Put on your Sunday clothes

In the Viewpoint section (editorials and commentaries) of The Cynthiana Democrat, we regularly find articles published by Nancy Kennedy of the Citrus County Chronicle (a newspaper for Citrus County, Florida). This week’s column discussed dressing for church.
Mrs. Kennedy’s article may be viewed online at:

I, for one, do not believe in “dressing” for church. I have never seen the need or reasoning. Why should one “dress” anyway? I thought that Christianity was a religion that had been created so long ago for the common man. Even our savior was a common man. Do you honestly believe that Christ put on his best garb to preach among the masses? Only royalty had fashion, and dressed in the fashion to attend their respective god’s services. Christians were poor, and common. Christians observed the sabbath and gathered with friends and family, wearing what they had.
When exactly did “proper dress” come along? I’m sure that it has something to do with the conversions of the royals, and the establishment of Christianity in these houses and kingdoms. Face it – “proper dress” is associated with the rich. Sadly, as Nancy points out in her column, the dress in these churches too often becomes the topic of discussion, rather than the praise of the Lord or the sermon that had been delivered.
It’s also no wonder that churches are starting to drop the encouragement of fancy dress, and encouraging the “come as you are” mentality. There is a more warm and welcome feeling if everyone shows up in their own comfortable clothing. The spirits of the congregation are higher, therefore making the feeling of the Spirit stronger, making the Word heard rather than the talk about what clothing the woman in the pew two rows up and one over is wearing. The event becomes more social, relaxed, and enjoyable. I know that this environment is more attractive than sitting in a suit, barely being able to move.
In my own experience I’ve found that the relaxed environment gives more people the chance to discuss the Word. I remember the services that had been held at the picnic grounds, and the pot-lucks, and the ice cream socials. Everyone was smiling. Everyone was talking. Discussions may have included the day to day routines, or local gossip, but included in at least every fourth sentence was some mention of God, or Faith; whereas the typical Sunday service had people desperately trying to gather their children together, and jump into the car to get home, and change. How often did the message stick in these circumstances?
So, how do you feel on this topic? Comment, please.