At our church, we confiscate neckties and donate them to ADRA.
Just look at what we do in the name of society. We spend 20 to 30 dollars on a slim garment, wrap it around our necks and tie a knot in it. And, if that were not enough, we then cinch it up real tight...........It is of the devil.

All my ties cost $2 or less. Guess I am just a smart shopper

It looks like Tom has more respect for his employers than he does for God, if he thinks it's okay to 'dress down' for church, as opposed to the way he dresses at work.

It would be nice to live someplace where a tie isnt the definition of dressing up.

Also would like to know if the general oppinion here agrees with the notion that dressing according to "office code" and feeling uncomfortable for the entire church service is preferable to dressing clean and neat in clothes that wont bring the bearers attention to them. Hope I made this understandable...

/Thomas

Barry I loved your post. I want to join your church!

Ties are useless adornment, there is no difference between a man wearing a tie and a women wearing a necklace. And worse than a necklace they cut off the blood circulation to the brain, cause the neck to swell and over heat and are in general a...well, they are a pain in the neck! Ok that was said a little tongue in cheek however I do think all the above is true.

I've actually asked a few pastors what's the difference was between a tie and a necklace and they had no good answer. One even got to thinking about it and in a Sabbath sermon a couple weeks later stated that if we are truly going to give up adornment men might have to give up their ties. I felt so vindicated:)

As a bee keeper is does not take much dressing up to make Sabbath clothes special. Dress slacks and shirt. Maybe a sport coat in cooler weather. Once every year or two I wear a tie just so I don't forget how to tie one and to make people ask questions. (It works).

When my Sabbath clothes get worn they become my work clothes thought dress slacks don't keep out stingers very well.

Just this old boys $0.02 worth.

Redfog

At our church you will see everything from suit and tie to shorts or jeans and t-shirt and everything in between. Nobody is judged by the cothes they wear. Folks (in most cases) wear the best they have. Some of us do have clothes that are specifically for Sabbath others don't. That's just the way it is. We don't worry about it.

I kind of look at it this way. If you were scheduled to beet the president of the company you work for, or the president of the G.C. or the President of the United States, Prime Minister of Canada, Queen of England, President of Russia or another world leader how would you dress? Probably you would wear the best you have, in our culture that would be a suit or coat and tie if that's the best we have. Now, how much better should we dress when we meet our Lord in His house to worship and commune with Him?

If custom in your culture says coat and tie for men is the appropriate dress then maybe that's what you should wear if you have it. If not dress in the best you have and if that's T-shirt and jeans then so be it.

When I was in the Philippines the men wore a Barong Tagolog (spelling isn't right). It is a fancy open collar shirt with nice slacks and shoes. It is their equivalent of the Western world suit and tie sithout the coat or the tie. Thats what you would wear if you met the president of the Philippines. Those who own them think it is appropriate to wear that to church however they don't look down on those who do not own one and dress in the cleanest nicest clothes they have.

My husband also detests ties! I think he looks very nice in a suit and tie, however. He wears his suit and tie not only to church, but also to weddings and funerals. It shows respect to the bride/groom and to the families of those who have died.

I'm wondering about how clothing might affect our thinking. It seems to be honoring our Lord to wear a nice suit and tie to church--we are showing Him respect and honor.

If we lived in another Country, we would wear what their culture deemed as respectful and proper also. So while it is a cultural thing, it is also very important in showing respect to God.

Actually John, I was only stating an idea and a reaction and not what my own practice really is. You might actually be quite surprised if you saw me at work or at church. Why, just the other day I came into the office wearing spandex shorts and a bright red, white and blue top with a picture of a patriotic lizard on it. My shoes were white with red trim. There are other days I show up wearing my motorcycle leather with steel-toed boots on my feet. Most of the time I only put on a tie if I have a meeting.

For church, I dress pretty much like the rest of the people I am going to church with. I would be delighted to come to either Barry's or Chris' and dress to fit in.

Tom

If we are to dress for church in a way that the culture thinks is "proper and respectful" should the ladies not wear a necklace since very few women do not wear one to church?

Redfog