April 13, 2006
Preachers in Shorts
I know a large company that has taken the ‘casual Friday attire’ to such an extreme that you can’t tell the CEO from the janitor. Even in church we often see people dress as though they’re going to a BBQ or a volleyball game rather than going to worship. Twice in a general assembly I’ve seen men behind the pulpit wearing shorts. On one occasion the man was preaching and the other (a different man) was delivering the communion meditation. I was offended by their lack of consideration for their audience. These men would never dress so causally to attend a funeral, a wedding or a business meeting with clients. I wonder, is there more respect in ‘marrying and burying’ than there is in worship?
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2 comments:
Well said...and you have a wise mom!
Gail,
For several years I came to church in shirt and slacks with no tie or jacket. The business world and much of the rest of our society is trying to shake off the tie and jacket. I have found it easy to follow. Ties are a hassle, they choke, and you must stand in the closet and make choices about - yuck - extra color co-ordination. Not a guy thing. So for a guy, to throw away the tie is a thing of personal freedom, personal abandon, self expression.
But a bit over a year ago in a crowded Sunday morning celebration service, I had to sit behind the sound control booth. And there, in the booth, was one of our church leaders wearing cut-offs with his unshod, calousy feet resting on the stool beside him.
It was so revotling! From that day on, out of protest if nothing else, I have buttoned up my collar and tied on a tie for Him on Sunday mornings.
But the key concept here, Gail, is your use of the term worship. The church leaders talk about worship, but just try to find the term in the Sunday morning bulletin. The bulletin presents a service of celebration, as does everyone performing in the Sunday morning show. To our leaders, it is all about celebration, and that is where they lead.
Now, celebration is what people do when they are given something. And of course, we've been given eternal life. However, worship is done when people recognize need for something. And we need the Lord's Providence in both our physical and spiritual lives. Celebration is a self-expression of joy. Worship is a self-controlled call for acceptance. Celebration is about what we've gotten. Worship is about the One who gave.
Dressing down is about celebration, and that is good. Dressing up is about humbly bowing in need, going to the Greatest looking our best, expression of adoration, reflection of obligation, however you my want to say it, it is about looking up to Him. And that is just plain necessary.
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