My wife forwarded me an article today that she thought might be an interesting one to share on the site for our readers. She was correct.
The article was entitled “Stop Dressing So Tacky For Church” and was published in the religion blogs on CNN.com website.
It was an interesting read and presented both sides of the coin for the conversation. There’s the side of dressing up to be prepared to enter into the presence of the King and the “come as you are” crowd. Honestly, I can fall into both camps.
Growing up as a preacher’s kid, rare was the Sunday that wasn’t attending church in my nicer clothes. That was the reason we had the phrase I heard frequently growing up of “Sunday clothes” and that collection of “Sunday socks” that were never worn on any other day unless it was for a funeral or some other very formal event. I have always loved ties, so for me Sunday was a place for me to have the opportunity to really wear a tie and dress-up more than I would for any other event through the week.
I absolutely get the point of the “come as you are” argument as well. I believe that expresses an openness and invitation to people to come and feel welcomed in the church without pretense or the need to impress someone else. One of my favorite analogies in being accepted where you are before you become a believer is saying there’s no need to get cleaned-up before you take a bath. But as existing believers, have we become lazy to not even take the time to prepare ourselves more in preparation for worshiping our Savior?
I think perhaps the answer to this question is an honest question of love, acceptance and motivation. Are we dressing for church to impress people or to show our love for God? When we see people come into the church, are we thinking too much about what they wear or are we loving and accepting them regardless? A person’s motivations for their attire should be based on their own relationship with God and how they feel they are most in tune with that relationship. They shouldn’t be judged by the mere adornments of their dress in their attendance of church, but as a soul seeking connection, healing and renewed strength in God’s house.
I believe this topic is open for great discussion, I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
