Come as you are!

Regular readers of my blog can be forgiven to think that I am conservative because of some of the views that I have shared on here, in truth I am actually a socialist. Not a card-carrying, red flag singing Labourite, but someone who believes that society should always consider its responsibilities towards everyone, regardless of their social standing, creed, beliefs, or colour. That said, I am difficult to pin down, classify or to put in any particular group as my views are not governed by any preconceived ideology other than the fact that I believe in God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Having got that off of my chest, I am going to share my personal and probably incorrect view of peoples response to 'Come as you are to worship.' The first Sunday service I took after I was ordained I noticed an unfamiliar couple in church, and was my way when I was a minister I tried to greet and engage with as many people as possible both before and after the service so once the service was over I made a beeline over to them. After the niceties one exchanges when meeting people for the first time, the lady asked me a question, or perhaps made a statement would be more correct, 'Why is it that people do not dress properly when coming to church!' I took the bait and asked if she could elaborate, she pointed to her husband, who sat there not saying a word and was dressed in an unremarkable suit resplendent with tie, and said 'my husband always wears a tie to church and you are not wearing one' accusing me of not dressing correctly. People who are familiar with me know that I always like to dress smartly when coming to church, wearing a jacket or blazer, shirt, but rarely a tie (although I am known to wear a bow tie when conducting weddings, funerals, etc.). I am ashamed to admit that I did giggle a little at her statement particularly as she explained that the never attended church but did their own thing at home yet they always attended a church when there was a new pastor appointed, possibly to check that they were dressed correctly I conjecture? She continued on about the importance of a man wearing a tie to church with as much vigour as one might defend baptism for new believers. I stood my ground somewhat and trying to make fun of what I thought was a ridiculous position, pointed out that Jesus, Paul and the 12 apostles probably didn't wear ties either and that the necktie was a relatively new introduction, not that I knew it at the time but scholars trace the origins of the modern tie to 1636. In France, King Louis XIII hired Croatian mercenaries to fight the King's cause in the Thirty Years War. The mercenaries closed their jackets with colourful pieces of cloth, tied at the neck.

Whilst I still think her protestations were somewhat risible - her husband remained somewhat silent during the exchange and sat there smiling smugly but politely - I do actually think she has a point (shock, horror, gasp!). Let me ask you a some questions dear reader; if you were invited to a wedding would you dress smartly? When attending a funeral do you dress modestly? If and if you do, why? Is it out of respect for the happy couple, or reverence of the occasion? I would suspect the answer to my questions is yes, yes, and yes a response that would be echoed by numerous people whether of not they are Christians or not. So why do people not apply the same logic to attending a church service? Where is the respect for God and the reverence for what is about to take place? I am not hung up on this, it is up to everyone to do what they believe and what they are personally comfortable with. Although it does make you think, doesn't it? Back in the day and way even before my time people had their "Sunday Best" to go to church in, but that was as much a product of a society where a majority of people had dirty, manual jobs and not much access to bathing facilities we have today. Church has relaxed a lot over the past 50 years and for good reason and for the good of the church, but one might also ask if they went to the effort when it was much more difficult and expenses for them, why don't we?

When Brian Doerksen wrote the lyric "Come, just as you are to worship" in his song Come, Now Is The Time To Worship, I don't think he was writing about what we wear but more about coming honestly before God with all our worries and woes, or questions and concerns, our sinfulness and selfish spirit. I think it was about being authentic before God because after all, he knows us intimately, warts and all, we can't hide anything from him. Enough said I think!

Come, Now Is The Time To Worship (Video)