Should churches have dress codes?

[Paula]

I understand what you're saying Overaged... my husband is kind of bothered by people going to church in super nice suites and ties, and great shoes, etc... he feels like the "christian" thing to do would be to buy simple, affordable clothes... even if its a simple pair of pants, and a shirt... and donate the money or buy clothes for the poor. His wardrobe of choice to go to church would be a clean pair of jeans, and a clean t-shirt from walmart, or the thrift store. He feels like church is a "fashion show" and people are all "modeling" their great clothes and their money for others to see... I am not sure how I'd feel about everyone going to church in jeans and a t-shirt.. I like the idea of wearing a shirt and tie with slacks... but on the other hand I like the concept of going to church in simple/humble clothes and using the money you'd have spent on that $250 suit (which my husband refuses to buy or wear) to buy clothes for the poor...

[Overaged]

I am not sure how I'd feel about everyone going to church in jeans and a t-shirt...

My younger son (16 yrs) had an occassion where he had to go to a church (not Adventist) earlier this evening. He said the Pastor there was quite likable. I asked why and this is what he said: "Well that Pastor wears dirty blue jeans and a cowboy hat; and yet he is the nicest man you'd ever want to meet."

[LifeHiscost]

SHELLY

modesty is the key word here...a young lady seems to be

more modest in a pants suit than some of the dresses

the stores want to sell the young ladies....

so if there would be a dress code it would be to cover

up the body with nice looking clothes

dgrimm60

Does love of God and freedom to dress as we feel is best, ignore responsibility?

"You shall not curse the deaf, nor put a stumbling block before the blind, but shall fear your God: I am the LORD."Leviticus 19:14 NKJV

"Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way."Romans 14:13 NKJV

"...the Son of Man shall send forth his messengers, and they shall gather up out of his kingdom all the stumbling-blocks, and those doing the unlawlessness..."

Matthew 13:41 YLT

God blesses!

[LifeHiscost]

I think the dress code should be: Come if you need Jesus.

IMO: If you feel like dressing up, dress up, and don't feel bad if everyone else is in jeans. If you feel like wearing jeans, wear jeans, and don't feel bad if you're the only one. If someone comes in dressed immodestly, love them, don't criticize them, don't tell them how to do it better. They'll figure it out themselves if they feel welcome enough to come back again and again. This goes even for, maybe especially for, teens who have grown up in the church and "should know better." They are testing the waters, have room for growth, and grow best when loved. Many, many in my generation stopped attending church when criticized for dress. Once a person stops coming, it is hard for them to ever come back.

"Err on the side of the people."

Well put,LynnDel.

Here's the uniform we should all be wearing and the uniform some of us wear.

"Because you say, ‘I....have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are....naked—"

"..buy from Me....white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed.."Rev 3:18 NKJV

God blesses!

[fccool]

Should churches have dress code? Yes for employees. Other than that, I'm having a problem to picture as to how you are going to regulate such dress code for people who come voluntarily... on top of paying in a great deal to support the organization to begin with.

It's like RedCross asking you to shave before you come to any meetings. Now, I'm certainly not talking about asking someone with something obscene to tone it down.

[ClubV12]

How about a dress code in the parking lot?

I have a really fancy old car that I've had for years, longer than I've been a christian. A couple of folks said I should drive that to church, some folks might get a kick out of it. I was horrified! That would be my last choice for fear the car would divert attention to secular things instead of spiritual things. Time and place are important in what you wear, what you drive, how you look, how you talk. Lest I become a stumbling block, as mentioned, to some one.

Good point about church being a fashion show, it's worth consideration. That hasn't been something I've noticed myself though. I think it's nice when folks dress up and look their very best for church. At the same time I don't have a problem with those that are comfortable in jeans and tee shirt either.

Myself, I prefer a more formal suit, dark, white or light tan shirt, simple tie and tie clasp. A friend of mine likes to wear, on occasion, really LOUD ties. I get a kick out of it, a chuckle, church should be fun as well as spiritual. While that works for him, man, I couldn't do it, way to embarrasing! :)

[Woody]

I have a suggestion on how to enforce.

You could hire a bouncer to stand at the door and refuse entrance to anyone not looking 'proper'.

I think it would be best to hire a non-SDA to do the duty so that no hard feeling are felt.

[Bravus]

Andplus that person would be working on Sabbath... but wait, would he be a manservant within our gate? Maybe he would need to stand just outside...

[Dr. Shane]

Time and place are important in what you wear, what you drive, how you look, how you talk. Lest I become a stumbling block, as mentioned, to some one.

[Woody]

Andplus that person would be working on Sabbath... but wait, would he be a manservant within our gate? Maybe he would need to stand just outside...

Yes. Good Point Bravus. I think we could either obtain an exeption from God or else we could build a fence with a gate around the church and have him stand just out side of it. :)

[Woody]

The idea that jeans are not 'dress' clothing seems old fashioned. The celebrities where them to galas and formal occasions.

[Gail]

The idea that jeans are not 'dress' clothing seems old fashioned. The celebrities where them to galas and formal occasions.

They are worn at one of the churches I attend.

[doug yowell]

Originally Posted By: Woody

The idea that jeans are not 'dress' clothing seems old fashioned. The celebrities where them to galas and formal occasions.

They are worn at one of the churches I attend.

Don't forget the rodeo's when they're ropin. Cowboy's are people too.

[Woody]

Originally Posted By: Woody

The idea that jeans are not 'dress' clothing seems old fashioned. The celebrities where them to galas and formal occasions.

They are worn at one of the churches I attend.

Cool. They no longer are just 'work' clothing. And boy have you seen some of the prices for them fancy jeans? I think you can even over do and over fashion with jeans.

[doug yowell]

Andplus that person would be working on Sabbath... but wait, would he be a manservant within our gate? Maybe he would need to stand just outside...

Nonsense! They could be appointed as an official church office and volunteer their services like everyone else.Just looking real mean could be a very effective deterrent. But always well dressed in a black suit with sunglasses.

[doug yowell]

The idea that jeans are not 'dress' clothing seems old fashioned. The celebrities where them to galas and formal occasions.

They are worn at one of the churches I attend.

Cool. They no longer are just 'work' clothing. And boy have you seen some of the prices for them fancy jeans? I think you can even over do and over fashion with jeans.

I think the one's that start at $175 come without the holes in them.The holes are extra.

[Overaged]

Where do I apply for that position as CHURCH BOUNCER?

[Woody]

Where do I apply for that position as CHURCH BOUNCER?

U would make a good bouncer. But U R far too mean looking for a church bouncer. lol :)

[Bravus]

Maybe we just need a long line of people and a velvet rope outside the church, and we'd *need* a bouncer to keep out all the young people trying to get in?

[doug yowell]

Maybe we just need a long line of people and a velvet rope outside the church, and we'd *need* a bouncer to keep out all the young people trying to get in?

And an ID check to catch all the old ones trying to pass as young.

[Overaged]

Maybe we just need a long line of people and a velvet rope outside the church, and we'd *need* a bouncer to keep out all the young people trying to get in?

No! I would keep all the "non-young people" out! I think it's wrong for the ladies to have hat contests in Church and for the men to wear a rope around their neck and a rug on their backs!

[Overaged]

LOL, maybe!

[Woody]

Originally Posted By: Bravus

Maybe we just need a long line of people and a velvet rope outside the church, and we'd *need* a bouncer to keep out all the young people trying to get in?

No! I would keep all the "non-young people" out! I think it's wrong for the ladies to have hat contests in Church and for the men to wear a rope around their neck and a rug on their backs!

LOL. Good Description

[Dr. Shane]

I just spent the weekend with some kids lovin' the church.

(sorry, I don't know how to adjust the size)

[Overaged]

I will gladly separate the sheep from the goats...