Should churches have dress codes?

[Woody]

I was a member of a church where a non-Adventist would often visit wearing a tropical beach shirt, shorts and flip flops. The deacons often would ask him to help collect the offering.

Oh... he was overweight and bald too.. . Not that that matters...

A non-SDA picking up the offering? Wow. That's a liberal concept.

[Dr. Shane]

Getting people involved tends to give them a sense of belonging and keep them coming back. I don't know if that is a liberal or conservative concept but I think it is an old one.

[Woody]

Getting people involved tends to give them a sense of belonging and keep them coming back. I don't know if that is a liberal or conservative concept but I think it is an old one.

Most certainly it is a liberal concept. A conservative would stick to the rules that only a deacon can pick up the offering. And according to the Church Manual ... only an SDA can be a deacon. I still like it even though I am a conservative.

[Tom Wetmore]

And even at the quite liberal church where I was a member for years, the offering had to be taken up only by deacons, and not deaconesses. (And this was a church that had had a female associate pastor since the 70's!) Some of us young punk deacons created a bit of a firestorm by suggesting that deaconesses would be able to at least help when we were short-handed. You would have thought we had sprouted horns!

[Woody]

and for the curvacious ... ban the pin stripes.

[GreatLakesGramma]

I happen to find hair of two or more colours a turn-on - no discernable reason why....

What?!!!! You mean my salt and pepper hair would be a problem for you?!!! Or would that only be if I temporarily dyed a strand blue or red instead of using a ribbon for color, like the beautician that worked on my hair once had done to hers. I thought it looked very pretty.

[Bravus]

My best armchair self-analysis is that dyed hair gives my subconscious the impression that a woman is making an effort with her appearance, and might therefore be looking for romance. Not anything I'd follow up, but the autonomic system has its own reactions. In that context, the salt-and-pepper is less of an issue, though that can be cute, and the colours more.

Anyway, let's not get too weird with it all! I'm sure all guys (and girls?) have these little quirks, though they may not have actively identified them.

While I'm very happily married, it's some consolation sometimes when I don't feel great about myself that some women somewhere must fancy guys who are an axehandle across the shoulders...

[Paula]

YES YES YES!!! If u went to a Latin/Brazilian church like I do... you'd understand!!! We have girls in the tightest, shortest, sheerest dresses u could imagine... and they go forward, they play instruments, they sing... and u would be AMAZED to see it!!! I go to the American church and I am shocked by how MODEST people are there!!!! But at our church, you see boobs, booties, and legs like u wouldn't believe it!!!

[Patrick Lawrence]

What does the Bible and testimonies say in regard to this?

[Paula]

lol... my kids are saying if u don't see their underwear it's not really short!!!

thats how bad it's gotten... it's funny... but sad...

[GreatLakesGramma]

Aw, Bravus, I was just teasing.

*****

I would not want my church to have a dress code. But then, we don't have problems like Paula describes, and nothing even close. Yes, some of the dresses are kind of short, but if a church were to adopt a dress code, who would decide what it should be? I wouldn't go if I couldn't dress in clothing that allows me to feel comfortable, which in winter means pants with long johns, and in the humid heat of summer, bare legs and dressy sandals under my skirts. I've heard all of those things criticized by some.

I'm not going to go to church in clothing that makes me sit there wishing it would hurry up and be over so I can go home and put an end to the misery of wearing clothing that's inappropriate for the weather.

[Paula]

Look... my clothes would possibly be considered "immodest" by conservative SDA's... I live in Florida.. I wear skirts that are just above the knees, no stockings and strappy 4-6 inch heels... I wear cami's under my low cut tops since I don't want my boobs hanging all out there.... so I am not a prude, or an ultra-conservative.... but.. when your church pianist goes up on the altar and u see her g-string outline under her skin tight short skirt, u know something is wrong.

Sometimes I think that we should all wear "baptism robes" at church... MEN AND WOMEN...then no one would be distracted by anyone... lol

[Nan]

Apropos of no one in particular...

If we are to have a dress code, I would advocate the Pakistani/northern Indian Silwar-qamiz. For both genders if that sounds more equable.

It is comfortable, cool when needed, modest and practical.

My most favoured clothes of any I have worn.

[GreatLakesGramma]

It sounds good to me, Nan.

[Stan]

Nice to see you back Paula!

[Overaged]

LOL; you do realize tho Paula that some would call that "acsension robes."

I have a dress code for church. I wear clothes; ones I buy for 12 bucks (both top and bottoms) at a discount store.

Once, I really wanted to get to a certain prayer meeting on time. Had I taken the time to go home and change; I would have missed out on it so I went in my rubby old drywall clothes. When I got up from my chair there; I left a trail of drywall crumbs; when I got up from kneeling down to pray with everyone else up front; there were white drywall crumbs in the spot upfront where I kneeled.

So that's my dress code; INCASE ANYONE WONDERS.

[Bravus]

I don't wear a dress to church. That's my code.

[Overaged]

lol I hope not, but if you did, I wonder what would happen? I mean, would it have to be "modest?"

[Gerr]

Just tagging on.

For a person just off the street, yes, by all means, come to church as you are. But for regular members, let me ask you a few questions.

1. If you are going on a date with the person of your dreams, would you go "as you are?" Behold, you have a date with Someone even more important.

2. Do you go to a job interview, "just as you are?" Behold, you are meeting with Someone greater than a prospective employer!

3. Would you go and meet the Queen of England, "just as you are?" Behold, Someone more important than the queen is about to meet with you.

4. Would you to Pres. Obama's ball, "just as you are?" Behold, you are meeting with the King of kings!

[Sonny]

Should churches enforce a specific dress code for its members-both men and women-in an effort to make sure those attending services are modest?

Absolutely not! If the heart is not receptive a change on the outside will not reflect a change on the inside. It's like dressing a pig up. Or better yet, it's like a casket. On the outside it's beautiful, but on the inside it's full of dead man's bones.

[Paula]

Thanks Stan!!

I come by about once a week... but I don't always post... Sonny, I agree with you that the change on the outside should be an expression of the heart, and Gerry and Overaged I agree that if someone is coming from work/ or is not a member, we should be open and receptive. But we should always be mindful that it is Gods house.

[cricket]

What happens when the change on the inside serves as the catalyst for a change on the outside, but the outward change isn't one that is perceived by others as being modest (or, holy, or perfect, or Christ-like, et cetera) enough?

[Woody]

What happens when the change on the inside serves as the catalyst for a change on the outside, but the outward change isn't one that is perceived by others as being modest (or, holy, or perfect, or Christ-like, et cetera) enough?

Good Question. And for some busy bodies ... there will never be enough change for the ones they are watching. :)

[LifeHiscost]

Should churches enforce a specific dress code for its members-both men and women

A resounding yes! But keep it simple so all can understand.

No one should come to church naked.

God blesses!

[Overaged]

if someone is coming from work/ or is not a member, we should be open and receptive. But we should always be mindful that it is Gods house.

Yes; you are quite correct in saying this, and I certainly did not mean to negate the importance of how to dress in God's house. I remember one time I saw a Pastor and as he was greeting people in the foyer, I noticed how wrinkled his suit coat was and how dishevelled his hair was. I guess I was lucky that I didn't open my big mouth and say something to someone about it; as it turned out the poor man announced during the sermon that he was in attendance at the bedside of his dying wife all the night before. That explained his appearance for sure.

In my case, I don't own a suit; but I do have a set of clothes that I just wear to church; even though it is always used clothes that I buy at a bargain shop but they actually are my "good" clothes. I know there are some who don't understand that but I will borrow a tie from somewhere if I am asked to preach.