Somewhere back in the 1990's soon after I trusted in Christ and began to seek His plan for my life, I heard a guest preacher teach on the importance of wearing nice clothes to church. As I sat there wearing my jeans and t-shirt, I couldn't help but feel as though he was telling me I couldn't hear from God because of my clothing. I also wondered for a fleeting moment if I was really welcome at my church. Thankfully I knew better at that point in my walk.
Here at Grace we don't really have a dress code. For some folks it's a hinderance (mostly folks who have been going to church for a long time who want to wear a suit and believe everyone should), for others it's something that makes them comfortable and feel that it really defines our name "Grace" and who we are. We're sort of the "come as you are" church. Quite honestly we're not in the battle to win people to wear suits and change their appearance. We are here to help people let God transform their hearts. Helping people understand that a relationship with God is more than dressing up on Sundays and "playing church". It's about the heart and about discovering who God made them to be. Last Sunday I had the privilege to meet a first time visitor after our services who hadn't been to church in a long time. He said he felt like very welcome and unpressured to be something he wasn't. I rather like that.
Perry Noble who is a Pastor of one of the largest churches in America had a post on this very issue. Here's a snippet, be sure to read the whole story:
OK…so I am on a rant today…it’s been a while and I am fired up…this one will be fun!
I recently heard of a church in the area taking a stab at NewSpring DURING a worship service, saying that we allow people to dress any way they wish and that suits and dresses are not required, even frowned upon in our church. This comment was made to criticize us…but lets unpack it for a second. :-)
First of all–we do not look down on those who choose to wear a suit or a dress…unless it is a man in a dress, then we will say something! We simply ask people to wear what is comfortable and modest.
What I am wondering is where in the world did the modern day church ever get the idea that somehow dressing up in a suit OR wearing a dress equals godliness…and those who would wear jeans and a T-shirt, or even (GASP) flip flops just are not as godly. Can we all say “insecurity” boys and girls?
Now I’m not a theologian or a scholar…but it seems to me that someone who would look down their nose at someone else for not dressing properly–when no dress code is mentioned in the Bible–is PRIDE and ARROGANCE…you know, the things that got satan kicked out of heaven!
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