Christian Living or Tradition Living

[dkhamner]

I hope I dont fumble on my words here and that I can get my point across because I need help.

My family and I attendin anAssembly of God Church. I am Pentecostal as far as the church by laws areconcerned, evident by speaking in tongues. I believe the Holy Spirit leads me, guides me and convicts me. I read my Bible, pray, tithe, loveand lend a helping hand to those that need help. I do these things because my Bible tells me to. But something happened this past Sunday that I'm havinga hard time with. I've prayed about and I still feel heavy hearted about it. My wife and daughter were to sing Sunday night at church, about 2 hours before we were going to evening service our Pastor called and told my wife that if she and my daughter were going to sing that she needed not dress the way she did for the morning service. My wife wore nice female dress slacks with a pretty blouse and my daughter did the same. He told my wife that she needed to wear a dress. He told her if she didn't change he would not allow her and my daughter to sing because it would upset some of the "older" christians in the church.

Is this a "Tradition" thing? My Bible does not say that females need to wear a dress but to be modest in their appearance (1 Timothy 2:9,10).

Out of respect for my Pastor and the "elders" in the church, my wife did what was asked of her. It seems to me that the church is more worried about upsettingpeople because of tradition rather than upsetting people by Christian living.

Any input on this would be greatly appreciated. I talked to my mother about it and low and behold she must be a Traditionalist too! They put it accross to me that my wife and daughter will bust hell wide open if they didn't wear a dress to church.
God Bless

[renfrowridge]

My grandfather went to the Assembly of God Church for many years 20 to 30 and I have never met a man with more faith and love of God than him. that being said one sunday he was at the door of the church with the pastor when a woman came to the door she had never been there before. She was clean but in old pants and shirt the pastor ask her not to come in because of the way she was dressed. My grandfather turn to the pastor and ask if what she wears can keep her from God then mine are no better and he mever went back to that church again.I hate to say this but some churches are who wears the best and look the best. Now I am not telling you that is what you should do by any means. But ask yourself this who did God sit with and eat with it was not the rich. By the way my grandfather took he to lunch and she told him that was the best that she had. ? for all, how any times have judged people by the way they look or how long there hair is I can say I have done this in the past I try not to any more because God may be sending that person to me for a reason. dkhamner I would ask myself is that where I want to be if that is the way they treat people

[MOTOWNHONKEY]

Man good thing he didn't say that to my wife. I think he was rude and out of line. God probably would like you to be the better man ( and women ) and forgive and let go.

[Chuck7]

All I can say is that you must be living right to go through that kind of non sense. Rejoice my friend and leap high for great is your reward . You have a wonderful heart. back a few years ago I would of screamed hypocrite and left . I think you did the right thing "To be angry and sin not."
Great testimony. Let me give you a word of advice my friend from experience. If you ever do decide to leave..do it peaceably. A good name is rather to be had than gold.
Chuck7

[mr-pirk]

D.K. Hammer I believe the Old Testament tells uswomen arenot to wear mens clothing, traditionaly pants have been considered mens clothing.

While I don't agree with a preacher/pastor trying to lead a flock back into trying to live under the law, I would admire the fellow for having the guts to make the call the pastor did, you know he didn't enjoy having to tell your wife what he did yet he still stuck by his convictions as he saw them to be correct in the Lord's eyes.

That has to be tough to do at times.

Thanks
Mr-Pirk

[Tazman]

How many of us attend a church that would turn some one away from worship due to thier dress if what they were wearing was all they had?

Would Christ turn anyone away due to the way they dressed?

[The Rev]

I can certainly tell you about church politics (Been there done that). Sometimes others encourage the pastor to say something. You really don't know who has been complaining about this. I've known churches that are ran by deacons or elders, because they have been there longer and have donated more money. They will even let a preacher know if he preaching to boldly.

I suggest you meet with your pastor one on one, leave your wife out of it for now. The two of you discuss this in great depth, and interject your feelings. Let him know how he hurt your wife. Give him a change to apologize or give you reason for this.. More than likely it's a tradition that has been upheld since the by laws were written. But this thing can certainly bring you down slowly, if left unresolved it can spead.

[Leafrivermac]

I'm at work so I don't have chapter and verse to give you right now, . .and some won't like what I have to say, but I'll get back with you when I'm home with my bible.
Your wife and daughter did the right thing by conforming to the wishes of the pastor.
I feel that it would be wrong to turn someone away for not dressing by what the church feels are modest standards, but I do agree with folk that are not dressed properly not being allowed to take an active part in giving the word or being in the choir. The AOG in these parts don't seem to have the dress standards that you have where your at.
My church howevewr does not believe in makeup , jewelry, women in pants or dresses much above the ankle. Men don't wear short sleeves, etc.
My brother in law went to another apostolic church near here to sing at a revival. His hair is curley and looks as if he goes to a stylist. Once he arrived at the church the preacher told him he could'nt sing because he had his hair foo fooed up. This guy says "okey", went back home, shaved his head, and came back and sang.
Traditionaly, I don't agree with all the dress codes of my church, but the word is being preached and I am being fed well there, so I conform rather than be a problem to the brethren. Actually , the one thing I don't agree with is the not wearing wedding bands. My wife and I never wear our bands to the church, but wear our simple bands in our everyday lives. My pastor and brethren know this so I'm not being hypocritical, but simply respecting the beliefs of this church that was believing this long before I arrived.

[Susquatch]

Pretty much all good advice given here. If itwere me, I would follow The Rev's advice to a 'T'. Not much I would not do for my pastor, but if I thought he were misusing his leadership, glorying in my submission to him, I would definately confront (politely), and pray.

[Heed]

While this is a situation that I cannot fathom even happening in any church I have attended it actually happened to my aunt in the 50's.

My father's family was Lutheran (notice I said was). One day my grandfather took the family to church and the pastor turned them away because my aunt (who was less than ten years old) had her ears pierced. Well at that point grandpa took the whole family out of church and they never went back.

When my dad married my mom he converted to catholicism but with the exception of one brother, his brothers and sisters have never been back to church on a regular basis.

I cannot believe that God cares what we wear when we sit in church (or in the case of catholics sit, kneel, stand, kneel, sit, stand etc..).