Inward purity & outward dress -- Does it matter how we dress for worship?

The Prayer Book Society of the USA ^ | September 2, 2003 | The Rev'd Dr. Peter Toon

[milan]

I think everyone should just wear oversized moomoos.

[Gamecock]

I have to agrre with Steve on this one.

Steve, is this what you sing in there:

FOREVER HERE MY REST SHALL BE

Words: Charles Wesley, 1740
Music: “I Do Believe”

Forever here my rest shall be,
Close to Thy bleeding side;
This all my hope, and all my plea,
For me the Savior died!

My dying Savior, and my God,
Fountain for guilt and sin,
Sprinkle me ever with Thy blood,
And cleanse, and keep me clean.

Wash me, and make me thus Thine own,
Wash me, and mine Thou art,
Wash me, but not my feet alone,
My hands, my head, my heart.

The atonement of Thy blood apply,
Till faith to sight improve,
Till hope in full fruition die,
And all my soul be love.

I do believe, I now believe,
That Jesus died for me;
And through His blood, His precious blood,
I shall from sin be free.

[CindyDawg]

I think all that matters is what's in your heart :') I have occasionally worn jeans Sun morning if I'm with someone who is dressed in them. (favorite excuse -"nothing to wear") Usually in the AM I wear a long loose dress and sandles. I hate heels, slips and panty hose. (can, I post that on a religious forum? lol) It's jeans or slacks in the evenings. No one says anything. They dress like they want to also. I have came to church on Wed nights in my scrubs before though. The preacher did say something once but he was trying to re-assure all people coming from work but just kept digging a hole. His wife gave him the "just drop it" look. I love to watch couples communicate without speaking lol. I think I'll just agree with most here that modesty the main issue.

[John_burchett]

so, by that argument, we should all dress in rags to make them feel comfortable? Jesus says we should not look down on the poor, or give favor to the rich. It's when the people that could afford something decent, e.g. shirt&tie, and then dress like they're at a ballgame, that's what I think dishonors God. I can get clothes [e.g. khaki's shirt + tie] that I think befit worship for $10 at a thrift store. Perhaps the better off members could help their poorer brethren out... a la the early church in Acts... "if you do these things for the least of these My brethren, you have done it to Me.".

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

Wow:), that should make people think.

Becky

[Gamecock]

so, by that argument, we should all dress in rags to make them feel comfortable

If that's what you want to do, have at it. All I said was not to have a dress code. I guess you would like to have the fashion police by the front door?

Perhaps the better off members could help their poorer brethren out

I'd rather help put food in their stomachs. I tend to think they like it prefer it as well!

[Between the Lines]

Wow:), that should make people think.

I have wondered, would my wife and I have ever come to know Christ, had we not found a church who cared enough not to care?

[RnMomof7]

While I understand about God loving and wanting us all regardless of our outward appearance, as a mother, I'm not THAT understanding.

LOL I hear you:>)

[RnMomof7]

We came to accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, joined the church and soon came the day we were to be baptized. Our church has it baptisms in a private park on the river. There is a big cookout and lots of singing, fun and swimming. This being the case most wear swimsuits shorts and tees. Although I was wearing shorts my wife chose to dress in a swimsuit covered by a tee shirt and of course jeans. Before heading down to the water all of those being baptized are asked to give their testimony. I spoke for my wife and myself and included (to her disapproval) the story behind the jeans and of her scared legs. No one had known before. Everyone had gathered on the bank of the river and we waited there for our turn to be baptized. My wife went before me and just before entering the water to my astonishment she removed her jeans. No one but our children and myself had seen her legs in over 30 years. There was no gasp from those gathered, no pointing or whispers, only cheers of encouragement and praises to the Lord. And we were baptized. I later asked her why she removed her jeans and she said, "It just seemed right." We have affectionately been known to our church as the "Jean people" every since.

Your church sounds much like a Nazarene church I attended, very casual and loving Christian fellowship.. Nazarenes are generally "holiness" people in other parts of the country ..dresses on woman and no jewelry at all (not even wedding rings and no make up. ) The Pastor told us in some areas of the country we would not be admitted.

I was Baptized in a lake..the church then went to a motorcycle clubs annual cook out..

Can I ask what your church is?

[RnMomof7]

I forgot I wanted to say welcome to the family of God. His son always wore sandals you know:>)

We have a God that puts us in the right place at the right time..What a wonderful God we serve! I loved your testimony!!

[RnMomof7]

See, I don't buy this line. If I were to go visit GWB, or some other potentate, I would wear a suit and tie because that is what our culture expects.

Now it seems to me I remember a very handsome young man in his Sunday best that visited a church I attended :>)How you doing Jude? Are you back at school?

[RnMomof7]

Good point , note he also carried a leather Bible..Ummmmmmmm

[Rubber_Duckie_27]

I agree. It is possible to wear more casual clothing that is modest, just as it is possible to wear immodest "dress" clothing (or just plain immodest clothing).

There is a young girl in my brother's youth group who, at the age of 16, feels the need to dress like Britney Spears. Tight, short, etc. always with a requisite thong poking out. Disgusting, really. Little bro and the other boys basically ignore her as best they can...she also likes to drape herself on the youth group boys and hug older, usually married men - she hugged my fiance and GRABBED his behind during a fellowship hour. As I explained to my family, there's a REASON that the two of us are finding a new church home...

[RnMomof7]

Wow:), that should make people think.

I think it is a nudge to look around us on Sundays and make a point to show a little love to those that might feel out of place.

I remember when I was still a Catholic watching the little old Presbyterians and Methodists ladies go in to church with their blue hair and mink trimmed coat. I often would say in those days that I could never be a Protestant because I refuse to have blue hair *grin* .

Well of course I am a Protestant today and I still refuse the blue hair ( Nice and easy now:>)

[drstevej]

***Little bro and the other boys basically ignore her as best they can...she also likes to drape herself on the youth group boys and hug older, usually married men - she hugged my fiance and GRABBED his behind during a fellowship hour.***

Before you exit, please call the pastor and or youth pastor and inform them of the groping incident. I know in our church leadership would want to be aware of this type of situation and talk with the girl and her parents.

Such behavior should not be swept aside.

[RnMomof7]

It is time for a woman of the church to have a loving conversation with her , maybe the Pastors wife.

You know we live in a culture that worships sex instead of God.

When I did counseling i noticed that the women that had to dress to attract men sexually had no feeling of worth or value other than sexual. That is a sad comment on the job the Parents have done to give her a sense of being valuable in Gods eyes and theirs.

Frequently we would see that behavior in prostitutes or sexually promiscuous women . I used to say that all their self esteem was between their legs..

[drstevej]

***It is time for a woman of the church to have a loving conversation with her , maybe the Pastors wife.***

I agree.

[Between the Lines]

I forgot I wanted to say welcome to the family of God.

Thank you. I am delighted to be here.

Can I ask what your church is?

When I first saw this question I thought oh no here we go again. I have been accused here in the Religion Forum of being a Mormon, a Seventh Day Adventist, a Catholic, a member of the Church of God and a few others I cannot remember. All because I have had a positive and encouraging attitude when posting to people of other faiths. And because I refuse to demean or ridicule anyone else's faith. Many times these flames start with "and what church to do you belong?" So I was hesitant to reply to you until I saw your second post welcoming me into the family of God.

I am a member of North Rock Hill Church. We are an independent nondenominational (but we really don't like that word), Bible based, evangelical church that affiliates with the Southern Baptist Convention for missionary purposes. If that is not enough description for you check out our website: North Rock Hill Church and click the "new to NRHC" button to find links to more detailed info on who we are and what we believe.

Nazarenes are generally "holiness" people in other parts of the country, dresses on woman and no jewelry at all (not even wedding rings and no make up.

While we believe in modesty and moderation in all things, we don't carry it quite that far. Most people find modesty just to mean not wearing skimpy clothes. But modest also applies to not being full of pride or boastful, not flaunting our wealth and not dressing to impress. Anything that makes us prideful, self-important or that which we do to impress others is immodest.

[CindyDawg]

You really need to file a complaint with your paster. There needs to be documentation of her behavior because (and I hate to say this) someday she may get angry being rebuked and make false accusations. For his own protection no male (including the minister) should get in a situation where he is alone with her.

[CindyDawg]

I'll never be grey but do you know yesterday I went blond again and DH didn't even notice! I think I'll try purple next time lol