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This is a re-tooling of the thread on dressing up for church, which I closed because I messed up the poll. Please continue here.
Original OP:
There is a thread in Christian Advice in which the OP told a sad story. A group from church, out soul-winning, had encountered a very poor man who dressed in rags. He was eager for the message, but they told him he could not come to church dressed like that. Did he have friends who could loan him a suit and tie? He did not, so he was not welcome to attend church, much to his disappointment. And the OP's. And mine. I don't know how long ago this took place, but it could well be a true story. As I pointed out in that thread, during my adolescence, our family was very nearly turned away from a church (by ushers in three-piece suits) because we were badly dressed. I'll grant you that we were not properly dressed for church. We had been to the beach and then yard-sale-hopping, and the decision to go to church had been made at the last minute.
In the above cited case of the man who wanted to come to church but had only rags to wear, I think if they were so anxious to see him dressed "properly," they should have offered to buy him a suit.
I like to dress well, but I certainly wouldn't look down on someone dressed poorly. There was a time in my life when I had to wear rags too.
But let's define "nice," too, shall we? My husband doesn't wear a tie to church, but then, neither does the pastor. Some of the deacons do; others don't. I don't see many men over 30 in jeans. My husband will wear dress slacks and a button-down shirt to church. That's typical of the men there. Some wear a suit and tie, but mostly it's dress slacks and a shirt, no tie, rarely a jacket, sometimes a knitted sweater vest--sort of the old-style Archie comics look, minus the bow tie. I will be wearing a blouse and skirt this morning. I would wear slacks, but not jeans, on a very cold morning. And I am typical of what the women my age wear. Usually when you see a skirt suit and a hat, it's on an older lady.
While I think it was wrong for the ushers to try to turn us away, I also feel it is wrong not to put any effort into your looks when going to church. If we would dress up for a job interview, or to meet an earthly king, we should wear the best clothes we have for the Heavenly king as well. But, if the best clothes we have are rags, He knows that, and we shouldn't be turned away or looked down upon by human beings. There is a reason He is our judge.
What are your thoughts?
Original OP:
There is a thread in Christian Advice in which the OP told a sad story. A group from church, out soul-winning, had encountered a very poor man who dressed in rags. He was eager for the message, but they told him he could not come to church dressed like that. Did he have friends who could loan him a suit and tie? He did not, so he was not welcome to attend church, much to his disappointment. And the OP's. And mine. I don't know how long ago this took place, but it could well be a true story. As I pointed out in that thread, during my adolescence, our family was very nearly turned away from a church (by ushers in three-piece suits) because we were badly dressed. I'll grant you that we were not properly dressed for church. We had been to the beach and then yard-sale-hopping, and the decision to go to church had been made at the last minute.
In the above cited case of the man who wanted to come to church but had only rags to wear, I think if they were so anxious to see him dressed "properly," they should have offered to buy him a suit.
I like to dress well, but I certainly wouldn't look down on someone dressed poorly. There was a time in my life when I had to wear rags too.
But let's define "nice," too, shall we? My husband doesn't wear a tie to church, but then, neither does the pastor. Some of the deacons do; others don't. I don't see many men over 30 in jeans. My husband will wear dress slacks and a button-down shirt to church. That's typical of the men there. Some wear a suit and tie, but mostly it's dress slacks and a shirt, no tie, rarely a jacket, sometimes a knitted sweater vest--sort of the old-style Archie comics look, minus the bow tie. I will be wearing a blouse and skirt this morning. I would wear slacks, but not jeans, on a very cold morning. And I am typical of what the women my age wear. Usually when you see a skirt suit and a hat, it's on an older lady.
While I think it was wrong for the ushers to try to turn us away, I also feel it is wrong not to put any effort into your looks when going to church. If we would dress up for a job interview, or to meet an earthly king, we should wear the best clothes we have for the Heavenly king as well. But, if the best clothes we have are rags, He knows that, and we shouldn't be turned away or looked down upon by human beings. There is a reason He is our judge.
What are your thoughts?
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