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

God has given me blessings beyond all measure and I will show the world I am grateful by making the effort to wear some of the results of His blessings on me. He gave to me and I will show it off!

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Glorious: I agree with everything you said. It is not only the kids it is the parents, also. My late husband was a minister for 49 years before his passing. I have seen all kinds of clothes that people wore throughout the years. I think people should have more respect for God's house. But, I am just glad they are there regardless of what they are wearing. It was really a big deal when women began to wear slacks to church. That was a no, no. At that time I was just happy to see the slacks rather than the mini skirts that showed just about everything they had. I continue to put on my "Sunday best" for the morning worship services.

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Rachel,
I loved what you wrote. We always dress nicely when we go to church which is usually weekly, however, my kids have been allowed to wear more casual clothes, starting as teens. I think I allowed it because that is what their peers were wearing and why have a major argument on Sunday morning on what to wear? I am thankful they do at least go. I agree completely with you that God deserves nothing less than our best, from our attitudes and love right down to honoring him with our words and our appearance. Thank you for a beautiful tribute to our precious Lord and Savior.

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I don't think a suit and tie is necessary, although my dad always wore one, but I certainly agree with clean and tidy. If you wouldn't wear it to the White House, don't wear it to God's house. Clean pressed khaki trousers and a nice collared shirt will do well at both for me. What is in your heart DOES matter most, but I am sick of seeing folks in their pajamas and dirty, baggy jeans, GOING THROUGH THE MOTIONS of church, because THEY HAVE TO. I love Happy Bunny" stuff...but not at church.

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Thanks for a good article! I am a retired pastor and DOM. Very appropiate article!
Bill

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I grew up going to private catholic school and today I am very involved with my church, i.e., Acolyte, Eucharistic Minister, Parish Council Member and I have always dressed nicley for church, meaning I won't wear jeans even. I live in S. Florida and have noticed that there are many teens who come to church in shorts and tee shirts, flip flops. Yes, I am glad that they came to worship, but I also believe that there is a time and place for everything and church is NOT the place to dress in this fashion. You have all week long to decide what you want to wear, and it doesn't have to be expensive, you just need to be covered respectfully. I often sit there and watch the people as they come up for communion and although I am very glad to see them there, I am often appalled at what they choose to wear. Be respectful of yourself first and always dress respectfully, no matter where you are going. These kids today want "respect", well then dress the part too.

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It's a rather sad comentary on our society that no occasion seems to be important enough to dress up. Not only do people not bother to dress up for church, there are many who don't bother to dress up for a formal wedding. Some people bring all their kids to a formal wedding and reception in shorts and sneakers, which is disrespectful to the bride and groom and shows very poor taste. I've seen grownups show up for weddings in jeans and sneakers. Plus, there are people who don't comprehend the concept of wearing somber clothes to a funeral and show up in bright red, purple or loud floral prints. I should think everyone must have something black, grey, dark navy to wear for a funeral. Has the concept of "polite society" gone out of style?

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Many want to quote 1 Samuel 16:7 in the wrong context. Read the chapter. God told Samuel not to look on the outward appearance in choosing who God wanted to be anointed king. It had nothing to do with what he was wearing. It had to do with his countenance and his height, not clothes. Man looks on the outward because that is the ONLY thing they can see. God sees both inside and outside. Since man can ONLY see the outside we should be careful that what we wear is ALWAYS modest and represents Christ, not just for church services. I agree that dressing casually for church when you could dress nicer shows that one doesn't consider church in a high regard. However, there is more of a problem with indeceny in the House of God, rather than casual wear.

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Thank you so very much for your article. I too, being a mother of 7, have spent the last 33 years being sure my children were thoroughly ready and prepared for the Sabbath Day. Clothes were clean and ironed and shoes polished. Children were bathed and hair combed. Our Heavenly Father and son, Jesus Christ, DO deserve our very best. They certainly freely GIVE their very best to us. No one said it had to be a $500.00 suit, but we should show respect to the best of our abilities. We live in a world and society now where God is so overlooked. I wonder how we would feel in our dire times of need when we call upon our Heavenly Father, if he only gave us casual help or no help at all.....

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It takes a lot of guts to write a column like this. Whenever the subject comes up, it's always the same responses, including God doesn't care. Well, it true we have to put the issue in perspective, which I think Rachel does, but where does one get the conviction that God doesn't care? You'd have a hard time finding scripture to support that. Of course that brings up a much bigger issue, namely, how many "churches" these days even teach or believe the Bible? Most people believe the Bible insofar that it agrees with them. BTW, the fact is, regardless, of how holy you think you are, if you show up to church, weddings, school graduations, etc. wearing cargo shorts, sandals and a tank top, you are a slob. Maybe a slob with his heart in the right place, but a slob nonetheless.

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These comments are JUST what I expected. First of all, this goes BEYOND how people dress for church. People routinely dress inappropriately for almost EVERYTHING nowadays. Now let's address the idea the "church clothes" mean expensive clothes. Interesting JUMP from church clothes to ROLEX people. I GUARANTEE you that my dress on Sunday morning cost WAY LESS than your child's designer jeans and fancy athletic shoes. So did my husbands suit. You can dress up VERY CHEAPLY. There are SECOND HAND STORES. Now, about the whole "God doesn't care what you wear He cares about your heart" ABSOLUTELY! Now WHAT is you HEART saying. It's saying, I don't care enough to make the effort. If you were invited to the White House, what would you wear. Hopefully you'd dress up for the President's house. Church is GOD'S HOUSE. And now I'll be called judgemental....but I would just like people to look honestly at the arguements they make on the other side. Like it or not, our attitude CHANGES with what we wear. It's been proven in schools that children do BETTER and have BETTER ATTITUDES and BEHAVIOR when they wear uniforms or dress up. You may not like it, but it's a fact. For Christians, it's also a witnessing opportunity. I can not tell you how many times I've been in the store or at the mall right after church and people have said "did you just come from church?" or asked what church I go to. It's a good reminder for people what Sunday is about.

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God doesn't judge one by what he/she wears. People should be grateful that kids of all ages (including adults who haven't really grown up yet in some ways) even get up out of bed to get to church to praise the Lord and thank Him for everything they have. In these times, hard as they have been lately, most people who do attend church services aren't wealthy. It's the little people who believe in Him, not the rich who really need Him more.

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People should dress appropriately to enter God's house. You don't need expensive clothes. Just wear something you have, clean and ironed, and take care of your appearance. That is just a sign of respect to God, and to yourself. By the way, the world has gone too casual. I am tired of seeing people in pajamas in public places.

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"God looks at the heart". And this is good news??? The scriptures teach that "the heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked" (Jeremiah 17:9). I'd rather God not be able to see what's in my heart.

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Hi Folks,
I am of the old school and it needs to be taught,that respect for god, and parents is paramount. Kids will hate you for your stiff rules, but love you for teaching them, They will find they are using your rules of old school when they marry. Even when the rest of the country says thats not the way other perents do it. Your children will love you for your hard stance later, because old school will win out on commen sence and respect and love for all if you earn that respect Darryl

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Of course God takes us as we are.
Of course (our Christian) God is concerned for what's in our hearts and not on our bodies.
That's the whole point.
We make an extra effort to dress neatly not to impress the congregation or out of rules but out of our respect for our Creator, .
God alone knows if we're willing or not to make an extra effort out of love for Him.
It's the effect on our character and our own individual soul that matters, and that's where the answer to this issue resides.

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Our society, in general, has become way too lax about appearance. We all are to blame. The majority set the rules, and there are hardly any limits anymore. Change yourself first and others will follow. Look within yourself before throwing stones. Spread the Word.

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I think that if you are blessed with the ability to dress in beautiful clothes to church you should wear them.

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I give my best to our Creator. If my best can only be my work clothes because I just got off work, so be it. He appreciates the effort of getting to his House-sometimes just getting there is our best. But normally my best can be a tasteful skirt and blouse or a modest dress, even one purchased at Goodwill or found in a bag passed on by a friend. Jehovah deserves our best, since he gave His Son, His best.

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1st, I agree that the Lord is more concerned about the condition of your heart than how you dress. True dat.
2nd, However, do you dress better going to work? Would you dress-up if you were desiring audience with a dignitary, gov't. official, or world leader? If you would do this, then why wouldn't you do it for God? Isn't He vastly more important and powerful than they?
3rd, You should do it because of your heart, reverencing Him, bring Him your best. The people who came to worship in the Temple, came washed and dressed well to express this.
4th, it isn't judging to expect people to dress-up.
5th, the Bible doesn't say 'don't judge'. Read it again. It says 'don't judge, lest you be judged'. This means if you don't want to be judged, then don't judge. Following, Jesus did say don't judge with hypocrisy or condemnation. There are other places in the Bible wherein we are told to judge rightly. We are to only judge righteously, not looking down on people.
Peace.

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