What NOT to Do in Church

[Albion]

Yeh, that's all true in principle, but if the question is simply this--what should we do, it's hard to argue that even in a day when casual attire is well accepted in almost every situation, there is a line between casual and slovenly. And what does that show about the persons respect for what is going on in that building?

As for the genuinely poor, I used to know a man who was, I think, close to real impoverishment. He may have lived in a shelter, in fact. But he was trying to better himself by taking some classes and working at a very menial job. He always wore a buttoned up shirt and a tie. Both were dirty and frayed, but he wore them. That was because, I think, it meant something about what he was aspiring to or, if not that, about self-respect.

 

[psalms 91]

Have you ever really talked to someone in deep depression who thinks they are worthless? A drug addict whose every cent goes to the habit, an alcoholic the same way? A prostitute that sees no way out? This is what ios walking the streets of every town and these are the ones who need the love of Christ manifested by the church, if they cant feel the love then they wont be reached. To many churchs stay within their walls and condemn the very ones they should be reaching and then wonder why people dont come. It isbnt the christians that we should be tryiong to reach or the others in the church but rather these people. It isnt pretty, its messy, it requires a commitment of time money and emotion but in the end it is worth every second. What they diont need is to be judged and put down.

 

[Albion]

I have basically agreed with you on all of this, but it isn't really on point to go immediately to hypotheticals. Yes, churches ought to have a community outreach. Yes, all people should be welcomed to church. But that isn't the issue in this thread.

If we return to the question (What not to do in church?), it is quite reasonable to reply that one SHOULD try to be respectful when showing up, and that includes dress. If that occasional, exceptional, person who simply cannot afford anything but the one pair of pants he owns--or has some mental problems--walks through the door, then of course he should be admitted. And almost every church would do so. But that isn't the question here.

 

[Imalive]

What not to do in church.
Dont put a mask on.
Morris Cerullo: Take the mask off!

 

[MoreCoffee]

A nice caftan would be interesting garb for church.

 

[tango]

Then prostitutes and people who live under a bridge ought to be allowed to show up in their usual togs, OK? But of course that's not a very realistic scenario. Prostitutes do own clothes other than fishnet stockings and short shorts, etc.

The real issue is with your average American who thinks that going to church in tank tops or Levis is no big deal. We would hope that they would look upon the worship of God as being at least as important as, say, a job interview or appearance in court. (!) Besides, no one is saying that underdressed people ought to be thrown out of church, just that 'dressing down' is inappropriate, disrespectful.

Why is it inappropriate to show up to church in a tank top?

If I go to a job interview I'm trying to impress someone, someone who doesn't see me when I'm dressed up but also sees me when I'm in the shower and when I'm sitting on the pan after eating some dodgy oysters. God sees me at my best and also at my worst.

I can pray to God while wearing shorts and a tank top at home, why is it any different if I pray to God wearing shorts and a tank top in another building?

 

[Lamb]

Here's a nice article Dressing for Jesus.

"To those who say it matters how you dress for the Lord, you can confidently answer, “No it doesn’t! To those who say that it doesn’t matter how you show up for church you can say, “Oh yes it does!” Doesn’t matter for Jesus. Matters for your neighbor.
When the Lord sees you, He sees no sins. No spots. No blemishes. No wrinkles. No stains. He sees the righteousness which he earned for you on Calvary and in which He has wrapped you up in your Baptism. "

 

[Albion]

Why is it inappropriate to show up to church in a tank top?

In a word, Respect. It's not a matter of how or whether we can "get through" to God.

 

[Imalive]

Why is it inappropriate to show up to church in a tank top?

If I go to a job interview I'm trying to impress someone, someone who doesn't see me when I'm dressed up but also sees me when I'm in the shower and when I'm sitting on the pan after eating some dodgy oysters. God sees me at my best and also at my worst.

I can pray to God while wearing shorts and a tank top at home, why is it any different if I pray to God wearing shorts and a tank top in another building?

All the women will be distracted and can't focus on God.
Bahahahaha that reminds me. We had girls in church w those tight or open blouses and then my ex would just tell em to wear a jacket lol or if you fell theyd throw those carpets over you. Those girls were so offended. They just had no clue. One married, when she bent over you could see everything. Ex: i dont care if its your wedding day. Put a jacket on!!!! LOL

 

[psalms 91]

All the women will be distracted and can't focus on God.
Bahahahaha that reminds me. We had girls in church w those tight or open blouses and then my ex would just tell em to wear a jacket lol or if you fell theyd throw those carpets over you. Those girls were so offended. They just had no clue. One married, when she bent over you could see everything. Ex: i dont care if its your wedding day. Put a jacket on!!!! LOL

Why offend rather than gently say something

 

[MoreCoffee]

I think I'd prefer a cotton or linen Thobe for church

 

[Imalive]

Why offend rather than gently say something

He did that zillion times and they were saved for decades. If they still don't get it throw a jacket on em.

 

[Josiah]

MORE...

Don't take Communion if you don't KNOW what they are doing and maybe don't AGREE with it. Contact the pastor AHEAD of time (like with email, the week before) and ASK about it. Maybe the pastor will say "come" and maybe not. Take no offense. Hey, it's not your family.


.

I thought unless you were a part of the parish of a Catholic church you weren't allowed to participate anyway. .

I didn't mention Catholic or limit this to Catholic. It's true that most Catholic parishes at least theoretically limit the Sacrament to Catholics (officially anyway), so do many Orthodox, Lutherans and more. In any case, different churches have very different ideas of what this is and what they are doing. I just think it is courteous and respectful to see if you are welcomed and invited. Probably will be but maybe not! IF not, MY counsel in the post was don't take it personally or get offended.

When I go to a Catholic parish (and I still do occasionally) I go forward, but with arms crossed which tells the officient that I'm not participating in the Eucharist but join them in honoring Christ and I seek a blessing in His Name. It's just courtesy... respecting their beliefs and customs, after all, I made myself a guest there and guests abide by the "rules of the house" they have chosen to visit. In the same spirit, if I visit a house where the "rule" is to take off your shoes upon entering, I take off my shoes upon entering. IF I find that offensive, I don't have to enter.


Thanks!


Pax Christi


- Josiah



.

 

[Imalive]

More....


Don't take Communion if you don't KNOW what they are doing and maybe don't AGREE with it. Contact the pastor AHEAD of time (like with email, the week before) and ASK about it. Maybe the pastor will say "come" and maybe not. Take no offense. Hey, it's not your family.

Yes but they should warn you.
Once I went w a bunch of other teenagers visit a pentecostal church and I wasnt saved, I was atheist and most of us werent saved. They knew we were coming to visit. What do they do? Communion. No explanation whatsoever. Pass it on to the person next to you. So one friend was like: yum! tasty! why not? and I wanted to take too but then a Jewish friend warned me and said: dont do that! It has a special meaning to them. You cant just take that. So glad she warned me but so dumb the preacher didnt.

 

[Josiah]

Yes but they should warn you.
Once I went w a bunch of other teenagers visit a pentecostal church and I wasnt saved, I was atheist and most of us werent saved. They knew we were coming to visit. What do they do? Communion. No explanation whatsoever. Pass it on to the person next to you. So one friend was like: yum! tasty! why not? and I wanted to take too but then a Jewish friend warned me and said: dont do that! It has a special meaning to them. You cant just take that. So glad she warned me but so dumb the preacher didnt.

IMO, best to ask.

 

[Albion]

Yes but they should warn you.
Once I went w a bunch of other teenagers visit a pentecostal church and I wasnt saved, I was atheist and most of us werent saved. They knew we were coming to visit. What do they do? Communion. No explanation whatsoever. Pass it on to the person next to you. So one friend was like: yum! tasty! why not? and I wanted to take too but then a Jewish friend warned me and said: dont do that! It has a special meaning to them. You cant just take that. So glad she warned me but so dumb the preacher didnt.

Some churches will do so as a matter of routine, and they do it with either a statement in the bulletin that's handed out as people enter or else by an announcement from the minister just before Communion is to be distributed. However, others do so only if they think there are a number of visitors. In the case of the Pentecostal church you mentioned, they could have slipped up because it was known that a group of non-members was visiting on that occasion.

HOWEVER, I rather think, from the way you worded it, that your friend was warning you to avoid it only because your (or her) belief system was different from that church's. It was not, in other words, that the church itself prohibited visitors from communing, even if they held other beliefs about the meaning of the ordinance. That church practiced 'Open Communion,' as we say.

 

[psalms 91]

Some churches will do so as a matter of routine, and they do it with either a statement in the bulletin that's handed out as people enter or else by an announcement from the minister just before Communion is to be distributed. However, others do so only if they think there are a number of visitors. In the case of the Pentecostal church you mentioned, they could have slipped up because it was known that a group of non-members was visiting on that occasion.

HOWEVER, I rather think, from the way you worded it, that your friend was warning you to avoid it only because your (or her) belief system was different from that church's. It was not, in other words, that the church itself prohibited visitors from communing, even if they held other beliefs about the meaning of the ordinance. That church practiced 'Open Communion,' as we say.

I am used to an open table but to do communion with no explanation is not good, if for no other reason than the bible states that taking it unworithly carries consequences. You should know what you are taking and why.

 

[Albion]

I am used to an open table but to do communion with no explanation is not good, if for no other reason than the bible states that taking it unworithly carries consequences. You should know what you are taking and why.

If I understand you correctly, I think we all can agree to that.

 

[Confessional Lutheran]

If I understand you correctly, I think we all can agree to that.

Yes! Do not, by any means, partake of the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper without knowing about the policy not only of the church you visit, but also the policy of your own church in that situation! Do not interrupt the minister/ priest during his homily/ sermon and do nothing to draw unfavorable attention to yourself.

 

[tango]

In a word, Respect. It's not a matter of how or whether we can "get through" to God.

Respect for whom? God sees me when I'm in the shower and when I'm using the bathroom. Dressing up doesn't impress God. If I'm dressing to impress other people my heart is in the wrong place before I even begin. And if we try to enforce a dress code how are we ever going to reach the people who aren't going to dress up? Jesus didn't say to organise a frightfully middle class club that shuts people out because they are comfortable in a tank top and shorts, he said to go into the world and preach the gospel.

One thing I personally find encouraging is when I see a church with a sign that says "come, just as you are". We're better off helping people become pure on the inside, than fussing about their external presentation.