Why Christians Should Dress for church
In many churches in America, a casual standard of clothing is acceptable. This is becoming more and more accepted in American and western society in general. However, is this right? Should Christians wear casual clothing to church?
Elohim is a god of order. God does not sow confusion. When one looks at a congregation all wearing casual clothing all one can see is confusion as numerous different styles clash and no common standard is enforced. There is no order is such a place. However, just for this reason there is no reason for one to wear clothing such as a shirt and tie.
It is all a matter of attitude. Attitude all stems from one’s view of church. Thus Christians cannot expect one that does not respect God to actually confrom to the attutude one has towards God. However, how does attitude relate to how one dresses to church?
Think about this in the following manner. When one goes to a person’s wedding or funeral what does one wear? He wears at least a suit, some may wear tuxedoes and all the women wear dresses or skirts (though now many wear pants, no one wears jeans). What of a funeral? One wears the same thing, except in the west normally black. Why is this? Well the most basic reason is fear that others will ridicule you if you don’t conform to a standard, or in other simpler words, peer pressure. People fear peer pressure, and fear is a form of respect. However, when one goes to church what does one wear? Jeans? In a church with little dress code clothing worn by people of the female gender may also be on the borderline of what is considered acceptable as fashion in the world around changes. Thus it can be said that the world has an influence on the church, that however is a later point.
Now why is it said that clothing is a matter of respect? Well to begin with the look at the above example. People respect other people. Now when one enters church, he enters a place were God is. Thus, by logical extension should we not be respectful when meeting the greatest king on earth and at least wear a shirt and tie? Out of respect one should wear a shirt and tie at least or a dress or skirt rather than casual clothing. It shows how One respects the Lord and will also show a greater orderliness than wearing casual clothing.
The point I skipped above is that of the influence of the world. Casual clothing tends to reflect the current trends of the world. All clothing reflects current trends of the world (if it did not people would wear frilled collars…. Or togas). However, casual clothing reflects it the most so. Because it is not some standard of dress that is respected in western society, such as a shirt and tie, it is more subject to change (compare dress in the 70s to today and what business men wore). Clothing now was perhaps not acceptable before and yet it is accepted today. Clothing today deifies the definition of modesty presented in the bible, but that is for a later discussion.
Thus out of respect towards God people should dress up for church… or at least be consistent and dress down for weddings (oh that’s right to dress down for a wedding makes you look like an idiot). Just because Sunday is a day off and people want to relax is not a good reason to wear casual clothing if it does not show respect to the one you worship on that day. Thus it is my belief (which technically has little biblical basis) that people should dress up for church.
Now the problems…
There are always problems. Say a church that once had casual dress as a standard began to change to a more formal type of dress out of respect towards God. The primary problem that stands out is the attitude of people. Soon it no longer becomes respect for many people but peer pressure and the respect is being given to the group and not to the King. If dress is a matter of attitude, it is better to wear casual dress and have a better ability to worship God than to worry about what others think and dress up. A person who does not believe clothing matters may dress up or not dress up and still worship God in the same manner. However, their outward clothing does not really show respect. Thus the biggest problem is the attitude of all those who dress up out of peer pressure.
Another problem that may be raised is what others think. Dressing up might intimidate new people. However, the same can be said that dressing up shows a difference from the world. It all depends on the person coming into the Church. Perhaps in poorer areas it would be better to not dress up if one’s primary goal is to make people comfortable if they are unsaved and are just [re]starting to come to church. However, most of America knows what a shirt and tie is and thus this makes little difference and people should not feel intimidated by such a dress code.
Thus in conclusion, out of respect towards God people should dress up for church. Casual clothing is worn on normal days, but as Christians we Go to see the king of kings and thus we should respect him as such.
How does dressing up show God respect exactly? He never asked for it. Does He expect it? Would we be showing Him more respect if we focused on getting rid of the sin in our lives or reaching out to hurting people? And your last sentence says a lot. As a Christian, should any day be a normal day? Each day should be 100% focused on God, worshiping Him with our lifestyles, not just an hour on Sunday. With that said, we would need to dress up constantly, right? Dressing up for church is a solely a tradition thing. Saying you should do it turns it into legalism: something Jesus hated and was always teaching against. I don’t care if people want to dress up (and I’ve ever seen any Scripture that shows God cares). I do care when people turn tradition into requirement. Just a few thoughts.
The point of church is a repetitive event that allows Christians to gather and learn and worship God. While I am not saying that we should dress up all the time, for church, if we have the ability to why shouldn’t we dress up? We dress up for interviews, why? It could be that it’s required or it could be that you want the job and don’t want to look like an idiot. So then, in does the comparison between how we act there to church mean that we respect God less than man?
It may be that it really is tradition but it is my firm belief that it shows greater respect for a person to come into church dressed up then coming in with casual clothing. However, church also is just two or three hours out of the around 150 hours we spend awake. In the rest of the time we dont have to dress up but at least we should wear modest clothing. Church is distinctly different from everyday life. IT is a collection of believers dedicated to worshiping God and learning about his word (or its supposed to be anyway). Now the special part of this is worship. Different people define it different ways. I know that some think its whatever act done to the glory of God. However, I differ and say that it is the act of praising God not though actions, but though the praising of his attributes. Thus actions are not worship but the requirement of man to use the abilities given by God. However, each day is still special and we should still live it as though Christ is [and he is] always there.
I think a keyword study through the Bible about worship would be beneficial to you. Defining it the way you have is putting it in a box. You will find it is praising His attributes but also through our actions daily. You will find it is lifestyle.
Also, you dress a certain way for an interview or wedding to meet the expectation of the one(s) which it is about. The bride expects me to look nice in the crowd at her wedding. The manager expects me to dress nice for the meeting and for work. Don’t be so quick to speak for God and what He does and does not approve of and expect. The biggest insight into the Person of God is through the Word and you won’t find an expectation of dress there.
If God’s Word said dressing up showed Him more respect and love you better believe I would have the finest tuxedos and wear them day and night. He isn’t looking at my jeans any differently than someone’s slacks or dress. That would make Him shallow. He IS looking directly at our hearts and the overflow of our hearts.
Good thinking. I like your blog.
-Phil
We are all entitled to our own beliefs and we each have our own convictions on subjects and thus act on those convictions. It does make for these interesting posts and comments.
There are verses in the Bible discouraging dressing overly, thus making church into a fashion show. However, I also do not think that people should wear casual clothing (as I have stated above) while it may be true that worship is a constant thing done throughout our lives, it is also true that a Sunday service is a time alloted for the sole reason of worship. This combined with the fact that we are with other Christians makes it a special event. As such, because it is special, we should dress up (so long as it is for the right attitude). This should be done to show respect for God.
However if you do not believe it shows any more respect then I guess there is no point in dressing up since the attitude would be wrong. However, it is my belief that such a way of dress shows greater respect to the Lord, especially since it is not a “normal” event. We all all entitled to our opinions and convictions if they do not contradict the Bible, this is mine.
Now when one enters church, he enters a place were God is.” I see a common problem here I wouldn’t expect from someone so “in” to the bible. The church is not a place, it is a people whether they are gathered in one place our spread throughout the world.
If we spend all day every day with God, then we go to church to be with people with God. So dressing up, arguable, is dressing up for the people.
Let me suffice to say this: I have worn holed jeans to church before. I have talked on stage (preaching, it’s called) without shoes on. While in jeans. And wearing a t-shirt. I don’t really think God cared. In fact, I think he would be upset with me splitting my mind between what I should wear and him.
(Authors note: I hope I don’t offend you. I’m quite having fun reading and discussing – you remind me a lot of myself. Mistakes and all.)
A rushed expansion on this article for any interested:
Church and Clothes- Expansion
Why do we insist on personal preferences being God’s standard? God loves diversity, that’s why he made us all different. His standards are primarily spiritual not temporal or natural or even cultural. We might prefer a particular style of dressing, so be it. Don’t then be judgmental of others who demonstrate a different preference. What’s really important is the condition of our hearts. Many churches are stagnant or dying and they spend so much time arguing about non-kingdom issues. Jeans, trousers worn by women in church, straightening hair by black women, menstruating women taking Communion etc. These are not what the church should be spending too much time on. Paul spoke about disputable issues. What’s important is how we love each other, how we treat each other, how we respect differences that exist between each other. Wouldn’t it be great if we could allow each other the liberty to live the life Christ has called us to live without putting on one another these personal preferences as though they are gospel.
The entire point of the above and the next article was to find a biblical reason that people should dress up to church. While I agree it is a minor thing, I do not think it is personal preference (indeed if it was I would be perfectly fine wearing nothing but jeans and a t-shirt…). I go to a fairly free church and most of the points illustrated in this blog are not in accordance with their beliefs. however, because I have also been going to such churches for all my life i could easily support the points I am arguing against. However, It is my personal belief that the bible supports the points illustrated in this blog and as such I will hold them as truth.
Also, I would like to point out that churches today also focus little on evangelism. Instead they change policies to attract people to church. Is this how a church should become “alive” again? Evangelism has never, until recently, been church (the building), centered, rather it has been people from the church (the catholic [catholic being defined as its original meaning, general or universal] church sending people out to the lost to get them saved and having these people come to church. The lack of this is perhaps the only reason that churches are dead.
I see a common problem in the responses here. There is a misunderstanding of where the focus of our freedom is. We are not free from a standard (I Cor. 9:21); rather, we are free from the power of sin. A prominent passage dealing with Christian liberty is frequently taken out of context. Most, when addressing this issue will go to I Cor. 8 and stop there, but the context continues on until 11:1. Before it ends, Paul comes right and tells the Corinthians not to eat meat sacrificed to idols knowingly because the meat wasn’t sacrificed to idols, which are not real, but to demons. Before anyone goes to Rom. 14, that is talking exclusively about keeping the Mosaic law, not other standards.
Regarding dressing up for church, Paul is pretty clear with specific reference to women in I Tim. 2:9. He says that they should wear respectable apparel. In other words, they should look nice, not like they just came in from a jog or something. However, they are to do so with “modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire.” In other words they should be dressing nicely, but not drawing attention to themselves.
The context would seem to indicate that this is happening when Christians are gathered together in worship. The previous verse says that men should “pray…without…quarreling.” It’s kind of hard to quarrel with someone if you are doing this by yourself. The next sentence starts with “likewise,” which would indicate a similar circumstance. Therefore, I believe this is when God’s people are meeting together for worship.
Now God would not establish a high standard for women and let the men do whatever they want. It contradicts the unchanging just character of our God. I believe, therefore, that the people of God should look nice when they meet together to worship their holy God.
Now, one might argue that God would not expect those who can’t afford nice clothing to wear it to church. I say to them “read the Law and the Prophets.” God was very clear that Israel was to take care of the poor. In fact, a very prominent reason that God exiled his people from the land was that they did not care for the poor. Again in the New Testament, and in fact in this same book, Paul gives clear instruction on how to take care of the widows who could not care for themselves. Therefore I say you should go out and by them some nice clothes.
I would ask this last thing: Before anyone argues against me, please go study the passages I have cited, and if I’ve overlooked anything, please bring that to my attention. I do not want “to go beyond what is written,” because that only serves to puff me up. These are the conclusions I have come to from Scripture, and if you want to argue against them, you must have scripture. God says that those who “will not speak according to this word…have no dawn.” If you do not use Scripture against this, you are lying and I won’t heed it, so please go nowhere else for your convictions.
I just think we need to have more reverence for God. No, God doesn’t want us to buy expensive clothing to wear to church because He cares about helping the poor. However, I believe God wants us to dress nicely. Jeans, t-shirt and flip flops are not that. Why when it comes to God, we have no fear and have no love for Him. When it comes to man, we are on our toes. Christians need to wake up and realize what type of God we serve. I want to look nice for my Lord when going to His house of worship.
I see what you’re saying, and I know it wasn’t your main point, but just to clarify, I didn’t say they need to be expensive. Believe it or not, there are those in our country who can’t afford more than rags. We have a responsibility to help them anyway. You are correct, though. The clothing you wear to a time of corporate worship greatly reflects your idea of who
God is, and there needs to be reverence for God, even in the way we dress. That does not necessarily mean a suit and tie; it just means nicer than what you would wear working a landscaping job or something like that. Something different, and nicer.
i don’t agree with your idea of wearing “church clothes” to church. you argued that there is no order when you look out and see people dressed in different types of clothing. that’s exactly what Elohim’s kingdom is. it’s a hodgepodge of different people. different races, different hair styles, different testimonies. God loves all of these differences. there is no need to discriminate against people for how they choose to dress. if a person walks into a church with a tshirt and jeans, they should not be looked at any differently than the man who shows up in a suit and tie.
if you are personally convicted to wear dress clothes to church, more power to you. in my home church we have people who wear suits. however, if you are not convicted, don’t feel pressured to dress a certain way for church.
Romans 14:5-8
One man considers one day more sacred than another; another man considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. He who regards one day as special, does so to the Lord. He who eats meat, eats to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who abstains, does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God. For none of us lives to himself alone and none of us dies to himself alone. If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.
my personal feelings on the subject are much like phil’s. worship is a lifestyle. even corporate worship. i feel it should be seen as a lifestyle. not a sunday thing. not a wednesday night thing. a daily thing. an hourly thing. every second of our lives should be about God. do i do this? no. do i try? probably not as hard as i could. but i try. it shouldn’t matter what people wear, as much as the condition of their heart when they’re there. if a person comes in a tshirt and jeans, but is fully there in the present moment worshiping God with every breath, are they wrong? what about the man in the suit and tie who is wondering if his team is winning? is he right?
i leave you with this. it’s romans 14:1-4. (if you haven’t noticed i’m a huge fan of this book. ha.)
Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters. One man’s faith allows him to eat everything, but another man, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. The man who eats everything must not look down on him who does not, and the man who does not eat everything must not condemn the man who does, for God has accepted him. Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.
(disclaimer on romans 14:1-4. wearing certain types of clothes to church does not constitute an abundance or lack of faith. it’s just vaying opinions, but i feel these verses illustrate my point.)