churchwear and such

Nathan and I walked into church yesterday and sat down about three rows from the front. Not too long after we settled in, three young girls from Southern walked in and sat in the row in front of us. Now I'm not one to judge, and normally, I really don't pay that much attention to what other people wear to church, unless it's some super cute shoes or something. But I was amazed at what these three girls had on. It seriously looked like they were headed straight to a club after church (that's some pretty early carousing). One girl had on a top that I could swear was being sold at Frederick's last year...and if it wasn't, it would've doubled for lingerie just fine. The other had on an outfit so tight that she might as well have not been wearing any clothes at all. I just wonder what happened to wearing your best clothes to church, and coming to church FOR church, not for a fashion competition and to make sure everyone sees you. The girls proceeded to eat their little debbie's snacks that they'd brought along with them, and talked/texted through the entire service. I thought snacking through church ended when you were 5????

At the same time, gripping about what other people wear to church should, at times, be kept to yourself. Case and point -- The church we went to in Texas is now beginning a second, contemporary service in the afternoon. You can wear whatever, don't have to dress up at all, and it'll be all contemporary music and just really laid back. This idea bothers me, because it will eventually lead to a split in the church, I'm sure of it. However, I think one thing that led to this new service is the fact that many church members often complained about the casual dress of certain people helping with music, etc. And you know what? If these people were coming to church in cutoff dirty jeans and Lynard Skynard t-shirts, trying to lead music up front, I could see room for complaint. But their clothes were always neat and clean and pressed, just no suit and tie. So other people complained until the idea came up for a casual, afternoon service. All I'm saying is, pick your battles. There's worse things than someone wearing nice jeans to church. let me think about what some of thse worse things could be -- o! a split church. So in the end, the complaints didn't do any good -- they actually turned out for the worse.

Some people seem to take being a church "family" a little bit to the extreme. Stay out of other people's personal business -- especially if they didn't offer the information to you in the first place. It's just that -- THEIR business, not yours. Stop complaining about little things that bother you. Chances are, there's tons of things you do that bother other people, starting with complaining. If someone is really doing something wrong -- and I mean wrong according to the Bible, then you have reason to go to the pastor. But don't go to all your little friends first. Just mention your concern to the pastor, and move on. The Holy Spirit isn't on vacation and leaving his job with you.