Wearing a Suit and a Tie
 

I heard a preacher say that you should dress your best when coming to church (part of the first fruits i guess). He stated that being in the presence of God should warrant what we wear. I fail to see the logic behind his premise. I have prayed to God in my pj's and felt God just as much as I would if I were in church wearing a suit and a tie. Some preachers need to get off a high horse and get real.

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I did too, but that does not mean I can go to church like that.
I would love to, but that's another story...something like midnight madness at the local mall, but go to church at midnight and have revival?

If a guy shows up like a slob in church, that's fine for a few times.
But if he keeps coming in like that, maybe we should throw some money at him and take him to a clothing store.
I mean, get real....look decent when in church.
What's wrong with looking decent in the Lord's house???

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So, do you wear a suit every time you go to church? What about wearing jeans and a t-shirt?

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I would agree that some over spiritualize what is worn. When it comes to Biblical instruction, I do believe modesty and making sure that what is worn isn't to bring attention to self, but to the Lord is always important.

But secondarily, I do believe that everything as unto the Lord is an important factor here. We live in such a disrespectful world these days. People are so disrespectful and casual in their conduct toward one another and society in general, and I would love to think that the church, when the family of God comes together for corporate worship, could be one place that we dress respectful.

But I use that same rule of thumb as well for the funeral home, if I were to go out to eat, to visit someone's home, etc.

I absolutely am apalled how disrespectful we as society have become to one another especially at the funeral home. It amazes me how people come dressed now, as if they were going down to Walmart.

So, I agree with you brother, but to an extent. There are some things we do not because it's a Bible Issue, but just because it's respectful, appropriate, and the right thing to do... and dressing in your best (whatever that may be) for church, the funeral home, visiting someone, going out to eat, etc is just a respectful thing to do, IMO.

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I wouldn't wear jeans and a t shirt out in public unless I just had to run to the corner convenience store to pick something up late at night... so I sure wouldn't wear it to church....

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I went to church last night in a polo shirt and a pair of jeans and got preached to.

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I don't think what you wear has any bearing on your spirituality. I do think that different churches and church cultures have varying ideas about what is acceptable, and it seems appropriate to fall in line with the practices of your local church. Some churches have a more casual atmosphere, some more formal--I'm not convinced that either is better than the other. I'd say wear what's comfortable unless you're on staff and you're specifically asked to wear something different. Our church is a mixture, with the exception of Sunday AM platform people. Some people dress up, some dress casual. Personally, I enjoy dressing up, but I don't care if people show up in casual clothes.

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Are you saying you were told you were out of order? If so, the error here is that the person preaching didn't handle it correctly. If they believe you are wrong for doing that, or anything else for that matter, before it reaches the pulpit they are to come to you, Matthew 18. And it shouldn't reach the pulpit unless you are found in willful disobedience of God's Word, which here you are not. At any rate, you should have been approached privately before it ever coming to the pulpit... so that person was out side of the Book.

Secondly, if a congregation together decides the culture of that congregation is that "we're gonna dress up for church" then that's more than fine... and a person should expect to feel somewhat out of place. If they decide we're going to be a "come as you are and want to" type of place, then that is fine as well.

If I person decides to dress in great contrast to the even "unsaid" cultural norms of a congregation, then they need to examine their motives. Are they doing it to try to "teach them" they are wrong, or "get a reaction", or are they sincerely trying to walk in unity, but this is how their heart dictates them to dress.

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Brother, to be truly acceptable, you should have worn a tie with your pj's...just saying.

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We should not dress to impress God. How can we? We SHOULD dress appropriately out of respect for our fellow man, as best we can anyways -and that God DOES respect.

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:thumbsup:thumbsup:thumbsup :yourock

Perfectly stated, RW!!!

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Good questions.

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The preacher never came to me before he preached. Usually I wear a suit and tie on Sundays, but on bible study nights I just do not feel it is necessary to wear the suit. There were plenty others who did not wear a suit and tie and I am guessing that the preacher was being mean.

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Actually, I rarely, if ever, wear jeans to church -I guess I'm just too irritated at the whole relevant/hip/Apple culture. But I DO wear (almost exclusively) Hawaiian shirts and business casual pants.

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Pastor? Minister-on-staff? Or visiting preacher?

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Pastor

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"I don't think a suit and tie are gonna set the world free."

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There is a balance for sure. I prefer a church culture where we dress for respect at all times, respecting one another and the Lord. I prefer a suit and tie on Sunday for me and those that can afford it, but our best none the less. But I have never understood the cultures where they wear suit and tie for midweek service.

That just always seemed to me a little disrespectful actually. So many folks coming straight from work, that won't come because they feel like they'll stick out. Making our classes and studies much more formal than they need to be. Since most midweek services I've gone to is classes and bible studies, just always seemed to me it could be a little less formal, taking into consideration people's schedules. If everybody didn't have to get suited up, maybe you could have church at a decent hour like 7 instead of 7:30 and us get home before midnight, LOL.

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Black suit, white shirt!

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That's nuts! What if you had just left work?

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Why wouldn't you wear jeans and a T-shirt in public?

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I grew up in the "dress to the nines" era of church going! However, now with society being more relaxed (right or wrong), I think the church needs to be cognizant of that too.

If the church is just a country club of members, then sure, require everyone to dress in suits/ties. If you want to reach the lost people of this world - - relax a little!

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Just too casual for me... doesn't feel appropriate... has nothing to do with church or being a Christian, just seems way too relaxed to me, I wasn't brought up to be casual in public... casual is for behind doors for me.

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So, what do you wear when you go to the grocery store?

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Gotcha. Can't argue with preference!

I'm quite the opposite, I'm much more comfortable in jeans and a T-shirt than in a suit and tie these days.

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jeans and a button up or polo style shirt, or many times casual dockers and a dress shirt. I do all my shopping at the same time, I'm old school, so I go to all the stores I need to go to for the week at one time. Just like growing up, if we were going to town, we got cleaned up and dressed and hit them all at once.

So I go to all the stores at once, hitting grocery store last. And if I by some chance ever have to stop by the store for an item that can't wait till Saturday, then I'm stopping on my way home from work and am dressed up then.

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What do you wear to the funeral home?

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I don't attend funerals. Let the dead bury their dead...

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LOL, wasn't asking you, but okay, LOL.

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Makes sense!

So, I think we can safely say that we will never see you in the People of Walmart photos!

It does amaze me what people will actually wear/not wear when going out!

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An old throw back to the Roman church. When Christianity was made a legal religion in Rome, Christian clergy were appointed as public officials. It was not accepted to enter the presence of a Roman official in common clothing. For this reason many slaves and peasants were thrown out of the early Romanized church.

Frankly, God doesn't care if two or more believers gather in a livingroom, coffee shop, or bar & grill, dressed in plain shirts and jeans. God only wants to be glorified in Christ Jesus.

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How often do you go anyways?

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I can't even remember the last time I was at a funeral home, thankfully. I would certainly wear a suit and tie for an actual funeral, but that's just customary.

Probably, even if I visited a church these days, I'd wear a suit and tie if it was an Apostolic church, but again, just custom.

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well, I go probably more than the average person since I'm in ministry, but also I was raised that you go at least for visitation ANYTIME anyone you know has a death in their family, if you consider them a friend, or go to church with them, etc.

I'm probably in a funeral home for at least visitation about 10-12 times a year... and attend probably at least 5 or 6 funerals a year. Of course more now at 39 than I did when I was in my 20's.

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I suppose I'm just more old school on how people dress out in public than others in my age group.... I expect my doctor when I go to see him to be in a tie and dress shirt and slacks... I'd have less respect for him if he didn't look professional.

If I go to see an attorney, I expect him to be dressed in tie and jacket.

If I went to court, I'd expect the judge to be dressed professionally.

Even the A/C/Heating guys that I use, I use them because all their guys look so professional, and clean cut, and he won't even hire anyone that has any visible body piercings or tattoos.

yes, I am a dinosaur, but I just think we've become WAAAAYYYY too relaxed and casual in our society.