"Churches no longer expect ‘Sunday best’"

[longtimefirsttime]

http://www.indeonline.com/index.php?ID=18370&r=1&Category=1
"Jim Zimmerman, pastor of Trinity United Methodist Church, shrugs off the idea of dressing your best for Sunday sermon. It’s not about how you look when you get to church, he noted, it’s about the attitude of your heart."

[warren1st]

http://www.indeonline.com/index.php?ID=18370&r=1&Category=1
"Jim Zimmerman, pastor of Trinity United Methodist Church, shrugs off the idea of dressing your best for Sunday sermon. It’s not about how you look when you get to church, he noted, it’s about the attitude of your heart."

I'm a Methodist and I was brought up to wear my "Sunday best!" Frankly, I think it's sad how people dress today for church and the clergy will allow anything to get you into church.

[massillon catholic]

I'm a Methodist and I was brought up to wear my "Sunday best!" Frankly, I think it's sad how people dress today for church and the clergy will allow anything to get you into church.

Its more important to be in church than what one may be wearing in church. I don't recall Jesus in a suit and tie!

[warren1st]

Its more important to be in church than what one may be wearing in church. I don't recall Jesus in a suit and tie!

I think Jesus expects you to be clean and neat out of respect to God. But, hey, what do I know. I'm just an old fogey that doesn't go for all the modern attitudes permeating society today. Btw, why do defense attorneys have their clients dressed in a suit and tie when they appear in court? Hmmmm.

[Kamd50]

Both posts contain good points. I do think that if at all possible, you dress your best, w/e that might be whenever possible. Some folks may be coming from work or on their way to, and others simply may not own what we perceive to be "dress clothes". I don't think you have to go all out like it is some kind of fashion show, though. Just dress respectibley. I will admit that I have had this battle with my kids when they start to hit their teen years. Every once in a while someone will try to slip by me with jeans on or something else they know I won't approve of for church. I always make them go change, but sometimes it seems like an uphill battle. And they too, will try to use the "Jesus doesn't care what I look like" routine.

The coaches require our football players to dress up on game days for school, with dress shirt and tie. Is it really too much to do the same for our Lord?

[Marie]

I go to a large church where there are all types of dress from very dressed up to jeans and flip flops. I enjoy getting dressed up on Sunday. I really don't care what other people wear, but would hope their clothes are clean and not too revealing.(It is church not a nite club!) We all go to church to worship God and that is more important than what we wear.

[austinsm11]

Those of you who dress up on Sunday our of respect for the Lord:
Do you dress up just as much on Wednesday? Most people are in nice pants and dress shirt for the guys and skirt/blouse for the women on Sundays. On Wednesday most people are in shorts/jeans and t-shirt or short sleeve shirt. If you wear a suit on Sunday out of respect, shouldn't you wear one on Wednesday as well?

[TigerDL71]

Those of you who dress up on Sunday our of respect for the Lord:
Do you dress up just as much on Wednesday? Most people are in nice pants and dress shirt for the guys and skirt/blouse for the women on Sundays. On Wednesday most people are in shorts/jeans and t-shirt or short sleeve shirt. If you wear a suit on Sunday out of respect, shouldn't you wear one on Wednesday as well?

I agree with you. Even in the corporate world a lot of business are getting away from the suit and tie and just going with a golf shirt and dress pants. Church isn't the only thing that has gone casual.

[Kamd50]

When you go to a wedding or a funeral or a new years party or a job interview even, do you go looking like a bum? I cannot believe that people can claim to believe in God, or better yet, ask for his blessings and pray to him for things when they or someone comes into some type of a need in their lives, yet find a hundred excuses as to why they can't dress up a little for an hour or two out of their busy lives to show some respect for the very same God they expect miracles from:thumbsdown:

[DAWGH8R]

Energy drinks AGAIN, KAMD ?????????

http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/energy-drink-3.jpg

[austinsm11]

I see both sides to the argument. People used to always dress up for church, weddings,court, interviews, etc. These were places you just dressed up without questioning. Not as much anymore. I showed up for my first job at a restaurant in a shirt and tie. I laughed about that watching what people came in to interviews wearing after I was hired.

The first job I had after college we had a guy show up without a tie for an interview. The boss basically didn't even listen in the interview. He had elminated the candidate without hearing anything he had to say. Luckily the assistant listened and the candidate happened to be really good. The assistant found out walking the guy out the door that he had a flat tire and had taken his shirt and tie off to avoid getting them dirty. He rushed to get to the interview on time, but didn't have enough time to get his tie back on. Considering his hands weren't very clean, I doubt the guy was making it up.

As mentioned, another problem is that some people don't really have dress clothes. I know people who came to church, basically, in their "dress jeans," the best pair of jeans they owned. It isn't easy to get kids to understand why their friends may be wearing jeans and they shouldn't be.

I still don't understand if we are dressing up when we go to church for God, why don't we dress up on Wednesdays as well?

[Marie]

I usually do dress up on Wednesday, but at our church Wednesday is more of a Bible study than worship service. Also there are many people who come straight from work so they are wearing their work clothes, scrubs etc.

[monte81]

As for wearing suits/dresses to church---- its not what you wear but what you believe and do with the word/sermons you are taught. "Come as you are" should be a theme for churches because all walks of life do not have suits and dresses to wear every week.

Work---DL71 I wish I could wear a polo shirt and kwakis to work everyday but we are required to wear ties Monday-Thursday! Dress down on Friday but my boss still frowns on the dress down attire!

[massillon catholic]

Both posts contain good points. I do think that if at all possible, you dress your best, w/e that might be whenever possible. Some folks may be coming from work or on their way to, and others simply may not own what we perceive to be "dress clothes". I don't think you have to go all out like it is some kind of fashion show, though. Just dress respectibley. I will admit that I have had this battle with my kids when they start to hit their teen years. Every once in a while someone will try to slip by me with jeans on or something else they know I won't approve of for church. I always make them go change, but sometimes it seems like an uphill battle. And they too, will try to use the "Jesus doesn't care what I look like" routine.

The coaches require our football players to dress up on game days for school, with dress shirt and tie. Is it really too much to do the same for our Lord?


My point was directed more along the lines that someone may not be able to afford suit and tie, but still wanted to be in church to worship. In that case, sandals and shorts would be appropriate, IMO.

[SuperBran]

As for wearing suits/dresses to church---- its not what you wear but what you believe and do with the word/sermons you are taught. "Come as you are" should be a theme for churches because all walks of life do not have suits and dresses to wear every week.


i agree. i think god prefers someone dressed in their worst who's completely devoted over someone dressed in their finest who doesn't really care about being there.

[Kamd50]

My point was directed more along the lines that someone may not be able to afford suit and tie, but still wanted to be in church to worship. In that case, sandals and shorts would be appropriate, IMO.


That is why I stated, "when at all possible....and ....some people might not own what we perceive to be "dress clothes". I don't think anyone would argue that if all someone owned were sandals and shorts that they shouldn't come to church.

All things being equal, if you do have both dress and casual/ bumming clothes, which is more appropriate for church? Assuming that you are not trying to impress anyone else, but rather trying to show an outword expression of your respect for God in His house, which would you choose? Even if you are a little uncomfortable in your dress clothes for a whole hour or so, is that such a big deal compared to how it must have felt for Jesus Christ hanging on that cross for our sins??? It's all about sacrifice and showing not only respect but gratefulness and reverence. Something that seems to be a dying thing these days.

If you are invited to your boss's house for dinner, do you show up in your scruff clothes or do you try to make the best impression possible? I consider God to be the Boss of all bosses and do not want to disrespect him in His own House:hug:

[massillon catholic]

That is why I stated, "when at all possible....and ....some people might not own what we perceive to be "dress clothes". I don't think anyone would argue that if all someone owned were sandals and shorts that they shouldn't come to church.

All things being equal, if you do have both dress and casual/ bumming clothes, which is more appropriate for church? Assuming that you are not trying to impress anyone else, but rather trying to show an outword expression of your respect for God in His house, which would you choose? Even if you are a little uncomfortable in your dress clothes for a whole hour or so, is that such a big deal compared to how it must have felt for Jesus Christ hanging on that cross for our sins??? It's all about sacrifice and showing not only respect but gratefulness and reverence. Something that seems to be a dying thing these days.

If you are invited to your boss's house for dinner, do you show up in your scruff clothes or do you try to make the best impression possible? I consider God to be the Boss of all bosses and do not want to disrespect him in His own House:hug:


I agree with your statement.

[TigerLily]

I’ve read some really great points regarding this on here.

It is not a “sin” to not dress-up to go to church. And, I would never want anyone to stay out of church because they don’t think they have the right attire. But, I do believe that we are going to the Lord’s house and it is a very special place. In light of that we should look our best, in modest dress.

Also, our bodies are the Temple of God. If we love God, wouldn’t we naturally want to not only take care of that temple, but make sure it is always presentable and a good reflection of our Lord?

Others also see Christ through you. They see this through your actions, talk, dress… whatever you do.

For me, I’m dressing up because I love the Lord and want to be my very best for Him and honor Him.

Only our best for Him.

[TigerBuckeye313]

I've been attending the same church for about 6-7 years now and I can't remember one time when I saw our pastor wearing a suit and tie. During the summer he wears khakis and a nice shirt and during the winter he wears sweaters and similar things...