Wearing a Suit and a Tie

[deacon blues]

Originally Posted by Bro. Robbins

This may totally be true for some, or even many... but I would discourage you from using that broad brush to paint us all. My views on how one should dress for church has nothing to do with any of that, but more of a societal respect that I think the way you dress gives. To me, when we gather, in any kind of corporate/community gathering, it is disrespectful to myself and those around me if I just slap on whatever feels comfortable to wear. I wear a suit and tie when I go to church, and when I'm in the pulpit. But I also do for funeral home visitation, and the funeral home. I also wear slacks and a nice shirt at the very least for hospital visits, or visiting someone's home.... but I've never thought I was being spiritual by doing so, or somehow keeping some Biblical viewpoint.

I was doing it out of respect for the community I was gathering with, my parents who raised me a certain way to what is appropriate and not, and respect of myself. So I'd appreciate you realizing not everyone falls under the broad brush you just used because some of us feel it's appropriate to dress up for church.

I have no problem with maintaining the standards of a professional. I wear suit and tie for weddings/funerals. I wear business casual typically to church. I may be business casual if visiting the hospital. I went to a hospital the other day in jeans and flip flops and a short sleeve shirt. The sister of the woman I visited (late 50s tom early 60s years of age) told her sister later that she thought it was so cool that a preacher would come as a minister in such casual attire. I didn't wear those clothes for any reason than it was hot and it was a day I usually dress comfortably.

I would venture to say that the people that care the most about suit/tie are older and it's because of the generation in which they grew up. If you watch older movies from that era most of the men are in suits and ties, even if just to go to the grocery or gas station. Every man owned a suit typically for church and special occasions. Today many young men don't even own a suit or know how to tie a necktie. We had one man who would come to church in his work uniform and told us later that ours was the first church he attended where he didn't feel judged for the way he dressed. I have had people tell me that they couldn't come to church because they didn't have "church clothes". I'm happy to tell them that they can come to our church as they are with no fear of being judged because we have all kinds: Sunday Best, Business Casual and strictly casual. Our platform has a diversity of attire. I just think it's important that we think about how the world lives and the unspoken message we send to guests and visitors about what's acceptable at church.

Dressing up to keep up appearances is more for the churched than it is for the unchurched. We have to decide if the church is supposed to be designed around the members and the tithe payers or is the purpose of the church to reach the unchurched and outsiders.

Speaking in general, not judging you specifically. I don't think embracing a professional mindset is wrong per se. God knows your heart and I'll leave the judging to Him.