Should we teach others to rebel against standards?

[aegsm76]

We just had a man leave our assembly because he could not abide by the "man-made standards" any longer!
Well, I say man, but he took his family.
Those standards that he could no longer abide by:
Being clean shaven
No rings (finger, ear or nose)
No glorifying of sports (I imagine he has a big screen set up now)
No adult movies (specifically anything over a G)

But, it's ok, he went across town to a church where those things are permitted...

[n david]

Originally Posted by Evang.Benincasa

Brother Nic, here is Aquila's idea of Apostolic fellowship

http://www.apostolicfriendsforum.com...9&postcount=20

[Ehud]

Originally Posted by aegsm76

We just had a man leave our assembly because he could not abide by the "man-made standards" any longer!
Well, I say man, but he took his family.
Those standards that he could no longer abide by:
Being clean shaven
No rings (finger, ear or nose)
No glorifying of sports (I imagine he has a big screen set up now)
No adult movies (specifically anything over a G)

But, it's ok, he went across town to a church where those things are permitted...

Assuming he didn't cause a big stink, is it not better for him to just leave than cause a big stink?

[Michael The Disciple]

Originally Posted by Nicodemus1968

Mike,
I don’t associate beards with hippies, and I don’t associate rich man with suits. But I do judge ones former life with there new birth life. Why? Because your former life should be submitted to the new man. And in the area of dress, me personally I dont dress like I used to dress, I don't look like I used to look. Why, because I seen in the mirror one day that I looked like a man in a garbage can. We represent Christ, sinners are not going to see Jesus physically walking this earth, but they will see us, and if they see us acting like them, talking like them, then whats the need to change? I believe as your spirit is holy then you will dress holy. Your right, there are some greedy, rich people that dress to the hilt. Yet, their spirit is filthy! I love it when my family and I are in the store or shopping center, in another state and we see a family and we know their Apostolic. We go up and its like we’ve been friends forever. Why? Was it their dress, no it wasn't we feel a kindred to their spirit. I believe you need to be “fully clothed, and in your right mind” and not walk around like a gutter punk. But with that said I dont worship the standards of the church, I worship the God of all heaven.

So would you agree that if preaching beards are wrong because of their association with hippies would you agree suits are wrong because they are associated with the most worldly of the worldly people?

Should preachers be taught to quit wearing clothes that are identified with sinners? Should they command their Churches to quit wearing them?

And what if the CIA agent who wore a suit in his former life feels bad wearing a suit because it reminds him of his former life of deception? Should his Pastor tell the rest of the saints to quit wearing them because it reminds HIM of his former life?

[coksiw]

Originally Posted by Michael The Disciple

So would you agree that if preaching beards are wrong because of their association with hippies would you agree suits are wrong because they are associated with the most worldly of the worldly people?

Should preachers be taught to quit wearing clothes that are identified with sinners? Should they command their Churches to quit wearing them?

And what if the CIA agent who wore a suit in his former life feels bad wearing a suit because it reminds him of his former life of deception? Should his Pastor tell the rest of the saints to quit wearing them because it reminds HIM of his former life?

I would love to have a beard. The only reason I don't it is because I don't live to myself anymore, but for the Gospel. Unfortunately, there are people out there, specially older folks in certain areas, that a beard would remove a little bit of weight to your words when preaching the Gospel. Maybe in some other areas, not having a beard, is a big issue. I would adjust appropriately. Suits, in this culture, are associated with formality. We do want to keep some formality in our gatherings, it is a safety check to keep things decent.
Whatever culture I am in, I would abstain from things that can hinder the Gospel to any group, and I would dress with formality (not necessarily elegant) during the gatherings.

That being said, in Israel, when I talk to some people doing work there, they say that really having a beard doesn't make much difference when testifying. It makes more of a difference to learn about their culture, traditions and show that you know them and respect them.

[n david]

I liked growing a beard. I'm follicly-challenged on my head, so my beard was kind of a consolation prize. I noticed people were different when I grew a beard compared to my shaven baby face.

But, since the church I attend requests its men in leadership and ministry be clean shaven, I shave. (Twice a week, Wednesday evening after work and Sunday morning before church!) I tried shaving every day and it's no bueno.

[coksiw]

Originally Posted by n david

I liked growing a beard. I'm follicly-challenged on my head, so my beard was kind of a consolation prize. I noticed people were different when I grew a beard compared to my shaven baby face.

But, since the church I attend requests its men in leadership and ministry be clean shaven, I shave. (Twice a week, Wednesday evening after work and Sunday morning before church!) I tried shaving every day and it's no bueno.

Different in what sense?

[n david]

Originally Posted by coksiw

Different in what sense?

My beard has a good blend of gray, so I look older with it vs when I'm shaved. It could have been my imagination, but it felt like people took me more serious with a beard -- older, more experienced, etc.

[Nicodemus1968]

Originally Posted by Michael The Disciple

So would you agree that if preaching beards are wrong because of their association with hippies would you agree suits are wrong because they are associated with the most worldly of the worldly people?

Should preachers be taught to quit wearing clothes that are identified with sinners? Should they command their Churches to quit wearing them?

And what if the CIA agent who wore a suit in his former life feels bad wearing a suit because it reminds him of his former life of deception? Should his Pastor tell the rest of the saints to quit wearing them because it reminds HIM of his former life?

I want to get your thoughts Mike about this. I was never taught beards are from the hippies, I was taught beards were a form of pride, and rebellion. I understand a man (or women) can be clean shaven and have pride, and rebellion.

[hometown guy]

Originally Posted by Nicodemus1968

I want to get your thoughts Mike about this. I was never taught beards are from the hippies, I was taught beards were a form of pride, and rebellion. I understand a man (or women) can be clean shaven and have pride, and rebellion.

He is still stuck in the 70s I’ve heard so he still thinks we all say that’s the reason still. The original problems was centered around the rebellion of what the hippies were doing but I haven’t heard anyone say that in the last 25 years and only reason I’m not saying longer is because I can’t be sure but don’t think I’ve ever heard it preached for that reason I’m my short 38 years of living.