Appearance of worship team members

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Permalink Reply by Rick Cogbill on July 29, 2009 at 11:36pm

As in many cultural expressions, some things began as expressions of rebellion but changed or even ceased to be such as they became more common. For example, just wearing jeans in the '50s was a sign of the 'rebel'. Years ago I remember being told that I should be wearing my "good clothes" (i.e. the expensive ones) for church, when in reality at the time some of the jeans were priced higher than a pair of dress pants.

Personally I'm glad to see our society getting beyond the issue of "the clothes make the man". But it's not always smooth sailing, and the conservative church tends to have the worst track record with it. My older brother was kicked out of Sunday School because he wore his cowboy boots to church. He never went back and that was over forty years ago.

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Permalink Reply by Bryan Thomas Schmidt on July 31, 2009 at 1:11am

You seem to be putting the personal right to express yourself as a higher priority than our call to love our neighbor as ourselves, Jenn. Those who have kids can't do everything they feel free to do as adults in front of their kids because kids shouldn't always do those things. Not because they are wrong things, but because maturity and wisdom are required. We are called to be sensitive to others in how we act and present ourselves. Just as we are not to use the Gospel as a club to beat them over the head, we have to be sensitive in other ways too, and there is no better witness than humility, the humility of sacrifice.

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Permalink Reply by David Prentice on July 29, 2009 at 11:40pm

I believe this is an issue that operates on two fronts: culture and the heart. Some people come from a culture that says this is how it's done. Most of that type of thinking is based on tradition. When Samuel was looking for the next king, God reminded him that his problem was looking on the outside when God looks upon the heart. So the question becomes what is the heart of the people on the platform? Are they servants with a heart for God or are they show-offs nursing their hurts, habits and hang-ups via the platform?
God changes peoples hearts...but only if they're willing to be changed. Over the years, I haven't seen many people with this hang-up willing to reconsider their position. You can't fight city hall. So here's a radical thought: do we let people in bondage put their chains on us? That's a conversation you have with your senior pastor who is ultimately the worship leader and has the vision. You need to carry his water and fulfill the vision God gave him.

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Permalink Reply by Rick Cogbill on July 29, 2009 at 11:51pm

I had a recent meeting with my team of worship leaders last month, and near the end one leader (who is a sufer-type casual dude with a great heart) asked if we were having any issues with the casual dress code of his team, etc. He is a laid back kind of guy who leads really well, but because of his pastor father, knew that these things can become issues.

I said to him, "You'll notice that dress code wasn't on our agenda tonight. Know why?" He shook his head, so I said, "Because it isn't an issue."

He was relieved, and so was I. I don't think it was always so in our church, but praise God growth is happening.

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Permalink Reply by Jenn on July 30, 2009 at 1:21am

EXCELLANT point David- "...do we let people in bondage put their chains on us?"

I think that's an AMAZING concept that all leadership teams should hold onto.

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Permalink Reply by Bosque on July 30, 2009 at 1:50am

Hey bro you can't please all men all of the time, so strive to please the Lord! Be your real self, be transparent and pray for those who persecute you!

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Permalink Reply by Steph James on July 30, 2009 at 2:07am

I know this may sound judgemental, I don't mean it that way, but try to gauge who's making these comments to you. If you've got some huge biker-dude playing the drums and the father of a little kid who got scared is asking you to tone it down a little I'd say listen a little more then others. Honestly you don't have to be in ministry very long to meet people who will not be satisfied.
One thing that's difficult about a "dress code" is how culturally varying it can be. Lol I disagree with ours which won't let us wear anything that shows our shoulders. I know why it was put in place, one of our singers showed up in a skimpy tube-top. Instead I'd say look at the heart of what your team is wearing.
Are you wearing stuff to look like rock stars? When you look at wardrobe that way an average tank top might be more "modest" then a "flashy" jacket. (I know it's a weak example but do you see what I mean?)

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Permalink Reply by Judah Community on July 30, 2009 at 3:50am

Man looks at the outward appearance, God looks at the heart.

When David was chosen to be king he was likely dirty and smelled of sheep. I mean, sheep smell. But that is a whole other topic entirely, and I do not wish to hijack your topic with one discussing the peculiar odor of sheep and/or those who spend a considerable amount of time with them in close proximity. The point is that David's own father didn't even consider him worthy of consideration for kingship, and yet God had already picked him out of the crowd b/c of his heart. I mean, would we turn away David from being on our worship teams? What if we didn't know him and he reeked of sheep aroma? Just a hypothetical...

I'd be praying about it and exercising some discernment. I'm sure that the situation in your church is different than in any of ours, so I feel a little weird 'laying down the law' for what you should do in your church. Where the Word speaks, speak. Where the Holy Spirit is leading, go.

It seems like a double standard to me if we ask folks to come just as they are, then attempt to make them into someone else. Maturity in Christ will change us, but in the way He expects to fulfill His agendas. Others have nailed this by mentioning the real question here is if this is a Holy Spirit thing (b/c it is attacking unity in the Body) or someone imposing their personal preferences as God's will on either side. Discerning that will require your perspective. : ) I'm confident that God put you in the position you are in b/c you are the right person to figure that stuff out. : )

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Permalink Reply by Dave Hartwell on August 19, 2009 at 6:50am

I don't usually disagree, but..

Only God looks at the heart. Man looks at the outward appearance.

So women: if you dress in tight, or short, or see-through, or low-necked stuff, I promise that you are distracting at least some of the men from worship.

So men: if you dress to either impress or distress, people will think you are trying to make a statement, which will discredit your message of worship.

Guideline: dress to not offend or distract. The objective is leading a congregation into worship. You should know your congregation and dress accordingly.

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Permalink Reply by Patrick Hazard on January 26, 2010 at 9:10pm

This is very well said (old post I know) for an issue that will remain for as long as we do.

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Permalink Reply by Ken Trinka on July 30, 2009 at 2:55pm

This drives me crazy. What on earth did the Apostles wear? were they clean cut and well groomed? chances are no. simply put I don't see how appearance can be held against them. I watched a new christian be baptized just this year. He was a former Satanist and had "Sinner " tattooed across his chest. People made a big deal out of it, but our Pastor simply said, " who of us is not a sinner?" and just like that the tattoo took on a whole new meaning. In fact I thought of getting one myself.(but then I remembered I am kind of a wimp when it comes to needles)

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Permalink Reply by Rick Cogbill on July 30, 2009 at 5:54pm

Let's pick a Sunday and make it an annual event! We can call it "Smelly Sheep Sunday"...a great object lesson.

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