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Yes and NO!

I believe there are occasons for fitting ceremony etc.

ON THE WHOLE, I have changed my perspective and convictions on this issue.

THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH--EVEN THE EVANGELICAL CHRISTIAN CHURCH HAS TOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO LONG MAJORED IN MINORS AND MINOR IN MAJORS.

And on this issue, I believe we have taken a MAJOR--BEING CONCERNED ABOUT HOW OUR HEARTS WERE DRESSED and turned that important issue on it's head in the toilet while we have pranced and strutted emphasizing EXTERNALS to the glory of jealousy and the devil while ignoring the condition of our hearts--and sometimes worse, ignoring the less fortunate and their sensibilities as we strutted haughtily by them.

My own church is having a big do in a week or so--the best dressed kid in Hawaiian outfit. I speedily went out and bought some Hawaiian clothes for the less fortunate and suggested that they change the awards to awarding those who's hearts were best dressed in Jesus' Aloha Spirit of Jesus' Love etc.

I have also changed recently from a church wherein virtually every mode of dress known to man appeared with great nanchalance but the worship was earnest and heartfelt, vibrant and energetic and God's response seemed to be well pleased . . .

to a church that emphasizes at least among the staff that coats and ties and dresses are du rigour on Sunday morning. At first, I though--that's nice--as unto The Lord. And I know the folks are doing it for that reason etc. as the article expounds on at such length.

Sadly, in spite of a very loving, warm group with great Biblical teaching, energetic worship etc. the folks seem to be more distant from each other and the tone on Sunday mornings just from looking at the staff dress code is that if you can't measure up to that standard, you're out of place.

I don't think that is at all what Jesus would have and I don't think the pastor or staff would have that if they really saw it and understood it for the reality it is.

Jesus said go to the highways and byways and compel them to come in. He didn't say take them by Saks Fifth Avenue first.

Having our wedding garments on is another issue--a very spiritual/heart issue.

Now there is clean and decent. But beyond that--let our hearts be better dressed than our skin. And if someone didn't make it through the washer, dryer and ironing board that day--let no flinch cross our countenance. Heaven records every idle word . . . and looking down on another in any sense over clothes at church is not a spiritual grace.

IMHO.