On a recent weekend excursion, I visited a church in the DC area. The edifice was beautiful, people were friendly. But the pastor had on jeans. He spoke well, but I must admit, the jeans made me think, "How would that be accepted at (insert your church name)?"
I grew up in a traditional Black Baptist environment. Suits for men. Dresses, hats, & matching purses for the women. I've also been a part of a Pentecostal church that has a broad range of dress styles. I've noticed that the difference in preference, or style, is usually along the same lines as the generation gap. Older Saints wear more traditional, dressy clothes, while the younger group is comfortable being more casual.
How a person dresses as a lay member is one thing, but those teaching & preaching (those in front) is another thing. Though the casual/relaxed clothing that the pastor wore didn't bother me, I must say that it caught my attention. It sure was different than the robes that preachers wore when I was growing up.I've always believed that when you stand up in front of a group to speak, how you dress is important. The audience wants to look at someone who looks credible.
Is there a point when a speaker's (especially a preacher's) attire can be TOO CASUAL?
13 comments:
Thanks for the posting. Here is my initial reaction...
A speaker of any sort is a communicator whose purpose is to deliver a message. The message is to benefit the audience--the listeners. So, in this particular "relationship", the listeners are to be the benefactors.
Anything that prevents or hinders the audience from getting the message needs to be addressed. The perceptions of the audience are the ones that matter most.
If being too casual will make it harder for the audience to hear you, then you're too casual. If it isn't a problem for them, then I don't see anything wrong with it.
Know your audience!
It doesnt matter what you wear as long as you are presentable and not lookin' a mess. The black church (pentacostal, baptist and so on) need to stop lookin at what people are wearing and focus on the person not their atire. Cause we all know that there are some people who dress "Holy" and they are the furthest things away from heaven... So what you wear doesn't matter as long as you look presentable. -BBG
I know that the focus may be on preachers or leaders, however, attire in church has been quite the focus over the years.
As a product of a very dogmatic church structure growing up, I have very strong feelings on this topic. I have so many memories of how people, especially women, were treated over dress attire. I cannot remember ONE message ever preached, but I do remember the effects of man-made doctrines on the many sisters who were excused from church service because her toes were exposed in their shoes. Like "guardian" said, if we can't take our focus off of someone's attire(and I do believe in being appropriate), when we come to worship and learn, then people really do have a long way to go.
I really believe it is has a lot to do with lack of exposure, lack of personal (not cyber) relationships, and ignorance if I may be so bold to say. We won't take the time to understand other people. We won't travel far and wide (or look into the next town over for that matter) to see beyond the exterior images that we are use to. Have we ever asked ourselves the question, can the preacher afford a good suit? Is the young lady sitting over there without the hat and matching shoes and purse concerned about not looking the part, or is her mind on how God is going to help her make good decisions in a bad situation. Next question, has anyone of us ever invited someone shopping at their expense? Furthermore, have we ever thought that people are better teachers, preachers, musicians, singers, and ministers, when their focus is more on the matter and not the discomfort of all of the layers? We judge before we listen. I believe issues of dress are only uncomfortable - or shocking, because the "day to day" of people's lives is not something we choose to intimately embrace. Because of that we are not only "shocked" by a pair of jeans, but we become judgmental. We measure everything based on our knowledge, or lack thereof, of how things should be...as if "our way" is the measuring stick. I've had the pleasure of meeting people with various shades of color, many styles of dress, multi-cultural backgrounds, styles, and religions, and what I found is that most of them love God just as much as I do, worship him more than I do, and help me realize I have a whole lot more to learn, not only about people, church, and God, but about myself.
I am a PK I grew up in a very traditional setting, with very judgmental missionaries who would come cover you up or send you out of the sanctuary if they felt you were not dressed appropriately. But I also think that you should come to church correct not like you are going to the club. As a woman, I feel like you should'nt want everything showing leave some things to the imagination because regardless if a man is married or not some things we woman put on a man is going to look I think I am a pretty fashionable person some may think I a ultra conservative, but I dress according to my surroundings, and some things I am just not going to do I don't care if it is what the so-called crowd is doing. Just be yourself be real because deep down you know when you are dressed appropriately when you look in the mirror before you leave your house. That come as you are statement has been taken way out of context just to please folks. So the bottom line is what everyone has said know your audience and if it is somewhere you've never been make a drop in visit and survey the surroundings.
"Old school" verses "New School" that seems to be the question. For all of those who have been reared to the "old school" way is cool but they should not be judgemental to the "new school" and vise verse. The real issue here is not what you wear but it is about your soul the "inward". God is not running a "Gospel Fashion show".
I agree that MEN & WOMEN should be presentable not only when we go to church but other places as well. I think more preacher's should wear jeans. Well maybe not, since the "church world" is so political, they have certain standards. Preachers are human beings too and want to be comfortable. If you don't like what you see, don't talk about it but offer solutions and act; actions speak louder than words.
All in all, I think that we should be less judgemental, be respectful of our surroundings, and concentrate on the important issue at hand - THE SOUL, and GOD will handle the rest!
Grace and peace brotha's
As far as my opinion regarding Pastors and their appearance, I believe that even the Bible states that the outward appearance is not important, God is concerned with the heart. During the time of Samuel and Eli. The Priest who were dress according to what was consider right by there culture. But, were dispised and killed by God because of there lack of true ministry to the society and true worship which should have connected them to God, but it apparently didn't because they were only concern about themselves. They took all of the glory to themselves like many preachers do today. In my experience I've seen and I've heard conversations like " Doc I got my new cobalt blue shoes to match my cobalt blue hankie. I know Im gonna make them shout Tonight." This is improper and not ministry but minipulation.
If Preachers are really called to preach. Get OUT IN THE FIELD.. THE HARVEST IS RIPE. Translation these streets are ready and in need of True Christians Someone willing to die just to save lives for the kingdom of God.there are to many punks in the church. Caught up in politics and scandals. Everyone is trying to out do the other. As far as culture, technology,Information,Vision. we are way behind. there is so much that we miss and the world is looking right at us Screaming we need you to help us DUMMIES. Please don't come in a suit or dress making yourselves look as if your BETTER THAN me. But, Do be different (Peculiar). If Jesus was here now he would look at the church shake his head and say all these years and you still didn't get it. And he'd walk to the projects in a pair of roca-wear jeans, some sneaker boots and a bandanna and perform life changing miracles by preaching or rapping THE TRUTH TO A DIEING WORLD.
MINISTRY IS MORE THAN A PREACHER ROBE..
for instance
I've been asked to pray and council people while I was wereing jeans, polo shirts, hat turned back and Kswiss and I was pick out of a crowd of people some believed and some didn't. Although I was dressed the same they noticed a difference in me. not my outergarments.
being raised apostolic, its kinda hard to raise or place a judgement based upon what I have read so far.
I myself, personally beleive in being properly attired for church and being modest. I do oppose, the wearing of outfits that are immodest (and let me point out what immodest means to me, lest anyone gets sidetracked)
Immodest means, for ladies - too much breasts showing. Skirts too short. Outfits too tight and too many curves being revealed.
I do however, understand the census' thought of ole school verses new school.
I also do understand the thought, *render your heart and not your garment*
I also do understand, a comment made earlier regarding the *wealth or non wealth of one's pocket.*
My thought, is more geared towards providing a middle ground for the young and ole at heart. some would also say,
the wise and perhaps, the unwise..
Wear modest, but fashionable clothes if u can afford it. Preach the word in season and out of season..(that should cover ole and new schhol, fashionablity and whatever else thats in between)
Now that we have covered that..
Men with jeans in the pulpit.
Once upon a time, I might have frowned upon that, but not no more..
I think since Kirk Franklin came , I have begun to see things a bit differently.
Younger saints need something younger to relate to.
If one can feed the flock, and keep their interest, then preaching the word of God in jeans, has certainly served its purpose.
We are to reach all lost sheep, even one that has strayed..
and if wearing jeans to church to preach (or to call to the newly saved)is serving its purpose, by bringing souls to christ, then indeed this method has served its purpose, and has served it purpose well..
whether or not, you or I agree..
just let us all agree that reaching souls, and winning souls to christ is all that matters..
Let it be..
The Preacher is wearing Jeans, in the 21st century! What was he wearing in the 5th century, or the 16th century. What were clothes like in those centuries. What the man of God wears (or anyone for that matter) is relative to the time and place you are in.
There was only one time that it was important to God what the man of God (Priest) wore. And he designed the garments himself, right down to the 'breeches'. God, in his infinite wisdom and knowledge knew how things would change as time passed. And it is already written how the religious leaders of Jesus' time where lifted up in pride because of what their robes signified and made them feel, and how they were treated by the people because of them.
However, they were too pretty to eat and be with the 'sinners' and ridiculed Jesus for doing so. What a preacher and church goers wear are the 'traditions of men' and what did Jesus say about that? 'They make the Word of God of no effect.' Case in point: What did the preacher in the jeans preach? What was the Spirit saying through him?
I would like to know what was the attire of the congregation. I have heard it said that the spirit of the pastor is the spirit of the church. Given that, I would say that the congregation was also casual. No big deal.
What would a saint from the 18th century think of our attire today. Believe me they would be pleading the Blood:)
As it has been stated by others, it is not the outter appearance that matters, but the souls to be saved, the harvest to be gathered, and hearing what the Spirit of God is saying to the Church.
"The Preacher is wearing jeans"
Here I go again!I'm a firm believer that God looks on the heart not the dress, but even society dictates what, and how you present yourself to the public. All those that have so much to say about church people,if your boss, or uncle sam tell you what uniform to wear at certain occassion, so should those in the house of God give guide lines to apparell.
Knowing the occassion, makes you a concern and caring individual that respect yourself and others. We all must realize that we are our brothers keeper. Paul became all things to all men, that he might win some to Christ, thats our goal!
On a Sunday morning, I think that it is imperative to dress relative to the day and the occasion.
And by imperative, I mean a suit and a tie in the pulpit on the Lords day.
I mean, we dont need to come looking any kind of way to church. We should be the ones who set an example for the church, as a form of honor to the name of the lord.
Yes, I know - render the heart and not the garment, but sometimes like someone else said, that scripture, is taken entirely out of context and we run it any which way but correct.
Be an example.
I believe that we all agree that appropriate is a necessity. There should be some guidelines in the pulpit and the pews. There are however, different definitions of what appropriate is given the setting. A suit may not be appropriate at times, as well as a summer dress at others. Can't and shouldn't compare the church to the world because when in the world we have a choice as to where we want to work and serve. Don't want the uniform...Don't enlist. The choice shouldn't be the same for the church...Let the people come...and stay.
From the example of Jesus and the woman with the alabaster box (remember Jesus' rebuke to the disciples?) and the lost multitude, he dealt with the needs first...spiritual and natural...he met them where they were at. You think he looked at their outfits? What did the disciples wear? Gear for the sanctuary or the street? What happened to Michal when David danced out of his clothes and she despised him in her heart?
In the church our guidelines should be constructed according to the word of God, not man. People should dress appropriately (nothing hanging out MEN and WOMEN), but are free to serve God, not guidelines. Whether suited up or dressed down people need to be free.
The overall point is let's look beyond the exterior and not get bent out of shape when we see things that are unusual to us (like a preacher in jeans on dressed down day), understand people first, teach them, and let God do the rest.
Though i believe we as christians should be modest in how we dress, we should not limit our receptiveness to how someone looks. If Creflo Dollar walked out the pulpit with jeans on, and offered any of us a million dollars, i doubt very seriously that we would turn it down! some of you might say he was going to HELL but, you would take that BLESSING! You get it? LOL So, lets just recieve the word from HEAVEN!
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