Can a Man Wear Shorts to Church? What Does the Bible Say?

MbiaJc · Aug 9, 2007

1. Should men wear shorts to Church service even thoe they go to the knees?

2. Should they only wear them to social functions at church?

3. Or should they not ware shorts on Church properity?

4. Should there be a dress code for Christians? If the answer is yes, then what dress code?

Our preacher got mad last Saturday at two men at our Church. For grilling hot dogs and hambergers, for the Bible School kids, wearing their short britches.

Hammster · Aug 9, 2007

I guess I would ask the pastor what part of Scripture they were violating.

I have worn shorts to church, but don't anymore out of personal conviction. I don't think I was sinning, but felt that I needed to be more dressier for God's glory.

Our pastors don't wear shorts, but rarely to they wear ties, either. And they have never gotten onto anyone for wearing shorts.

One rule of thumb that was given by a former pastor's wife was this: Dress how you would if you were going out on a date with someone you were really interested in. It has served me well.

Jerrell · Aug 9, 2007

Wear what is acceptable, and holy to God not showing all one's flesh, but acceptably covering the body...There is nothing wrong with shorts, not in my eyes...it's not as if the sight of men legs will kill a Christian...

FreeinChrist · Aug 10, 2007

When it is over 100 here (Arizona) we see some men in nicer shorts. Of course it gets much hotter and that is when we pass out free bottles of cool water too.

Epiphoskei · Aug 10, 2007

Odd, that's all I have to say. Shorts have nothing to do with spirituality.

£amb · Aug 10, 2007

MbiaJc said:
1. Should men wear shorts to Church service even thoe they go to the knees?

2. Should they only wear them to social functions at church?

3. Or should they not ware shorts on Church properity?

4. Should there be a dress code for Christians? If the answer is yes, then what dress code?

Our preacher got mad last Saturday at two men at our Church. For grilling hot dogs and hambergers, for the Bible School kids, wearing their short britches.

I've seen some men wear some nice shorts. I thank God He looks at our hearts and not what we wear on a daily basis. I also feel if you're getting together for a casual get-together, then casual wear should be appropriate. I know there are some sticklers out there when it comes to dressing for church. I've caught myself being wrapped up with what someone was wearing and considering it "inappropriate".

The only dress code that I can see...for women...since I am one... ...is not to come to church looking like you're ready to paint the town red.

JimfromOhio · Aug 10, 2007

1. Should men wear shorts to Church service even thoe they go to the knees?

Yes

2. Should they only wear them to social functions at church?

No

3. Or should they not ware shorts on Church properity?

nope

4. Should there be a dress code for Christians? If the answer is yes, then what dress code?

Dress code according to who? Surely, not from the Bible.

Our preacher got mad last Saturday at two men at our Church. For grilling hot dogs and hambergers, for the Bible School kids, wearing their short britches.

Legalism takes over missions often interfere God's commandment of Love

Sweet Pea · Aug 10, 2007

Should those 2 guys been wearing a 3 piece suit & tie instead?

Your pastor is in a legalistic culture.

Ask him to support his view with scripture. he won't find it. As long as a person is modest and clean, it shouldn't matter. There's too many modest dressing people (3 piece suits & ties, clean cut haircuts, shined shoes) at church who have sinful hearts that needs to be cleaned up first. You can't take clothes to heaven but you sure can take the person.

If someone came to church who wasn't a christian dressed in shorts & a t-shirt on Sunday, would your pastor turn them away? Would Jesus turned them away?

IisJustMe · Aug 10, 2007

I don't think so. I don't think churches who are interested in evangelizing the world should have one, either.

I wear "business casual" to church, except at Christmas and Resurrection Sunday when I like to honor the Lord with being cleaned up and presentable.

Not that I don't honor the Lord every other time I'm in church, but it isn't what I wear that honors Him in the first place. I can wear a Brooks Brothers $1,000 suit and still be in filthy rags, spiritually.

Christians need to get over the ways of the world, which is to judge people. How they look, how they act, how they talk is no indication of who they are in Christ -- or who they are not in Christ. If someone comes into my church wearing shorts to worship and praise the Lord, no one is going to tell him or her they "aren't dressed appropriately." Likewise (and more so) if they come in looking to find out about this Jesus they've heard about, we're gonna welcome them with open arms, just like Jesus would.

Your pastor was out of line. Tell him to get over himself and his self-righteousness, and start being Jesus to people who may need to know Him.

Flynmonkie · Aug 10, 2007

Dress code? Jesus was a man who wore a dress? Can you imagine if a man wore a dress to church now? What more needs to be said? LOL! Good grief!

(especially in the heat most of the country is in right now..!)

It is of no matter how people come to church, as they learn and grow so will their lifestyle. The point is they are there listening. God takes care of the rest. I would however like to see more people concentrating on themselves rather than worrying about everyone else.. but that is another thread in its entirety

fuzzymel · Aug 10, 2007

This makes me appreciate my church. We are such a mixed bunch. I wear jeans and t-shirt my husband is in shorts and t-shirt. We have older people sitting next to us in suits and dresses.
[SIZE=+0][/SIZE]
[SIZE=+0]Basically we go to church in what we are most comfortable in. My church has its faults but it does get it spot on in not having a dress code. It makes it so much easier for any newbies too because no matter what they are wearing they will not feel out of place.[/SIZE]

edie19 · Aug 11, 2007

Suffice it to say I get very tired of men's rules that have no foundation in Scripture.

Shorts are perfectly acceptable - especially in the circumstances you were describing (not much worse than standing over a hot grill in hot weather to begin with, to do so while overdressed is even worse)

DaughterofEve · Aug 11, 2007

chris777 · Aug 12, 2007

I am torn on this issue.

I agree that their is no scriptural support for a 3 piece suit.

But it always seems like we take our liberties for granted, and abuse it.

It reminds me of business casual at my old job where people would continually see what they could get away with, untill it had to be reigned in by management.

Like others have stated I HAD tried to wear my business casual attire to church to honor God, and hopefully prompt some of those wearing less appropriate attire to dress more appropriately.(particularly those really wearing far less than they should and not in a temperature related manner.)
However I have been trying to learn the AV booth, and considering that it is hot upstairs in both summer, and winter when they crank up the heat to compensate for it being off until Sunday morning, I have broken down over the past month or two and started wearing shorts, since I am usually hiding out upstairs out of the view of most people anyway.

But don't Get me wrong, I do see this as a potential issue, as it almost always ends up having someone take it too far.

Maby we need to keep bringing up the verses reminding us to dress honorably as thats what got me out of my "I don't care what others think phase"

But again here i am in shorts in 100 degree weather.

edie19 · Aug 13, 2007

I'm pretty much with you on this Chris in that I think it's appropriate to dress nicely out of respect for God. I also think it is extremely appropriate to dress modestly (I've seen folks at church who look like they're ready to party all evening at a night club).

For the most part I wear a dress or skirt - but in the summer have been known to wear shorts (capris actually) and in the winter have worn dress slacks (depends on if very hot or very cold).

But that's to worship. If my church were having a Saturday afternoon picnic (as I believe was described in the OP) then I would expect that all would be in shorts.

edie

fireman1173005 · Aug 13, 2007

I am a youth pastor in a small Southern Baptist church in Oklahoma. I wear shorts on Wed. nights to church but I'm not in the sanctuary, only in the youth room. I personally don't wear shorts on Sunday mornings or Sunday nights. Infact most men in our church don't either. We do have some male youth that do though. Now, I do wear shorts in the sanctuary during Bible school, etc. As Christians we need to be careful about having a dress code at church. Nothing will run lost people off faster than this. Now there are some church's in Oklahoma that let people wear anything they want and even eat and drink in the sanctuary. Now I don't agree with this, but I don't go to their church either. To each his own. As long as they are getting spiritually fed, then power to them. If it says anywhere in the Bible that men shouldn't wear shorts please let me know. I don't wear shorts on Sundays out of respect for God and the Holliness of the Sanctuary. But I also don't let my youth wear hats in the sanctuary, but I do in the youth room. Maybe I shouldn't but I don't want to drive them away. Just my thoughts.

Brian

IisJustMe · Aug 13, 2007

fireman1173005 said:
I am a youth pastor in a small Southern Baptist church in Oklahoma. I wear shorts on Wed. nights to church but I'm not in the sanctuary, only in the youth room. I personally don't wear shorts on Sunday mornings or Sunday nights.

No way, Brian!

Not on Sundays, anyway. You're description of how you feel free to wear shorts is fine. The original question dealt with church members, however, not staff. I think it would be risky for a staff member to be so casual in appearance (though I've seen some staff in Hawaiian shirts on Sundays at some churches ... particularly those churches who view their mission as being to the unchurched.

I think if membership and attendees are comfortable with their staff in blue jeans, shorts, Hawaiian shirts -- whatever -- who cares? I am very certain Jesus doesn't.

meh · Aug 14, 2007

I think shorts are fine. We get everything from t-shirts and jeans to fancy dresses and suits. I don't think anyone cares much what people show up in. Just as long as you show up And I especially think shorts are fine for men or women in these heatwaves we've been having.

dobieman0488 · Sep 9, 2007

no people.
men should always wear neat, ironed 3 piece black suits, with a black tie and white shirts. with nice dress shoes (make sure you polish them so they shine), and they must all wear their hair in a comb-over, women should all wear headcovers and full black robes,
just kidding, it doesn't matter, your heart is what matters in church, clothes dont mean anything, i mean obviously it should be somewhat modest

WarEagle · Sep 10, 2007

Sweet Pea said:
If someone came to church who wasn't a christian dressed in shorts & a t-shirt on Sunday, would your pastor turn them away? Would Jesus turned them away?

We wouldn't turn them away, but we would hope that Christians have enough reverence for God and respect for the reason they're gathering to dress appropriately.

Whether you believe it or not, how you dress is an indication of how seriously you take the occasion or person you're dressing for.

You wear shorts and a tshirt to a ballgame or to the beach or to a rock concert because those are frivolous things.

You wear a jacket and tie to court because you're showing your respect for the authority of the court.

You wear a jacket and tie to a wedding, because you're showing your respect for the sacredness of the occasion.

You wear a jacket and tie on a date because you're showing your date that you have respect for her.

Now if we show reverence for these things, then how much more reverence are we to show for the gathering of God's people to worship Him?

You may now feel free to call me a "legalist", even though none of what I've said has anything to do with the Biblical teaching about legalism.

Can a Man Wear Shorts to Church? What Does the Bible Say?

Veteran

Carpe Chaos

Minister of Christ

CF Advisory team

Senior Veteran

£amb

Guest

Life of Trials :)

Legend

He rescued me because He delighted in me (Ps18:19)

The First Official FrankenMonkie ;)

Contributor

Legend

a.k.a. DoE

Senior Veteran

Legend

Senior Member

He rescued me because He delighted in me (Ps18:19)

Legend

Member

Well-Known Member

Similar threads

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency