said:

Pro Sandy said:

Howdy, it is me! said:

The Banned said:

10andBOUNCE said:

And while I agree the God cares about the heart as mentioned in 1 Sam 16, what is the heart saying if you show up in flip flops and graphic tees?




This. While dressing up isn't a "must" what does it say when you're willing to dress up for work but not for God? Everyone's wardrobe is different, so I'm not saying it all has to be suit and tie, but everyone should be trying to give God the best of what's in their closet.


I love this: "the best of what's in your closet"
How do you define best? Your best is different than someone else but you still judge them.


Why are you so focused on judging other people? You take posts that say nothing about judging people, encouraging others to do their best (whatever that may look like) and then say those posters are judging people. Then you turn around and judge people as shows off if they dress nice. You seem inconsistent.
Because I firmly believe that these people who say that we should dress our best for church are judging people who don't dress to their standards.

Man judges on the outside by things like clothes. This thread shows that. It's fine to acknowledge that. I'm usually one of the more dressed up folks at my church, it was how I was raised. I don't believe it is what God expects or desires.


Just go read your first paragraph again. You firmly believe that certain people are committing the sin of judging others. You don't know they are... You believe they are... Which is a judgement of others.

I would encourage you to think that through.
When we are telling others they need to dress up for church to impress God, we say that because we are judging them for their dress.


"To impress God"… who has said that? I challenge you to check your preconceived notions and read any post you think claims that a time or two more.
Pro Sandy
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The Banned said:

Pro Sandy said:

The Banned said:

Pro Sandy said:

The Banned said:

Pro Sandy said:

Howdy, it is me! said:

The Banned said:

10andBOUNCE said:

And while I agree the God cares about the heart as mentioned in 1 Sam 16, what is the heart saying if you show up in flip flops and graphic tees?




This. While dressing up isn't a "must" what does it say when you're willing to dress up for work but not for God? Everyone's wardrobe is different, so I'm not saying it all has to be suit and tie, but everyone should be trying to give God the best of what's in their closet.


I love this: "the best of what's in your closet"
How do you define best? Your best is different than someone else but you still judge them.


Why are you so focused on judging other people? You take posts that say nothing about judging people, encouraging others to do their best (whatever that may look like) and then say those posters are judging people. Then you turn around and judge people as shows off if they dress nice. You seem inconsistent.
Because I firmly believe that these people who say that we should dress our best for church are judging people who don't dress to their standards.

Man judges on the outside by things like clothes. This thread shows that. It's fine to acknowledge that. I'm usually one of the more dressed up folks at my church, it was how I was raised. I don't believe it is what God expects or desires.


Just go read your first paragraph again. You firmly believe that certain people are committing the sin of judging others. You don't know they are... You believe they are... Which is a judgement of others.

I would encourage you to think that through.
When we are telling others they need to dress up for church to impress God, we say that because we are judging them for their dress.


"To impress God"… who has said that? I challenge you to check your preconceived notions and read any post you think claims that a time or two more.
Saying we are to give our best from our closet to God is trying to impress Him.

Dressing up nice for church is fine, but don't claim that others must abide by it with a dress code. That is placing a barrier between man and God because of how we judge others.
The Banned
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Is doing good when you want to do wrong an attempt to impress God?

Is praying before a meal when you're super hungry and want to eat an attempt to impress God?

Is memorizing Bible verses when you'd rather not an attempt to impress God?

It seems to me we are asked to give God our first fruits multiple times. Why doesn't that apply to what we wear to worship Him?

And to be clear, I live in a very rural community. Oftentimes a fishing shirt, jeans and boots are someone's Sunday best. There's nothing wrong with that. You seem to be the only one who thinks that saying an individual should give their best with absolutely no obligation is somehow a horrible judgmental statement.
Pro Sandy
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The Banned said:

Is doing good when you want to do wrong an attempt to impress God?

Is praying before a meal when you're super hungry and want to eat an attempt to impress God?

Is memorizing Bible verses when you'd rather not an attempt to impress God?

It seems to me we are asked to give God our first fruits multiple times. Why doesn't that apply to what we wear to worship Him?

And to be clear, I live in a very rural community. Oftentimes a fishing shirt, jeans and boots are someone's Sunday best. There's nothing wrong with that. You seem to be the only one who thinks that saying an individual should give their best with absolutely no obligation is somehow a horrible judgmental statement.
This thread is about dress codes at church. That is an obligation that people are putting on others.
The Banned
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Pro Sandy said:

The Banned said:

Is doing good when you want to do wrong an attempt to impress God?

Is praying before a meal when you're super hungry and want to eat an attempt to impress God?

Is memorizing Bible verses when you'd rather not an attempt to impress God?

It seems to me we are asked to give God our first fruits multiple times. Why doesn't that apply to what we wear to worship Him?

And to be clear, I live in a very rural community. Oftentimes a fishing shirt, jeans and boots are someone's Sunday best. There's nothing wrong with that. You seem to be the only one who thinks that saying an individual should give their best with absolutely no obligation is somehow a horrible judgmental statement.
This thread is about dress codes at church. That is an obligation that people are putting on others.


Literally no one has stated they believe in some sort of obligation. In fact most that support better dress have specifically said they do not believe it should be obligatory. I don't know where you're coming up with this stuff.
Pro Sandy
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The Banned said:

Pro Sandy said:

The Banned said:

Is doing good when you want to do wrong an attempt to impress God?

Is praying before a meal when you're super hungry and want to eat an attempt to impress God?

Is memorizing Bible verses when you'd rather not an attempt to impress God?

It seems to me we are asked to give God our first fruits multiple times. Why doesn't that apply to what we wear to worship Him?

And to be clear, I live in a very rural community. Oftentimes a fishing shirt, jeans and boots are someone's Sunday best. There's nothing wrong with that. You seem to be the only one who thinks that saying an individual should give their best with absolutely no obligation is somehow a horrible judgmental statement.
This thread is about dress codes at church. That is an obligation that people are putting on others.


Literally no one has stated they believe in some sort of obligation. In fact most that support better dress have specifically said they do not believe it should be obligatory. I don't know where you're coming up with this stuff.
Literally in the OP And also elders seem less likely to call them out on it. If I showed up in short and flip flops on Sunday, I'm pretty sure some old lady I didn't know would have given me a reason to go home and change. I then immediately in the first response question if that is the right response.

It isnt obligatory but I'm going to call you out and make you change, but no judgment. I don't believe that people think that. I think there is judgement based on dress. And we justify that judgement by saying it is for God.
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