What happened to dressing to impress God?

[DragonPearl]

I honestly don't think the Lord cares whether or not the person wears flip flop or their Sunday best shoes. I don't believe one can dress to impress God, period.

But,

in a place dedicated to workshipping God, I find it objectionable when people dress in an overly sexy manner, with their goodies all out, because it distracts their fellow workshippers and yes, lead them to temptation, if not in action, at least in thoughts. I also don't think it's appropriate either to put on a fashion show, with very expensive and flashy looking clothing and hats, as they too can be distracting to others. That's vanity disguising itself as dressing for the Lord. I guess my philosophy is that in a place of workship, modesty attire is best.

 

[Blossssom]

I think that people take the expression "come as you are" to an entirely different level. I have seen some interesting sights at church lately. Seeing backs and stomachs exposed on the young ladies really make me cringe. They look as though they left the club and came straight to church. I think that people should have respect for the House of the Lord and come to church looking decent. By decent, they should have their back and stomachs covered at a minimum.

At LEAST!

And with all the fornication, infidelity and baby-making from the front door to the choir stand (including the pulpit), you would THINK people would dress with some decorum.

Read parts of the Old Testament. God's house is to be respected at all times. The people of old went through rituals before even thinking of entering the holy walls.

But that was then and this is now...

 

[ekomba]

I have lost two friends over this same topic. I suggested not wearing anything lowcut,skin tight or club attire. Of course I got the bark of "come as you are." I know that they wouldnt wear that same outfit to a corporate interview. This is a lame excuse for some.

You know i used to go to a Baptist church in Harlem 2-3years ago and it was my first experience as i was born and raised Roman Catholic and i became a born again christian. I did not know the rules but i came with black pants black turtleneck blazer and black shoes sometimes boots and after a few months my friend's mom who introduced me to her church yelled at me and told me dont ever wear pants or boots only skirts and dresses and i told her i m dressed very conservative and the church said come as you are. She said that come as you are is only if you new and that i been there long enough to know better she was really fanatical with religion/dressing and yell at me for the pants and i m more of a pants girl than skirts she really turned me off from church . imagine that i was just saved coming from different backgrounds experimenting with indian beliefs sects,yogi and then curiosity led me to christianity. There i felt christianity was hyppocrit and strict as i couldnot wear what i wanted and so many rules so i never went back to that church and thanks God 2 years later a girlfriend drag me to her church the Brooklyn Tabernacle my faith is renewed but for a newcomer you can really be turned off by christianity if you are judged on your appearance but i agree though even me a newcomer knew not to wear daisy dukes in church. i mean come on thats utter disrespect its bad taste and they know better if you cant wear it at family reunions or around your grandma why do it in the church!

 

[ekomba]

I was watching TBN one night a good while back listening/watching Juanita Bynum. She made a statement that made me go YEAH!! She was talking about how churches and musicians are saying they are changing the way they hold their services and the music because they are trying to draw more members and draw people closer to God(paraphrasing here) she then said that maybe they were trying to draw somebody that God hadnt called. That is oh so true, cause I dont care how hard you try, you cant draw who God aint called. YET!! God's word is the same and has not changed from day one. He said He is the same yesterday, today, and forever and that He change not. So why are the churches changing. I believe the same God that saved the lost in 2050, 1800, 1901, 1950, and in 1970 is the same God that can do it in 2005 and do it in the same way.

Many are changing because they need the money. they need more members. dont get me wrong they are good churches. But sometimes i just stay home and pray in my house when i choose not to attend. i cant believe some churches even demand your w2's and account /employer information when you join them to verify that you really paying 10% of your GROSS (NOT NET) earnings! this is not church this is police. But i believe you know that all these rules and sometimes the way they try to hard is what gives christianity a bad name and turn people off and instead of drawing new members by being so pushy, people think religion is a business. We would gain more thru our actions, being a church of acceptance, love and not snob the new members. You know sometimes at my church people used to get pissed off in their face when it was time to greet one another its as if they wanted to get over it. but you cant let that stop you sometimes i just have a pair of jeans and a turtleneck i even wore black sneakers once i do believe in come as you are and if i feel mocked i dont pay it no mind. I close my eyes and forget everyone present the only person i have to impress is the Lord through my actions, my love and my devotion, people will always talk specially in the Church.

 

[BlkHoneyLuv2U]

The first time a church ever ask for my W-2, will be the last time. I've heard of churches doing this and was like...

 

[DDHair]

OMG!!! My Pastor ended his Pastoral Observations with that on Sunday, people around the church are getting a little upset with the club attire and the panties showing, some people have even blamed that the change in the dress code (women being allowed to wear pants) started it, but I don't think so, I think people, especially, are becoming less exposed to how they need to dress period. I went to a pt job interview last Friday and these young people who looked like they were less than 25 had on baseball caps cocked to the side, sagging pants, Jordans, the girl had on some jeans with a button down shirt with her stomach exposed (a big circle was in the middle of her shirt) and here I am 26, with my slacks and twin set on, in my home we knew better, my mom purposely bought us nice things for church, because if we could afford to sport anything else (especially Jordans) we should be able to dress descently for the Lord. Even my pastor who grew up in poverty said that his parents made sure they had church clothes, people have lost all respect for most authority, it's quite sad but true.

I understand the mindset of "Come as you are," but there is no where that God expressed this in the Bible in reference to clothes, if He did, please correct me. He said come though we be as filthy rags; He said come, though your sins be like scarlet, I will was them white as snow (Isaiah 1:18-20), so we need to get off this thing of come as you are, especially when you've got enough to come to church of all places looking better. Christ could not stand the fact that Joshua came before God in filthy rags, to wear filthy rags is a disgrace, especially before God, but Christ accepted him anyway, but once we get to going to church on a regular and ministering God's Holy Word to others, we should not be representing him looking as though He did not dress us. We need to come to God, if nobody else with respect, maybe if we go to Him in respect, will respect others. Maybe if you are brand new, "Come as you are" might be accepted or understood, but once you have been in the Lord for a while, it's time for that to come to an end, represent He who made you.

 

[Blossssom]

You know i used to go to a Baptist church in Harlem 2-3years ago and it was my first experience as i was born and raised Roman Catholic and i became a born again christian. I did not know the rules but i came with black pants black turtleneck blazer and black shoes sometimes boots and after a few months my friend's mom who introduced me to her church yelled at me and told me dont ever wear pants or boots only skirts and dresses and i told her i m dressed very conservative and the church said come as you are. She said that come as you are is only if you new and that i been there long enough to know better she was really fanatical with religion/dressing and yell at me for the pants and i m more of a pants girl than skirts she really turned me off from church . imagine that i was just saved coming from different backgrounds experimenting with indian beliefs sects,yogi and then curiosity led me to christianity. There i felt christianity was hyppocrit and strict as i couldnot wear what i wanted and so many rules so i never went back to that church and thanks God 2 years later a girlfriend drag me to her church the Brooklyn Tabernacle my faith is renewed but for a newcomer you can really be turned off by christianity if you are judged on your appearance but i agree though even me a newcomer knew not to wear daisy dukes in church. i mean come on thats utter disrespect its bad taste and they know better if you cant wear it at family reunions or around your grandma why do it in the church!

Good post, Ekomba, and at least you were covered up...

"Daisy Dukes" in church? Unbelievable!

 

[Blossssom]

Many are changing because they need the money. they need more members. dont get me wrong they are good churches. But sometimes i just stay home and pray in my house when i choose not to attend. i cant believe some churches even demand your w2's and account /employer information when you join them to verify that you really paying 10% of your GROSS (NOT NET) earnings! this is not church this is police. But i believe you know that all these rules and sometimes the way they try to hard is what gives christianity a bad name and turn people off and instead of drawing new members by being so pushy, people think religion is a business. We would gain more thru our actions, being a church of acceptance, love and not snob the new members.

That's really ridiculous and the greed is quite obvious. And I think it's pathetic that church leaders feel the need to "bend the rules" by allowing secularism into the congregation, simply to entice people to attend church and therefore empty their wallets.

The church leaders are perhaps encouraging people who are not meant to be saved to come into their churches and disrupt/destroy them. The scripture
"No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day" found in John 6 stands out in my mind.

When a church is truly preaching Christ and Christ only, you don't have to come up with "antics" to bring in the faithful. They will come all on their own because they would have been DDDRRRAAWWWNNNN.

And you are so right, Ekomba... "with lovingkindness"... this is what Christ teaches. Not greed, snubbery, snobbery, corruption, and man where would this list stop!

 

[DDHair]

Also, I do feel that if what you wear is representative of what He would have you wear then that's cool, (be warned, don't go no where else looking better than you would look for God, I ain't saying you got to be prom queen everyday, but represent in the correct fashion in all areas, wear party attire at parties, wear acceptable things to church (even if that church has rules, if we choose to be a member there we have to follow them).

As far as this W-2 thing, I think that is crazy, right now I am working in a Christian TV ministry setting part time and I am struggling with some of the ways they get you to give money (with more emphasis on people don't have it in the first place). I don't think necessarily that churches are calling on more members for money, although the bigger the congregation gets, the bigger the financial obligations become, but I do think we are finally realizing that some souls need to be saved, and that we need to come out of our comfort zones and help save some folks, and not just wait on them to come to us. It's the Great Commission, "Go Ye Therefore and Teach All Nations, Baptizing them in the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit." That's what we have to do as a church, if we don't go out in the field and do some missionary work and testify, then we calling ourselves Christians is in vain.

 

[Blossssom]

...but I do think we are finally realizing that some souls need to be saved, and that we need to come out of our comfort zones and help save some folks, and not just wait on them to come to us. It's the Great Commission, "Go Ye Therefore and Teach All Nations, Baptizing them in the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit." That's what we have to do as a church, if we don't go out in the field and do some missionary work and testify, then we calling ourselves Christians is in vain.

Exactly. People need to get off their pews and go out and tell the unsaved about Jesus Christ, instead of waiting for the unsaved to come in and fill the church coffers.

No, all churches are not about the almighty dollar, but far too many are about the dollar than they are the damned, and THAT needs to stop.

Right on, DD!

 

[MeccaMedinah]

I really don't get this "dress in your best to go to church" thing. I do not dress provocatively inside or outside of the church. But I do not generally wear "dress up" clothes either. I usually wear jeans, tees & sneakers to church. I am there to worship GOD comfortably. I couldn't care less if someone was offended by my pants in the sanctuary. They should be watching Him instead of watching me.
I have this friend who sometimes attends a Baptist church and he believes that everyone who goes to church should be dressed up. Even if they have to wear clothing that they have outgrown I do not get that. My pastor & everyone else in my church wears jeans & jersey's on a regular basis. All are welcome.

 

[Blossssom]

I really don't get this "dress in your best to go to church" thing. I do not dress provocatively inside or outside of the church. But I do not generally wear "dress up" clothes either. I usually wear jeans, tees & sneakers to church. I am there to worship GOD comfortably. I couldn't care less if someone was offended by my pants in the sanctuary. They should be watching Him instead of watching me.
I have this friend who sometimes attends a Baptist church and he believes that everyone who goes to church should be dressed up. Even if they have to wear clothing that they have outgrown I do not get that. My pastor & everyone else in my church wears jeans & jersey's on a regular basis. All are welcome.

I guess in the end it's a matter of preference. While some people prefer a more formal setting, others may prefer a more laid back/anything goes setting.

Just as some prefer a more orthodox Christian faith to follow, and others wish to follow a more unorthodox version of the faith.

In the end, it boils down to "to each his own". I hope God/Christ can be satisfied with the contined discension amongst His people.

I encourage all of you to continue striving to find a congregation which meets your needs. Be them spiritual or physical. There are many choices out there today.

 

[DDHair]

What you give is between you and God and then of course the people who count the money, but if you are not giving up to par, I don't think it is the whole church needs to call you out (like my uncle's church used to put who paid in the bulletin each Sunday and how much), I don't think there is anything wrong with ministers encouraging members to tithe, they would be wrong to neglect that part of the ministry, but once he has told you, the rest is up to you and God and we will pray that you be convicted, but I don't believe in ill-will against you if you are not doing, you reap what you sow, so basically God knows the heart of the cheerful giver and the uncheerful, so how do you plan to give back to the one who has loaned you His money?

 

[ekomba]

Also, I do feel that if what you wear is representative of what He would have you wear then that's cool, (be warned, don't go no where else looking better than you would look for God, I ain't saying you got to be prom queen everyday, but represent in the correct fashion in all areas, wear party attire at parties, wear acceptable things to church (even if that church has rules, if we choose to be a member there we have to follow them).

As far as this W-2 thing, I think that is crazy, right now I am working in a Christian TV ministry setting part time and I am struggling with some of the ways they get you to give money (with more emphasis on people don't have it in the first place). I don't think necessarily that churches are calling on more members for money, although the bigger the congregation gets, the bigger the financial obligations become, but I do think we are finally realizing that some souls need to be saved, and that we need to come out of our comfort zones and help save some folks, and not just wait on them to come to us. It's the Great Commission, "Go Ye Therefore and Teach All Nations, Baptizing them in the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit." That's what we have to do as a church, if we don't go out in the field and do some missionary work and testify, then we calling ourselves Christians is in vain.

I agree with you DDHair to a certain point its true that many organizations churches are growing to encompass schools, bible classes, teach ged help and do missions all over the worl and i commend that and i give voluntarily the money and i encourage the growth what i dont agree with is utter greed of "some". In my country Congo for instance being a pastor is the new fashionable thing and it is causing disasters. Because they all rrun in fancy cars and live off of it anybody can become a pastor there and open a new church they call this movement there the new jerusalem and always speak about Pandemonia... some people give them everything. My cousin is mad because his wife gave their car to the pastor. When you a pastor they give you gifts and if you have a problem in your couple, the pastor come to your house and can tell you live him, or some sleep with the pastor. I mean people are gullible and scared to disobey the pastor and let them come to their house, he can demand things, he knows all your business. With me its easy my spirit tells me when i m not in a good church. But dont think its scarce, my cousin in London, his wife is sleeping with the pastor and he dont want to contradict his faith so he acts deaf and blind. his mom told me and when he talks to me i dont know how to talk to him about it without being nosy and all up in his business. You know what i would think would be great to go back to dress to impress God, if the person bringing you to church would tell you the dress code of that particular church because for those who have always been baptists your parents it must be common sense no pants but i don t get it for me if you can wear an outfit at a wedding/funeral/family gathering/corporate environment like a suit you can wear pants, i would think you more covered than a skirt. I think its old cliche because i can remember that before we used to be formal and even in the corporate executive world women are more often in skirts. i know in africa congo in1960 at our independence from Belgium (yes we have just been free for only 45 years)it became illegal to wear pants as the president rejected any signs of europeanization (meaning no wedding gowns, no europeen clothes,no pants for women just traditional authentic attire). I mean i still dont get what we can wear them after we fought for womenemancipation, liberation and right to vote. I mean i did not read the quote that ban pants in the bible but if we not supposed to wear mens attire what about shirts , jackets and blazers they wear them too. i know i m pushing it but if you dress very conservative in a pants too is it acceptable or not acceptable in the bible.

 

[ekomba]

That's really ridiculous and the greed is quite obvious. And I think it's pathetic that church leaders feel the need to "bend the rules" by allowing secularism into the congregation, simply to entice people to attend church and therefore empty their wallets.

The church leaders are perhaps encouraging people who are not meant to be saved to come into their churches and disrupt/destroy them. The scripture
"No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day" found in John 6 stands out in my mind.

When a church is truly preaching Christ and Christ only, you don't have to come up with "antics" to bring in the faithful. They will come all on their own because they would have been DDDRRRAAWWWNNNN.

And you are so right, Ekomba... "with lovingkindness"... this is what Christ teaches. Not greed, snubbery, snobbery, corruption, and man where would this list stop!

That's right Blossom , i agree with growing a church size to meet the needs of new members and make the word of God known to all and give them the choice to accept Him now what i dont agree on regarding the growth is , the motive: Are you advancing God's work, message or your pockets?because God wether we like it or not did not come for the saved. He looks for imperfection. He wants His message heard but some use it so they church could be the best, with best choir, like size is important and see new members like a dollar sign. Do you know how many members me included are just members and do not participate in the ministry but is just content with giving tithes and offerings and attend church and sit idly and think that we have been a good christian, im not even a member of my church i just attend. hum its makes me think of "what is faith without works? trust me if Jesus were to come right now i doubt He picks me. dont get me wrong i m nice i really love Him, try to be always fair in life and follow his precepts but sometimes i just wonder if im not too selfish and content in my litle world

 

[DDHair]

Like Blossom says, we have choices, I don't necessarily think that it is wrong to wear jeans to church, but if I have a closet with some dressier clothes, maybe a suit or two that I think is cool to wear to work, can be even better. It really is just a matter of choice and following the rules. Like today, people might think that it is highly unacceptable for me, as tired as I am from working 15 hour days for the past 2 weeks, to come to work today wearing a warm up suit and some flip flops, but when I got off my pt at 6 am, I wasn't really feeling the heels, even yesterday when I was dressed up, I put my heels next to my desk for easy access. No, I am not naked, and I've known women to wear halters and capris and some real revealing stuff to work, (my sister gets on me often and reminds me that I am not them and that is not acceptable, I need to go to work like I would to any other job and act like it's a job, nothing more nothing less), but even still what I may have on, might offend someone, somewhere, when it becomes offensive to others, I need to be respectful. Really, we need to dress to impress and represent God to the fullest, that doesn't mean suits all the time, but we should respect all around us and we should be able to at least look like we can talk the talk, shoot so people won't be like wait that girl is telling me what a blessing God is and she is looking worse off than I am or man she can say all that and still be up in the church in her club clothes.

It's not even about church, as much as I think we as a people need to carry ourselves a little differently. It's just that we judge that book by it's cover unfortunately, just like you might think suits might be uptight or dressier clothes, uncomfortable, or may appear pushy, someone else might think anything less is ragged and unacceptable frock to wear to church. It's choices, but do what you think is best, but please respect others as well as God and yourself.

 

[ekomba]

Like Blossom says, we have choices, I don't necessarily think that it is wrong to wear jeans to church, but if I have a closet with some dressier clothes, maybe a suit or two that I think is cool to wear to work, can be even better. It really is just a matter of choice and following the rules. Like today, people might think that it is highly unacceptable for me, as tired as I am from working 15 hour days for the past 2 weeks, to come to work today wearing a warm up suit and some flip flops, but when I got off my pt at 6 am, I wasn't really feeling the heels, even yesterday when I was dressed up, I put my heels next to my desk for easy access. No, I am not naked, and I've known women to wear halters and capris and some real revealing stuff to work, (my sister gets on me often and reminds me that I am not them and that is not acceptable, I need to go to work like I would to any other job and act like it's a job, nothing more nothing less), but even still what I may have on, might offend someone, somewhere, when it becomes offensive to others, I need to be respectful. Really, we need to dress to impress and represent God to the fullest, that doesn't mean suits all the time, but we should respect all around us and we should be able to at least look like we can talk the talk, shoot so people won't be like wait that girl is telling me what a blessing God is and she is looking worse off than I am or man she can say all that and still be up in the church in her club clothes.

It's not even about church, as much as I think we as a people need to carry ourselves a little differently. It's just that we judge that book by it's cover unfortunately, just like you might think suits might be uptight or dressier clothes, uncomfortable, or may appear pushy, someone else might think anything less is ragged and unacceptable frock to wear to church. It's choices, but do what you think is best, but please respect others as well as God and yourself.

You know what DDhair i did not think about that in everything we wear, the way we talk and approach others and even when we feel like no one is watching WE ARE HIS REPRESENTATION. He is reflected through us and you right when someone approach us and we talk to them about Jesus the first thing they see is the appearance how this person thinks he/she is better than me. i kinda get it about walking circomspectly like a light in the dark that shines for others who are lost and can look up to us through our successes daily lives and then be drawned to want to know share our beliefs/faiths. hum i never though about that i just saw selfish me going to pray with blinders dressed the way i want even if it s decent but never thought that people might look up to me hum excellent ddhair You made me pose and think

 

[DDHair]

Oh my goodness that is terrible. Those are VERY weak minded Christians, and I can't believe that these ministers are manipulating God's word like that. There are people like this all over the place and it is utterly sad! As I said earlier, about struggling to work for the Christian TV station, I mean I am, because lots of weak minded people call in giving something so they can get something and often they don't even have (excuse me), but a pot to piss in or a window to throw it out of. I am like there is nothing wrong with giving to the TV ministry once you have tithed and if you have it, but even if you are pledging in faith to give 1000 and oyu don't have a car to get to work or a job,I mean Faith is the substance of things hoped for, but God wants us to have common sense as well. I pray for these types of individuals that God gives them a better understanding and I pray that they don't toy with God, He will do it, you don't have to pledge just to see if God will do it, He parted the Red Seas, He made the blind to see, why do you need to give just to see if God will give back and then you can give what He gives back? I mean come on now, even the breath you breathe is a loan, don't use God in that fashion.

And I hear what you are saying about the dress codes, obey them if necessary, and pants is not the end all of be all, we can get over that now, yeah at my church some of the girls are wearing low rise pants that show the cracks of their butts and g-strings, (that's why my Pastor was complaining), but they could be wearing skirts that are no longer than hot pants instead. We just need to be exposed to something different, so our options will become greater.

I agree with you DDHair to a certain point its true that many organizations churches are growing to encompass schools, bible classes, teach ged help and do missions all over the worl and i commend that and i give voluntarily the money and i encourage the growth what i dont agree with is utter greed of "some". In my country Congo for instance being a pastor is the new fashionable thing and it is causing disasters. Because they all rrun in fancy cars and live off of it anybody can become a pastor there and open a new church they call this movement there the new jerusalem and always speak about Pandemonia... some people give them everything. My cousin is mad because his wife gave their car to the pastor. When you a pastor they give you gifts and if you have a problem in your couple, the pastor come to your house and can tell you live him, or some sleep with the pastor. I mean people are gullible and scared to disobey the pastor and let them come to their house, he can demand things, he knows all your business. With me its easy my spirit tells me when i m not in a good church. But dont think its scarce, my cousin in London, his wife is sleeping with the pastor and he dont want to contradict his faith so he acts deaf and blind. his mom told me and when he talks to me i dont know how to talk to him about it without being nosy and all up in his business. You know what i would think would be great to go back to dress to impress God, if the person bringing you to church would tell you the dress code of that particular church because for those who have always been baptists your parents it must be common sense no pants but i don t get it for me if you can wear an outfit at a wedding/funeral/family gathering/corporate environment like a suit you can wear pants, i would think you more covered than a skirt. I think its old cliche because i can remember that before we used to be formal and even in the corporate executive world women are more often in skirts. i know in africa congo in1960 at our independence from Belgium (yes we have just been free for only 45 years)it became illegal to wear pants as the president rejected any signs of europeanization (meaning no wedding gowns, no europeen clothes,no pants for women just traditional authentic attire). I mean i still dont get what we can wear them after we fought for womenemancipation, liberation and right to vote. I mean i did not read the quote that ban pants in the bible but if we not supposed to wear mens attire what about shirts , jackets and blazers they wear them too. i know i m pushing it but if you dress very conservative in a pants too is it acceptable or not acceptable in the bible.

 

[DDHair]

Like they say, "You might be the only Bible that some people read." Nothing that we do is for us, it should be for the Lord, because like I said everything is on loan, so if he loans us some clothes we ought to have sense enough to wear the best ones he loaned, even if it's ragged, just make sure it's ironed or cleaned or what not. If you looked raggedy, it would not convince me to be a Christian, unfortunately that's my human nature, just like some can perceive those dressed all up to be pushy, I could perceive you as being poor, or not caring, and if God cares about us, we should surely care about ourselves and our presentation, you wouldn't give a presentation half-done to your boss, so why present the Lord in that manner?

You know what DDhair i did not think about that in everything we wear, the way we talk and approach others and even when we feel like no one is watching WE ARE HIS REPRESENTATION. He is reflected through us and you right when someone approach us and we talk to them about Jesus the first thing they see is the appearance how this person thinks he/she is better than me. i kinda get it about walking circomspectly like a light in the dark that shines for others who are lost and can look up to us through our successes daily lives and then be drawned to want to know share our beliefs/faiths. hum i never though about that i just saw selfish me going to pray with blinders dressed the way i want even if it s decent but never thought that people might look up to me hum excellent ddhair You made me pose and think

 

[ekomba]

I hear you DDhair, oh you work for a christian tv show.There are many i like like td jakes, and others but they are some i remember feeling uneasy because they are many weak minded christians and on christian tv they hear all these messages of promised prosperity (because this is what the people want to hear and you have to give it to them) and even myself sometimes when watching i forgot the name of that white preacher and his wife or Paula white for instance i m take her i will love her preaching, her sermon and be like yes and then she would kill me at the end with saying if you want to give this band or some object that had been blessed and will bring you prosperity,riches resolve your problems and i m like what i cant believe she said that so its hard pay to be blessed i have nothing against pledging or giving money to help the church do its job and extend God's message and brign more people to the churches. But now when i see a christian programming im always waiting for the hook like now when are you going to try to get my money that sad people can prey on christianity as a weakness

Oh my goodness that is terrible. Those are VERY weak minded Christians, and I can't believe that these ministers are manipulating God's word like that. There are people like this all over the place and it is utterly sad! As I said earlier, about struggling to work for the Christian TV station, I mean I am, because lots of weak minded people call in giving something so they can get something and often they don't even have (excuse me), but a pot to piss in or a window to throw it out of. I am like there is nothing wrong with giving to the TV ministry once you have tithed and if you have it, but even if you are pledging in faith to give 1000 and oyu don't have a car to get to work or a job,I mean Faith is the substance of things hoped for, but God wants us to have common sense as well. I pray for these types of individuals that God gives them a better understanding and I pray that they don't toy with God, He will do it, you don't have to pledge just to see if God will do it, He parted the Red Seas, He made the blind to see, why do you need to give just to see if God will give back and then you can give what He gives back? I mean come on now, even the breath you breathe is a loan, don't use God in that fashion.

And I hear what you are saying about the dress codes, obey them if necessary, and pants is not the end all of be all, we can get over that now, yeah at my church some of the girls are wearing low rise pants that show the cracks of their butts and g-strings, (that's why my Pastor was complaining), but they could be wearing skirts that are no longer than hot pants instead. We just need to be exposed to something different, so our options will become greater.

 

[DDHair]

Ironically I work for a "secular" radio personality's organization full time. I am doing the other job as a part time project. I thought it might help me get into the ministry of Christian TV, but actually it has done just the opposite, I'd rather do Christian film, if I do Christian TV, I am going to get some sponsors in there who would pay for airtime as well as these ministers that pay for air time already, so that people wouldn't have to "pay-per-view" if we can watch regular TV through advertising dollars (basically money that we are putting back into the advertisers pockets everytime we buy the product they are endorsing), we ought to be able to do the same with Christian TV, if we can't do that, then there is nothing wrong with the pledging, but I would think of it more like how PBS does it (even though those are government dollars mainly and I don't really see the govt giving to Christian TV (but I could be wrong), I think the pledge a thon, should approach people from the aspect that people will miss out if you don't pledge, and in turn what could minister may not, but I don't think people should call in to give their all to get a house or get something in return necessarily, besides the word of God through the ministry. I understand that people need to get paid, but let's take care of the basics first.

 

[Bublnbrnsuga]

I have lost two friends over this same topic. I suggested not wearing anything lowcut,skin tight or club attire. Of course I got the bark of "come as you are." I know that they wouldnt wear that same outfit to a corporate interview. This is a lame excuse for some.

EXACTALY!! Some folks KNOW better, but still want to use that same excuse, 'come as you are.' You've gotta be kidding me and no, they would not wear those outfits to an interview. FOLKS KNOW BETTER!!

 

[Bublnbrnsuga]

Wow! I could never imagine wearing pants to church... that's just inconceivable to me. Growing up, my dad was the pastor and we always wore a nice dress. At choir rehearsal, we still had to wear a dress or a skirt.

My daddy's brothers kids used to clean the church and his wife and daughters never even wore pants. Everywhere they went, they always had on a skirt or a dress.

I think it had to do with the BIBLE saying something about a woman is not to put on a garment which belongs on a man. No pants allowed.

You are correct, this is in the Bible, but that scripture is in reference to cross-dressing (trans gender). If women are not allowed to wear pants- what are we doing with PANTies on???

 

[DDHair]

Now girl you tripped out with that PANTies thing, LOL. But I think that the scripture can loosely be determined as a woman should behave like a woman as well and not take on manly attributes, in dress, in characteristics, in all things.

 

[Sweet C]

Ironically I work for a "secular" radio personality's organization full time. I am doing the other job as a part time project. I thought it might help me get into the ministry of Christian TV, but actually it has done just the opposite, I'd rather do Christian film, if I do Christian TV, I am going to get some sponsors in there who would pay for airtime as well as these ministers that pay for air time already, so that people wouldn't have to "pay-per-view" if we can watch regular TV through advertising dollars (basically money that we are putting back into the advertisers pockets everytime we buy the product they are endorsing), we ought to be able to do the same with Christian TV, if we can't do that, then there is nothing wrong with the pledging, but I would think of it more like how PBS does it (even though those are government dollars mainly and I don't really see the govt giving to Christian TV (but I could be wrong), I think the pledge a thon, should approach people from the aspect that people will miss out if you don't pledge, and in turn what could minister may not, but I don't think people should call in to give their all to get a house or get something in return necessarily, besides the word of God through the ministry. I understand that people need to get paid, but let's take care of the basics first.

I think b/c Christian TV is probably considered non-profit, you can't garner the dollars for advertising as you would say if you were CBS. And b/c it is religious programming, you can't get government money for it.

When Christian TV station hold pledges, that money is used to run the programs that are directly sponsored by the station and their ministries. The money that congregations or a pastor or a minsitry would pay is for their ministry time-slot only. I agree that people take it overboard, and that needs to stop.

 

[Bublnbrnsuga]

Now girl you tripped out with that PANTies thing, LOL. But I think that the scripture can loosely be determined as a woman should behave like a woman as well and not take on manly attributes, in dress, in characteristics, in all things.

EXACTALY!!

 

[Blossssom]

You are correct, this is in the Bible, but that scripture is in reference to cross-dressing (trans gender). If women are not allowed to wear pants- what are we doing with PANTies on???

Is this a trick question?

Heck if I know... I didn't examine it that closely

 

[Lucia]

panties is slang, the proper form is undergarments

 

[Netta1]

Girl you took it outta my mouth! I dont God cares if you come dressed to the nines in this and that anyway. As long as you believe in him and come there to worship him then there shouldn't be a problem. You shouldn't go to church to impress anybody because thats not what its there for.

I agree, my pastor wore jeans this sunday and he PREACHED...It didn't hinder me....I love him 'cause he's down to earth.

Folks just need to use wisdom thats all... and it takes time for some. I would never come in a low cut anything, because I know better. But I don't see anything wrong with flip-flops...

 

[sbg4evr]

Why would anyone dress to impress God? It does not matter what you wear, it matters what you believe in and who you are as a person and if you live the life God intends us to. Jesus did not search out the well dressed to teach about God. Jesus welcomed everyone into his fold. He welcomed the poor, the rich, the young, the old, the prostitutes, the tax collectors, the Jews and the Gentiles. I rather people come as they are to church than dressed to the nines with hatred in their hearts.