Panty Hose Church----Have you ever heard of this?

G

GAMMA

Licensed Driver
We have started the Angel Food Ministry at our church. A couple came to pick up their boxes and we asked them if they went to a church in the area. They said no and they thought about coming to our church, but they were afraid it was a "Panty Hose Church." I asked them to explain. They said "You know the kind you have to dress up and wear panty hose!" What???? I explained that folks at our church wear everything from suits to shorts. There is no dress code.

Our church is probably 15-16 years old. I can't for the life of me understand how folks would assume you had to dress up to go to church. I am wondering if this is why churchs that are starting in our area and being held in schools are having bigger attendence. Do they think we are an old fuddy duddy church just because we have a building.

Any way, what do you think on this matter?
 
I don't think God cares what you wear as long as you are there. It's not about what's on your back but what is in your heart. :)
 
Who knows. Some people are just looking for an excuse to not go to church, and others blurt out a reason as to to not offend when approached about attending a church.

As far as attire goes, you always wore your Sunday best while I was growing up and went to mass regularly. But, that is the Catholic church. I did not attend other churches often so I do not know what it is like there.
 
Gamma,
could be because your church does have the "traditional" look to it and many people judge churches by the name and look of the building. ???? don't know why, but that is what I have found out...
 
It should be obvious that what you wear or do not wear has nothing to do with salvation, but speaking for myself, I won't dress better for work, for a date or a friends wedding than I will to worship the Lord. What a person does is between them and God. If a person has nothing better to wear, then that's fine and it's not for anyone else to judge. However, I believe a majority of church goers CAN show a little more respect for the house of God, but are just too lazy and make the current, popular excuse of "Just come as you are because we love you anyway".

We have visited several churches in this area. Some were in schools and some were in traditional church buildings. So many churches don't feel like church anymore. They tell me it's to draw the young people or to be "laid back" to attract the world and not offend the masses. Heck, there were times when I didn't even feel like I've been to church. I'm in the "world" all week long and don't need it in church.

It's not just the dress code, or lack there of. I don't need the world's music, the world's fashion or the world's party atmophere. That does not mean that it has to be a crowd of snippy, stuffed shirt people. Just come out from the world and as the Bible points out, "Be separate from the World". If people attend church and see that it's no different than the world, why bother to waste your time and go there?

Preaching is not the same anymore either. It's become luke warm. Once again, heaven forbid we offend anyone. There are actually "Christian" churches I have attended in this area that do not offer an alter call. We can't forget that God also said in His Word that the preaching or Christ will be as "foolishness" to the world. It's not supposed to be a pep talk or motovational sales pitch, but rather a message of our sin, His ultimate sacrifice and our eternal fate if we do not accept His gift of salvation.

Take my comments for what they are worth, but I'll conclude by saying that if a person can dress their best, then I think they should. If a person dresses better to go to Longhorns or a class reunion than they do out of respect for God, then they are just lazy and need to review their priorities.
 
I totally get that JR. I don't care what others wear (well, I'd rather they not be "exposed") to church. But for me, and what I will instill in my children is that we are going to worship. It's not an entertainment venue. We'll dress our best and we are not wearing shorts simply because we have yard work to do when we get home and it's too much trouble to change.

Gamma, maybe your pastor should put on the sign "pantyhose not required" :)) Honestly, I skip those as much as I can anyway.
 
Madea said:
I totally get that JR. I don't care what others wear (well, I'd rather they not be "exposed") to church. But for me, and what I will instill in my children is that we are going to worship. It's not an entertainment venue. We'll dress our best and we are not wearing shorts simply because we have yard work to do when we get home and it's too much trouble to change.

Gamma, maybe your pastor should put on the sign "pantyhose not required" :)) Honestly, I skip those as much as I can anyway.
Click to expand...

How 'bout, "No Shirt - No Shoes - No (Worship) Service" :))
 
LOL Madea. I'm gonna tell my pastor that we need a sign that says "No pantyhoes required. For details come inside!"

We are not a fuddy duddy church. Our pastor is great. He preaches God's Word in a way that its very understandable.

Flossy I guess we do look like a traditional church and I guess we are. We are part of the Southern Baptist Convention.
 
Jack Reacher said:
It should be obvious that what you wear or do not wear has nothing to do with salvation, but speaking for myself, I won't dress better for work, for a date or a friends wedding than I will to worship the Lord. What a person does is between them and God. If a person has nothing better to wear, then that's fine and it's not for anyone else to judge. However, I believe a majority of church goers CAN show a little more respect for the house of God, but are just too lazy and make the current, popular excuse of "Just come as you are because we love you anyway".

We have visited several churches in this area. Some were in schools and some were in traditional church buildings. So many churches don't feel like church anymore. They tell me it's to draw the young people or to be "laid back" to attract the world and not offend the masses. Heck, there were times when I didn't even feel like I've been to church. I'm in the "world" all week long and don't need it in church.

It's not just the dress code, or lack there of. I don't need the world's music, the world's fashion or the world's party atmophere. That does not mean that it has to be a crowd of snippy, stuffed shirt people. Just come out from the world and as the Bible points out, "Be separate from the World". If people attend church and see that it's no different than the world, why bother to waste your time and go there?

Preaching is not the same anymore either. It's become luke warm. Once again, heaven forbid we offend anyone. There are actually "Christian" churches I have attended in this area that do not offer an alter call. We can't forget that God also said in His Word that the preaching or Christ will be as "foolishness" to the world. It's not supposed to be a pep talk or motovational sales pitch, but rather a message of our sin, His ultimate sacrifice and our eternal fate if we do not accept His gift of salvation.

Take my comments for what they are worth, but I'll conclude by saying that if a person can dress their best, then I think they should. If a person dresses better to go to Longhorns or a class reunion than they do out of respect for God, then they are just lazy and need to review their priorities.
Click to expand...

Agreed.

It's about showing respect for who's house you're in.

Personally...I wear dress clothes on Sunday morning. Not usually a suit; but dress slacks and a nice dressy pullover. Sunday night is more casual; usually nicer jeans and still a nice shirt. But no T shirts, shorts, etc. Not knocking those who dress less formally; this is just how I feel.
 
Oh let me get in on this one. First off, I will agree that our Heavenly Father cares more about what's in our heart.

I also agree with Lil' Bro, it is about respect and going into the house of the Lord. I believe you wear the best that you have in your closet. Whatever you can afford. I am not going to say that this pertains to us but when I read in the Old Testament about what God was instructing the garments for the high priests to wear, it was the finest things that could be found.

I blame all this casual stuff on Dockers and that idea of casual Friday. lol I think dress slacks and shirt and jacket are cool for men and dresses for women. I was raised in a Pentecost church and never really even wore slacks until I was out of high school. I was raised on a farm and my brothers wore blue jeans to work in and when it came time to go to church or town, they put on their nice clothes.

And it astounds me that churches allow bridal parties to wear off shoulder attire. I don't think it is respectful for God's house.

Call me old fashioned.
 
Okay, you're old fashioned. But I sure wish there were a lot more old fashioned folks in the world!
 
flossy said:
I disagree with many of you, so I will keep my comments to myself... :-*
Click to expand...

You are allowed to disagree. :D I accept that many have a completely different viewpoint than I on this subject.
 
We always wore our best to church. The Sanctuary was the Sanctuary, not the worship center. Oh and you best not be running and horse playing in the Sanctuary. That was reserved for the fellowship hall.

I do prefer a smallish church though.
 
Jack Reacher,

I identify with what you said. I'm not from GA. Since moving to Paulding County I have visited several different churches and am still looking. The churches I have visited seem to have something missing. They seem to try to be liked---by everyone. Jesus did not conform to the world. He was disliked, even hated by some. Yet he had people that became his followers that were from all walks of life. Luke 6:26 says: Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for that is how their fathers treated the false prophets. NIV

We visited one church several times a couple of years ago. It meets in a school. At that time they were having a series based on the movie, Fireproof. My husband and I enjoyed that, but like I said there seemed to be something missing. Their mission statement on their website is so generic that it could be about just about anything and anyone. It could be cut and pasted onto any secular website and no one would notice. But they are not the only ones.

Romans 12: 2 says: Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. NIV and was a part of what was taught at churches I have attened before. It's seems to harder to find that at churches now.





Jack Reacher said:
It should be obvious that what you wear or do not wear has nothing to do with salvation, but speaking for myself, I won't dress better for work, for a date or a friends wedding than I will to worship the Lord. What a person does is between them and God. If a person has nothing better to wear, then that's fine and it's not for anyone else to judge. However, I believe a majority of church goers CAN show a little more respect for the house of God, but are just too lazy and make the current, popular excuse of "Just come as you are because we love you anyway".

We have visited several churches in this area. Some were in schools and some were in traditional church buildings. So many churches don't feel like church anymore. They tell me it's to draw the young people or to be "laid back" to attract the world and not offend the masses. Heck, there were times when I didn't even feel like I've been to church. I'm in the "world" all week long and don't need it in church.

It's not just the dress code, or lack there of. I don't need the world's music, the world's fashion or the world's party atmophere. That does not mean that it has to be a crowd of snippy, stuffed shirt people. Just come out from the world and as the Bible points out, "Be separate from the World". If people attend church and see that it's no different than the world, why bother to waste your time and go there?

Preaching is not the same anymore either. It's become luke warm. Once again, heaven forbid we offend anyone. There are actually "Christian" churches I have attended in this area that do not offer an alter call. We can't forget that God also said in His Word that the preaching or Christ will be as "foolishness" to the world. It's not supposed to be a pep talk or motovational sales pitch, but rather a message of our sin, His ultimate sacrifice and our eternal fate if we do not accept His gift of salvation.

Take my comments for what they are worth, but I'll conclude by saying that if a person can dress their best, then I think they should. If a person dresses better to go to Longhorns or a class reunion than they do out of respect for God, then they are just lazy and need to review their priorities.
Click to expand...
 
I don't think God or Jesus care one way or the other if you wear jeans and a T-shirt or coat and tie. The important thing is you're there to hear God's Word and hopefully learn from it. Church is for sinners and we're all sinners regardless of how we dress, what the color of our skin is, what our professions are, or if were poor, rich, or in between.

If people want to dress formally when going to church; I'm fine with that. If they prefer to wear jeans and a t-shirt, I'm fine with that as well. The jeans and t-shirt might be the best clothing they have.
 
This is not for argument b/c we all have our opinions and I don't believe that anyone is out to try to change anyone's mind but for curiosity's sake, what would you deem inappropriate to wear into the House of God?
 
I have never heard the term "panty hose church". In my experience there are as many styles of dress for church and opinions for how to dress as there are people in the pews (so to speak) — although it's certainly true that some churches are more "dressy" than others. It's partly a cultural/subcultural thing and partly just personal choice and taste, I guess. Myself, I try not to get offended about things like other people's clothes, although if I make a church or a particular service in a church "my own" I suppose I try (in part subconsciously, probably) to dress with a degree of formality that's not dissimilar to that of the other people there.

I do suspect that there are much more important things for us to be concerning ourselves with. I'd also say that false impressions of the church and church people abound, in this matter as in many others, no doubt!
 
Kattie E said:
This is not for argument b/c we all have our opinions and I don't believe that anyone is out to try to change anyone's mind but for curiosity's sake, what would you deem inappropriate to wear into the House of God?
Click to expand...

I find clothing that "exposes" a woman inappropriate. I've seen young women in "booty" shorts in church. Quite frankly, I really don't find those appropriate for anywhere.

As an example though, during a similar discussion about church attire, a person (that I knew wore suits and business casual for work) commented that if he were planning on doing yard work in the afternoon, he'd just wear his sweats to church. Honestly, if another person had worn their running suit to church, I probably wouldn't have thought much about it. I just found the thought of "dressing" to meet business clients but dressing for worship in your yard work clothes, well . . . inappropriate. Changing from dress clothing into yard work clothes is not a long process.

In addition, I always remember Zig Ziglar . . . dress for where you want to be.

Do I think God looks at our attire? No, I really don't. Should I judge my neighbors based upon what they wear to church? No. Could it be a reflection of what is in our heart? Maybe.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top