Sunday Best

“It doesn’t matter what you wear, just as long as you are there!”

This week I heard the above words while listening to the radio. No, these words weren’t spoken as part of an inspiring sermon on church attire, they are words from the song Dancing in the Street originally sung by Martha & The Vandellas and later made famous by David Bowie and Mick Jagger, the version I heard.

Instantly I was reminded of a sermon I preached about two years ago in which I spoke about the church’s need to stop judging others by the outward appearance, because in the end we all stand naked before God.

Earlier this year I felt what it was like to be singled out in the crowd, and made to feel like the odd one out. I went to a church I had never been to before. The service was very good, but it didn’t take me more than a few seconds to realize that I was “different” from the people there. It’s not that my beliefs or theology are any different to theirs, it’s that everyone, and I mean everyone, from the youngest to the oldest, was dressed in their Sunday best. Out of the 200+ people in attendance not a hair was out of place, not a shirt wrinkled, and all the men’s shoes sparked in the sanctuary lights. I am in no way saying this is bad, but I did notice more than a few passing glances as to what I was wearing. You see, I had gone to church that day in my shorts, t-shirt, and sandals, as it was a blisteringly hot day; hey if it was winter I would probably be dressed the same… that’s just me.

It’s not that anyone said anything negative to me; not with their mouths anyway. As a friend of mine says, “people say much more with their eyes than they ever will with their mouths.” And that’s just what I felt, people looking me over and judging me by what I was wearing. I wasn’t wearing a suit or even one of my Christian T’s, that day I just looked like an average Joe. And if I was made to feel uncomfortable, then you can only guess what a new believer or someone “window shopping” the Christian faith would have felt like.

You might think I’m just being over sensitive, reading something into the situation that possibly wasn’t even there. I guess that unless you’ve been in a situation similar to this you may not understand. However, I didn’t feel accepted, and I will be honest and say that I didn’t feel the love of God coming from the congregation that day. Only one person came over and introduced themselves to me and that was the woman from the welcome desk, though even she was a little hesitant. Other than that I came and left without a trace.

I would hate to think that people failed to interact with me because of what I was wearing, but the question must be asked, “How many people come into our churches only to find they are ignored or overlooked because of what they look like or what they wear?” I myself have judged others by their clothes, hair, piercings, mannerisms, and so on, and I’m sure if we’re honest that we all have. As believers we are told by Jesus himself not to judge others, “Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults— unless, of course, you want the same treatment.” Luke 6:37 (The Message) Hard words, but words we must take very seriously.

Maybe we need to follow after Jesus’ own standards when He said, “You judge me by human standards, but I do not judge anyone.” John 8:15 (NLT)

Christian St John M.Div, BChM, ACS
October, 2008

Image by Cristian Cargnello