Is it true that....

[Jermyn Davidson]

Originally Posted by Servant's <3

Michael does have a point, even if it is not what is being talked about at the moment.

Having a "respect of persons" is a big problem in the church. It is NOT mostly found in who wears clothing in the style of the church as much as it is found in who is wealthy and who is not.

I am resisting the urge to try to come up with a "one-size-fits-all" kind of response to these types of situations. There are some situations where it would be very appropriate to offer additional cover to a visitor (or maybe even member). There are other situations where the visitor or member may appear even more immodest and to offer them cover would do more immediate harm than good.

We need love. We need discernment. We need wisdom.

[Evang.Benincasa]

Originally Posted by Jermyn Davidson

I am resisting the urge to try to come up with a "one-size-fits-all" kind of response to these types of situations. There are some situations where it would be very appropriate to offer additional cover to a visitor (or maybe even member). There are other situations where the visitor or member may appear even more immodest and to offer them cover would do more immediate harm than good.

We need love. We need discernment. We need wisdom.

We need to wake up and stop turning the church into Planet Fitness.

Some people in Christianity must have the impression that the word "sinner" is equated with idiot. We have all heard the line that a visitor was hesitant to visit because they had nothing to wear. Meaning that attire is at the forefront of their mind. Also the LOVE thing kinda gets misused to the point of enabling. Seeker friendly churches are more focused on body count, which have preachers who are more like Hindu Gurus, then Apostolic ministers.

[shazeep]

good points--but i would say beware of being that "people should stop doing _______" guy, when God prolly wants you to be that guy who does not take offense. Ever.

Originally Posted by Evang.Benincasa

I didn't bring up the pajama wearing female for any reason of immodesty.

How about this, guy walks into Dixie Pig with his pants hanging around his thighs his underwear are obviously dirty, dirtier then my mechanic rags in the trunk of my car. He is wear dirty socks with slippers. Immodesty is the least of this guy's problems. What I'm trying to point out is that toenail clippers, shampoo, deodorant, shaving cream, and Ivory soap, is used by saint and sinner alike. Church isn't even required to maintain some sort of reasonable clean appearance. If the guy (and gal) showed up in church no one would expect them to look like movie stars, but someone who has been in the church for 40 years should at least be able to brush their teeth.

Oh, the guy with the droopy draws, got out of a 2015 white Mercedes, handed me his church card when he saw my Bible on the table.

ok, so obviously not meaning to offend. It goes back to "How do you offend a Christian?" and the correct answer being of course "You cannot," you are left trying to justify your position, even if he was naked.

[Evang.Benincasa]

Originally Posted by shazeep

good points--but i would say beware of being that "people should stop doing _______" guy, when God prolly wants you to be that guy who does not take offense. Ever.
ok, so obviously not meaning to offend. It goes back to "How do you offend a Christian?" and the correct answer being of course "You cannot," you are left trying to justify your position, even if he was naked.

It isn't about A Christian being offended? This is all about teaching people that walking bent over and dragging their knuckles isn't a good look. While the 1970s 80s 90s taught us that casual and grunge were the same but different. Sometimes the church adopts a profile of bare minimum, while some in the thread whine like a little girl (these days even boys) over suits. Some preachers who wear suits don't even take care of them. Or, don't even know how to tie a tie, and throw the loop over the head. Making the knot irrecognizable. It is one thing to demand suit wearing or no suit wearing. But wearing a suit that looks like you slept in it doesn't help the look. Senior Elder Billy Adams in Pensacola polished his shoes. I seen shoes that look like the brother was working construction in them. God saw Adam and Eve wearing fig leaf belts, and gave them full coats of skins. It looks like in this country we will be back in fig leaf belts. Just this time they will be very wrinkled.

Anyway this thread topic started with David Wilkerson getting upset because a UPCer supposedly said something off color across a General Conference pulpit. I don't believe anything was ever said like that across a GC pulpit, because if it ever was said, the haters would of had it bronzed. But the focus should be on DW's response to what was said by one minister. People tend to give up on something at the slightest offense. When I first came to Christianity I was offended from jump street, because I have full arm tattoos almost on my hands. When ministers saw the tattoos they would zone in on me, and make comments. Sometimes down right uncool. But the thing is this, I knew what these Apostolics had was way cooler, and more honest then anything I ever experienced in my life. David Wilkerson probably thought that when he passed gas it was equivalent to the smell of fresh baked bread. Who knows, DW never impressed me, so his opinion on the One God Apostolic movement doesn't rate in my book. While people made harsh judgements concerning my look when I came into the church, I kept moving forward. While somethings I don't agree with that maybe in the Apostolic movement, they are still the best Christian movement on the planet.

Too bad David Wilkerson didn't stay and learn something, even though I doubt he ever attended a GC.

[shazeep]

Originally Posted by Evang.Benincasa

It isn't about A Christian being offended? This is all about teaching people that walking bent over and dragging their knuckles isn't a good look.

everybody wants to be a teacher, no one wants to be a student

[Esaias]

My first visit to an apostolic church - my hair was LONG and I wore jeans and a t shirt. Had a friend go with me with his ear pierced and we both looked like the guys dads threaten their daughters about.

They accepted both of us. I got baptized in the first week. Never heard a word about my appearance. Brother Madden is a man of God if ever I met one.

Doesn't change the fact one ought not to be a professional slob.

[Evang.Benincasa]

Originally Posted by Esaias

My first visit to an apostolic church - my hair was LONG and I wore jeans and a t shirt. Had a friend go with me with his ear pierced and we both looked like the guys dads threaten their daughters about.

They accepted both of us. I got baptized in the first week. Never heard a word about my appearance. Brother Madden is a man of God if ever I met one.

Doesn't change the fact one ought not to be a professional slob.

[houston]

Define slob

[shazeep]

exactly.

[aegsm76]

Originally Posted by Esaias

My first visit to an apostolic church - my hair was LONG and I wore jeans and a t shirt. Had a friend go with me with his ear pierced and we both looked like the guys dads threaten their daughters about.

They accepted both of us. I got baptized in the first week. Never heard a word about my appearance. Brother Madden is a man of God if ever I met one.

Doesn't change the fact one ought not to be a professional slob.

Good post!