Dressing for church advice.

[Andres]

Okay so considering all opinions given in this thread in order to avoid legalism AND being under dressed in the church, I will wear an oxford shirt or something similar with a white t-shirt underneath and perhaps khakis.

Sounds like you'll look great. I think people put too much thought into what they are wearing when it'd probably be better to focus our heart and mind on receiving the word and sacraments. If no one else, that certainly applies to me. Here is what we have on our website.

Our dress code runs the range from coat and slacks to blue jeans. Other than encouraging modesty in dress, we hope you wear whatever makes you feel most comfortable.

 

[ryanhamre]

I don't want to sound too English - but do you need to take a gun to Church?

Because just like outside of the church, people can do bad things inside the church.

For this reason, I carry a gun as well, both inside and outside of church.

 

[FedByRavens]

I carry a gun as well, both inside and outside of church.

Wow.

 

[Edward]

Wow.

I don't understand your surprise - I understand the poster from England, but not your comment from Louisiana.

 

[Rufus]

I carry a gun as well, both inside and outside of church.

Wow.

In New Hampshire its legal to open carry without a license (nor do you need a license to purchase a gun, just a call to the FBI), also I know a couple people (so there is probably many more) who conceal carry when they go into public.

Prior to Pearl Harbor Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto said "You cannot invade the mainland United States.There would be a rifle behind every blade of grass." It's most likely less true now but for many Americans (including myself) there is much truth in the statement.

 

[FedByRavens]

Actually, I've never met a person who carries a concealed weapon(even when I was a heathen), especially in church. It's probably a cultural thing What would the christian thing to do concerning that?

---------- Post added at 09:23 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:11 PM ----------

Luke 22:36 And He said to them, "But now, whoever has a money belt is to take it along, likewise also a bag, and whoever has no sword is to sell his coat and buy one.
NASB
I guess this answers my question.

 

[Rufus]

Actually, I've never met a person who carries a concealed weapon(even when I was a heathen), especially in church. It's probably a cultural thing What would the christian thing to do concerning that?

There was a thread on this in the past in the firearms section.

 

[FedByRavens]

There was a thread on this in the past in the firearms section.

Ok Sean, I'll check it out. Thanks.

 

[SueS]

I'm suprised that nobody has mentioned sweaters. A nice v-neck sweater really dresses up a shirt and tie, and, this is the perfect time of year to get them on sale. Penneys is a good source, but I love Maceys - we've bought cashmere sweaters there for my husband for $20 - 100% wool ones for less than that.

 

[Somerset]

I'm suprised that nobody has mentioned sweaters. A nice v-neck sweater really dresses up a shirt and tie, and, this is the perfect time of year to get them on sale. Penneys is a good source, but I love Maceys - we've bought cashmere sweaters there for my husband for $20 - 100% wool ones for less than that.

Or, to be even less formal, a round neck without a tie.

 

[waynedawg]

I don't want to sound too English - but do you need to take a gun to Church?

Because just like outside of the church, people can do bad things inside the church.

For this reason, I carry a gun as well, both inside and outside of church.

Pardon the interuption on the clothing posts - Are you legally allowed to do this in Arizona without a permit? I know here in Georgia church carry is illegal (concealed or otherwise).

 

[Peairtach]

I never understood the aversion to jeans that the generations before me have especially if they are nice properly fitting jeans.

The reason is that jeans were invented as durable work pants, useful for people such as cowboys and factory workers. If one keeps this in mind when considering appropriate church attire, it would seem most strange for someone to wear jeans to church.

You mean denim jeans as opposed to other jeans?

Jean: "twilled cotton cloth," mid-15c., from M.Fr. jean fustian "fustian (a type of twilled cotton cloth) of Genoa," the city in Italy, from O.Fr. Jannes "Genoa," from L. Genua (see Genoa). The plural form jeans became standard 19c. First used 1843 in sense of "pants made from jean."

Jeans - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jeans are trousers made from denim or other materials such as corduroy.

 

[Edward]

Pardon the interuption on the clothing posts - Are you legally allowed to do this in Arizona without a permit? I know here in Georgia church carry is illegal (concealed or otherwise).

Church carry (concealed) is legal in Texas unless otherwise posted. Texas started out prohibiting CC in places of worship, but after threats of lawsuits on freedom of religion grounds, the legislature backed down, and put churches under the same rules as other private property. Open carry of handguns is illegal in this state.

 

[GulfCoast Presbyterian]

Actually, I've never met a person who carries a concealed weapon(even when I was a heathen), especially in church.

.

I suspect you have met many folks who carry concealed in Church. They just (wisely) do not call attention to the fact that they are carrying. It is very common in the South.

 

[Andres]

Pardon the interuption on the clothing posts - Are you legally allowed to do this in Arizona without a permit? I know here in Georgia church carry is illegal (concealed or otherwise).

Church carry (concealed) is legal in Texas unless otherwise posted. Texas started out prohibiting CC in places of worship, but after threats of lawsuits on freedom of religion grounds, the legislature backed down, and put churches under the same rules as other private property. Open carry of handguns is illegal in this state.

Do you know when the law regarding carry in churches changed? I looked at the Texas Department of Public Safety's website and they have posted the Concealed Handgun Statutes & Related Weapons Laws. According to the TXDPS website:

PC §46.035. UNLAWFUL CARRYING OF HANDGUN BY LICENSE
HOLDER. (a) A license holder commits an offense if the license
holder carries a handgun on or about the license holder's person
under the authority of Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code,
and intentionally fails to conceal the handgun.
(b) A license holder commits an offense if the license holder intentionally,
knowingly, or recklessly carries a handgun under the authority
of Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code, regardless of
whether the handgun is concealed, on or about the license holder's
person:
(1) on the premises of a business that has a permit or license issued
under Chapter 25, 28, 32, 69, or 74, Alcoholic Beverage Code, if
the business derives 51 percent or more of its income from the sale or
service of alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption, as determined
by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission under Section
104.06, Alcoholic Beverage Code;
(2) on the premises where a high school, collegiate, or professional
sporting event or interscholastic event is taking place, unless
the license holder is a participant in the event and a handgun is used
in the event;
(3) on the premises of a correctional facility;
(4) on the premises of a hospital licensed under Chapter 241,
Health and Safety Code, or on the premises of a nursing home licensed
under Chapter 242, Health and Safety Code, unless the license
holder has written authorization of the hospital or nursing home
administration, as appropriate;
(5) in an amusement park; or
(6) on the premises of a church, synagogue, or other established
place of religious worship.

 

[Jeffriesw]

Actually, I've never met a person who carries a concealed weapon(even when I was a heathen), especially in church.

.

I suspect you have met many folks who carry concealed in Church. They just (wisely) do not call attention to the fact that they are carrying. It is very common in the South.

Yep

 

[FedByRavens]

I suspect you have met many folks who carry concealed in Church. They just (wisely) do not call attention to the fact that they are carrying. It is very common in the South.
Mark Edwards

So, push comes to shove you shoot somebody in church? Lol! Hey, it'll make em think twice before they sit in your pew. In all seriousness, in states where people are not restrained by gun control, there is a LOT less crime, so, carrying a gun is definitely profitable. But, am I wrong for being a little surprised that people are packing heat into a worship service? (Don't misunderstand me,I say that in a friendly joking tone)

 

[GulfCoast Presbyterian]

The Church is not a "violent crime free zone" any more than say, a school. I have no desire to shoot anyone, at any time.

 

[Edward]

Do you know when the law regarding carry in churches changed? I looked at the Texas Department of Public Safety's website and they have posted the Concealed Handgun Statutes & Related Weapons Laws. According to the TXDPS website:

Keep reading:

(i) Subsections (b)(4), (b)(5), (b)(6), and (c) do not apply if the actor was not given effective notice under Section 30.06.

That's why I qualified it with

unless otherwise posted

The church can easily make it illegal by posting big 30.06 signs by each door, and some of the hyper liberals do.

---------- Post added at 08:18 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:12 PM ----------

So, push comes to shove you shoot somebody in church?

Too many church shootings for folks to not take security seriously. And while off duty law enforcement provide our main line of defense, they aren't the only thing we rely on.

 

[ryanhamre]

Pardon the interuption on the clothing posts - Are you legally allowed to do this in Arizona without a permit? I know here in Georgia church carry is illegal (concealed or otherwise).

In Arizona, state law allows for the conceal carry of a legally owned firearm without a permit.

That said, I also have a permit.

In Arizona, having a permit allows me to carry a firearm in establishments that serve alcohol that are not posted. I also get the benefit of a number of states that have concealed carry reciprocity with AZ (On the list that don't have reciprocity are: The People's Republic of Kommiefornia-stan, IL and NY, states that will not be seeing visits from our family).

 

[J. Dean]

What it really boils down to is whether or not how we dress is reflective of our attitude toward God.

Jerry Bridges dealt with this subject quite well in his book Respectable Sins. He said that there's nothing wrong with not "dressing up," but he also warned that a casual attire may be indicative of a casual attitude toward God. I think that's a pretty good rule to follow.

I certainly don't look down at somebody who's not wearing a three piece suit or tie to church, but at the same time when I see somebody come in who could look a lot better and just doesn't try to do so, that's disappointing. Especially when I see women with skirts far too short and far too tight, and tops far too revealing (Unfortunately I see this happen a LOT, and it's not something confined to just the non-trad churches anymore). The question we need to ask ourselves when we get up early Sunday morning is "Why am I dressing the way I'm dressing?"

If the answer leaves you pointing toward yourself instead of God, you may want to re-evaluate your motives.

 

[Rich Koster]

What it really boils down to is whether or not how we dress is reflective of our attitude toward God.

Jerry Bridges dealt with this subject quite well in his book Respectable Sins. He said that there's nothing wrong with not "dressing up," but he also warned that a casual attire may be indicative of a casual attitude toward God. I think that's a pretty good rule to follow.

I certainly don't look down at somebody who's not wearing a three piece suit or tie to church, but at the same time when I see somebody come in who could look a lot better and just doesn't try to do so, that's disappointing. Especially when I see women with skirts far too short and far too tight, and tops far too revealing (Unfortunately I see this happen a LOT, and it's not something confined to just the non-trad churches anymore). The question we need to ask ourselves when we get up early Sunday morning is "Why am I dressing the way I'm dressing?"

If the answer leaves you pointing toward yourself instead of God, you may want to re-evaluate your motives.

We know immodesty is wrong. Scripture dictates that. However, how does it change a man's attitude toward God if his preferred tailor is Bill Blass, Giorgio Armani, or Levi Strauss?

 

[Skyler]

We know immodesty is wrong. Scripture dictates that. However, how does it change a man's attitude toward God if his preferred tailor is Bill Blass, Giorgio Armani, or Levi Strauss?

That depends on the man in question.

---------- Post added at 10:37 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:34 PM ----------

Some men will feel haughty and prideful when they walk into church dressed up in a suit. Others will feel respectful and worshipful. Yet another may feel casual or even careless if he comes to church in blue jeans; another may feel nothing of the kind, no matter what he wears.

This is an issue between you and God alone. No one else can tell you how to be at peace with God - you must obey the dictates of your own conscience.

 

[Rich Koster]

We know immodesty is wrong. Scripture dictates that. However, how does it change a man's attitude toward God if his preferred tailor is Bill Blass, Giorgio Armani, or Levi Strauss?

That depends on the man in question.

---------- Post added at 10:37 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:34 PM ----------

Some men will feel haughty and prideful when they walk into church dressed up in a suit. Others will feel respectful and worshipful. Yet another may feel casual or even careless if he comes to church in blue jeans; another may feel nothing of the kind, no matter what he wears.

This is an issue between you and God alone. No one else can tell you how to be at peace with God - you must obey the dictates of your own conscience.

Yes. this is what I'm getting at. There's too much manlaw and snobbery in the American Church. It would do us good to let each man and woman dress clean and modest, and not belittle them if their preference is not yours. I have heard horror stories from people who were met half way across the parking lot and told " you are not coming in here dressed like that" . This isn't the 19th Century. Don't expect people to pretend it is.

 

[waynedawg]

Pardon the interuption on the clothing posts - Are you legally allowed to do this in Arizona without a permit? I know here in Georgia church carry is illegal (concealed or otherwise).

In Arizona, state law allows for the conceal carry of a legally owned firearm without a permit.

That said, I also have a permit.

In Arizona, having a permit allows me to carry a firearm in establishments that serve alcohol that are not posted. I also get the benefit of a number of states that have concealed carry reciprocity with AZ (On the list that don't have reciprocity are: The People's Republic of Kommiefornia-stan, IL and NY, states that will not be seeing visits from our family).

I hope our state gets to this point someday in allowing concealed carry without a permit. I also have a permit and have carried everyday for a couple years now. That being said, I don't like having to disarm when going to church (my .45 conceals very nicely with church clothes). Signs on establishment doors posting no firearms carry no weight in Georgia, but an establishment asking you to leave will get you into trespassing trouble if you refuse to do so (duh ).

As to the OP, dress pants (khakis or navy for me) and a collared shirt. But I have worn blue jeans with a collard shirt on numerous occasions.

---------- Post added at 11:09 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:06 AM ----------

We know immodesty is wrong. Scripture dictates that. However, how does it change a man's attitude toward God if his preferred tailor is Bill Blass, Giorgio Armani, or Levi Strauss?

That depends on the man in question.

---------- Post added at 10:37 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:34 PM ----------

Some men will feel haughty and prideful when they walk into church dressed up in a suit. Others will feel respectful and worshipful. Yet another may feel casual or even careless if he comes to church in blue jeans; another may feel nothing of the kind, no matter what he wears.

This is an issue between you and God alone. No one else can tell you how to be at peace with God - you must obey the dictates of your own conscience.

 

[Edward]

I hope our state gets to this point someday in allowing concealed carry without a permit.

I remember the pre-CC days in Ga - open carry without a permit.

 

[FedByRavens]

A Louisiana permittee may not carry a concealed handgun into:

A law enforcement building.
A detention facility, prison or jail.
A courthouse or courtroom.
A polling place.
A meeting place of the governing authority of a political subdivision.
The state capitol building.
Any portion of an airport facility where the carrying of firearms is prohibited under federal law.
Any church or similar place of worship.
A parade or demonstration for which a permit is issued.
Any portion of a permitted area where alcoholic beverages are sold for on-premises consumption.
Any school "firearm-free-zone".
Any place in which firearms are banned by state or federal law.

I suppose this is why i've never heard of concealed carry in church.
Louisiana Gun Laws - What are the Gun Laws in Louisiana?

 

[seajayrice]

The packing for church thread View attachment 2557

 

[FedByRavens]

The packing for church thread

 

[he beholds]

I never understood the aversion to jeans that the generations before me have especially if they are nice properly fitting jeans.

The reason is that jeans were invented as durable work pants, useful for people such as cowboys and factory workers. If one keeps this in mind when considering appropriate church attire, it would seem most strange for someone to wear jeans to church.

Why would one keep this in mind, though? Do you keep that in mind when you are putting on jeans for anything? Because yeah, then unless you are a cowboy or factory worker it might be weird to wear jeans anytime. Is this how you get dressed in the morning:
why were these originally made + do I fit that category = am I allowed to wear them.

wear jeans to church all the time,Jeans and a polo shirt are my regular attire.I used to dress up for church but I see no biblical evidence telling me to dress up and my church doesn't stress it either.Am I wrong?

I acctually feel convicted when i try to dress formally for church. I've seen so many people get legalistic, and even prideful with it. I try to picture how Jesus and the apostles dressed when they congregated, and though there isn't much scriptural evidence either way, I believe it's safe to say that they dressed as the common folk. Dressing casual is not only comfortable, but it takes all of the focus off of us, and keeps us humble.
I see Jesus rebuking the Pharrisees for dressing too formal(in what their society considered formal), but I never see a rebuke to anyone for dressing too casual. Matthew 23:5" But they do all their deeds to be noticed by men; for they broaden their phylacteries and lengthen the tassels of their garments." Matthew 12: 38 In His teaching He was saying: "Beware of the scribes who like to walk around in long robes, and like respectful greetings in the market places,
However, there definitely are clothes that would be innapropriate, such as tank tops, flip flops etc.

Prove it. I wear flip flops all the time, to church or anywhere. I don't see why jeans are OK but then there is thisfill in the blank other thing that other people prefer which isn't immodest but still isn't appropriate...

These are always the worst threads on the PB. I think we need more poor people in our churches. Or young people who also can't afford to dress like they are going to the most important meeting or meeting the President. We should encourage people to come as they are to church--clothes are actually a stumbling block to many who want to attend church or even already do (every week I stress about what to wear to church--that's sinful).

Wear the clothes that you have. Be modest and not too fine is pretty much the only ideas set forth in scripture. As friendly advice, I'd say launder your clothes and shower if you can afford to, so you smell nice so as to not bother others. But that's not spiritual. The Lord is not looking at your jeans, I am fully convinced. If the old man next to you is, that's on him and he's gotta deal with his own sin. Sure, if you want to buy more clothes because you know that people will be nicer to you, do it, but it's not going to actually make you more fit for worship. (And I shop all the time and spend more than $200 a year on clothes I'm sure, but I'd hate it if you thought you HAVE to to go to church. Yes, pragmatically speaking it's a good idea because people aren't nice and will and do judge you by your clothes, but not having a nice pair of khakis does not prohibit you from worshipping the Lord corporately.)