Although it’s probably pushing me into the little-old-church-lady category, I still dress up on Sunday morning. For me, dressing up means dresses or skirts and tights or leggings, boots or flats in the winter, heels or sandals in the summer.
I’ve seen the trend toward casual clothes even for the clergy, and I accept it–the bowling shirts, collared golf shirts with a church’s logo embroidered on front, jeans, cut-off jeans… I understand ministry teams want to accessible, and I agree. Christians should stand with wide-open arms instead of pointing fingers or crossed arms.
But for me, I try to be approachable in my Sunday-go-to-meeting clothes. Here are some reasons I’m clinging to my pearls.
- For years I’ve volunteered for a prominent Bible study and heard, “We serve a high God with a high view of God.” Our God is the Creator of the universe. He is awesome, amazing, and without equal. When I go to His house on Sunday morning to worship Him, I want to present my best self.
- Sunday morning should be a little different from all the other days of the week. Yes, I’m still going to His house on Wednesday nights for children’s ministry and choir practice, on other nights for meetings. These other times are about serving Him, however. Sunday morning is about worshipping Him.
- A final reason concerns me. I spent a lot of time preparing to go out on weekends in my twenties. The combined time standing in front of my closet deciding on outfits, in front of a mirror styling hair and makeup would probably add up to days or weeks. If I could spend hours to dress to go out dancing, I can spend a few minutes Sunday morning to prepare for worship.
Is that last point penance? No. We spend time dressing for work or interviews or dates. I want to spend time preparing for Sunday morning worship, too.
Which brings me to a recent lesson from Romans. Chapter 14 begins with Paul’s discussion about disputable matters in the church body.
A couple of weeks ago, we had a special day at church with a new logo and new t-shirts. We anticipated many visitors and wanted to stand ready with helpful information for newcomers.
Our new choir director asked if we should wear the new t-shirts on Sunday morning. Hiding behind my music, I said said, “No.”
The choir didn’t wear t-shirts.
Sitting in the choir loft on Sunday, I imagined the choir with everyone in the same new t-shirts. I considered disputable matters.
When I answered, “No,” to the suggestion, I answered with my wants in mind. I wasn’t answering with the good of the church body in mind. Shame on me.
Would wearing a t-shirt compromise my salvation? No.
Ruin my walk with Jesus? No.
Hinder my worship? No.
Can I worship in jeans or shorts or pajamas? Yes.
Have I done it? Yes—beside Niagara Falls, around a campfire, at my desk. The Red Rock State Park in Arizona brought me to tears contemplating our Creator.
Will I still dress up for Sunday morning? Yes, but before I have voice an opinion on a disputable matter again, I’ll think about Romans and pray for discernment.
That’s the plan at least.
Leave a Reply