{"id":17003,"date":"2008-12-10T10:08:00","date_gmt":"2008-12-10T16:08:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/?p=17003"},"modified":"2019-12-20T10:26:28","modified_gmt":"2019-12-20T16:26:28","slug":"do-you-have-more-thoughts-on-the-issue-of-dress-in-worship","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/do-you-have-more-thoughts-on-the-issue-of-dress-in-worship\/","title":{"rendered":"Do you have more thoughts on the issue of dress in worship?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\t<h2>Question:<\/h2>\n<p>Thank you for your sensible and persuasive\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/dress-codes\/\">essay on dress<\/a>.\u00a0 It is a nice contrast from some of the more stringent and pharisaical content that I\u2019ve seen and heard, in that you are able to make a sound, scripture-based argument without beating anyone over the head with personal views.\u00a0 Your reasoning shows little personal bias and that can be a challenge some times.<\/p>\n<p>This article is especially helpful because my congregation has fractured severely over the issue of dress; particularly as it pertains to men participating in the worship service.\u00a0 Our eldership prohibits men dressed in sandals or an un-tucked shirt from participating in worship.\u00a0 For example, if a man attends services in sandals, he has automatically excluded himself from serving.\u00a0 If his shirt is un-tucked, he is asked to tuck it in.\u00a0 Failure to comply will result in your replacement.\u00a0 This is habitually done without notice.\u00a0 From time to time, a man may accidentally serve in nonconforming attire which often results in verbal condemnation from the elders.\u00a0 Typically, the man is told the following:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>You have disappointed us<\/li>\n<li>Your attire is unacceptable and demonstrates a lack of preparation<\/li>\n<li>Your attire is a distraction to the assembly<\/li>\n<li>You will be excluded from future service if your attire does not meet our standards<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Notably absent is strong scriptural support for the eldership\u2019s position on clothing.\u00a0 Many have expressed concern about this and implored the elders to substantiate their position scripturally, but that request has not been completely satisfied.\u00a0 The primary response we receive is that the elders have the authority and discretion (which I respect and obey) to establish guidelines like a dress code to facilitate an orderly and edifying assembly.\u00a0 If any scripture is referenced, it is often a passage like Romans 14:13 which is used to establish offensive attire (i.e. sandals, loose shirts) as a stumbling block to our weaker brothers.<\/p>\n<p>Consequently, many of us are of the impression that our elders\u2019 emphasis on the superficial supersedes the import of the inner man. \u00a0And that the heart is somehow inferior to an image.\u00a0 However, in my adult life, I have never failed to be uplifted by a man with long hair, disheveled appearance, or unstylish clothes that worshipped God in spirit and truth.\u00a0 I have been discouraged more than once by empty suits.<\/p>\n<p>I also find it problematic that the emphasis placed on clothing is not in response to immodesty, but on traditional preferences.\u00a0 There is no question in my mind that the Bible addresses the issue of modesty and that oversight falls into the realm of an elder&#8217;s responsibility.\u00a0 But that is not what is at issue here.<\/p>\n<p>Suffice it to say, many men, myself included, are in an exasperating conflict with the eldership on this issue and it has reached critical mass.\u00a0 Many families have left and those that remain have developed a \u201cone foot out the door\u201d mentality.\u00a0 I am still optimistic that this can be resolved amenably and that is my desire.<\/p>\n<p>If you have any thoughts that might help my understanding of this issue, I welcome them.<\/p>\n\t<h2>Answer:<\/h2>\n<p>I&#8217;m glad you found the article useful in your studies. It was written to warn people that they cannot impose dress standards beyond what the Lord has done through his word. What is interesting is that the standards your eldership is imposing would exclude well-dressed people in some parts of the world. For example, in the Philippines formal attire for men includes wearing a barong, which is worn un-tucked. And of course, in such a hot climate, sandals are the common footwear.<\/p>\n<p>Yet, it is possible to go too far in the other direction. I would like you to consider another article: &#8220;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/you-cant-tell-me-how-to-dress\/\">You Can&#8217;t Tell Me How to Dress!<\/a>&#8221; Here the consideration is those who purposely push the standards of society and call attention to themselves by what they choose to wear. It is possible to make a spectacle of yourself by your clothing choices. Using the Philippines as an example again, I would stick out like a sore thumb if I wore a full dress suit &#8212; not to mention that I would probably faint from the heat. One must consider the region and expectations of the people you are with, whether you agree with them or not. This is not an issue where either side should be so stubborn as to cause a congregation to split.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>&#8220;<em>For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. Now this I do for the gospel&#8217;s sake, that I may be partaker of it with you<\/em>&#8221; (I Corinthians 9:19-23).<\/p><\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Question: Thank you for your sensible and persuasive\u00a0essay on dress.\u00a0 It is a nice contrast from some of the more stringent and pharisaical content that I\u2019ve seen and heard, in that you are able to make a sound, scripture-based argument without beating anyone over the head with personal views.\u00a0 Your reasoning shows little personal bias&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[20],"tags":[208,366,365,84],"class_list":["post-17003","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-answer","tag-clothing","tag-dress","tag-modesty","tag-worship"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":66770,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/does-a-leaders-appearance-matter-anymore\/","url_meta":{"origin":17003,"position":0},"title":"Does a Leader&#8217;s Appearance Matter Anymore?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"February 25, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"by Max Dawson Daniel was a prophet of God who was among the first captives taken by Nebuchadnezzar from Jerusalem to Babylon in 605 BC. He, along with some other Hebrew captives, were highly spoken of (Daniel 1:4). They are described as \"...young men in whom there was no blemish,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Article&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Article","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/article\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":94663,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/flip-flops-short-shorts-and-worship\/","url_meta":{"origin":17003,"position":1},"title":"Flip-Flops, Short Shorts and Worship","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"March 18, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"by Charles Box Our dress in worship is not a \"fashion show.\" But, is it possible to become too casual, too indiscreet, or too revealing in our manner of dress when we gather for worship? Recently, we were visiting a Wednesday night church service, and near us sat a girl\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Article&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Article","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/article\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":2774,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/should-my-attire-match-those-around-me\/","url_meta":{"origin":17003,"position":2},"title":"Should my attire match those around me?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"April 28, 2005","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: I have read the articles and sermon outlines you provide on modesty. I believe I am clear on how the Bible addresses modesty and feel secure in how I dress as being modest. The question I have is: if the standard of modesty for other Christians in the church\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Answer&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":49913,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/is-this-appropriate-clothing-for-worship\/","url_meta":{"origin":17003,"position":3},"title":"Is this appropriate clothing for worship?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"July 12, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: Good morning, Can you come to worship dressed like this? Over here it happens, but we are not in Africa. We are in Europe. This person has been a member of the congregation for decades and has his citizenship here in this country. His African tribal costume leaves a\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Answer&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/kente-clothing-139x300.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":27966,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/whatever-happened-to-modesty\/","url_meta":{"origin":17003,"position":4},"title":"Whatever Happened to Modesty?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"November 28, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"by Denise Bowman Biblical Insights, July 2007 Modesty has been an issue for man since the beginning of time (Genesis 3:6-7). Isn't it amazing that Adam and Eve, who were husband and wife and alone in the Garden, understood the need to cover their nakedness, and yet it is sometimes\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Article&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Article","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/article\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/family-300x231.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":1960,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/was-i-not-dressed-up-enough-for-worship\/","url_meta":{"origin":17003,"position":5},"title":"Was I not dressed up enough for worship?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"December 9, 2004","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: I read\u00a0what you wrote about Timothy 2:9. I go to church, but I am a person who does not wear make-up and the only jewelry I have is my wedding ring. I went to church in a pair of slacks that were black, dress shoes and a sweater. When\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Answer&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17003","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=17003"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17003\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17003"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=17003"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=17003"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}