Last week I read the letters to the editor with concern. May I say before I evaluate the Christian movement in the 21st century, I am not a “label” person. I do not place words on people, not knowing the background of the statements they make. However, there remains a group of ministers and Christians who insist on the integrity of the office and the church. It is not a matter of rebellion; it is a matter of respect.
I grew up in a very traditional Baptist church. My pastor always wore a suit and a tie. I never remember seeing him at any time not wearing a suit and tie. Even after he retired, when I would see him in the post office or in the grocery store, he continued to wear a suit and tie. My father owned and operated a business in town. He wore a white shirt and tie every day to meet the public. Every male teacher I had in grammar, junior high, high school, college and seminary wore a tie. I am sorry that we have men who are called to the highest office in the kingdom of God who, for whatever reason, do not see the integrity of the office or ministry. I was taught in seminary preaching lab and was graded on the length of my shirt sleeves and appearance as well as the content of the message. Apparently our seminaries are not teaching this class any longer.
I certainly know times have changed. When I was a child, when my mother went to buy groceries, she wore the same clothes she wore when she went to church on Sunday. She never owned a T-shirt or blue jeans. Several weeks ago while shopping for groceries on Saturday morning, I saw a husband and wife in the store wearing their pajamas and bedroom shoes. Public schools have “pajama day.” At the rate we are traveling, with our casual dress code, it will not be long until we will see people sitting in our pews on Sunday in their pajamas and pastors standing behind the pulpit in theirs.
We say that will never happen. Think about it. If someone told us 25 years ago a pastor would stand in his pulpit on Sunday and preach in a golf shirt and blue jeans, we would have said, no way; yet, it has. If a church and pastor can look themselves in the mirror and convince themselves that this is acceptable, then please do not think it strange that there remains, and will always be, a select group of folks who will wear suits and ties as we worship and deliver God’s Holy Word.
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