Comments on: Dressing Up For Church http://pluckychristian.wordpress.com/2008/04/08/dressing-up-for-church/ I might be crazy and abrasive but Jesus still loves me! Thu, 01 Jan 2009 00:07:59 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Todd http://pluckychristian.wordpress.com/2008/04/08/dressing-up-for-church/#comment-155 Todd Thu, 01 Jan 2009 00:07:59 +0000 http://pluckychristian.wordpress.com/?p=22#comment-155 I once heard somebody say, " I want to give my best for God, so I dress in my Sunday's best", or at least something to that effect. I was raised in an atmosphere where the men wore suits and ties and polished shoes. The women wore their best dresses and I'm not even going to touch the hair, but I think you get the point. My only problem with this is (and I came to this conclusion much later in my life) that absolutely nothing I've got, not even the best clothes in my closet, will ever be good enough for God. We would be fools to think that somehow God will favor us in some way for the clothes we wear. As far as respect and revearence are concerned, well, that's subjective and dictated by cultural pressures. I've yet to find a scriptural reference that directly supports a dress code for church attendance and any argument in support of dress codes is mere dogma at best. I once heard somebody say, ” I want to give my best for God, so I dress in my Sunday’s best”, or at least something to that effect. I was raised in an atmosphere where the men wore suits and ties and polished shoes. The women wore their best dresses and I’m not even going to touch the hair, but I think you get the point. My only problem with this is (and I came to this conclusion much later in my life) that absolutely nothing I’ve got, not even the best clothes in my closet, will ever be good enough for God. We would be fools to think that somehow God will favor us in some way for the clothes we wear. As far as respect and revearence are concerned, well, that’s subjective and dictated by cultural pressures. I’ve yet to find a scriptural reference that directly supports a dress code for church attendance and any argument in support of dress codes is mere dogma at best.

]]> By: Callie http://pluckychristian.wordpress.com/2008/04/08/dressing-up-for-church/#comment-145 Callie Wed, 20 Aug 2008 20:59:30 +0000 http://pluckychristian.wordpress.com/?p=22#comment-145 This is why I love my church, it's come as you are. No one judges you, we're all there for the same reason. To worship, to better our walk with God, to strengthen our relationships with each other, and to bring others to become fully devoted followers of Christ. www.lifechurch.tv This is why I love my church, it’s come as you are. No one judges you, we’re all there for the same reason. To worship, to better our walk with God, to strengthen our relationships with each other, and to bring others to become fully devoted followers of Christ. http://www.lifechurch.tv

]]> By: The Informal Matriarch http://pluckychristian.wordpress.com/2008/04/08/dressing-up-for-church/#comment-144 The Informal Matriarch Sat, 02 Aug 2008 00:26:08 +0000 http://pluckychristian.wordpress.com/?p=22#comment-144 Interesting. I hate topics about sexuality that just talk about men and their lust. Makes women who are easily aroused feel like freaks. As for dress, Ryan and Annie didn't really get my point...at all. Interesting. I hate topics about sexuality that just talk about men and their lust. Makes women who are easily aroused feel like freaks.

As for dress, Ryan and Annie didn’t really get my point…at all.

]]> By: anniehow http://pluckychristian.wordpress.com/2008/04/08/dressing-up-for-church/#comment-143 anniehow Wed, 30 Jul 2008 18:55:57 +0000 http://pluckychristian.wordpress.com/?p=22#comment-143 I agree with Ryan, it's a matter of respect. But I do see the point that we shouldn't have to be someone we are not. I recently started going to a church where it was very casual. The message was about sexual sin which was very good, and how men are tempted visually. After the service a lady in front of us stood up, pulling down her shirt to cover her thong that was peeking out from her too tight jeans. You don't think one would be exposed to something like that in church. Our casual dress has become too seductive. It's a dilemma I wrestle with, like I said I can see both points of view. I don't know what the answer is, but I personally would lean towards being respectful in God's house, and dressing like it's somewhere special. I agree with Ryan, it’s a matter of respect. But I do see the point that we shouldn’t have to be someone we are not. I recently started going to a church where it was very casual. The message was about sexual sin which was very good, and how men are tempted visually. After the service a lady in front of us stood up, pulling down her shirt to cover her thong that was peeking out from her too tight jeans. You don’t think one would be exposed to something like that in church. Our casual dress has become too seductive. It’s a dilemma I wrestle with, like I said I can see both points of view. I don’t know what the answer is, but I personally would lean towards being respectful in God’s house, and dressing like it’s somewhere special.

]]> By: Ryan http://pluckychristian.wordpress.com/2008/04/08/dressing-up-for-church/#comment-142 Ryan Fri, 27 Jun 2008 22:03:06 +0000 http://pluckychristian.wordpress.com/?p=22#comment-142 Oh, and respect. Dressing nice is respecting yourself. I believe it's honor to God to present ourselves well. Oh, and respect. Dressing nice is respecting yourself. I believe it’s honor to God to present ourselves well.

]]> By: Ryan http://pluckychristian.wordpress.com/2008/04/08/dressing-up-for-church/#comment-141 Ryan Fri, 27 Jun 2008 22:02:10 +0000 http://pluckychristian.wordpress.com/?p=22#comment-141 Well, the church is where you would hope God would be--I mean, it is his house--so I think dressing your best is appropriate. Tux and formal gowns, probably a little extravagant. Not only that, but environment is a big deal. People respond to their environment, be it positive or negative. An uplifting, clean, non-distracting atmosphere is a good thing at church. It's a place we hopefully can all be equals, and dress can reflect that. It's a place we don't have to judge others, because there is no reason to do so. Dress, or tags identifying our weaknesses might be ground for judgement. Well, the church is where you would hope God would be–I mean, it is his house–so I think dressing your best is appropriate. Tux and formal gowns, probably a little extravagant.

Not only that, but environment is a big deal. People respond to their environment, be it positive or negative. An uplifting, clean, non-distracting atmosphere is a good thing at church. It’s a place we hopefully can all be equals, and dress can reflect that. It’s a place we don’t have to judge others, because there is no reason to do so. Dress, or tags identifying our weaknesses might be ground for judgement.

]]> By: Leila Dali http://pluckychristian.wordpress.com/2008/04/08/dressing-up-for-church/#comment-139 Leila Dali Wed, 14 May 2008 23:23:22 +0000 http://pluckychristian.wordpress.com/?p=22#comment-139 people wash the outside of the cup but not the inside. (that one scripture). Thank you again for saying this! people wash the outside of the cup but not the inside. (that one scripture). Thank you again for saying this!

]]> By: The Betwixt http://pluckychristian.wordpress.com/2008/04/08/dressing-up-for-church/#comment-136 The Betwixt Tue, 22 Apr 2008 22:39:00 +0000 http://pluckychristian.wordpress.com/?p=22#comment-136 I'd actually look for a church just like this one, if such a beast existed. I've thought of finding one, but I'll be honest- I find them frightening and I don't want to be judged because I'm not dressed for the fashion show. I keep meaning to write a blog about that, how Sunday has become like thieves in the temple. People in general seem to go more for the tea and cookies and to see what everyone else is doing and to catch up on the gossip than for the glory of God, or to support others, or to even get support. I don't think Christians are supposed to be perfect. Where ever they got this idea is beyond me. I've always thought the Christian ideal to be more... I dunno, C.S. Lewis like. That's a fellow who had the whole concept down pat! I’d actually look for a church just like this one, if such a beast existed. I’ve thought of finding one, but I’ll be honest- I find them frightening and I don’t want to be judged because I’m not dressed for the fashion show.

I keep meaning to write a blog about that, how Sunday has become like thieves in the temple. People in general seem to go more for the tea and cookies and to see what everyone else is doing and to catch up on the gossip than for the glory of God, or to support others, or to even get support.

I don’t think Christians are supposed to be perfect. Where ever they got this idea is beyond me. I’ve always thought the Christian ideal to be more… I dunno, C.S. Lewis like. That’s a fellow who had the whole concept down pat!

]]> By: Haunty Djennie http://pluckychristian.wordpress.com/2008/04/08/dressing-up-for-church/#comment-134 Haunty Djennie Tue, 22 Apr 2008 00:47:57 +0000 http://pluckychristian.wordpress.com/?p=22#comment-134 Our senior pastoral candidate did his congregational interview in his jeans! Good sign for NCC. Our senior pastoral candidate did his congregational interview in his jeans! Good sign for NCC.

]]> By: Adam Riggins http://pluckychristian.wordpress.com/2008/04/08/dressing-up-for-church/#comment-129 Adam Riggins Wed, 09 Apr 2008 01:32:40 +0000 http://pluckychristian.wordpress.com/?p=22#comment-129 so true... that reminds me of a song: --- Is there anyone that fails Is there anyone that falls Am I the only one in church today feelin' so small Cause when I take a look around Everybody seems so strong I know they'll soon discover That I don't belong So I tuck it all away, like everything's okay If I make them all believe it, maybe I'll believe it too So with a painted grin, I play the part again So everyone will see me the way that I see them Are we happy plastic people Under shiny plastic steeples With walls around our weakness And smiles to hide our pain But if the invitation's open To every heart that has been broken Maybe then we close the curtain On our stained glass masquerade Is there anyone who's been there Are there any hands to raise Am I the only one who's traded In the altar for a stage The performance is convincing And we know every line by heart Only when no one is watching Can we really fall apart But would it set me free If I dared to let you see The truth behind the person That you imagine me to be Would your arms be open Or would you walk away Would the love of Jesus Be enough to make you stay so true… that reminds me of a song:
—
Is there anyone that fails
Is there anyone that falls
Am I the only one in church today feelin’ so small

Cause when I take a look around
Everybody seems so strong
I know they’ll soon discover
That I don’t belong

So I tuck it all away, like everything’s okay
If I make them all believe it, maybe I’ll believe it too
So with a painted grin, I play the part again
So everyone will see me the way that I see them

Are we happy plastic people
Under shiny plastic steeples
With walls around our weakness
And smiles to hide our pain
But if the invitation’s open
To every heart that has been broken
Maybe then we close the curtain
On our stained glass masquerade

Is there anyone who’s been there
Are there any hands to raise
Am I the only one who’s traded
In the altar for a stage

The performance is convincing
And we know every line by heart
Only when no one is watching
Can we really fall apart

But would it set me free
If I dared to let you see
The truth behind the person
That you imagine me to be

Would your arms be open
Or would you walk away
Would the love of Jesus
Be enough to make you stay

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