NoelHeikkinen.com

Church Dress Code

Jul 6, 2006 Print This Post

//MOOD: Well Shod

//ITUNES: The Last Hurrah from the album “West Coast Diaries Volume One” by Peacock, Charlie

Last week, I spoke at Grace Presbyterian Church in Wheeling Illinois. They were having a weekend “revival” and I was their guest speaker.

As normally happens when I do something like this, I asked “what is the dress code?” I knew this was a conservative church, as well as being a Korean church, so I wasn’t sure. The pastor told me, “business casual is great,” so I came dressed in Khakis and a black shirt. Ironically, it was the same thing he was wearing.

Anyhoo, the rest of the church was wearing shorts! So, of course I berated him publicly and wore shorts the next day. Anyhoo, this idea “dress code” for church has been on my mind, which is why I found this article very interesting. It’s based on a response to a “Dear Abby” article:

(via MondayMorningInsight.com)

Dear Abby: May I respond to your reply regarding attire in church? As a priest and pastor, I’m appalled at how some people come dressed for Sunday worship.

You said that “Dress codes have been greatly relaxed in recent decades,” which I find to be inaccurate. What has become relaxed is the attitude, the respect and reverence people have for worship and church buildings. From brides walking down the aisle chewing gum to funeral pallbearers wearing tennis shoes, to members wearing flip-flops, shorts and tank tops on Sunday, the lack of respect and reverence to worship is disgusting.

These same people would never allow their children to play in a sporting event out of uniform, or apply for a job interview themselves dressed inappropriately. Sunday worship should be no different!

I also said I was raised to believe people should dress “respectfully” in the house of the Lord – and that means fully shod and covered up enough so it doesn’t distract other worshippers.

It’s interesting to see how clothes are such a big deal for people. The analogy of “business” or “sporting” attire is a flawed one. It’s comparing very different spheres of life. So, if you want to wear a suit to church, or a tux, or a dashiki, knock your bad self out. But expect weird looks at time, because

1 Samuel 16:7 “People judge by outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”

We like to focus in the end of this verse instead of the first part. We should expect people to judge us based on outward appearances, because that’s what people do.

But don’t worry, God doesn’t.

Technorati Tags: dresscode