The "dress code" is essential...
 

so that people will know you're a Christian?

I think I've disproved that theory. :)


I recently got a new job. I no longer follow the Pentecostal 'dress code' and haven't since I've worked there. I honestly was curious if it would prove to be true that no one would know I was a Christian, or "different", without the "separateness" of the dress code.

I'm not the preachy type. I'm not the type to go around telling everyone I'm a Christian. I just try to be friendly, courteous, considerate and do a good job. If asked what I'm doing this weekend I might say something like - "Oh, we have a carnival at church we're working on", or something like that, but other than that the subject of whether or not I'm a Christian hasn't come up.

A few weeks ago, one of the ladies I work with stopped mid-sentence and apologized to me for saying a curse word. I probably looked at her funny because it surprised me. She said - "I'm so sorry, I try not to cuss around you, but it keeps slipping out!" She said - "I know you're a church-goer, and I don't mean to talk like that around you." I was actually quite stunned because most of the people we work with go to church... and most of them cuss. :D

About a week later I was in the file room and another woman dropped a box and said something under her breath. She popped up and said - "I didn't cuss!! I'd be so embarrassed if I cussed around you!" :D Again I was surprised. I really had not known at all that anyone noticed anything different about me.

Apparently a light can shine through even without the dress code. ;) And I don't say that arrogantly, I say it very humbly and gratefully. Grateful that God lets his light shine through me. Grateful that his Spirit is strong enough to shine through even through our fumbling and stumbling.

I'm just posting this because it's something I honestly wondered about, and was a little concerned about. I'd heard it so often that the dress code was necessary so that people would know you were different. I am truly grateful to learn that that wasn't true.

Re: The "dress code" is essential...
 

His light shines through us from within, not from without. Years ago I saw a man walking down the street and I could tell he was a preacher. He was, a Baptist preacher. And he wasn't wearing a suit and tie, but God's light just shone from him.

Re: The "dress code" is essential...
 

AQP - you are so right!

This has happened to me numerous times at work and still does. Being Christ-like has nothing to do with clothing.

Re: The "dress code" is essential...
 

the people who are most impressed by the dress code are people who are either also People of the Dress Code or Former People of the Dress Code.

I know that there have been many times that I have been in Walmart or a restaurant somewhere and saw someone dressed in the correct attire. Then I look to their hair. And finally to their face and jewelry. If they measure up in all those areas, I am then able to identify them as Pentecostal people (probably of the Apostolic persuasion). Only rarely tho will they ever acknowledge me even if I go out of my way to greet them. Oh well. I get lots of good fellowship right here on AFF :)

Re: The "dress code" is essential...
 

I have always believed that this. It is a great testimony of living a saved life.

Re: The "dress code" is essential...
 

Coming from a woman's perspective, it's interesting to hear this kind of situation to prove that clothing and outter appearance aren't what too many people have turned them into. As a guy in the general Pentecostal circle for as long as I've been in it, I've always thought to myself, based on personal observation, there were people not of my specific faith (fellow OPs) who were so much more Godly in their spirit and attitude that wore everyday, common-folk clothes. Certainly nothing to set them apart, as we've so often been told is what makes such a difference. Yeah, a difference it makes alright! Many times hindering the Kingdom instead of advancing it all because of the attitude or motive behind it...

Re: The "dress code" is essential...
 

If they find out your committed in word and deed they will respect you.

Re: The "dress code" is essential...
 

On two different occasions people asked me if I was "Spirit-filled". It came about in normal business conversation and not especially religious topics. I said yes I am, why?" and they replied I could just tell!

It was and still is a bit puzzling to me.

Do you think it was because I was clean shaven at the time? lol!

Re: The "dress code" is essential...
 

Nope, people can tell clean shaven or not.

Re: The "dress code" is essential...
 

uh... that part of my post was TIC, the rest was not.