God’s Dress Code: Clothes should Not Matter
With everything happing in the world today, the last thing one should be worry over is what someone wears or does not wear to church services. The question of a dress code has plagued the church through the years. One would think that a true believer would not be concerned with another’s dress as long as it is not too revealing. Ones dress as far as styling; formal, informal, or casual should not matter. There are many more important subjects that should occupy the true worshipers time than a formal dress code.
The church should not strive to enforce a dress code for its members beyond those requirements found in the Bible. The Bible does have a dress code and one should not be created. The creation of a dress code would put unnecessary strain on people to conform to a standard that does not increase or decrease ones spirituality. Regardless of the term used be it “Sunday’s best,” “Fancy Clothes,”or “Sunday’s going to the meeting it boils down to the same thing a dress code. Church is not a place to debate the attire of the worshiper; it is a place for believers to commune with God and one another.
Having a formal dress code for church invites the introduction unneeded dissension into the midst of believers. Who would decide what is considered proper attire to attend church. Furthermore, if one attempted to enter the church in other than the proper attire would they be turned away and told to return when their dress was appropriate? Or would perhaps the church would provide clothing for all who attend in the form of smocks or robes for uniformity and compliance. A dress code would only distract attention away from the Church’s true purpose and the Lord’s call to, “come as you are.”
A church dress code could push potential worshipers away. Anyone strong enough to attend church services in spite of not having the ‘proper attire’ might feel unwelcomed and objects of ridicule. Horror stories abound from people who have felt they were objects of scorn for their dress from congregations who appear to look at them from head to toe and feel there dress is inappropriate. Whether their feelings or based in truth or their own insecurity, a dress code would only aggravate the situation. The purpose of the church is to offer a refuge from a world of storms, not inflame the tempest.
The church is not a fashion showcase and God does not care about what we wear. God created man in the beauty of innocence and it was only after its loss that clothing became an issue. God favors neither the rich nor the poor, either the fashionable or fashion less God seeks those that come in spirit and in truth. The worshipers’ only reason for being in church is to listen, heed the word, and seek God’s face.
There are those who believe there should be a dress code for church I happen to be one who does not. Many people feel as though a dress code adds solemnity and respect to church services. They argue that God requires or rather deserves our best and that includes our dress.
Strangely enough I agree with the last point of those in favor of a dress code. I truly believe that God deserves our best in action, service, and clothing. I however do not feel that I am qualified to determine what another’s best is to give honor and glory to God. I have a difficult enough time in orchestrating my best to return to God’s glory. I t is for that reason I do not support formal dress codes for church services. Dress codes only highlight our differences and fails to realize that all that we have and do is but filthy rags in the sight of God.