Have We Become Too Casual? Why I Dress My Kids Up for Church

I hear you, Maureen. You made two key points (forgive me for paraphrasing): that going to church means different things to different people; and that when you go, it's about your personal time with God. I echo those sentiments. I'm so focused on my personal connection with Him, I couldn't care less about what others are wearing. Perhaps if others were more focused on that connection rather than superficial incidentals, they wouldn't be so judgmental. Sure the gesture of dressing up for God as you would royalty out of respect is nice to teach your children, but what about those who don't have the means to even own "Sunday best" garments?Shouldn't you teach kids that God said (something like) bring me your sick, weary and downtrodden, that he loves them just as much as anyone else, and that everyone is there to build their own personal relationship with Him? When my son was 5, he asked me what he should pray for. I'd pose a variation of three questions. What are you most thankful for today, do you know anyone who might need God's help, and what do you wish you could change tomorrow? You'd be amazed by his responses. Each week he prayed for different things and actually looked forward to going to church. One day he was particularly anxious and said, "C'mon Mom, we need to hurry because I have lots to talk to God about." During our drives home, we'd share some of what we prayed for, other times he'd say it was between him and God. But this one day, he asked if i wanted to know. He said he thanked God for me and his father because at school, many kids' parents were divorced. He said his friend's sister needed God's help to get better 'real fast' because his family was sad. And finally, he wished the kids at school would stop being so mean to the new girl who talks funny because they made her cry. I always knew I had a great kid, but until that day, I never how grateful, compassionate and tolerant he could be.

Amen to that, Maureen!

There in lies the problem, that going to church means different things to different people. There should be a unity there in the attitudes regarding church. Church should always be about God first and not us, what we get out of it. Our personal time with God doesn't take place within the walls of the church (at least it shouldn't). Church is about corporate worship, hearing a message, and fellowshiping with other believers as well as showing non-believers who visit what we hold dearest about God. Do we give God our best efforts in our manner of dress, the use of our time, talents and treasures and in our attitudes with these things, is the point I think the author is trying to make. Dressing nicely for church is not to show off or make others "feel good". It is an attitude (a heart issue) that we are showing respect ( a concept clearly lost by most of the younger generation) to God and His importance in our lives by wearing our best to God's house. He is our King, our Creator and He deserves the best we have to offer in all aspects of our lives, including how we come to worship. In doing so, we also demonstrate these values to non-believers and new Christians that we hold God in such high esteem that going to worship is an event worthy of dressing up.

@S. Ferrara : That is a beautiful story. It brought tears to my eyes. It really is amazing what kids pick up on. God is love and holy. No other words come even close to describing him and what your son was showing was love for his fellow humans. Thank you so much for sharing your story.

If Jesus here on earth today, he may not wear a Rolex..but I bet he would be clean-shaven and showered. Dirty bodies may have been the norm a few thousand years ago, but they aren't the norm now. I just can't imagine saying to Jesus, "I came to see you, but I just didn't think it was important enough for me to take the time or trouble to shower, comb my hair, or dress nicely."

@Frankie. You are a fool. If a Haitian whose house was devastated by the earthquake and shower destroyed and clothing filthy and torn wanted to show up to your church, would you confront them like you described? You are the epitomy of your so-called 'church'. A hypocrite of the worst kind and an offence to the nature of god.

Thanks Clarissa, Most people have forgotten that God takes us as we are. One would have to be slightly off their rocker to believe that the only way to worship in Church is all pressed and dressed. Hopefully one day soon we will all concern ourselves with self and not worry about what others wear to Church and be thankful they are attending Church service.

Dressing up for politicians/rulers/leaders is exactly where this whole tradition stems from. Before Christianty was the accepted religion of the monarchy or rulers people met in there plain clothes, it was only after the politicians started to come to services that people thought they needed to dress better to rub elbows with them.
Personally I feel you should dress in something you would normally wear, be it jeans or a suit and take time to make yourself presentable, out of respect for the others there. You should be a distraction, whether it is bed head hair or a low cut dress.

I dont read these disscussion forums but someone posted this on facebook so I had to check it out.
This whole debate saddens me. Its exactly what the world see in Christians. People to busy judging each other and adding rules to the Bible or Christianity aka legalism. I am a believer.
And I do believe that God could care less about what you wear, but what he does care about is your attitude to others. (believers and non believers) they will know we are Christians by our love.
Personal on this debate I feel that church is for corporate worship and that you should meet with God daily and worship Him all the time. So should be all we dressed the best all the time?? No but we should carry ourselves as children of the king and love each other like brothers. How to we show the world Christ? Not by looking down on others and placing judgement.