Church Dress

There are bigger issues that plague the church, but I feel compelled to do a small blog on church dress. It seems that people who get real dressed up tend to look down on people that dress more casually. Sometimes the folks that dress casually write off the folks that dress up as old school. Whether your promote formal dress or casual dress, everyone needs to examine their heart and move away from the external, outer shell that really doesn't matter.

In one of my classes at school the issue of church dress was discussed and I was shocked to hear how many people adamently defend dressing up in a formal fashion for church. We talked about the importance of dressing up for church. The reasons to dress up included: respect for God, setting the example for the culture, reverance, and honor to name a few. After spending some time on this the clarifying statement was made that "at the end of the day this stuff doesn't matter" because the real issue in the heart of a person. I completely agree with that last statement, but I wondered why we spent over an hour on "stuff that doesn't matter" to briefly say that dress is a heart issue. Students voiced their frustrations to people dressing down at church and it seemed as if the resounding theme was "Let us, as church leaders, dress appropriately aka a nice suit."

I am under the belief that wearing a suit or more formal clothes is not anymore respectful or honoring to God. The Bible is clear that God is concerned on the dealings of our hearts rather then our outside appearance. "For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart." -1 Samuel 16:7 Peter's advice to women is a call not to worry about the outside appearance. "Do not let your adorning be external--the braiding of hair, the wearing of gold, or the putting on of clothing but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious."-1 Peter 3:3-4

We have much bigger issues at stake then the clothes people wear. I think we become very Pharisaic when we equate spirituality to nice clothes and a clean outer appearance. Many people that are dressed up nicely look the part, but their lives could be very messy and full of sin. Jesus was not concerned with the outer appearance. In fact, it seems that those who are poor have more blessings than those who are rich. It really bothers me when Christians look down on those who dress casual.

I also want to include that the whole concept of church is not the hour you meet on Sunday mornings. Church takes place when believers gather together. I can have church with other Christians when they come over on Tuesday night and we eat and fellowship together. Why do we not dress up for these occasions?

I am Billy when I wear jeans and a knit shirt. It's not tacky or sloppy. It is me. When I throw on real nice clothes I feel like I need to go to my job at the bank or a fancy dinner. If I am to be genuine and myself, then I feel that casual clothes is a better "outer appearance" for me.

Here is a quote from a friend, Ross King, who expresses his freedom in Christ on church dress:

"I’M DONE dressing up for church. Same idea as the Sunday School thing. It’s my experience that when people dress up, they usually act like someone other than themselves. Business meetings, funerals, prom; who is ever completely themselves at such gatherings? Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying we should try to prove some point by rebelling against nice clothes. I don’t dress like a slob when I go to church, because I don’t dress like a slob any other time that I’m in public. I dress like myself. I’m a pastor, so I try to look decent in case anybody expects that from a pastor. I don’t want it to be an issue for someone, but I won’t be a slave to unknown expectations, either. (That last sentence will be important throughout this entire dialogue.) It’s a balance. The point is that I think it’s time for us to find a healthy tension between being ourselves and being respectful of the traditions of others. And for me, the former gets more weight than the latter. As for you, if you like to dress up, and you think it’s a form of worship for you, go for it. For me, dressing up at church makes me feel false. And I’ve done way too much “false” at church. I’m done."

Let us re-examine the things that we tend to emphasize and deal with real issues.

Blessings to all!

Opening Day 2006

Well, the Astros beat the Marlins 1-0 tonight to start off their season after winning the National League Division. This is a snapshot of their entire last season. Great pitching, little offense, yet getting the victory. I'm looking forward to another great season. Baseball is fun. Go Astros!