Do Your Kids Dress Like Bankers?

[Sherri]

Sis. Falla--
That's a great story, and that's ok, because it's the culture of your church. But a suit and tie doesn't tell anyone if someone is right with God or not. That teen could have worshipped God just as easily in his jeans and t-shirt, but he just didn't fit into the culture of your church like that.

If a teenager came to our church in a suit and tie, he would not fit in the culture here. Our teens are PASSIONATE about serving God and I watched them last night as they flooded the altar (in their jeans and t-shirts) and cried out to God and worshipped Him, dancing and shouting, and some weeping. When teens from school come to visit our services, they don't feel out of place, because if they are in jeans and t-shirts, they can fit right in and immediately begin to feel a part.

Either way is fine. I personally don't think God cares one little bit about what people are wearing as long as they're modest and clean and not showing a bunch of skin. But in my opinion, it's wrong thinking to assume someone is more Godly because they are dressed up instead of casual.

[pelathais]

Originally Posted by Sherri

Uhhhh....he is one of the people that thinks UPC is too liberal.

Hole Hearted is better than the rest of us. I can deal with that. But what grieves my heart is that visitors from all kinds of backgrounds are confronted with that spirit and turned away before they even get a chance to hear our gospel message.

[mizpeh]

Originally Posted by Sherri

Sis. Falla--
That's a great story, and that's ok, because it's the culture of your church. But a suit and tie doesn't tell anyone if someone is right with God or not. That teen could have worshipped God just as easily in his jeans and t-shirt, but he just didn't fit into the culture of your church like that.

If a teenager came to our church in a suit and tie, he would not fit in the culture here. Our teens are PASSIONATE about serving God and I watched them last night as they flooded the altar (in their jeans and t-shirts) and cried out to God and worshipped Him, dancing and shouting, and some weeping. When teens from school come to visit our services, they don't feel out of place, because if they are in jeans and t-shirts, they can fit right in and immediately begin to feel a part.

Either way is fine. I personally don't think God cares one little bit about what people are wearing as long as they're modest and clean and not showing a bunch of skin. But in my opinion, it's wrong thinking to assume someone is more Godly because they are dressed up instead of casual.

[mizpeh]

Originally Posted by pelathais

Hole Hearted is better than the rest of us. I can deal with that. But what grieves my heart is that visitors from all kinds of backgrounds are confronted with that spirit and turned away before they even get a chance to hear our gospel message.

And those visitors might possibly broadbrush an entire denomination or movement based on that one encounter.

[Falla39]

Originally Posted by Sherri

Sis. Falla--
That's a great story, and that's ok, because it's the culture of your church. But a suit and tie doesn't tell anyone if someone is right with God or not. That teen could have worshipped God just as easily in his jeans and t-shirt, but he just didn't fit into the culture of your church like that.

If a teenager came to our church in a suit and tie, he would not fit in the culture here. Our teens are PASSIONATE about serving God and I watched them last night as they flooded the altar (in their jeans and t-shirts) and cried out to God and worshipped Him, dancing and shouting, and some weeping. When teens from school come to visit our services, they don't feel out of place, because if they are in jeans and t-shirts, they can fit right in and immediately begin to feel a part.

Either way is fine. I personally don't think God cares one little bit about what people are wearing as long as they're modest and clean and not showing a bunch of skin. But in my opinion, it's wrong thinking to assume someone is more Godly because they are dressed up instead of casual.

Sis. Sherri,

Not meaning that at all. In fact many teens come and have come on Wed.
night in jeans and tees, etc. (boys and girls). Most go to denominal churches
on Sunday, but love to come mid-week. They come on a regular basis. Their
parents have never come for the most part. But we all love these teenagers
and someone is going to influence them. It might as well be me. And others.
It is the love of Christ shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost that
keeps them coming back, I believe. We love on these young people and
they feel and love it. So many do not even see their parents much during
the week as they both work. I am so glad they come, whatever they wear.

Hugs,

Falla39

[Barb]

Originally Posted by Sherri

Sis. Falla--
That's a great story, and that's ok, because it's the culture of your church. But a suit and tie doesn't tell anyone if someone is right with God or not. That teen could have worshipped God just as easily in his jeans and t-shirt, but he just didn't fit into the culture of your church like that.

If a teenager came to our church in a suit and tie, he would not fit in the culture here. Our teens are PASSIONATE about serving God and I watched them last night as they flooded the altar (in their jeans and t-shirts) and cried out to God and worshipped Him, dancing and shouting, and some weeping. When teens from school come to visit our services, they don't feel out of place, because if they are in jeans and t-shirts, they can fit right in and immediately begin to feel a part.

Either way is fine. I personally don't think God cares one little bit about what people are wearing as long as they're modest and clean and not showing a bunch of skin. But in my opinion, it's wrong thinking to assume someone is more Godly because they are dressed up instead of casual.

In many places it is a VERY big deal, and I think it is silly...if the youth dress casual at their rallies or whatever, fine with me.

[Sherri]

Originally Posted by Falla39

[/B]

Sis. Sherri,

Not meaning that at all. In fact many teens come and have come on Wed.
night in jeans and tees, etc. (boys and girls). Most go to denominal churches
on Sunday, but love to come mid-week. They come on a regular basis. Their
parents have never come for the most part. But we all love these teenagers
and someone is going to influence them. It might as well be me. And others.
It is the love of Christ shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost that
keeps them coming back, I believe. We love on these young people and
they feel and love it. So many do not even see their parents much during
the week as they both work. I am so glad they come, whatever they wear.

Hugs,

Falla39

Sis. - maybe I just misunderstood what you were trying to say earlier. It seemed like you put the boy leaving God on the same level as wearing casual clothes. And then coming back to God with dressing up. In his case, that may be exactly what he did, but I still say it's just culture. Nothing wrong with that, as long as we can admit it's culture and not an indication of right or wrong.

I don't dress up nearly as much for church as I used to, and I hardly EVER wear hose. But I worship God just the same and have never felt any differently in His presence. I just think some things are non-issues. But if dressing up makes someone feel closer to the Lord, then they should definitely do it.

[Barb]

Originally Posted by Whole Hearted

I am so thankful for the group I fellowship. They still hold to the old values.

The youth camp we attend is still one of respect. The dress during the day is a little casual (dressy compared to the UPC youth camps I have attended). The night services are dressy. The Young men wear suits and ties and the girls dress very nice and godly. Girls are even required to wear hose to the night services.

My daughter is already planning for camp. She is very carefully picking out her clothing. Dressy causual (high hells and hose even) for the day and as some would say pulling out all the stops for night. She will be wearing nice suits.

My son is also getting ready making sure all his suits are ready to go.


Thank God for good kids who done want to dress like bums.

Soooo...let me see if I understand this...

If a young person attends a youth function in something other than "pulling out all the stops," they don't hold to the old values and have lost respect?!

Hmmm...well Elder, a few months ago, I attended a UPCI youth function in our district, and it was wonderful.

Some were 'dressed' and some were casual, but the Spirit of the Lord didn't make a distinction. The glory fell on all alike. As for the visitors, they responded to the worship and preaching of the Word, with many in the altar.

As someone posted, if they are modestly dressed, clean, and not exposing skin, who is to say it is not godly?! I have learned that folks may 'look' like us, but be full of dead man's bones.

Not saying my opinion is the only opinion, but I have chosen to let Almighty God be God...I trust He knows His business, as He's been at it a long time.

[RandyWayne]

Originally Posted by Whole Hearted

I am so thankful for the group I fellowship. They still hold to the old values.

The youth camp we attend is still one of respect. The dress during the day is a little casual (dressy compared to the UPC youth camps I have attended). The night services are dressy. The Young men wear suits and ties and the girls dress very nice and godly. Girls are even required to wear hose to the night services.

My daughter is already planning for camp. She is very carefully picking out her clothing. Dressy causual (high hells and hose even) for the day and as some would say pulling out all the stops for night. She will be wearing nice suits.

My son is also getting ready making sure all his suits are ready to go.


Thank God for good kids who done want to dress like bums.

Doesn't all those suits and dresses make it kind of hard for canoeing, swimming, rock climbing, horse back riding, fishing, archery, and underwater basket weaving?

I really really wish the word "camp" would be dropped when describing these events........

[Sam]

Originally Posted by RandyWayne

Doesn't all those suits and dresses make it kind of hard for canoeing, swimming, rock climbing, horse back riding, fishing, archery, and underwater basket weaving?

I really really wish the word "camp" would be dropped when describing these events........

The term is a hangover from the old "camp" meetings when folks would sleep in their tents or in their wagons or even under their wagons at night and have services outdoors or in a large tent, tabernacle, or brush arbor.