I like theological discussion and anything that makes me dig into scripture more, so I appreciate this from that standpoint.

That said, I keep seeing the phrase “going to church”. I think we sometimes lose sight of the fact that WE are the church. Every day. Anywhere we are.

Church isn’t meant to be a fashion show.
Imagine how someone with threadbare clothing would feel if surrounded by others with new expensive clothing.
The church is in the people it’s NOT the building.

“For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I with them.”

Doubt that I’ll go to hell for worshipping God in other than my “best” clothing.

You do you and I’ll do me.

Dress how you feel comfortable. All out tie and jacket from shorts T-shirt. All good. Stop tithing and you will get the cold shoulder. $$$$ is what the church wants. If they didn’t they wouldn’t ask. This is a whole nother thread im sure.

No tithing mean you get shun.. that will not fly since some studies show that only 20 to 25% of the people give 95% of the support that a church receives. Lot of people must be getting the "cold shoulder". Besides how would one person know what another was giving?

Some churches find that only 5–25% of church members tithe, or donate 10% or more of their income.

Explanation
In the average church, 80–95% of people don't tithe.
The majority of practicing Christians give less than 10% of their income to their church.

According to the Barna Group's survey of US Christians in 2021, two in five practicing Christians tithe at least 10% of their annual income. Five percent of practicing Christians do not give at all, while 34% say they do not give a set amount.

But, of course, none of the above has anything to do with the original question/topic other than when PR said dress how you feel comfortable.

Yep. Bands, , biscuits, donuts, starbucks, and video productions. Me myself? I like the old school church. Greetings, few hymns, the word of God and closing. Don’t need a broadway production but to each their own.

I believe the words of Jesus should be the first concern of His Church, “…go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Being concerned how someone dresses, should not be on the radar.

I have been on a mission that we were so filthy, that at the end - we left our clothes with the locals. While my blue jeans, t-shirts, underwear, and socks weren't the best clothes I owned - whoever received them, they were the best clothes they owned.

I grew up having to put on a shirt and tie 3-4 times a week, usually in some ill-fitting suit found at Goodwill. It just made it difficult for me to play with my friends if we had a chance. Playing hide-and-seek in loafers and wet grass is no bueno.

Whut ?

Jesus taught about a lot of things except worship service

Wearing your best is more of a reflection on one’s personal attitude/self worth more so than scripture

I wear jeans and a nice shirt.. Never even thought much about it not being my best. I could not do shorts because I don't think my bird legs would be appropriate, I love these threads though, and I think this one brings a lot out. I think Paul talked about not offending his brother just because something was ok.Most people don't consider the feelings of others. Also what interests me is the criticisms these threads draw. We all grown folks with faults but most show great restraint in not cutting someone's ear off or praying for a she bear to out of the woods and eat up about 42 folks up for saying :Go up you old bald head" those that understand will get it lol

Dressing down started long before the COVID. I always found it amusing to see people in pajamas during class at TSU.

Well said ^^^^^^^

Well said.....that's all that matters...I grew up in the old traditional church where everyone dressed up every sunday to attend church.....some of the best dressed folks that came every sunday, seemed to be the ones that were always causing all types of confusion and drama in church.....

A lot of people have anxiety coming to church. As long as they aren't showing up half naked, I am glad they are church.

No men where I go wear a coat and tie , except , maybe the preacher. I know most very well and am sure they all own a suit/coat and tie. Women don't dress flashy either. Just modest , clean and respectable.

There are versus that loosely support both sides

When I grew up we always wore our "Sunday best." This was a show of reverence for entering the Lord's House. We dress up to go to weddings, funerals, formal parties, etc so why not wear our best when we enter the Lord's House as a sign of respect and reverence?

That being said, this can also present a barrier to people attending a church because they don't have a sport coat or a tie, etc. Or maybe they are visitors in town and looking for a church to attend but just don't because they didn't bring their dress up clothes.

In the end, God only cares that we worship him above everything and everyone else. That personal relationship with Jesus Christ.......now that is the most important. If he leads you to wear your Sunday best then so be it. If he doesn't, so be it.

It’s a meeting place, the Lord doesn’t live there