Once upon a time, people wore “Sunday-go-to-meetin’” clothes when they went to worship. Even small boys wore ties and little girls dressed up in dressy dresses and patent leather shoes. Nearly everyone wore his best to church.

My dad taught me how to tie a tie when I was in third grade. Some of the ties now in my closet were inherited from him. I can’t remember ever being at public worship (except at church camp or on family vacations) without neckwear. It is part of who I am, just as surely as weekly worship is my habit, too.

“Dressing up” for church is a good habit and a meaningful tradition. Wearing some of one’s best clothing to public worship shows respect and reverence for God. It helps to create an appropriate mood, and in some way exalts the one we seek to honor.

Special Attire

Certain celebrations require special attire. Military personnel, for example, are issued dress uniforms which are expected to be worn on specified occasions. Troops are to look their best at public ceremonies. Soldiers who are selected to guard the Tomb of The Unknowns in our nation’s capital must spend several hours cleaning and pressing their uniforms before each shift of duty. Such regulations are strictly followed to properly honor our heroes of combat.

Veterans, firemen, and policemen also wear dress uniforms when they honor fallen comrades with ceremonial funerals. They wish to demonstrate ongoing respect for those who “also served.”

I am not obligated by divine law or church rules to dress my best on Sundays. But I can’t help but think God is revered and respected by my careful attention to personal appearance when I prepare for that weekly audience with my king.

I am not regulated by Old Testament law, but I consider it at least pertinent that God prescribed in such elaborate detail the elegant apparel of priests who officiated in the tabernacle and temple. There is no hint that worship was to be “come as you are.”

An Expression of Respect

I think there are good reasons for that. Casual clothing can foster casual worship. When employers allow “casual Fridays” in the work place, they often detect an unmistakable decrease in productivity. Apparently, employees who dress less formally take their work less seriously. Leaning back at their desks, daydreaming, dozing, socializing at the drinking fountain and in the break room—the laid-back approach doesn’t seem to get the job done as efficiently or effectively.

In worship, too, casual dress can cause casual worship—thinking, listening, and participating casually. Slouching in the pews, shoes kicked off, distracting immodesty—all are more likely to happen in a casual atmosphere produced by casual clothing.

Even worship leaders and preachers take a more casual stance in shirt sleeves and an open collar. Body language sends mixed messages. Introducing  “Great is thy Faithfulness” or proclaiming the doctrine of atonement with one’s hand in one’s pocket somehow seems incongruous. The serious nature of sincere worship can become a casualty of casualness. Isn’t that at least a thought-provoking possibility?

I know I’m swimming upstream here, with an opinion far less popular than prevailing trends of worship protocol. To imagine what I think about this issue (or any other) will matter to even a minority of readers would be the height of presumption. But putting it into words deepens my confidence in my convictions.

So I’m sure I will keep wearing a tie, and now you will know why. |L

R. W. Baynes is Chaplain for Mt. Healthy Christian Home in Cincinnati, Ohio.

OUTLOOK is a forum for responsible Christian writers. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of Standard Publishing or The Lookout.

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July 26, 2009 - Astonishing the judges
July 12, 2009 - Letting the past go
June 28, 2009 - Line up
June 14, 2009 - The path to spiritual growth
May 31, 2009 - A tribute to one of my heroes
May 17, 2009 - Silent soldier
April 19, 2009 - Operation Resensitization
April 5, 2009 - The temptations of ministers
March 8, 2009 - Conversation over shoes
February 22, 2009 - By their plurals you shall know them
February 8, 2009 - What is missing from your retirement plans?
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June 1, 2008 - Reclaiming the name
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February 10, 2008 - The top three myths of singleness
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