“Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation. Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you” (Hebrews 13: 7 & 17).

During the Session meetings there have been discussions on the matter of appropriate attire pertaining to members and worshippers who are serving God on the Lord’s Day. The most recent discussion on the appropriateness of dressing was at the last Session meeting of 19.06.05 when this matter was brought up once again. It has come to the notice of a few Session members that some worshippers were not appropriately attired when they were rostered on, on the Lord’s Day. Though there has been much discussion on this matter of appropriate attire nothing has been written on it.

In the past, the matter of attire had been a tacit arrangement between individuals and the leaders of the various ministries in the hope that all who are on duty or serving God are properly attired on the Lord’s Day. Because nothing has been written on this, there is no uniformity on how one dressed when one stands before the congregation on the Lord’s Day.

I am burdened to share with you today’s writing as a reminder to members as well as worshippers who are serving God on the Lord’s Day to be alerted to the need to be appropriately attired. Dressing appropriately is not only applicable to those who come up to the pulpit to preach or to read Scriptures but to everyone who is on duty on the Lord’s Day. This also includes musicians (the organist and pianist who are rostered on weekly are exempted) and choir members who are presenting special items. The plea to all is to be properly attired.

How would you dress if you are invited to meet the Queen, the Prime Minister or for that matter to attend an important function? Would you come in your jeans and T shirt? Or shorts and T shirt? Would you be scruffily dressed? Would you be disrespectful in the way you dress? I am sure you will come appropriately attired to suit the occasion. You would come in your best. I would. So, why not on the Lord’s Day? Come, “that ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory” (1 Thessalonians 2:12). Be a good example to the congregation. Come in your Sunday best.

Come properly dress to suit the occasion. When we come to serve the King of kings and the Lord of lords on the Lord’s Day does not this warrant us to be properly attired? Ought we not to put on our best for Him? Let us take a special interest in how we dress when we serve the Lord at Hope Church not only on the Lord’s Day but also on all official functions at Hope Church and “let your light so shine before man, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).

Because this matter was brought up and discussed during the Session meetings, I forwarded this article to the Session members for perusal and approval for printing in the Lively Hope for the benefit of all who are serving the Lord at Hope Church. I hope that this article will not deter us from serving the Lord but will act as a guide for us whenever we stand in front of the congregation at Hope Church on the Lord’s Day.

What is the appropriate attire for those who are serving the Lord at Hope Church? Session members who are rostered on for the preaching ministry must wear a suit with a white shirt and a tie. Session members who are rostered on for chairing must wear a suit, a shirt and a tie.

For the worshipper who is rostered on for responsive reading, the reader must wear a tie. Wearing a long sleeve or a short sleeve shirt for the reader is optional and so too is the wearing of a suit. But wearing a tie is the acceptable practice. All responsive readers please be alerted to this and adhere to it.

For the choir members who are presenting an item on the Lord’s Day it has been suggested that for the men a white shirt and a tie with blank pants are the acceptable attire. For the ladies a white blouse and black skirt is the acceptable manner of dressing. Ladies please refrain from wearing black pants.

Occasionally, there are musical presentations and it is desired that the musicians also follow the dress code of the choir members. Leaders in charge of these ministries please encourage the younger members of your group to be properly dressed too. This does not include the Sunday School children. Parents please ensure that your children are neatly dressed when they come up to praise the Lord with their items.

For those who are serving God in the welcoming, ushering, leading singspiration and tithing ministries the men must wear a tie and for the ladies a dress is to be worn. If at any time you are in doubt but you know that you are on duty, for the men please wear a tie and the ladies a dress.

At no time must a servant of God who is on duty on the Lord’s Day or any other official functions at Hope Church wear a pair of jeans. The proper attire for those on duty on official functions at Hope Church is the same as the attire worn for those on duty every Lord’s Day. Please adhere to this strictly so that we will have uniformity and conformity in the way we dress. Leaders in charge of the ministries mentioned above please instil in your members the necessity for the right attire.

The gist of this article today is to be properly attired when we serve the Lord in His house. I hope that this article will encourage us to do the right thing for God and will not discourage us from serving God. Should we dress to please God? The answer is an emphatic yes. We can present stumbling blocks before our brethren by the way we dress. Scripture reminds us “let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way” (Romans 14:13).

There will be readers who will not be happy with what they have read. Some might even find it offensive as it touches on the individual’s right to dress because dressing is an individual’s choice and it is a sensitive issue.

In serving God there are times when one has to make certain sacrifices. In this instance, for the ladies it is to forego the flowery colourful dresses for the black and white attire when you stand before the congregation to praise God. For the men the inconvenience of wearing a tie sometimes even on a hot summer day. How often is one on duty? Or for that matter how often does one come to the front to praise God with special items?

Also, please be reminded that unless you are presenting a choir item at no time are you required to attend worship service at Hope Church dressed in black and white. On the other hand if you are to presenting an item, please make a special effort to conform to this.

“Do all things without murmurs and disputings” (Philippians 2:14). “And whatever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. And whatever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men” (Colossians 3:17 & 23).

May we be better servants for God in all areas of our service for the Lord.

In His Service, Dn Tony Law.

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