Is 'smart' enough? (Full Version)

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Little_1 -> Is 'smart' enough? (5/6/2008 4:43:32 AM)

Do you believe that the way some people dress to go to church may put poorer people off going? Where I live - the congregations for the most part dress like they are going to a wedding. Whilst I do believe we should make an effort to look clean and tidy (i.e. smart) - it is not a fashion parade. I know people who buy a new outfit every week to go to church (and they are not cheap outfits either).

My neighbour (who is a Christian) told me that I would not be 'comfortable' at her church and advised me which church I should attend where I would be. By 'comfortable', she made it very clear that she meant - her church is very best dress code (i.e. suits, fancy hats and handbags). I was a little upset at the time because what she does not know is that I could go dressed to the nines also but choose not to because I don't want to and I value people not by what they wear outwardly but by what they wear on the inside. I just kept quiet but this attitude is so off-putting. I really do believe more people would go to church if they didn't feel they had to look a certain way.

What do you believe and is 'smart' enough? Also, if you were told that wearing fancy clothes was putting people off going to church - what would you do - would you change anything?



maddog4god -> RE: Is 'smart' enough? (5/6/2008 5:44:20 AM)

I am never put off by what others tell me. I may consider it - I may think about it - but I obey god always. There is nothing inherently wrong with dressing well for church if you are not in bondage to it. However, having said that, there was a time in my life I wore <gasp> holey jeans to church, not because it was stylish but because it was what I had and could afford AND more importantly I did a lot of street ministry. I would invite folks to church and they'd say, "I have nothing to wear" and I would say, do you see what I have on? this is what I'll wear to church. They would think I was lying and then on Sunday morning would be shocked that I was telling them the truth and wearing what I said I would wear.

It's not about what you wear, it's about the condition of your heart :D



deliveredarling -> RE: Is 'smart' enough? (5/6/2008 6:17:48 AM)

I am grateful that my church allows us to wear whatever. There is no condition that we dress a certain way. Who are we there to impress? What you described was that socially elite club. Where it is more important to focus on what so and so is wearing rather than noticing how God has moved in sos and so's life.......



saraha98 -> RE: Is 'smart' enough? (5/6/2008 7:27:52 AM)

HOW SAD!! I remember when I was a teenager and we went to a Luthren church. We had been going to that church since I was a little child, but when I was 18 I saw how everyone was so focused on clothing and appearance and it just turned me off. I was fourty years old when I finally returned to church. Now it wouldn't matter to me if people were focused on clothes because I know that I am not there to please people. God is the only one I need to please!!! But as a teenager it is so easy to be turned off by other peoples opinion. We really have to be careful about what we say. We always need to walk in love.



SonInMe1 -> RE: Is 'smart' enough? (5/6/2008 7:41:44 AM)

Some people think its a matter of respect to go to church dressed well and I don't disagree with that so to speak.

Lets put it this way...if I was a pastor and my flock dressed well and I heard someone gossip about cloths, that would be the last day I wore a suit to preach in...I can tell ya.

My church has both a traditional service and contemporary ones so if you like to dress up, in suits and nice dresses, there ya go. Thing is, you can compete with jeans too.

Or if your car shines.

Or if you have the right shades on.

Or if you have three holes in your jeans...and not four.

Or if you only do one ministry...and not four.

Won't even mention money.



Calea37 -> RE: Is 'smart' enough? (5/6/2008 7:44:22 AM)

I like to dress well and I sometimes think that there is "reverse discrimination" in that area. Almost like some people look down on you because you dress well. I have a lot of Sunday outfits and they aren't cheap either; nothing wrong with that.

Everyone should wear what they feel comfortable wearing. It isn't right to judge someone because they aren't dressed up but it certainly isn't any more right to judge someone because they are...

God is looking at our hearts and a person can have a big 'ole heart for God and be dressed well too. He knows if that person is dressing well to show respect or if they are dressing well just to show off.



Giulia -> RE: Is 'smart' enough? (5/6/2008 7:49:25 AM)

Depends how I feel. Sometimes I wear jeans. Other times I wear a dress. We have mixed odd bunch at our church. Some are writers and introverted and care more about comfort, some wear weird clothes and hats and bags and too much make-up, some haven't got money and others still wear what they feel comfortable in.

I imagine it would be very difficult to worship God where people are so comcerned about their flesh!



granolagirl -> RE: Is 'smart' enough? (5/6/2008 8:28:59 AM)

We have people come to our church in suits, dresses, jeans, sweatpants, jogging suits, slacks, t-shirts...etc. You name it, I can probably find someone in the church who is wearing it.
The only problem I have is with the scantly clad females who need to show some modesty in the way they dress.



small_creation -> RE: Is 'smart' enough? (5/6/2008 8:37:52 AM)

I do believe worship time should be free from as many worldly concerns as possible. That includes over-worrying about what you're wearing.

I don't care what people wear to church. Myself, I guage what the other people are wearing and try to dress somewhere in the middle -- trying not to draw attention away from the purpose of the meeting.

I do think that people should refrain from the extremes. If they are able to afford an extra set of "nice clothes", then they should set apart that outfit to show God respect. On the other hand, if someone is overly flamouyant or showy in their style, I will also notice this and it will detract my attention from worship.

What does it really matter, though?

j



Liveloved -> RE: Is 'smart' enough? (5/6/2008 12:04:39 PM)

quote:

What do you believe and is 'smart' enough? Also, if you were told that wearing fancy clothes was putting people off going to church - what would you do - would you change anything?


I have had friends who were taught from a certain Christian 'tradition' re: being stumbling blocks. However, it is interesting 'what' we define as a stumbling block and what we don't. Can't almost ANYTHING be a stumbling block to some person? I think 'yes'. That leaves us in a state of paralysis, unable to do ANYTHING, because it might be a stumbling block to them.

That said, I think we must be led by the Holy Spirit in all things. For example, when I dress each day, my perfume goes on just as my undergarments. I need both to be dressed---KWIM. That's me. However, I sing in a musical group and we are having a concert this weekend. At the concert, we stand in close proximity to one another for a long period of time. One of the men asked that we not wear perfume or cologne.

At first, my rebellious little spirit says 'how dare you tell me I can't come fully dressed!' But as I take it to the Lord in discussion, He says 'what would love do?' Love would give up it's own way for the good of the other. So I will leave off part of my attire to please this man.

So that's what it comes to. It has to be an individual, specific, moment by moment dependence on the guidance of the Holy Spirit in each situation.

I normally always wear a dress to church. I do it to honor the Lord. He is important and my person wants to show that. I don't do it to look or be 'smart'. You can look 'smart' by dressing yourself from Salvation Army clothes. Anyway, those are my thoughts.[:)]



doinkdom -> RE: Is 'smart' enough? (5/6/2008 1:55:08 PM)

I wore a cotton skit, top and flip flops this past Sunday.
Last Sunday was capris, top and flip flops.
Before that, jeans, top and flip flops...see the trend or rather, lack thereof. [8|]

I don't care what people wear to church - well I do care when it comes to modesty for so-called mature Christians.

I have also given a lot of thought to the attitude of dressing up for church - I have no issues with someone wanting to wear or look their very best. I do take issue with someone who does this looking down on those who do not.

I also take issue with those who choose not to dress up looking at others with contempt because they like to dress up. It's not always about someone's financial status.

Seriously....who cares?[;)]



Giulia -> RE: Is 'smart' enough? (5/8/2008 2:42:29 AM)

Some people at my church rock up in leathers and you can hear their Harleys roaring when they are a block away[:D]. I don't think God cares much what you wear, He cares more about your heart[:D]. We have some people who come for an outing from the nut house sometimes, as I said quite an odd bunch.[:D]



SonInMe1 -> RE: Is 'smart' enough? (5/8/2008 7:51:49 AM)

I think next Sunday we should all show up in our oldest most worn out clothes we have.

The next Sunday, we should wear our best.

T'would be an interesting experiment.



timf -> RE: Is 'smart' enough? (5/8/2008 8:50:03 AM)

My neighbour (who is a Christian) told me that I would not be 'comfortable' at her church

Sounds like being rejected by the Pharisees, not enirely bad.



iamjc-s -> RE: Is 'smart' enough? (5/8/2008 11:44:54 AM)

-
Who knows, maybe wearing something holey
reminds them “Be ye holy as I the Lord your God am holy!” (Lev 19:2)
-



Giulia -> RE: Is 'smart' enough? (5/8/2008 6:41:14 PM)

Yes something holey would be nice. You could tell them you wore in case you weren't made to feel comfortable by them and that in your own holey clothes you are comfortable. Then that opens a whole new door to you where you could start preaching[:D], that's how I do it. I often stand out for some reason or other and I use it as an occassion to talk about issues which are important (whatever may the point of justice which needs to be made at that time).



rcjames -> RE: Is 'smart' enough? (5/8/2008 6:44:48 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Little_1
What do you believe and is 'smart' enough? Also, if you were told that wearing fancy clothes was putting people off going to church - what would you do - would you change anything?


No I would change nothing, I wear jeans, a pull over golf shirt, and cowboy boots on Sunday morning, always have always will; and I am the Pastor.

Anyone else can wear whatever they want.

Thsnks
RC



Doc65 -> RE: Is 'smart' enough? (5/8/2008 7:02:58 PM)

quote:

It's not about what you wear, it's about the condition of your heart :D


Amen to that. Besides, God knows what we look like from even before we are born, being as He knew us before we were so wonderfully and fearfully knitted in our mother's wombs.

That being said, just don't show up to church in your birthday suit; God may know what you look like sans clothes, but the rest of us don't need to...[sm=icon_smile_yikes.gif]



Giulia -> RE: Is 'smart' enough? (5/10/2008 6:44:46 PM)

Yes, showing more crack than Cuba is also not nice for church![:D] You know when the jeans sag.



turtleman -> RE: Is 'smart' enough? (5/10/2008 10:28:31 PM)

It doesn't matter what you wear on the outside. AT my church we have people come in wearing everything from three piece suits to tee shirts with shorts and sandals. God will fix the inside the outside will take care of itself.



lazareth -> RE: Is 'smart' enough? (5/11/2008 12:29:30 AM)

You sound like you have a very tender spirit...

Don't pay those women in them fancy clothes no nevermind.

God's not looking at their clothes! [8|]



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