The Idol of Fashion

What's an idol? Anything that becomes more important than, or gets in the way of, our relationship with God. It has been said that the Bible is the story of our idolatry and God’s desire to replace our idols with Himself. And as I wrote last week, I offer these thoughts confessionally, not judgmentally. I have been an idol worshiper, even an idol pusher.

So... fashion? Really?

Yes.

Chances are, you and I notice what people are wearing--may even their shoes--before we see the color of their eyes. We care a lot about what people wear.

We care even more about what the people on the platform wear, especially the preacher. The staff. Some would say "if the preacher is in a coat and tie, I feel like he is distant, even disconnected from God." Others say, "blue jeans and flip-flops are disrespectful and I just can’t worship like that." My brothers and sisters remember, anything that gets between you and Jesus is an idol.

The Bible doesn't give us a lot of clarity about how to dress in 2020. The toga might have been popular in Jesus' day. Not so much in today's worship gathering.

But still, fashion matters, and not in the ways we might think. Here are 3 things I believe are helpful in thinking about how to dress to lead worship:

1) Be modest.
2) Be considerate.
3) Be contextual.

Be modest. Let's go straight to scripture here. The end of Exodus 20 contains instructions about worship, specifically about sacrificing on an altar. God says, "Do not go up to my altar on steps, or your private parts may be exposed." (vs. 26, NIV) Seriously, that's in the Bible! So be modest. Don't draw attention to anything but Jesus. Nothing too short. Nothing too low-cut. Nothing too tight. Don't expose yourself, especially with the choice of your clothing. Our goal is for people to see Jesus, not us.

Be considerate. If your grandmother attends your church, wear something that would please her. After all, chances are pretty good that somebody's grandmother is there. Be considerate of them. And  be considerate of the "outsider," the person who hasn't yet found their way into your fellowship. Consider what they will think when they walk in for the first time. Look like you respect the church, the role with which you've been entrusted, and the God you worship.

Be contextual. Dress like you really are from where you're serving. Don't try to dress like a Nashville artist if you live in Chicago. And don't try to be urban if you're in a country church. Dress like you, but dress like the best you in the community where you live. Think like a sociologist and a missionary. How do people dress in your town? Bridge the gap between the church you attend and the city where you live. Connect with the regular attender and the first time guest. If the preacher doesn't want to wear socks--in an effort to connect with the culture of his city--he can do that in a considerate way. Love people enough to tell them why you're connecting with those in your context.

Bottom line, whether you are the one picking out the clothes to wear, or the one noticing what is being worn, just don't let it be an idol.

If you haven't read it, check out the previous post. Last week we started with an overview of five idols in worship gatherings in our day:

1. Fashion
2. Worship Space
3. Music
4. People
5. Musical Style

Next week: pews or chairs... does the look of the space matter?