Notice this readily at Mass - I too could do more in my attire. My guess is this guy is a single Dad and is attending Mass for the kid’s sake only.
Thankfully, in our church (Greek Orthodox, in Southern California), people show up mostly on time and dress appropriately, with the exception of some of the teenage girls. They are dressed well......for a Friday night out on the town.
Not ideal; but at least he got them there.
It’s not just church - the outfits I see people wearing to work are just as bad as you describe.
The talking was out of line, but He cares more about what’s on the inside than the outside.
I grew up AofG. To this day I cannot go in a church, even to drop off my child for VBS, without a skirt on. I always envied my Catholic cousins who got to wear pants to church. BTW, what happened to the hats? I remember Catholic church ladies always wearing hats, or at least a kleenex.
I’m sure Jesus would have been appalled.
On many levels I agree with you. Personally, if I can’t make the effort to honor God and the church body by dressing and acting appropriately, I don’t go to church (I am not Catholic). However, I don’t think Jesus wants me to miss church either.
My church gives everyone permission to “come as you are”, be late, etc. and many do. When things become a tad distracting, leadership brings it to our attention and everyone makes an effort to improve.
While this approach may not appeal to you, it does successfully draw the unchurched, seekers and those needing a little more grace.
Lastly, in this day and age, I am encouraged that a father still brings his young daughters to church! Perhaps you might befriend them and your “modeling” can help them learn the appropriate ways of worship.
Praying for the dad and daughters. And, you! :)
When we go to honor and worship God, we seem to have made it about us. We don’t really honor God and His Son but think of ourselves or our children. The created on a par with the Creator.
Less than 17% attend Church regularly and that percentage is declining. Christians should not be checking a dress code when they are attending to Jesus command to “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them ina the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” (Mat 28)
As far as being late, God is thankful for everyone that shows up to work.
The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard
“The workers who were hired about five in the afternoon came and each received a denarius. 10 So when those came who were hired first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also received a denarius. 11 When they received it, they began to grumble against the landowner. 12 ‘These who were hired last worked only one hour,’ they said, ‘and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day.’
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+20%3A1-16&version=NIV
To me it shows disrespect for our LORD to come in our growdy clothes. There are exceptions, a person that does not have any clothes that are not tattered and torn. The point being God knows the heart. We are to be in Awe of our God, and He knows the heart of everyone attending, praying and bowing down before Him.
Our whole society is falling apart bit by bit.
IMO, if they’re worshipping the Lord and hearing and taking to heart His Word... the type of attire (so long as it isn’t profane or provocative) isn’t an issue.
What is “appropriate” is a purely human convention and that convention is changing as it has done continuously for all of human history.
Throughout the ages people have attempted to freeze the costumes people wear in church and in a few generations they just look silly.
God sees what’s in their hearts of they people whose costumes you don’t approve of and you don’t.
As others have said, it matters what’s in the heart.
I am 25 and most of the time I wear jeans. Sometimes I wear khakis. Last week I wore a suit and tie (I don’t know why). With the pants, I always wear either a polo or button down. No T-shirts, no shorts. Not because I think they look bad, I just don’t have a desire to wear them to church.
As another person said. As long as it’s not revealing or provactative, then it is fine.
Care to chime in?
I’m doing my part - start a new job a few months back and decided that I would at a minimum wear a jacket every day - took some initial ribbing but also received some compliments. Now it’s accepted - hoping I can get more to do the same eventually. Yes even in the blistering heat this summer I’ve held firm, though I will admit I tend to always be cold in the first place and I really like having extra pockets. Anyway - we can at least do our own part.
Timely question. During worship yesterday I noticed a few young girls dressed in what I would consider inappropriate for church. 1 strapless top, 1 midriff showing. Included in the pastors sermon were pointed topics which had something to do with “causing your brother to stumble”.........specifically calling out the way people dress.
Just in my opinion, as long as the clothes aren’t slovenly or too provocative I feel dressing as you wish is fine. Being there to honor God is the most important thing- it shouldn’t be turned into a fashion show, nor should it turn into gossip and snickering between the church members as to how other people dress. In fact, my church (a Pentecostal Assemblies Of God church) posted on the main page of its website a graphic and link basically saying to “come as you are”, to not be fearful of how you may be seen at the church- just to come and experience God’s love and salvation. As for the cell phones- yes that is highly annoying. There are large signs posted outside the sanctuary doors to please turn off all cell phones. On the rare occasion one did go off during a service, the person it happened to was so horrified and embarrassed that the one time it did happen was enough to make them remember every single time after that.