FOREWORD

The sole intent of this article is to address a controversial issue in today’s church culture with sensitivity, forethought, and should not be used to associate with our salvation. Most, if not all, is written from the opinion of the writer. Scripture, mere observation, spiritual discernment, and personal opinion are used as a basis for argument over this issue. Please evaluate this article with discernment of the Holy Spirit and to use the Bible as the final authority to base your evaluation. The issue at hand is Dress Code. This article is designed to stimulate one to evaluate an important, yet under-discussed issue in the church today without connecting it to legalism or strict man-made directives. It is important to note that this is a secondary issue within Christianity. This simply means that the issue of dress code is not an issue that could cause one to lose or gain their salvation, but only an issue that Christians can debate vigorously over but not divide over. Unfortunately, this issue is usually associated with Christian legalism. This article is not an attempt to bring Christians in a more legalistic form of service but an attempt to bring out an important universal principle that our appearance during Worship Service is serious business to our heavenly Father. How we demonstrate and present ourselves in our Worship Service could maximize or minimize our effect to the unbeliever that visits. It also could disrespect our divine visitors, namely Angels. Remember the application of this article is to be applied specifically to Public Worship or Church Services and not everyday life. We introduce the article with 4 short fictional stories designed to stimulate thought and scrutiny.

INTRODUCTION

The above stories are fictional, yet realistic accounts of the present day dress code and the potential behavior patterns that could be exhibited in Christian worship services. The first story depicts the potential distraction that a sensual look could do in a worship service in minimizing male participation, while the second story depicts the potential distraction that a person dressed extravagantly could do to potential converts who may feel out of place during a worship service. The third story depicts the following: a.) the dynamics during worship service that occurs when a minister or any person that is in front of a congregation, b.) how the person’s image can distract parishioners’ focus away from the Gospel message, and c.) how strong of an impact a minister has over parishioners of the opposite sex and the dynamics that come along with the attraction. The fourth and final story depicts the following: a.) how unisex appearances that causes gender distinction confusion and thus produce distractions, b.) how a generation gap occurred because of the disrespect that each generation had on the other, and c.) how the demographics of a church could change if the generation gap issue is not addressed properly.

I BEG TO QUESTION?

Does it really matter what a Christian should wear in worship service? Has the influence of our culture become so embedded into the Christian way of life that we have become impervious to its effects? Could it be that men and women are unaware that fashion and hair designs could bring unwarranted behavior and mood patterns in our worship service? Or could it be that it is the "old fogeys" or "old-timers" that have the problem with what people wear and they just need to "get with the 21^st Century" like everyone else?

I HAVE MORE QUESTIONS

As a male, have you ever been guilty during Worship Service of overtly looking at your "fellow sister in the Lord" who is donning a sensual attire and it overtly stimulates your senses? As a female, have you ever been attracted to a beautiful outfit that a fellow sister in Christ has on, creating either envy or admiration within? As a female, have you ever been guilty of admiring the physique of the your "fellow brother in the Lord" or even the "Man of God", who just ministered the word, because of his exquisite looking suit that perfectly accentuates his masculinity? Have you ever been guilty of looking at a fellow Christian and asking yourself "Is that a man or a woman"? Have you ever been "turned-off" by the person ministering the word and perhaps not taking it seriously because of their extravagant flashy attire? Or Have you ever been "turned-off" by a person ministering the word because their attire reflected an undesired hygiene? Is it possible that our Public Worship service has become nothing more than a "Members Only" club that only suits the Christians and not producing a dynamic effect to cause the unbelievers to commit to Christ? And could it be possible that the dress code in the House of Worship, in many Christian worship settings, has secretly and shrewdly encourage sexual escapades with members of the opposite sex, or even same-sex?

These rhetorical questions are not design to judge or condemn anyone but to give an acute awareness that we cannot escape the impact of our dress during our worship service. Perhaps none of these fictitious incidents are issues to us because we have become immune to its affects. Maybe we are immune to its adverse affects because the church has become a "members only" club and the member’s tolerance level has increased to the point that we have readily accepted all worship service behavior as the norm. However, what about those persons, especially the unbeliever, who are not immune to its effects? The unbeliever, who is present during the worship service, gazing upon the sensual attire may remind the person with whom they are having sinful physical relations with and thus diminish their desire to become saved. As a result, they may not take the salvation message seriously. The message that an unbelieving man may receive from this type of attire maybe "If the women who attend church wear what my girlfriend wears, maybe I don’t have to live Godly". "If the preacher wears a stunning, sensual, masculine outfit like that, maybe he is not committed to his wife like he ought to be" could be the message that a woman, saved and unsaved, receives from this type of attire. The men, on the other hand, could conclude "This man is not sincere so I don’t have to take his message seriously".

THE MESSAGE AND THE MESSENGER SHOULD BE ONE

I believe that Satan is attacking us twofold: First, he is either impressing upon the church that there isn’t really a need for dress code and thus our image ‘speaks beneath’ the message of salvation(e.g. sensual, anti-social, unkempt, or unisex look). As a result, our image is conflicting with our message of salvation. Secondly, Satan tries to impress us to overstress the dress code so that our image ‘speaks above’ our message of salvation (i.e. extravagant or socialite look). While one’s message may be impeccably biblical, it is possible the extravagant dress that was worn by this individual may send a mental message to the unbeliever "You’re not good enough to be a Christian". On another occasion, one’s message maybe "anointed", however, the sensual attire that was worn may produce unwarranted thoughts and behavior patterns in the listeners. As a result, the behavior patterns diminished the impact of the message.

Before the message of salvation can be effective, the image of the messenger must match the message that he or she is conveying. I remember my father, the late Pastor Johnny Outing Sr., would always admonish fellow Christians that "your life must line up with your message". The image of a minister or a lay person shouldn’t under-emphasize or over-emphasize the nature of the message that he or she is conveying. The reason why Minister Robes and Clerical shirts and collars are worn by ministers is because it is recognized by many in our culture as a "religious uniform" that identifies with Christianity and the Gospel message. This in turns helps the ‘messenger of the Gospel’ to become one with the ‘message of the Gospel’. This is not a suggestion that Minister Robes and Clerical shirts and collars are the only proper attire to be worn prior to a message of salvation but a suggestion to give a keen awareness that one should seek for the "proper attire" that will help make them one with the message prior to the message. In like fashion, a police uniform is designed to harmonize the police officer with the message of ‘law and order’ as well as a Doctor’s uniform is designed to harmonize the Doctor with the message of ‘health and healing’.

WHAT WOULD BE YOUR IMPRESSION?

Imagine your life is threatened and a Police Officer comes to your beckon call dressed in "bermuda shorts, t-shirt, and sandals". From first impression, would you feel more or less confident in the officer to restore law and order? This Police Officer may have graduated as the top police officer of the Police Academy, trained to maintain law and order. But how will you know that with the ‘casual attire" worn by the officer? Imagine being in the hospital and you have been notified that you must undergo a serious surgical procedure that could be life-threatening if not handled cautiously. The operating surgeon walks into your room and approaches you wearing "cut-off jeans and a t-shirt inscribed with the words "Party all the time". What would be your first impression? This doctor may have graduated as the top surgeon of his graduating class and this doctor could argue that "my credentials and not my appearance should be the only issue that you should have with the surgery". On the contrary, you may feel quite uncomfortable because the dress-ware may reduce your confidence in this doctor to perform surgery on you.

In the real world, one would probably feel at unease if the above incidents were actual events. These extreme examples should prompt us to understand that if one’s message is to be taken seriously, one should strive for maximizing one’s appearance that is usually recognized by society as being in harmony with the message. In sum, the message and the messenger must be one in order for the message is maximized or taken serious by the audience.

CAN WE ESCAPE THE IMPACT THAT FASHION HAS ON OUR CULTURE?

We cannot escape the impact of dress code but we can maximize the positive influence and minimize its damaging effects. How? As the scripture states, through modesty. We are greatly influenced by fashion, especially the western culture because fashion influences our behavior. However, being fashion-conscious is not an evil in itself. We change our fashion and appearance periodically to keep a positive outlook on life and to escape the mundane. A new hair-style, a new outfit, or a new pair of shoes is being purchased all the time because as humans we need a change in our outlook and in some cases it provides an escape from the real world. In fact, a certain degree of fashion-consciousness could mean the difference of landing the high-paying job or getting a person of the opposite sex to notice you that could lead to marriage. Therefore, the issue at hand is not to criticize fashion but to understand the dynamics of fashion and its impact on public worship. Should Christians have boundaries for fashion or dress code in public worship? Or is it legalism to do so?

EVEN THE BUSINESS WORLD HAS DRESS CODE

The business world recognizes a need for a dress code. F. John Rey of About Inc. says "If anyone in your organization deals with the public, you should have a dress code for all employees" (Rey, 2003). A business should determine what their dress code should say about their business (Rey, 2003). Research has determined if an employer wants to attract a certain type of customer, it must produce behavior patterns that will be conducive for that type of customer. These patterns include but not limited to business attire that makes a visual statement, "I want your business".

EVEN THE ACADEMIC WORLD HAS DRESS CODE

Many of our private schools recognizes a need for dress code. Dress code also sets the atmosphere of unity between members of a group (AKCS 1999). Immodest clothing from either sex can be a major stumblingblock to the opposite sex in certain situations (AKCS 1999). This stumblingblock or distraction can lead to learning discrepancies in many young students. In Ocala, Florida, the local newspaper, Ocala Star Banner, reports that the 2003-2004 school year will incorporate a strict dress code for its students (2003). The article, "Up to Code" states that "…..In hopes of curbing discipline problems and improving academics, the Marion County School Board has waged war on the dress code. Board members are striving to eliminate any clothing that proves a distraction. Some have even suggested school uniforms…." (Ocala Star Banner, 2003). This article further states "Uniforms are not a bad thing," said Marion board member Sue Mosley. "I think it would be great. It's kind of a dress for success attitude. They should dress decently because this is how they going to be expected to dress in the work force," she said. (Ocala Star Banner, 2003).

If the business world and the academic world have a code, why does the church dismiss this issue as unimportant? The common axiom in the Christendom today is "God knows my heart, he’s not interested in what I wear" or another common axiom is "to draw the people I must look like the people". Could these axioms be just mere excuses to avoid being accountable to our behavior?

EVEN THE FIRST MAN IN HISTORY HAD TO BE DRESSED PROPERLY

The above scripture reference shows the battle of dress code since the fall of man. Genesis 3:7 shows man’s desire to dress himself with his choice of attire after his sin. Adam thought the fig leaves were sufficient for covering after his sin, but what he didn’t realize is that the presence of sin now requires a correct wholesome covering. Why? One theory suggests that his nakedness caused a major distraction for being in the presence of the Lord. Furthermore, this theory suggest that due to Adam and his wife’s inadequate dress, Genesis 3:21 discloses that God redressed both Adam and Eve prior to their expulsion from Eden. The difference between the two scriptures is that God dressed the two in verse 21 whereas Adam dressed themselves in verse 7. This time, God used different clothing material than what Adam used in verse 7. There are two important notes to point out in relation to verse 21, is a.) the expression "….and God clothed them…", suggesting that God did not consider Adam and Eve clothed in verse 7 even with the Fig-leaf attire that they had on, and b.) this is the last act that God performed prior to expelling Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden. This last act suggest that God is making it clear, that outside of the Garden of Eden (the time that man has been living in ever since), it is important to be properly covered to hide the nakedness or self-expression that is now a sinful trait in every human offspring of Adam. The proof of sin is the awareness of your nakedness and throughout scripture there is a mandate to cover our nakedness. "God is not interested what you have on, he is only interested in your heart," is a common axiom used in the many Christian circles today. However, Genesis 3: 21 disproves this notion by stating, "Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them." Why would God redress Adam and his wife when they were already covered by the fig leaves? Perhaps, it is because the fig leaves were inadequate in God’s eyesight and God used material altogether different from the fig leaves, coats of skins to properly cover them. The proper scriptural usage of the word coats is a "long shirt like garment or robe". In context with the scripture, God makes it clear that it is important to sufficiently cover our nakedness because nakedness, or self-expression, now is a major distraction to being in the presence of the Lord. Nakedness, in the historic usage, is not just the exposing of the human body but any form of self-expression. Self-expression is in total conflict with the selfless expression that God seeks. Self-expression is now an inborn sinful trait in every one of us and Satan seeks to maximize this trait in very subtle forms. Expression is not the sin, it is the source where it is derived from that is now sinful, self. Self-expression, in the biblical usage, is a need to improperly create an identity and draw attention to oneself. In sum, self-expression is a major distraction to being in the presence of the Lord because attention and concentration is drawn away from the Lord and focus on ourselves. It is this awareness that prompted the Lord to expel Adam and his wife from the Garden of Eden.