Sunday Best' is Going Out of Style
Heather D. Maw
July 1, 1995
Across America, Christians of all stripes are sending out a signal: dressing up for church is a drag. Walk into certain local churches on Sunday morning and you're likely to encounter a swarm of Levis (or perhaps a few pairs of Gap khakis if the congregation is a bit more conservative). The trend is even making inroads among notoriously traditional New Englanders. One parishioner at an historic old church in Boston remembers when "ushers wore morning coats and striped trousers and women never came into the church without a covering on their heads. No one ever wore jeans!" But nowadays, this staid bastion of Calvinist conservatism features an informal worship service where people come frocked in denim, T-shirts, and L. L. Bean Moccasins. Although dressing down is accepted in churches that span the theological spectrum as well as the map, nowhere is it more enthusiastically embraced than in so-called "seeker churches." Here, casual clothing is just one in a long list of adjustments- from the auditorium-style seating to the Lettermanesque sound-bites-designed to make the attendee feel comfortable. The rationale behind the new clothing philosophy at these churches goes like this: While dressing up for church may once have been a way people expressed reverence and respect for God, "Sunday Best" has degenerated into an empty ritual-or worse, a fashion show. "That's not the way to glorify God," the dissenters declare, "that's a superficial way." A relaxed dress code, on the other hand, does away with this potentially pretentious custom and throws open church doors to younger folk and to any other lost souls who might feel out of place or (heaven forbid) uncomfortable amidst a sea of suits and silks. What really matters, the younger ...
Like the preview? To read this complete article
and 18,013 more in the archive—JOIN NOW!
Easily find high-quality, well-researched materials that provide a Christian perspective on topics ranging from headlines to history.
Start using this invaluable tool TODAY for preparing your Bible studies, presentations, class lectures, sermons, meetings, and more.
|
It's easy and quick to join:
Brought to You by Christianity Today Int'l |  |
|
| 
Find similar articles
E-mail this page
