Posted on 07/23/2012 12:09:39 PM PDT by NoKoolAidforMe
Yesterday at mass, a man came in with two girls (both of an age where each could stand and speak on their own.) ten minues after the liturgy began.
He stood along the side aisle wearing shorts, an advertisement tee shirt, and sneakers and leaned one foot against the wall of the church while standing. There were seats available.
When we stood for the gospel, he then decided to sit down. He did not pray with the girls nor follow along with the missal. He held one girl up for the entire mass, talking throughout with her feet on the top of the pew in front of him, even through the announcment that asked parishioners to show up on time and dress appropriately for mass and set a good example for our children. He bounced her up and down, kissing her repeatedly throughout the entire liturgy.
I write this diatribe because I am not sure if I am being unreasonable in expecting people to show up on time for mass, dress in attire that does not look like you are going to play baseball in the park, and behave in a respectful manner (you know, don't talk in church.)
Whatever happened to manners? Does anyone else notice this?
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.
I, too, have noticed, NoKoolAid. Nothing quite as egregious as you witnessed but slovenly and inappropriate dress, especially shorts and especially men, at almost every mass. Just another sign of our cultural decline, I fear.
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.
I am not trying to sound elitist. I know that making the effort to attend is what counts.
My gripe is that people just do not make a strong effort to be undistracted—their cell phones go off all the time or the kids cannot sit for an hour without eating or drawing in a coloring book or walking up and down the aisle. Some women dress in tank tops with exposed bra straps and daisy mae shorts.
It’s been so significant at this church that the pastor makes an announcement each week and posts a notice in the bulletin each week about how to act.
I dress up in my formal whites, reds, and sandals. Because I am a Catholic Shintoist.
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.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.