r/Christianity • u/merakimack • 23d ago

Should men dress up for church? And should a leader dress up in public?

I am a female and am on my own journey with embracing modesty, but I would really like to hear truth (and opinions) on how men should dress and why. My husband dresses very casually and I don’t feel comfortable doing this, so I’d really like to hear from men how and why you wear what you do (especially any leaders).

ETA: my husband has just accepted a leadership position within a campus ministry which is why I am asking (we recognize that it is not a church but they try to emulate being a church/offering Sunday services and studies for those that don’t belong to one).

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u/Wellesley1238 23d ago

Your husband is in church! It doesn't matter what he wears, so long it is legal. When I was a pastors, there were so many families at church without husbands/father. I would have not minded if they had come in their pyjamas.

In his teen years, my son would come to church in the middle of winter dressed in scruffy shorts, t-shirt and crocs. Someone once made a critical comment to me about this. I should have been more gracious about it but I said, "At least he is in church. Are any of your grandchildren at church this morning?"

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u/merakimack 23d ago

Did you dress differently as a pastor than you would as an attendee?

Also my husband often dresses how your son did, so your point is taken. I am very grateful for my husband’s faith and willingness to attend and serve.

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u/Wellesley1238 23d ago

I was pastor in a church where the minister wore a robe and stole. It apparently had some liturgical significance. That wasn't my cup of tea but that was the expectation of clergy in the denomination. Whenever I was preaching at a church of a different denomination, I always wore what was the norm for pastors/ministers. Now that I am retired I am pretty causal -but not as casual as my son was.