What Not to Wear...at Church
A recent article published in the Salt Lake Tribune got me thinking about a conversation I had a few years back with a friend from college. My wife and I were going to be passing through her community on our way back from a vacation, and she invited us to church, since we would be coming through there on a Sunday. We acted interested, so she started telling us what to expect. She mentioned that her church was not like the one we attend. Already I began to be troubled. If an invitation to this church required a disclaimer, I might not want to accept it.
She said a number of things, but the thing that finally led me to decline the invitation related to the way I dress on Sundays. "Drew," she said, "please don't wear a suit."
"Why not? I always wear a suit on Sundays."
"We're casual. We try to cultivate a more relaxed feel," she said in tones of cultural refinement.
"Well, can I wear a tie?"
"I'd rather you not." When she said this, I told her that if there was a dress code designed to enforce casual wear, I'd just as soon go somewhere else. And we did.
The Salt Lake Tribune article addresses what people are wearing in Utah churches these days. The styles range from business attire to flip flops and t-shirts. While many groups still dress up for worship, the trend puts comfort before formality.
One anecdote the article shares illustrates an all-too-common attitude.
Catholic educator Dan John was getting ready for church on a recent Sunday and put on a pair of sandals. One of his teenage daughters at first queried, "Sandals at church, Dad?" and then answered her own question: "Well, Jesus wore sandals."
"That was the most appropriate answer I could have heard," John says. "The most important thing about church is going. That's it."
The controversy over appropriate dress is not limited to church. I remember a news report that came out around the time of President Reagan's death. Americans were coming from all over the country to view his body. Some of them were dressed appropriately, but others showed up in tank tops, halter tops, shorts, t-shirts and sandals. All over, respectful attire is on the decline. Modesty, as a serious subject for discussion, has been left on the back burner.
I've heard the excuse a million times: "God sees past neckties and dresses. What if a person can't afford nice clothes? Would God not want him to come to church anyway?"
The problem with this argument is that members of churches in poorer districts are better dressed than those in affluent neighborhoods. This isn't about wealth.
And God does care. Reverence is a major factor in worship. When David worshiped, he declared, "Holy and awesome is his name!" (Ps. 111:9). Somehow, sweat pants and flip flops send a slightly different message.
Under the Old Covenant, which was a shadow and example of things to come, the Israelites were commanded to offer their best to the Lord--the best of their flocks, the first-fruits of their grain. The mode of worship has changed, but attitude the Lord expects remains the same. Clothes send a signal. They may bespeak respect and honor, or they may say comfort is more important.
What have you been wearing to church?
