Inward purity & outward dress -- Does it matter how we dress for worship?

The Prayer Book Society of the USA ^ | September 2, 2003 | The Rev'd Dr. Peter Toon

[hiho hiho]

Inward purity & outward dress

Does it matter how we dress for worship?

Not too long ago, it was commonly held within all Christian denominations, from Orthodox through Roman Catholic to Baptist, that anyone going to a church service on Sunday should put on his best clothing (or at least his good clothing) for he was meeting not a human king or a human president, but the King of the kings and the Lord of the lords and the President of the presidents, even the Lord God, the Blessed Trinity. And "best" or "good" dress was defined in cultural terms as what was appropriate when meeting someone of great importance.

So one did not go to church on the Lord's Day in one's work clothing or in one's leisure attire. Along with this dress code, the basic affection of the soul that was seen as appropriate in entering the house of the Lord was "the fear of the Lord" (a sense of reverence and awe and sinfulness before the Infinite and Eternal, Holy God), for the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge and wisdom.

Today, semi-casual or even casual clothing are the norm in many denominations from Orthodox through Roman Catholic to Baptist, and "the fear of the Lord" has generally been replaced by "wanting a relationship with the Lord and [perhaps] with all [or some of those] who gather" (thus the spread of "the passing of the peace" or "the greeting" in the services of virtually all American denominations since the 1970s).

One can challenge this description claiming that the difference between 1950 and 2000 is not so marked. Yet any churchgoer who is 60 or more will be able to verify it, at least in general terms from personal observation.

But why this change in dress code and general attitude? One can offer all kinds of answers related to changing social and cultural mores, changing liturgical fashions, changing doctrinal teaching and a felt, greater sense of personal freedom and autonomy. But what seems to make sense, because we are beings with soul and body, is that there is a vital connection with what is believed, taught and confessed and how one dresses for worship and how one perceives and describes worship.

The move from dressing in one's best clothing to dressing in one's leisure or semi-formal clothing seems to be an outward and visible change of an inward disposition or attitude. Apparently the general perception of God, his nature, character & attributes, has changed and so has the sense of the place of a human being before him. Today we seem to think that we can easily enter the presence of God for he is the Friendly One who welcomes us just as we are. He is always ready to have "a relationship" with us. Yesterday, we apparently thought that to seek to enter the presence of God was an awesome calling, requiring reverence and penitence and that if He did establish a relation with us it was one of sovereign mercy.

The Lord's Day is not merely special, it is unique, for it is the weekly festival of the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus. Perhaps we should dress in an appropriate manner to celebrate the uniqueness of the Saviour and the Day!

The Rev'd Dr. Peter Toon M.A., D.Phil. (Oxon.)

[RnMomof7]

I think it looks like a great church it has a clear doctrinal statement (as a calvinist I could take issue with one section *grin* )BTW I am down your way frequently I have a son in McConnells . he goes to Rock-hill Baptist

[Blessed]

***It is time for a woman of the church to have a loving conversation with her , maybe the Pastors wife.***


Be prepared for her parents to object. We had 4 girls that the ladies in the youth group had to have that discussion with this summer. All of their parents came to there defense. Saw one out to Sunday lunch this week with parents and 12 year old sister. No clue . They both looked like 24 year olds headed to the club.

[Rubber_Duckie_27]

I agree. Apparently the youth group leader attempted to curb this girl's behavior, but to no avail. The pastor's wife spoke to the girl's mother, and the mom didn't really care that she was hugging the married men of the congregation.

Her parents force her to attend church with them until she's 18, and it's my opinion that part of her slutty clothing and acting-out is an attempt to get them to let her stay home. To be honest, a lot of folks wish they *would* keep her home if she's going to behave like that.

The pastor refuses to bring the issue to resolution, which is sadly not the worst he's done. Several families have left since he arrived. He showed one personality during the call process, then about 6 months after he was called he pulled a Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde on the congregation. I believe my parents would leave if their friends weren't at this church.

Fiance and I are glad to be getting out. I no longer live in the area, and we have found a church around here that we like. He has to drive nearly 30 minutes to meet me there, but no biggie. :)

[drstevej]

There needs to be a discussion with the parent(s) or guardian(s) as well.

[jude24]

And I wear a suit at church half the time too. But I don't have to. It's the being all things to all men bit...

Yeah, I am back at school, getting settled in. But I got to go, I've got some messages to write.

[missyme]

I think it is apalling the way some people dress for church. There is no respect, when you come into a house of worship and your dressed in cut off jeans a dress hugging your hiney, or any other modes of dress that take away from why your there in the first place!, to worship the lord.

When you dress like a freak, hooker, slob, you obviuosly are getting negative attention from other worshipers, which takes away from G-D's time, if you cannot put a nice pair of slacks on with a decent shirt, or a dress that is at least covering most of your private parts, then maybe you should stay home and worship.

[CindyDawg]

Well, I do think "all" private parts should be covered. Not just in church but anywhere in public lol. I don't see a problem with regular fitting clean jeans and shirt. To me it's not what you wear but how you wear it.

[Between the Lines]

I am down your way frequently I have a son in McConnells.

How does someone find their way all the way form New York to tiny little McConnells SC?

As a Calvinist I could take issue with one section *grin*.

As I am unfamiliar with Calvinist doctrine go ahead and enlighten me. Don't be shy. I am not as thin skinned, as my last post to you would imply. ;)

[Gamecock]

***As I am unfamiliar with Calvinist doctrine go ahead and enlighten me***

You have no idea what you have just done... ;-)

(PS, I miss SC)

[drstevej]

Shhhhhhhhh.

[Gamecock]

LOL

[Between the Lines]

You have no idea what you have just done... ;-)

I guess I will find out.

(PS, I miss SC)

I am originally from South Texas. I moved to North Carolina about 15 years ago and missed Texas terribly. I just couldn't get over what a liberal nanny-state it was. I moved to South Carolina about 6 years ago and no place has ever felt so much like home. I won't be moving again.

[mr_snoopy]

I never said that "outward dress and inward reverence" were the same thing. I agree with that point. I would say one thing in addition to what you wrote. That is, if a person feels that it is irreverent to either dress up or dress down, they should not go against their feelings without a well thought out reason.

[RochesterFan]

1 Sa 16:7 Comes to mind

But the Lord said to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, abut the Lord looks at the heart." New American Standard Bible : 1995 update. 1995.

That said, the Scriptures also teach the importance of modest dress that does not distract others.

A watershed event in the life of our assembly occurred in the late 60s when two young men, dressed in bib overalls, showed up to the Lord's Supper. The normal dress at the time was a business suit. The assembly looked at the Scriptures and welcomed these two new believers. Both grew in Christ. One, now with the Lord, was commended to to the work of the Lord and had a wonderful youth ministry. The other is now one of our deacons. BTW, now the typical dress for worship varies from modest, comfortable attire to business attire. Our focus is on worship of Christ, not one another's wardrobe.

[Gamecock]

My wife is fron New Braunfels, she wants to move back to SC when I retire from the Army. She says it is comfortable, like a well worn shoe...

Here's a link to a Calvinist thread that popped up this evening.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/975261/posts

and for an off site explanation

Discussions about Calvin get mighty heated around these parts.

[CindyDawg]

How about a nice game of chess, instead? lol

[CARepubGal]

Thank you for the reminder that it is not what we are wearing but where our heart lies that is important. :-)

[Between the Lines]

My wife is fron New Braunfels,

One of the most beautiful parts of Texas. My family's favorite place to go in Texas is Schlitterbahn. My wife's brother lives up the canyon from there in a place that overlooks the dam and the lake. But they say it isn't the same since the floods.

Discussions about Calvin get mighty heated around these parts.

Discussions about anything in the Religion Forum can get down right nasty. I will not argue though because you arn't goning to change anyone's mind around here.

[snerkel]

That is beautiful. Do you mind if I share it with others? :)

[Between the Lines]

That is beautiful. Do you mind if I share it with others?

Please do. God's grace and love should always be shared. My wife would be honored.