Platform Standards
 

Believe it or not, platform standards is one area I agree are within the realm of a pastor's authority. On another thread someone made a joke about my beard causing issues at different churches I've attended (related to platform standards). I would like to let anyone who is interested know; shaving my beard has never been an issue at any church where I have served in ministry. When the time came to be part of the ministry team I shaved, without complaining. How do the rest of you feel about platform standards?

I'll shock you.....but I agree with platform standards..to a degree.

We have them at my church. It is CLEAR that they are not salvational..just what we prefer to project as an image from those of us that serve in platform ministry's

I agree that a pastor can set platform standards. I've been subject to them before . . . and even one's that I didn't personally agree with I still followed. In one church, I and a few others had extra standards to abide by - over the normal platform standards. Didn't agree with most of it, but I still followed it.

I equate them to employer's requirements for conduct and dress. You want to be used in a church or on the platform, you should do what's required in order to do so.

WOW! Not to be rude, but you are the last person I thought would agree with platform standards. Both of those pastors told me they in no way believed having a beard was sinful, but they felt it was important for those on the platform to be clean shaven for the sake of people who would have a problem with someone being bearded.

They are absolutely necessary. Every organization, secular or religious, has a code of conduct. Christians should show forth modesty, light and God's love.

My mistake was in my presentation of that code of conduct.

Platform standards are a necessity, at least at our place! There are certain things that we do not allow ever on the platform, and then there are certain things that we do not allow on Sundays (such as jeans). I think a higher level of modesty and moderation should be displayed on the platform, because they are ministering before the Lord. We also have dress codes for all of our teachers.

Same with us sherri. although we are still in the UPc our platform guidlines are not what you'd think in most upc chursches.

No jeans ansd tenny's are one we go by also. Pressed slacks casual drerss shirt's

Girls are asked to wear a womens hair fasion and men to wear their hair as most men do.

Jewelry..ear rings etc to not be excessive or guady.
Don't go all Tammy Faye..but if you need a little help..use a "little help"

We encourage are girls to wear dresses if they are on the platform.
Also we encourage them to not be to low cut in the blouse's

We do also ask all our women to be clean shaven.


So shoot me please....I've become a legalist :slaphappy

Who'd a thunk it?


Maybe you should change your ID to boundatlast?

:slaphappy:slaphappy eheheheh I'm still laughing PP

PP: I have to be Ultra liberal ..just to keep the balance with all the ultra con's

Just trying to jkeep the boat level and afloat!

Legs? Pits????? Who checks this?

Do we have platform standards @ NLC?


Yes, we do. All of our folks who are on the platform stand. :D (there are no seats)

I have one word for you.......LAME!!! :D

I believe platform guidelines are necessary. I also believe some pastors go way overboard. Platform standards are not just a thing with apostolic churches though. One important thing I believe is if a pastor does set platform guidelines is that they are to be held consistently by all. I've seen where that is not always done with things being "enforced" on one member and not another. Causes big problems!

The whole bunch are legalists.

It is not the standards I object to, but the platform :D

gross, ewww, tmi, good question though, lol,dt:slaphappy

platform standards are fine , very acceptable for a pastor to set these for leadership, however if they bleed over into the preaching and become heaven or hell, this is not right, uh uh, dt

The Platform should be made of good construction, and good materials ,so heavyset folks wouldn't fall in.It's need to not to be too high so folks won't hurt themselves when they jump off.

:toofunny

The platform shouldn't be too high ,so Elder Epley can step up to it.

when I saw this thread listed I thought it said.....platform sandals
and reminded me of the seventies.

Something Huggy Bear would wear. lol

:lol :lol :lol

AMEN, and preach it, brother!!! Those large sisters (and brothers!) in the choir should be able to shout and dance without worrying about the collapse of the platform.

Bro. Murphy says, "They're all skinny out here in Oregon! So, your standard for the heavy duty platform would be oppressive in this case." :choir:slaphappy

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott Hutchinson (Post 203608) The Platform should be made of good construction, and good materials ,so heavyset folks wouldn't fall in.It's need to not to be too high so folks won't hurt themselves when they jump off.

Thank you Brother Scott, I was thinking along the same lines when I saw this thread. In addition to good overall construction standards for the platform - we should not neglect the electrical and plumbing needs either.

Is it too far out of bounds to install a small sink? In our dry climate out of town preachers would find it handy to be able the simply refill their water glasses without interrupting themselves.

This subject of course brings up my own nemesis: the roll of toilet paper. Even though we always had a box of facial tissue available, there was one sister several years ago who wasn't ever satisfied with the Puffs. Invariably, before service, sometimes during the altar call, she would go to one of the bathrooms and fetch a roll of toilet paper and place it prominently on the pulpit.

For years the pulpit always had a roll of toilet paper or two on it. It struck me as being somewhat strange. I once offered to install a toilet paper dispenser onto the side of the old wooden pulpit; my wife just glared at me when I said that.

Finally I just launched a roll out - streamer style over the congregation while I was preaching. Most people were worshipping with their eyes closed, but the young people thought it was cool. The toilet paper rolls stopped appearing on the pulpit some time soon after that. Maybe there was a better way that I could have handled it.

"encourage are girls to wear dresses" :hmmm - as opposed to slacks/pants - or do you mean dresses as opposed to skirts/blouses or skirts/jackets?

Well, since they discourage BIG earrings and gaudy jewelery I am pretty sure your first "hmmm" is correct.:slaphappy The teachings of the AS and the AOF are really VERY subjective it would seem.:)

BTW... what are you doing up at 4:41 in the morning? :D

I disagree with Platform standards. It reinforces the idea there are two standards. One for the ministry one for the people.

While I understand that in many churches the platform standards are not viewed as affecting salvation, only one's opportunity to lead, what do you think about a platform standard forbidding rings where the folks coming down from the platform are easily visible putting on their wedding diamonds and bands?

Do you find that strange or inconsistent?

I believe women wearing pants is NOT an area addressed in the manual. It is strictly an unwritten rule.

I would go for odd, especially as seen by visitors. Even if platform standards are just for the platform, wait until you get home to put the ring back on.

Without naming any names, have you ever heard of this as a platform standard? I never have before.

This happened in a former church of mine several years ago. VERY inconsistent. If that's going to be a platform standard, those that wear them shouldn't wear them at church at all (and really, shouldn't wear them at all, b/c it's going to be obvious to anyone who has contact with them in both places.)

Oh, it definitely goes on. As SeguidordeJesus indicated it has happened at a church where he attended. I have seen it as well. It is very puzzling to me what the pastor feels is being accomplished by these folks removing the rings for 30 minutes every service.

I am not the pastor of that church so I have no input or responsibility but I was just curious if I was alone if feeling it was inconsistent and confusing to vistor or sinner.

Honestly, I can't see the benefit making people take off their wedding rings for church service will provide. Maybe it is a bit inconsistent to have dress standards just for those up front, but I can see the benefit having that sort of standard can bring. Keep in mind that I don't believe in wearing jewelry, but it is an all the time thing with me, so maybe that is clouding my judgement a bit.

Rico,

I have no problem with making no jewelry a platform standard... I just think if you are opposed to wedding rings ONLY on the platform it is a bit confusing... I think it should be a teaching that if you are in leadership you don't wear one period!

I would say we are in agreement. It doesn't make sense to me to be in favor of a wedding ring except on the platform.

I know how things work around here, so I am sure someone will come along and say it is inconsistent to only require certain dress standards on the platform. Personally, I am growing weary of the "consistency" argument. It's kind of like the fact that I don't celebrate Christmas but have no problem with birthdays. Where is it written that someone has to have a conviction in one area because they have it in another area?

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a77...ierland225.jpg

The "benefit" is the pastor can go off to meetings or get on a forum and he can toot his own horn about being conservative by pointing out how he "preaches against rings".

Can anyone say smoke screen.