Christian Living

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Church Clothes

By Susan Storm Smith

I felt like Solomon sitting in court with two women over a child. This time it was over clothes and righteousness. Liz, a sister-in-Christ called me recently, upset because of comments made by a much younger sister-in-Christ. The younger woman had stated emphatically that she was much more religious than Liz because she didn’t wear pants.

Realizing that several biblical principles could be reinforced in a short conversation, and understanding that the tongue and wisdom had to be effective if there was going to be other opportunities to reach out to this woman. The subject of correct clothes is spoken as a God principle, when in reality it most often is used to convince someone else of their opinion.

I remember being a young mother visiting my cancer-stricken mother. She wasn’t able to do many of the things she would like to have done. The strength in her hands and legs were weak but she enjoyed talking and cooing at my daughter, which was also her first grandchild--an experience she thought she would never get to have. It was Sunday and I had driven 60 miles to see her. All of a sudden, mother decided she wanted to go to the evening service at church and asked if I would take her. Without hesitation, I agreed. We got mom dressed and drove the three blocks to church—the same one she used to take me to as a child. We walked in, my baby and diaper bag on one arm, and mom on the other supported by her cane.

I will never forget the moment when the elders saw my mother and they came rushing to help her get to a seat. And the very stern disapproving look I was given, as if to say, why are you here dressed like that. My attire was a very modest, black pantsuit; black short-heeled shoes, simple make-up and hair neat but causal. The issue my brothers-in-Christ had was the pants.

When it was time in the service for people to bear their witness, I stood, never being one to be shy in such situations. With my daughter on my arm, I looked at the congregation and thanked them for making my mother comfortable. It was good to know that there were people who would give of themselves to meet another’s needs, especially when relatives lived in another city. It was a blessing to know she was being taken care of.

The subject of clothes and make-up came up sharply as I prepared for my first pastorate position. The bishop who was overseer for the church I was assigned to, strongly suggested that I would get along better with the citizens of the city and my perspective congregation if I would not wear makeup and dress plainly. Obediently, I did.

The Lord had brought several families to that first Sunday service. I had met some of them during the week at a local diner. Standing at the pulpit in a modest suit, preaching the Word of God and conducting the service, I realized that there was something else going on in the congregation. Sure enough—after the service the customary handshakes and comments on the sermon—two of the sisters hesitantly approached me. Smiling and holding out my hands to them, they inquired if they were dressed inappropriately for “this” church. They had dressed neatly, with modest jewelry and make-up but felt conspicuous that they had not “dressed like the pastor.” Talk about an instant Bible lesson in the making! Bible study and prayer that week was about meeting Christ in every situation, without judgment.

I could hear Liz sighing as she heard these stories, God had her attention. Softly spoken into her ear, “Come—all ye who are heavy laden—and I will give you rest.” God said it and He is the Truth. The color and style of our clothes are not important to God. And it doesn’t matter if men are wearing a Hawaiian print or a white shirt—with or without a jacket. What is important is our ability to recognize Him and the need to draw closer to the Truth that he is imparting into us.

Romans 12:1-2 reminds us that we are to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. When our minds have been in the street and the worldliness of the market place, only coming to the throne and prayer can help us transform our minds into Christ-mindedness. Through the love and mercies of God—swearing turns to praise; abusive lifestyles into peace; and an immodest wardrobe changes into modesty. God joins us in our praise and worship to Him—not in our clothes.

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