Do Your Kids Dress Like Bankers?

[pelathais]

Originally Posted by Falla39

Children usually follow the example of their parents as their first teachers in the
home. If the parents have a casual, doesn't matter, attitude, this will most likely
be their children's attitude. How many of us followed the example of our grand-
parents or parents. Or did we do it our way. Our children may not show the signs
of taking a detour right now, but just wait. Many parents have taken a detour from
the path they were led on through their childhood and in the church, you can
most likely look for your children to do the same. What we reap we WILL SOW. If
we sow to the flesh, we will reap corruption. I don't want corruption for me, our
children or grandchildren or others. If we follow Christ and we stay close to
Him, we will be safe. So should our children and their children. I don't want
to look back and see that they didn't watch and took a different turn and
became lost on the journey. They may not recognize they are lost at first,
but when they realize it, they may start screaming "MOMMA". I may not be
there to hear them. God said He would be our Guide, even til death. BUT if
we don't follow HIM, it's not HIS fault. If I follow Christ and I am right by
Him, when they call, He will hear them. He can save them.

No offense! These are my personal thoughts.

Falla39

Sis. Falla, if eveyone had your gentle and encouraging spirit then there wouldn't even be a debate. But there is a culture that can creep in where people are faced with all sorts of judmental attitudes and condemnation over some of the silliest things.

I remember when I attended an Apostolic function "in the city" once when I was a teenager. I tried to dress up the best that I could, I even wore a tie clip - big mistake! And there were folks who took a special interest in letting me know about the errors of my ways.

There is sometimes an almost primate instinct of territorialism and a very real distrust of "strangers" among us. The examples of such behaviors are legion. We demand conformity in outward appearance more than any other religious group other than the cults that have people dress in identical robes and saris. The enforcement of these demands has cost us dearly, and they are really not scriptural - so why go to so much trouble just to isolate and offend folks who just want to check out Pentecost?

If some church wants to combat this anti-Christian spirit by having every one wear a "uniform" that is more casual - then that's a fine thing in my opinion.

People here always say how we should "respect the pastor" who implements a dress code that includes long sleeves 24/7. Why not respect for the pastor who tells his people they need to lighten up a bit?

[Falla39]

Originally Posted by Falla39

Children usually follow the example of their parents as their first teachers in the
home. If the parents have a casual, doesn't matter, attitude, this will most likely
be their children's attitude. How many of us followed the example of our grand-
parents or parents. Or did we do it our way. Our children may not show the signs
of taking a detour right now, but just wait. Many parents have taken a detour from
the path they were led on through their childhood and in the church, you can
most likely look for your children to do the same. What we reap we HAVE SOWN.
(Correction: Originally I said what we reap we sow, but I meant to say was, We
REAP what we SOW.) In other words WHAT COMES UP we have either sown or an
enemy has sown tares while we are "sleeping", or unawares.

If we sow to the flesh, we will reap corruption. I don't want corruption for me, our
children or grandchildren or others. If we follow Christ and we stay close to
Him, we will be safe. So should our children and their children. I don't want
to look back and see that they didn't watch and took a different turn and
became lost on the journey. They may not recognize they are lost at first,
but when they realize it, they may start screaming "MOMMA". I may not be
there to hear them. God said He would be our Guide, even til death. BUT if
we don't follow HIM, it's not HIS fault. If I follow Christ and I am right by
Him, when they call, He will hear them. He can save them.

No offense! These are my personal thoughts.

Falla39

Correction in post!

[Sherri]

Originally Posted by Falla39

Children usually follow the example of their parents as their first teachers in the
home. If the parents have a casual, doesn't matter, attitude, this will most likely
be their children's attitude. How many of us followed the example of our grand-
parents or parents. Or did we do it our way. Our children may not show the signs
of taking a detour right now, but just wait. Many parents have taken a detour from
the path they were led on through their childhood and in the church, you can
most likely look for your children to do the same. What we reap we HAVE SOWN. If
we sow to the flesh, we will reap corruption. I don't want corruption for me, our
children or grandchildren or others. If we follow Christ and we stay close to
Him, we will be safe. So should our children and their children. I don't want
to look back and see that they didn't watch and took a different turn and
became lost on the journey. They may not recognize they are lost at first,
but when they realize it, they may start screaming "MOMMA". I may not be
there to hear them. God said He would be our Guide, even til death. BUT if
we don't follow HIM, it's not HIS fault. If I follow Christ and I am right by
Him, when they call, He will hear them. He can save them.

No offense! These are my personal thoughts.

Falla39

I totally agree with this, but I don't think it has anything to do with clothes.

[Whole Hearted]

I've not read anywhere where anyone said it was a sin not to wear a suit and tie or heels and hose, just said that it was the correct dress for church.

I wouldn't expect men to wear a suit to go hog hunting, not the proper clothing. Just as to wear the cameos to church would not be proper.

[nahkoe]

Originally Posted by Whole Hearted

I've not read anywhere where anyone said it was a sin not to wear a suit and tie or heels and hose, just said that it was the correct dress for church.

I wouldn't expect men to wear a suit to go hog hunting, not the proper clothing. Just as to wear the cameos to church would not be proper.

My entire life I've made the very simple choice not to go somewhere where dressing up was expected/required. I'm absolutely uncomfortable in dress clothes. I have made an effort as an adult to try to find clothing that looks dressier but is still comfortable. While I have things that are dressier than jeans and tshirts, I still have nothing that would qualify me to attend your camp meeting.

If I can't go to church unless I'm wearing the correct dress, I just won't go. It's a good thing what I'm wearing has nothing to do with my relationship with God.

[pelathais]

Originally Posted by Whole Hearted

I've not read anywhere where anyone said it was a sin not to wear a suit and tie or heels and hose, just said that it was the correct dress for church.

I wouldn't expect men to wear a suit to go hog hunting, not the proper clothing. Just as to wear the cameos to church would not be proper.

"Cameos" ? I once had one of George Washington.

You're in spin control now WH, and that's okay. What you said was that your kids were doting over their wardrobe a month and a half before camp so that they could "pull out all the stops" or something like that.

AND, I think that's cool. Let the kids have some fun with "dress up" and such. Let them learn how to polish and shine. That's something that will serve them well in other areas of life.

But you also threw out the inference that there were those "in some UPC churches I have visited" who "dress like bums..." That's a slam on the UPC, and folks (including myself) will rise in defense of the mothership despite whatever other differences we have.

The whole post seemed designed to evoke the rather negative experiences many of us have had with a judgmental spirit and the exclusivisity that has been a source of grief over the years. Did you ever have a pstor and his wife segregate the cars in the parking lot? All of the newer vehicles were to park along the busy street out front, and the "less than new" vehilcle were to park on the side.

Ever sit through a service where people were called out for their choice of apparel? Ever have to clean up after a mess like that?

[Sherri]

Originally Posted by Whole Hearted

I've not read anywhere where anyone said it was a sin not to wear a suit and tie or heels and hose, just said that it was the correct dress for church.

I wouldn't expect men to wear a suit to go hog hunting, not the proper clothing. Just as to wear the cameos to church would not be proper.

Only in your culture. In my church culture, it would be totally out of place. I saw a few men in suits today, but it was rare. And it will be the only Sunday of the year that they wear them. However if they want to wear them every week, I don't care. There is no proper dress code here.

I don't want a church where there is "the correct dress" to attend. What do you do with churches in other countries????

[Sister Alvear]

One of the downfalls of America is we have too much to wear...

[jaxfam6]

Originally Posted by Sister Alvear

One of the downfalls of America is we have too much to wear...

and to much time on our hands.

you are probably very right sis.

[pelathais]

Originally Posted by jaxfam6

and to much time on our hands.

you are probably very right sis.

Then we should be a nation of well dressed philosophers.