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And for many, that is a real worry for them, even here in America. Maybe not whether they will have clothes at all but that if what clothes they will have will be acceptable in Church, especially when the indirect message is that one must where a nice suit and tie. They may not have dress clothes or what they have are obviously second hand, patched, somewhat dated, poor fitting or something like that. I know because I have experienced exactly that as a poor farm boy. Sometimes a person might just not feel like going to church because their clothes are not nearly as nice as most everyone else. Jesus said we shouldn't worry about it. And I think it should be a part of our Christian conduct toward others to make them feel very welcome regardless of what clothes they wear to church. We shouldn't worry about it, nor should we create a worry barrier about it for others. Just come as you are. We need to stop looking at a person's outside and consider their heart.

for myself, I'm of the opinion that when I come into the presence of God at a pre-appointed time that I want to dress in my best... it's a matter of respect and honor... I understand not all share that opinion..

Interesting article, sadly I have seen several of the same things happen in different churches here that ultimately led to their closure. http://www.joshdaffern.com/10-things-the-church-puts-ahead-of-reaching-people/

Bowe Bergdahl to Be Charged With Desertion, Officials Say WASHINGTON - A U.S. official says the Army sergeant who abandoned his post in Afghanistan and was held by the Taliban for five years will be court martialed on charges of desertion and avoiding military service. Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl will also be charged with misbehavior before the enemy, said the official, who was not authorized to discuss the announcement publicly on the record and spoke on condition of anonymity. The U.S. military plans an announcement at Fort Bragg in North Carolina Wednesday afternoon. Bergdahl walked away from his post in Afghanistan and was captured, then released from Taliban capture in a prisoner exchange. Gen. Mark Milley, head of U.S. Army Forces Command at Fort Bragg, has been reviewing the massive case files and had a broad range of legal options, including various degrees of desertion charges. A major consideration was whether military officials would be able to prove that Bergdahl had no intention of returning to his unit - a key element in the more serious desertion charges. The Idaho native was freed by the Taliban May 31 in a deal struck by the Obama administration in which five senior Taliban officials were released from detention at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Bergdahl had disappeared from his post in Paktika province in eastern Afghanistan on June 30, 2009. Some ex-members of Bergdahl's former unit had labeled him a deserter, asserting that he chose to walk away and saying some were wounded or killed looking for him. Bergdahl has been given an Army desk job since his release by the Taliban.

sometimes it's gets to be annoying when I say I prefer to dress up for church - because automatically people who *don't* like to do it start in on how God doesn't care what we wear, blah, blah, blah - along with some implied notion that I must be condemning of those who come to church wearing a barrel and suspenders. Wear what what you think is appropriate!!!

Weekends! Look forward to everyone of them!!!

I would and I do every week.

Being able to go with my wife to another SDA church an hour's travel away without skipping any church responsibilities.

I'm blessed today for the opportunity of education. While stressful and intense at the moment (writing Masters thesis), I'm immensely blessed for the opportunity to read, learn, and share with others.

For me, this morning, it's the ability to simply go for a walk. I enjoy it, and often take it for granted, but it's a blessing.

I must admit that I am apparently unconscious as to observing what others are wearing in church. This morning I was in a church that I have spoke in several times and I happen to notice that the girl who led the singing was wearing jeans. I then though about it and realized that this beautiful, sweet young lady always wore the blue jeans ... clean and pressed. I know a bit about her family and feel sure that they do the best they can and dress their children accordingly. The thing that struck me most was looking around and seeing quite a bit of denim; had it not been for this thread I would probably never have given it a thought. Just sayin' The question of would you....................? If I had to go into debt to wear something else then, yes, I would wear denim.

I am reminded of a story about a mother and her young son. I can't remember exactly how the story goes, but the sum of it is that the mother often took walks with her son to the local park while she was dressed in her "prettiest" clothes. The clothes she wore were the Halloween costume she wore the previous year--a Disney princess outfit. She felt ridiculous, but proud because these were the clothes her son chose for her to wear. He thought she was the most beautiful woman in the world and that she looked her prettiest when she wore the princess outfit. The son would wear his costume as well because it made him feel dressed up. The neighbors and passers-by would stare at the two of them walking to the park, but the mother didn't care. She was happy that she was helping her son to be happy. She dressed for the one most important to her, not for the people who criticized and judged her because she was inappropriately dressed in their opinions. What apparel does God want His sons and daughters to wear on their special day together? It is my personal opinion that God doesn't really care what Christians wear on the outside so long as it's modest, weather-appropriate, non-constricting of our physical bodies, and does not cause a distraction to other believers.

I would hope that anything someone has to say about Ted Cruz (and anyone else who enters the presidential race) will be factual and not based on some sort of bias, predilection towards one party or another, or on a personal conviction of what "God's will" might be...

Pretty sure that a seamless robe wasn't a posh garment. One simple enough not to require a tailor, more like. I don't think Jesus used his style of dress to impress: indeed, the word says he 'had no beauty that people would desire him'.

I'm sure most of us have heard the saying that, "A church is a hospital for sinners -- not a rest home for saints." Following along that idea, has anyone ever wondered why no one ever gets "well"?? It seems to me that a church is more like a palliative care center, rather than a "hospital." So, rather than "curing," the focus should be on alleviation of the *effects* of sin... not only offering the "Blessed Hope" in the form of sermons and evangelistic efforts, but on actively helping and providing for others in big or small ways... just being friends, visiting -- just making people feel like they *matter*....

I like that. Church as kind of like "hospice" for so many doomed to die, yet giving hope for a better afterlife.

The question was Would you wear? . Not do you make others feel unacceptable if they are not dressed as you consider appropriate. Many of us experienced same, They may not have dress clothes or what they have are obviously second hand, patched, somewhat dated, poor fitting or something like that. I know because I have experienced exactly that as a poor farm boy My brothers and I certainly did as most of our clothing was second hand. The best of what you have may be patched and or second hand. We never wore clothes we did our farm chores in altho that may not have meant newer. Whu does the assumption seem to be made if you do not have expensive church clothes you are somehow going to be made to feel unwelcome?

Back at ya!

Some people seemingly do not understand our legal system. They seem to believe that people should be convicted of a crime without a trial. They do not understand that every person is entitled, under the law, to their day in court. Bergdahal is only charged with criminal activity, under the UCMJ. He has not yet gone to trial and the decision has not been made to bring him to trial. Yes, I believe that the Article 32 hearing will determine that he should go to trial. But, at the time he goes to trial, if he does, he will be un-convicted of any crime. The prosecution will present their evidence as to why he should be convicted, and of what crime. His defense will have the opportunity to rebut the prosecution. A panel of sergeants (if that is what he wants) will decide whether or not he is convicted of a crime, if so what crime and a decision will be made to what punishment will be recommended. Then higher levels will either accept the recommendation or mitigate it to a lower penalty. Folks, There is a long process ahead of Bergdahal. It is not over yet and at this point in time he is un-convicted of any crime. NOTE: The process that I have described is the process that will be followed by the governing provisions of the UCMJ, which differ in some details from the typical civilian process. UCMJ = Uniform Code of Military Justice

The pastor knows that some people will be using their smart phones, and tablets, to check their e-mail and to play games. So, he simply wants to change the dynamic. Now they sit there, listening to the sermon, with smart phone at the ready to text him a question.

Administrative Note: This is an example of a topic getting destroyed by turning it into a political poo flinging contest. Not a political topic. Derailed into political cesspool because someone is unable to contain their toxic views. It really is a serious social handicap to only process everything through a single ideological filter.

8“Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding banquet is ready, but those I invited did not deserve to come. 9So go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find.’ 10So the servants went out into the streets and gathered all the people they could find, the bad as well as the good, and the wedding hall was filled with guests. 11“But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes. 12He asked, ‘How did you get in here without wedding clothes, friend?’ The man was speechless. 13“Then the king told the attendants, ‘Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ 14“For many are invited, but few are chosen.”....Matthew 22 God is Love! Jesus saves!

I agree Pam... even if your best is "bargain basement" I feel it is disrespectful to not have them clean, pressed, etc. I have seen lots of blue jeans (denim) in various churches; If one is attending a Cowboy Church then by all means denim. Even then they can be pressed,& clean. As one fellow said, "these are my very best glad rags." Jesus lived in a different time, society, etc. To paraphrase Zig Ziegler, "If you wanta feel better about yourself, Get Up, Clean Up, fix up and things will Look Up, I submit that perhaps when we put on our Sabbath Best for church that we will experience an uplift in mental & spiritual health.

My experience is very consistent with what Bravus said. Currently I divide my time between two very different Adventist churches. One is quite traditional and a suit with tie is very much the norm for most in attendance and certainly for being on the platform. However, the early service is more relaxed and informal and I feel comfortable wearing business casual (no tie). The other church is much more relaxed about such things with a contemporary worship format. People attend in the full range of attire the predominent is nice causal, but in summer, shorts T-shirts and flip-flops are not uncommon. But there are always folks very dressed up with suits and often traditional ethnic clothes. People up front tend to dress less casual, but often musicians are causually dressed. The pastors often speak dressed casually, including jeans. I always wear casual clothes and sometimes jeans, especially if I ride my motorcycle to that church.

Not trying to silence anyone huh? Really? It seems to me that just because you don't like a source, Fox News, you dislike the message. Most of what makes it onto Fox can be found elsewhere, but Fox is a central, readily available, source for the conservative viewpoint. That said, I don't like some of their personalities or what those people have to say. But to throw out the baby with bathwater seems to me to pretty short-sighted. If not for Fox much of Obama and the far left does would go completely unreported on the major news sources and for that alone they are worthy of watching.

Yes. We should acknowledge it. Our prophet lead the way. Those who deny WO deny EGW: "From 1871 until her death in 1915, Ellen White was issued ministerial credentials. From 1871 to 1887 she was credentialed by the Michigan Conference, and from 1884 until her death, she was credentialed as a General Conference Minister. On one of the credentials (1885), the word "ordained" is struck through. (In the 1888 Yearbook she was also listed among the California Ministers.) Throughout the years, her name was listed along with ordained ministers rather than licentiates"

The church does not teach the infallibility of EGW The church does not teach sinlessness. The church has changed views on prophecy, and if we ever cease to review in light of more information we are in trouble.

Sheep good. Wolves bad. G