Sunday Attire: A Debate

Should we dress up for church—or not? Does it matter what we wear? Does it matter what the preacher wears? Is it okay to have a casual service and a traditional service? Is "Sunday best" a thing of the past?

On Sunday mornings, my husband and I often watch a pastor on TV. He's an excellent, old-school preacher. And, he's a sharp dresser: suit and tie, conservative and classy. After his service is over, the next program features a preacher who's much more creative in his dress. He's dressed in duds like motorcycle jackets or other shiny jackets, jeans, and sneakers. His hair is carefully styled and longish. Following him, is a preacher who often wears faded T-shirts and jeans, sometimes with a jacket. I remember seeing a certain TV evangelist who wore white suits and shoes.

Does it matter?

We look at the congregations. In the first church I mentioned, most people wear what I'd term "Sunday clothes." Most people's hair is combed, and they look conservative. In the second preacher's congregation, you see just about everything—a good cross section of society. In the final congregation, you see just about everything as well. Some dress up, but most don't. 

Many years ago, we attended church with dear friends. In the morning's traditional service, everyone was dressed in his best. In the evening service, even our hostess had changed to the kind of clothes one might wear for a day at the beach.

Does it matter?

We have a good pastor friend whose mantra is "the best for the Lord." We have another good friend, also a pastor, who never leaves his house without a tie on. Others feel perfectly fine wearing T-shirts and jeans to preach on Sundays.

Does it matter?

I remember in the 1960s that well-dressed churchwomen often wore hats. In the Christian college I attended, we were required to wear hats to church (1970s) and encouraged to wear gloves, too. Men wore suits or sport jackets with nice slacks.

Does it matter?

There are two ways to look at this, and I can certainly understand both. Let me outline them for you. 

      1. Yes, wear your best to the Lord's house. It's one way to honor God. 

      2. Wear whatever you like. The Lord looks on the heart, not on outward appearance.

The debate comes from how one interprets the Bible. You can actually understand both positions.

Wear your best.

• The priests of the Old Testament were required to wear specific clothing that set them apart. Even people participating in worship wore white linen robes. And for Aaron's sons thou shalt make coats, and thou shalt make for them girdles, and bonnets shalt thou make for them, for glory and for beauty. And thou shalt put them upon Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him; and shalt anoint them, and consecrate them, and sanctify them, that they may minister unto me in the priest's office (Exodus 28:40-41, with many other details in the same chapter). And David was clothed with a robe of fine linen, and all the Levites that bare the ark, and the singers, and Chenaniah the master of the song with the singers: David also had upon him an ephod of linen (1 Chronicles 15:27).
• God actually provides Christians with a wedding garment. He who rejects the garment (symbol of righteous through Christ's sacrifice) is like the wedding guest in the parable. And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless (Matthew 22:11-12).
• Saved people are provided with garments of white linen in heaven, representing purity through Christ's blood. He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels (Revelation 3:5).
• God asks women to be modest. In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel (1 Timothy 2:9a)

Wear whatever you like.

• God looks at the heart. But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart (1 Samuel 16:7).
• God isn't a respecter of persons. My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts? Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? (James 2:1-5)

I believe the answer to this debate comes from an accurate understanding of worship. Whom do we worship? God. What is He like? Holy and so great that we can't even comprehend Him. How can I best worship Him? How can I show Him respect? Each Christian must answer these questions for himself and seek a congregation where Jesus is honored and the gospel preached.

Jesus said, But the hour cometh, and now is, 
when the true worshippers 

shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: 

for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 

God is a Spirit: and they that worship him 

must worship him in spirit and in truth (John 4:23-24).

Whatever we choose to wear to church, may we be loving towards others, reach out to the lost, include the poor, and be gracious towards those who choose to dress differently. May our hearts sincerely worship the Lord in spirit and in truth.

What do you think? Be kind in your comments, but feel free to express your opinion. Should people dress up for Sundays—or not?