My wife prefers the contemporary services and she has close cousins that attend a church that worships this way. I went when we first moved up here and I had no problem there except with my hearing issues, I could not hear with their sound system that well which was exacerbated by a preacher that wondered all over the pulpit so I couldn't see his mouth the whole time, which is a requirement for me to understand someone usually. But anyways, several of the men were wearing shorts and drinking coffee from the foyer coffee shop. To each his own, but that wasn't for me, but hey, they were in church hearing the message so good for them.

I have found a smaller church, still good sized, and pretty close to capacity every Sunday. An excellent old school preacher who's sermons are right up my alley and I can hear every word. The hymns are traditional which I prefer and no one wears shorts, at least not to the morning services. A number of men wear newer jeans, which is not unusual these days, but so far I just haven't made myself feel comfortable enough to do that yet. I'm not in a coat and tie, as I'm just not a tie wearer anymore except at a funeral of an older person that would expect that. To go to church I wear dress pants or khakis and a button up shirt. I just think shorts in a church made up of a lot of older people (I guess I'm one of them) is disrespectful to the Lord, even though I know he doesn't care. I know this is a bit of a paradox and I really don't care what you wear to church but I think an effort to be respectful to the Lord should be made even though your attendance is respect. It is just do what makes you comfortable and don't do what you are not comfortable with. Getting the message is the main thing.

When I was a kid, my best was blue jeans and the only pair of shoes I had. Others in the church had suits. That was their best. I remember the pastor preaching on it. If you own better, yet show up in shorts and flip flops, you're taking it for granted. That's not your best.

I really feel it's symptomatic of society at large today. Everyone addresses the world from a self-centered point of view rather than having a what can I bring to the table attitude. Am I here to worship or are we here to worship?

Imagine that…a thread on aldeer with yet another “Christian” proclaiming their superiority to others. So very, very Christ-like indeed.

The Bible, God’s word, clearly said that man looks at the outside but God looks at the heart. He said it, that settles it. Doesn’t matter what anyone else feels, says, or thinks.

God was pretty serious about the dress code in church at one time, its in the bible. I know, i know, thats old testament and God has changed alot since then. Oh yeah, theres also that new testament scripture that tells us how to dress. Well, that was thousands of years ago. We dont even dress like they did back then. Im sure God changed his mind by now, we can just tear those pages out and throw them in the burn barrel with the rest of the bible we just didnt want to follow.

You are wrong Gomer. I love you, i wish you the best. But you are wrong.

Society in general has no class

Everything is the F word or has their ass hanging out

Sounds like your preacher was putting words in God’s mouth. Please back up your ridiculous statements with something - anything - scriptural. If you can, I’ll apologize and retract my statement.

Attitudes like this are a huge part of what drives people away from church and why Christian’s are accused of being “judgey” and hypocritical.

If I were to meet with the president of the United States, the governor of Alabama or even the president of the company that I work for, I’m not showing up in shorts and flip flops. Does Jesus care? No, I don’t think so but I do. I also give the first and best of the income that God provides. But that’s me

Our church says "come as you are" and I think this is the correct attitude!

God will take care of the rest! As the Holy Spirit works within you then you will know what is acceptable to Jesus.

So where do you draw the line?

Full suit?
Sport coat and tie?
Shirt and tie?
Slacks and a button down?
Jeans and a collared shirt?
Does the shirt have to be tucked in?
Shorts and a collared shirt?

A lot of people here are confusing their personal preference/opinion for scriptural guidelines that don’t exist. As long as it’s not explicit/suggestive, revealing, or otherwise “offensive” (and not just because it’s “casual”), I don’t see any scriptural justification for criticizing someone’s attire.

Again, if you can back it up with scripture, I’ll humbly admit to being wrong

There’s not scripture with dress attire gomer

Gomer, the scripture is there. Old and new testament. You look it up, ive read it. If flip flops and a t shirt is the best you have for God, you and he both know that. If youre doing your best, you both know that. If the attitude is, ill do it as long as its comfortable for me, he knows that as well. And if teaching people to honor God with every part of your life is keeping people out of church, anything will keep them out, theyre looking for a reason to stay home anyhow. I have no idea whats in your heart. I have no desire to judge you. But my God deserves our best 24/7. His house is a place of worship. It is a special place and should be treated as such. Thats all in the bible too. God was very serious about the church. He was also pretty big on honor and respect and we, as christians, are required of alot more than what is comfortable to us.

The Bible does not refer to a specific dress code. Rather, it is rooted in modesty, respect, and love.

J Walker, What is the New Testament Scripture you are referring to? I am trying to think about what that is but i am unable to place it?

Probably the same scripture youre thinking of. Walking in with all your legs and toes showing certainly isnt modest. If you dress the same way you would going to any other event, ballgame, beachbor such, that sure isnt showing the church any respect. And there was an actual dress code , if im not mistaken, for the high priest, in the old testament. And i understand that dress code is a stretch considering the context of the conversation here, but what it does show is that God did care about how his people dress in his house. On this issue, like just about all others, we humans lean toward the direction that makes it easier on us. If theres no absolute direct instructions. We almost always tend to lean toward what makes us more comfortable. Personally, i believe we should lean toward what ever brings the most honor and glory to God.

Yes. There certaily is. Google your words "scripture for dress and attire". See what happens. Theres plenty of scripture about it. No, it dont say "wear this when you go to church". But scripture about dress and attire itself should show us that God does care about that too, because he put it in there. And we should surely honor God in every way when were going to worship him.

If it really mattered God would let us know.

Don’t confuse legalistic traditions with godliness. If God is ok with you sharing the Gospel while wading in the water at the gulf of America with no shirt on and a swimsuit, I think he is ok with worshiping him with other believers in shorts and a tee shirt.

Or if I can worship him at sunrise drinking a cup of coffee in my underwear while sitting on the back porch, he’s ok with me wearing flip flops to church.

God is not interested in our best in Sunday. He is interested in us being obedient to His Word and His Spirit Monday through Saturday. He is interested in a relationship with us. He is interested in our sanctification. And He is interested in using us to further His kingdom.

Your “Sunday best” is not the true you. The true you is who you are when you aren’t at church. I can’t believe Christians think this way 🤦🏻‍♂️
Christianity is about the exact opposite of dressing up in something fancier than who you really are.

I can’t imagine why so many avoid organized religion