I saw a video talking about people who are hesitant to start going to church because they aren't sure of what to wear and if there's a dress code. Seemed odd but then I started thinking and realized that many people do have an idea of what a church "dress code" is.

 

Do we really care about what a person wears?

I care about what I wear to church and yeah, I like it when folks look presentable at church. Of course, I'd like to think I keep a fairly high standard for my own appearance wherever I am.

 

In the end, just being there is enough.

Doesn't matter just get to church.

 

With that said if you're putting in the effort to get to church perhaps you can put in some effort to look decent too. If not then ok at least you're at church.

Some churches include a few lines about "what to wear" on their web site in the paragraph where they are talking about what to expect.

 

It's not for the purpose of establishing a dress code but in order to put a potential church guest at ease and remove one more barrier that sometimes keeps a person from trying out a church. If they know what most of the people wear at church they will probably choose something that will help them fit in. This is probably what most guests are after on a first-time visit.

Some churches include a few lines about "what to wear" on their web site in the paragraph where they are talking about what to expect.

 

It's not for the purpose of establishing a dress code but in order to put a potential church guest at ease and remove one more barrier that sometimes keeps a person from trying out a church. If they know what most of the people wear at church they will probably choose something that will help them fit in. This is probably what most guests are after on a first-time visit.

 

Let's say you have a 22-yr-old who just wants to wear a t-shirt, shorts, and flip flops?

I think some kind of effort should be made to step it up beyond your "lounging/couch potato" clothes.

 

But I would never ever want someone to be reluctant to come to Mass because of their appearance.

"Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart"

 

- God

Let's say you have a 22-yr-old who just wants to wear a t-shirt, shorts, and flip flops?

 

Then greet them at the door and say you're glad they could make it.

Then greet them at the door and say you're glad they could make it.

Indeed.

I think some kind of effort should be made to step it up beyond your "lounging/couch potato" clothes.

 

But I would never ever want someone to be reluctant to come to Mass because of their appearance.

 

I think many would have what we "prefer." However, it seems like this is a common concern among the non-church-going. I assume "church folk" must be putting off a vibe to make them uncomfortable.

First-time guest, I welcome them and help them know where the restrooms are, the drinking fountain, other pertinent information, and help them find a seat. And I pray that God accomplishes whatever purpose He had when He prompted them to come in to our church.

 

If this is someone who is in the church for awhile, I have a conversation with them about how they need to also think of others so as not to be a distraction. I still don't impose a dress code on them, but I try to get them to consider the purpose of worship, Who it's for, and have them consider it as an issue of following the Lord. To appropriately do that, they will have to consider His perspective.

 

I've probably dressed like that at a camp/retreat situation.

First-time guest, I welcome them and help them know where the restrooms are, the drinking fountain, other pertinent information, and help them find a seat. And I pray that God accomplishes whatever purpose He had when He prompted them to come in to our church.

 

If this is someone who is in the church for awhile, I have a conversation with them about how they need to also think of others so as not to be a distraction. I still don't impose a dress code on them, but I try to get them to consider the purpose of worship, Who it's for, and have them consider it as an issue of following the Lord. To appropriately do that, they will have to consider His perspective.

 

I've probably dressed like that at a camp/retreat situation.

 

If a guy wearing shorts and a t-shirt is a distraction I'd argue that there are other issues. I can't imagine how I would be distracted by that.

 

And what is "his perspective?"

I saw a video talking about people who are hesitant to start going to church because they aren't sure of what to wear and if there's a dress code. Seemed odd but then I started thinking and realized that many people do have an idea of what a church "dress code" is.

 

Do we really care about what a person wears?

 

Yes, nothing irks me more than going to the wife's church back home and the kids are in shorts or worse their PJ's, adults too. Honestly I hate it when people wear jeans to church.

 

Im not saying suit and tie, im a khaki's and polo/button up shirt person.

 

It shows disrespect in my opinion.

Yes, nothing irks me more than going to the wife's church back home and the kids are in shorts or worse their PJ's, adults too. Honestly I hate it when people wear jeans to church.

 

Im not saying suit and tie, im a khaki's and polo/button up shirt person.

 

It shows disrespect in my opinion.

 

Is it possible that your thinking is one example of why churches like Vineyard have grown so much?

I think many would have what we "prefer." However, it seems like this is a common concern among the non-church-going. I assume "church folk" must be putting off a vibe to make them uncomfortable.

 

Clyde, if your avatar represents your ethnicity, perhaps you could tell us what the culture in an African American church may dictate. it seems to me that dressing up is more important in that setting than where I go to church. Used to be that white churches emphasized wearing "church clothes." The principle governing that was the idea that you give God your best, including honoring him by dressing up for Him. This was certainly the case in the rural setting I grew up in where many of the members were farmers. They dressed up for God.

 

In the last several decades, the movement in the churches I have been a part of has been to remove as many barriers as possible for people who don't go to church. We don't want a lack of dress clothes to be an excuse for someone not to visit. In addition, our culture seems to be less formal on the whole than it used to be. Look at old movies or pictures and you see lots of men wore coat and tie when going "to town." Women wore hats and dresses. It is a different time.