Wear a suit to a sermon

[Fluidic Kimbo]

I'm pretty positive there aren't any requirements in the Greek texts making the wearing of "finery" a requirement for church. If it's a real church, you're there to learn, not for an assessment of your clothing.

Imagine you're going for a weekend away with your wife, and that you have plenty of money to spend for the occasion. You can choose a homely bed and breakfast, or a swanky five star hotel.

When a person is in fancy surroundings, they feel that they themselves need to be fancy too. When a person is in homely surroundings, they feel they can relax and just be themselves.

So if a person shows up at a church wearing a suit, and is surrounded by people wearing suits, will their frame of mind be 'fancy' instead of just chilling out? Will the air of formality and respect detract from having a more sincere eye-to-eye encounter with their fellow churchgoer? This is what I'm probing.

[almostgone]

Imagine you're going for a weekend away with your wife, and that you have plenty of money to spend for the occasion. You can choose a homely bed and breakfast, or a swanky five star hotel.

When a person is in fancy surroundings, they feel that they themselves need to be fancy too. When a person is in homely surroundings, they feel they can relax and just be themselves.

So if a person shows up at a church wearing a suit, and is surrounded by people wearing suits, will their frame of mind be 'fancy' instead of just chilling out? Will the air of formality and respect detract from having a more sincere eye-to-eye encounter with their fellow churchgoer? This is what I'm probing.

Why are you worried about the potential interaction/thought patterns of the others as long as you're wearing decent jeans, shirt, etc.

Ask yourself this: Whom did Christ spend the vast majority of his times ministering to. Well to do fancy high rollers in the local hierarchy, or the sick, less, fortunate, etc.

Like Lovbyts pointed out the time of the service has some effect, however in the churches that have two morning services, the earlier session is typically more laidback in my part of the country.

Why not to an little legwork, and see for yourself. Sit outside and see what the crowds are wearing into church?

[almostgone]

Imagine you're going for a weekend away with your wife, and that you have plenty of money to spend for the occasion. You can choose a homely bed and breakfast, or a swanky five star hotel.

When a person is in fancy surroundings, they feel that they themselves need to be fancy too. When a person is in homely surroundings, they feel they can relax and just be themselves.

So if a person shows up at a church wearing a suit, and is surrounded by people wearing suits, will their frame of mind be 'fancy' instead of just chilling out? Will the air of formality and respect detract from having a more sincere eye-to-eye encounter with their fellow churchgoer? This is what I'm probing.

So are you going to church to learn or just to see how it feels to dress up.

If I get a chance I'll snap a picture of a little county church up the road. It's been in existence since 1813 when it was originally established by the Huguenots. In 1835, they moved to their current location.

I know virtually every family in that church. There's a lawyer and his wife that dress semi-casual. Modest dress for her, he may wear a sports jacket and slacks.

A couple of rows in front of the is a Native American family with 5 children. The father and kids usually wear clean bib overalls, the Mom generally wears a dress with minimal jewelry and her "dress" Western boots.

Here and there are a few of the older ladies, mainly widow, and they dress for church about like the ladies off of the Andy Griffith show.

On the other side, there's a good friend of mine that I occasionally help load cattle for the sale barn, etc. His wife will wear a skirt and blouse or slacks and a shirt. Occasionally, she may show in scrubs if she worked a long shift at the hospital.


Then you have the old guys that always see in bib overalls or work clothes. Their clothes may be patched here and there, but they're always clean.

I could go on, but I know all of the people very well. The clothes don't make the person. It's more of a small extended family


Why not scout the church out, see what attire the other people are wearing? Then, participate. You'll have your answer and may find that fine clothing and fanciness
vs. more casual clothing isn't that big of a deal/you may find you're worrying over a non-issue.

Ok, back to work.


Edit: FWIW, I hope you get your answer.

[lovbyts]

So are you going to church to learn or just to see how it feels to dress up.

If I get a chance I'll snap a picture of a little county church up the road. It's been in existence since 1813 when it was originally established by the Huguenots. In 1835, they moved to their current location.

I know virtually every family in that church. There's a lawyer and his wife that dress semi-casual. Modest dress for her, he may wear a sports jacket and slacks.

A couple of rows in front of the is a Native American family with 5 children. The father and kids usually wear clean bib overalls, the Mom generally wears a dress with minimal jewelry and her "dress" Western boots.

Here and there are a few of the older ladies, mainly widow, and they dress for church about like the ladies off of the Andy Griffith show.

On the other side, there's a good friend of mine that I occasionally help load cattle for the sale barn, etc. His wife will wear a skirt and blouse or slacks and a shirt. Occasionally, she may show in scrubs if she worked a long shift at the hospital.


Then you have the old guys that always see in bib overalls or work clothes. Their clothes may be patched here and there, but they're always clean.

I could go on, but I know all of the people very well. The clothes don't make the person. It's more of a small extended family


Why not scout the church out, see what attire the other people are wearing? Then, participate. You'll have you answer and may find that fine clothing and fanciness
vs. more casual clothing. You may find you're worrying over a non-issue.

Ok, back to work.


Edit: FWIW, I hope you get your answer.

In bold