I just returned from a great retreat with my campus students (a few of them in the picture) who are training to become leaders within the Campus Ministry. It was a wonderful time of discussing the Bible and issues that surround us today. The last morning we were there I went off alone while everyone, but the other leader that went along with me was asleep. During this time I read some of the Old Testament, which I have been reading lately during my devotions. It was here that another issue hit me regarding the church we attend on Sundays.In the Old Testament we never see them refer to the church the way we do today, though back then it would be the temple where the ark was contained. For the purpose of this blog I will refer to the church and the Old Testament temple the same, because both places are and were used for worship purposes. They are both utilized as a central location where we come to pay homage to our Creator and give Him the praise and glory He rightfully deserves.
Why is it today we take going to church so lightly? We treat the church as if God is not there. During the time I was director of an inner-city ministry outreach in Charlotte, NC, I would have to ask people for money on a regular basis in order for the ministry to function. When I would go to meet with the donor(s) I would dress in a nice outfit and many times with a tie and jacket. As a matter of fact if I would have gone in just jeans and a t-shirt I probably would have not received the money, because they would not have believed that I was being respectful to them and did not truly care about what I was doing in ministry. Now, there were times when I did wear jeans and t-shirts, but it was when I was playing with the children I worked with or just going to spend the day in the office. But when I was to meet with people that could have an effect on the ministry, I was dressed appropriately and respectfully.
So, why is it we do not treat the church we attend with the same respect? Why do we allow our kids treat a place we go to worship our Savior as if they were going to a rock concert or to a local hang out. We tell people that God is first in our lives and that we are there to worship, but why not with the way we present ourselves for worship? We have downplayed this aspect of our worship and it has shown by the way we act and portray ourselves within the church. If you don’t believe me on this aspect, than try this little experiment. For a few weeks dress in your best outfit and go and worship at church, then dress in your blue jeans or shorts and a t-shirt and see if you mentally see the difference.
Why do you think counselors, psychologists, salesmen, and multi-level marketers tell you dress in your business attire even if you are not going to meet with anyone in person? Because they know that when you dress with a purpose your posture will line up with it. Why do you think they tell depressed people to make sure they groom appropriately? Because it helps start a positive attitude about yourself. Why not dress in a manner that will line us up with worshipping Jesus Christ, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords? He definitely deserves our best!!!
One example I always used with the young adults and college students I work with when they get angry for people judging them on their dress, is telling them that if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck then it is probably a duck. Meaning that if you walk like and dress like a gangster, skate boarder, goth, or banker then people will think you are those things. That is what you are portraying. What does our statement make when we you walk through the doors to worship God? Does it say you are there to commune and give respect to the Exalted One, or that you are more worried about being part of the cool crowd, attracting the opposite sex, or just plain do not really care?
Of course we all cannot afford Armani suits, but we usually have at least one pair of nice pants, and if not you can get a nice pair cheap during a sale at a department store. The woman who poured the perfume on Jesus did not grab the cheap bottle, thinking that it did not matter whether or not it was cheap or expensive as long as I made the attempt. No! She used the most expensive perfume to anoint Jesus. Why? Because He deserves our best. We don’t dress to impress others or to attract others, but we dress to demonstrate what we think about coming into the house of God.
Just as in Old Testament times and the New Testament, we need to build respect back into our worship. We need to come into the church demonstrating our attitude inward and outward. Our dress can indicate what our mentality towards our Savior is and it tells others what we think about coming to a house of worship. Why not give Jesus our best at least one day a week? Matthew 22:37 says, “Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’” Does your presentation at church represent loving God in such a manner? Would your dress be an indicator of your love for Christ and demonstrate that as a witness to others?
3 comments:
Allan, this is Joe in SC. I now go to a more relaxed dress code church after attending most of my life at a more conservative church. It took some gettin used to for me to feel comfortable in "dressing down". Only after I realized that Man looks on the outward but God looks on the heart did i realize that i used to "look" the part and wear the mask of a person who "totally respected" God, but in truth I was no better than the pharasee. It is the inward that matters to god not our "FILTHY RAGS". (did you get the double reference on filthy rags?)
Great comment Joe and you are absolutely correct that God looks at our Hearts, the very core of ourselves.
I would like to put your comment on the site if that is alright with you, as one of my goals is to have a conversation like this. Where ideas are put together. I did get your double reference. It was good.
Here is the challenge in itself as well though, and again I agree with what you said 100% about God looking at the heart. Just like you said though that man looks at our outward appearance and we are called to be justified before men in our actions as well. That is what the book of James is all about when it talks about works and faith. Can this tie into it, I believe so, as it is an outward indicator of our value in Whom we worship.
With that said, I do not wear a tie every Sunday, nor a suit. I just try to be very presentable. I am not going towards legalism, but trying to challenge the mindset of taking the dressing down too far, just as it is a slippery slope with theology. My challenge is why one does it today. My goal with that one is to get a reaction and have people look at why they dress the way they do. I am just hoping that the people who wear mini-skirts and low cut blouses, or jeans hanging off their rears read it with the same way you did, in that you thought through what I said and look inside to see if what you are doing is alright. Those that dress in the outfits to get attention either way, Armani suits or gangster/punk attire, are not dressing outward for the right purpose and it can many times give some one the inkling of what is inside.
I understand what you are saying Allan. And think that the answers lie within today's culture. Everything has been "dumbed down", and unless parents or peers teach their kids differently then the newer generations buy into the world's concepts of easy "everything", including believism. I still have to catch myself when I see grown-ups and children alike in shorts or bare feet in "the house of God". Where is the respect, but then the Holy Spirit tugs at me and says that He is happy that they are here. Here, is where they can be ministered to by the Body and the Spirit. I never know what doors some of them came through before they made it through the "Church" doors. Transformation is a process and sometimes before I expect them to respect God I must first Teach them to Respect themselves.
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