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

It is called respect.

Reply

I also grew up in a church where everyone wore their best clothes on Sunday mornings. Now I'm grown with 3 kids of my own, who I used to dress up when they were younger. With 2 teens and 1 tween, it's not worth the struggle. They are all freshly showered and wear decent clothes, just not dressy. In addition, our church is in a somewhat poor, rural area. If our church was a fussy church where everyone was dressed up in their "Sunday best," it would be much harder to attract young families who may not be able to afford dressy clothes. The most important thing, in my opinion, is that people are in a church, and no one is judging how they're dressed. They are there and that's all that matters.

Reply

I was taught growing up to dress to the "nines" to go to church, and I believe in clean ironed clothing -- but if you don't have it, I wouldn't think any less.
As I was growing up I saw some of the most nastiest church folk all dressed up and on their way to hell because they forgot that it is what is inside that defiles you and not your outward appearance.

Trust me, God could care less if you showed up in a $500 dollar suit or a t-shirt and a pair of capris, as long as your heart is right! It is 2010, too late in the game to keep judging people on appearance in the kindgdom - either we believe the Word that Jesus was trying to teach the Pharisees and Saducees or we don't.

Reply

But, the outside IS a reflection of the inside. You should WANT to dress up for church. Those casually dressed kids/people are the same ones I see getting up and leaving during church several times to go to the bathroom or meet with friends, or texting during the service, talking, or just generally coming in late and not paying attention. I have NEVER noticed someone who is dressed more respectfully acting as disrespectuflly as those who are dressed down. It has a LOT more to do with it, than just the clothes. It's about respect, for yourself and others. It's a perfect reflection of discipline and respect.

Reply

I totally agree! The way I see it, if I was going to go visit any dignitary or important person, I would be dressed up. Why would we not be dressed up to go spend time with God in His house? It shows, honor, respect and love. It's wonderful that we can worship God in whatever attire we are wearing and that it doesn't matter but on Sunday-I go to show Him honor!

Besides, my philosophy is that when we as a society dress nicer, we behave nicer. When we dress sloppy,slovenly and don't care, we behave accordingly. I wish we could go back to a more civil society and dress a little nicer and more modestly!

Reply

It really makes no difference what venue you choose, church, business, shopping, visiting places, sloppy and unkempt dressers are everywhere. No one takes any pride in their appearance any more. Go to any mall and observe how people dress. (men & women) Most of them look like they just crawled out from under the car, or finished mowing the lawn. A person who is actually dressed nicely is unusual to see. I guess it's just a different world now.

Reply

im an atheist, but, i dont agree with the way people dress for church. i began to notice the change about 20yrs ago

Reply

I believe God loves messes. If he didn't, then how could he show us anything about true love? I think this write up should be called..... I like to see people dress better for my personal standards. Instead of adding a god label for attention to carry out what you believe is how it should be. The Bible is full of stories that has many messes. God will reach a soul/heart when ever and where ever and how ever.

Then again, this is how I believe and see it from my eyes.

Reply

i believe that when you have a relationship with God, through Jesus Christ, by faith alone, then however you dress to go to just a building doesn't hinder nor better your relationsip with God, being that we trust in the finishing work of Jesus Christ on the cross.

whatever is done, whether it be what we choose to wear or what we choose to do, will be out of love for God, an act of worship nonetheless, because the triune God first loved us.

i love you all. grace and peace.

http://thecitygoodhope.org

Reply

Clarissa, you stole my thunder! LOL! I wholeheartedly agree with you on both counts. You don't go to church for a fashion show. If you do, then you're going for the wrong reason. That you're there is more important. It's what's in your heart, not what's on your body, that truly matters.

Robin, the key word you used is "friend." If a friend of mine showed up in beach attire at my "very formal" wedding, I wouldn't mind. They're my FRIEND, and I would just be glad they were in attendance to share in my special day regardless of what they were wearing. Any friend who bases their friendships on what their friends WEAR isn't worthy of the title of friend.

Reply

Whenever someone disagrees with something another person says, there are always those who chant the mantra, "Judge not, lest ye be judged....." Ninety-eight percent of the time, the admonition is used out of context. Judgments are made everyday by everybody. You see a poorly dressed man on the street holding up a sign that says, "Will work for food", the judgment is made that that man is most likely homeless. You see a well-dressed man in a business suit -- you make the judgment that he is probably a business professional. So to say that we shouldn't "judge" people by the way they present themselves, doesn't even make common sense. When kept in context, "judge not..." means we are not to judge the motives of one's heart. To say, "They dress that way, so therefore, they don't love God." - that would be judging. Rachel never passed judgment in her piece. She simply told what she preferred. How we dress does show the value and importance that we put on an event. If you were visiting the white house for dinner with the President, would you want to look your best? Why shouldn't we at least do that much for God?

Reply

I'm cheered by the respect most of the people posting here are showing to each other, esp. compared to the postings on many other kinds of articles. Thanks to all of you.

Reply

Of course, it's called "respect". But in today's egomanical society the only respect afforded is for one's self. People today care only about electronic doodads, fatty-foods, stupid television shows and idiotic sports programs. Respect? What's that? "If they don't like what I wear, say, or do...then to Hell with'em!" Blame it on a lot of things, but primarily on lack of discipline and training in the home. It starts with parents...not government programs. All you have to do is look at our imposter President's proclivities to understand why "respect" for anything except what we want when we want it...
has gone the way of the Dodo Bird...."It ain't here nomore."

Reply

I, personally, think it's a disgrace the way people dress anymore. Do they not respect themselves enough to want to be presentable? The whinning about money is a big excuse. If your budget is tight, you can go to any Salvation Army store and purchase "dress" clothes for under $5. Plus...these people that crab about the cost are the first ones to sport $95 tennis shoes or $75 jeans. I have been to several weddings this year and have been absolutely apalled at the appearence of some of the guests. Even if you don't respect yourself enough to look your best, have some respect for the people who invited you to their special event.

Reply

I really don't think that it matters how you dress when going to church. God doesn't turn any of us away. Only people trying to impress the other church members dress up. Church and God isn't about how you look or who is wearing the nicest clothes. It's about what is in your heart here people. God doesn't care about your clothes,your skin color, or anything like that. He loves us all UNCONDITIONALLY and this is what we all need to remember.

Reply

I'm a nonbeliever. It's funny how your religion is almost exclusively determined by which country you're born in rather than truthful ideology, or a real God influencing your life...but, whatever...dressing for church used to be a sign of respect, but it was also a way to separate classes, and inflate a rich person's ego...I'm glad it's not the norm to dress up for the worship of whichever god has favor now...it's more egalitarian, and more reflective of how people are moving away from the irrational belief in a supreme being that oversees everything.

Reply

Going to Mass on Sunday should be the central point of the week. Realistically, I know that usually isn't the case. But shouldn't we show God that he is worth the trouble to dress respectfully. Sunday best has never meant fancy or expensive or formal. It means dressing like this is an important event - not just a stop on the way to the mall or ball field. It doesn't mean buying special clothes for church. Just wearing the best that you have (not including any costumes or formal wear). Putting yourself out a little bit - gladly. Look at poor countries like Haiti. Their income level is so far below what is typical here, yet they dress in the very best of what they have for Sunday worship.

Reply