Immodesty in the church

By: American Decency Staff

Personal note: I received two notes regarding the concern of immodesty in the church in recent days.First, this note: Dear Bill, A few years ago, you had a bulletin insert regarding how we should dress to honor God. Do you still have a copy of that article? I am in need of it for my Vacation Bible School workers. I have one family that came dressed so inappropriately even after knowing the dress code we have. I need to go to her in love and have some Biblical wisdom to show her how she needs to guide her family in this matter. My copy of the insert died with my old computer. Thank you for continuing on with your fight for decency. Keep up the good work. Sincerely, S.P. I responded to S.P. above by providing her the link of our 2007 bulletin insert on this concern: https://americandecency.org/resources/bulletin/2007/btnJune07.pdf S.P.'s response: Thank you, thank you, That was the exact insert I needed. Praying that I can get the pastor to preach this from the pulpit. It is becoming a problem with our teens, and the lack of parenting from their parents. Hoping to cut off future troubles. Thanks again for all you do. Sincerely, S. *** The second note – a friend in northern Michigan wrote the following: "After a 12 year fight and praying for all those years – we have won the battle with the Catholic Church (here locally) over immodest fashions in church on Sunday. I asked the pastor to put a notice in the bulletin and he did. Here is the text of that bulletin: "Lest you think I am the only priest in the diocese with this concern I've included what Fr. …. wrote for a recent bulletin: "When the warm weather is upon us lighter and shorter clothing becomes popular. I remind our parishioners and visitors that worshipping the Lord during the Mass is still a moment when we practice modesty in dress. Clothing worn for the beach or recreation is not appropriate for the Mass. Perhaps what used to be called 'our Sunday best' or 'Sunday go-to-meeting' clothing might be too warm. But clothing appropriate for community gathering and worship of the Lord would be appreciated. Some argue: It won't make any difference to the Lord what I wear. You might be right; but 'tis not the Lord I am concerned about. What you wear will make a difference to those who find that short clothing offers distractions of another sort.'" ADA note: I would strongly disagree that it won't make any difference to the Lord what you and I wear. I would also state that we should not take lightly the character of God and His desire that we "be holy for He is holy." [I take exception to the statement above "tis not the Lord I am concerned about. …"] Consider the following: "Your adornment must not be merely external — braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses, but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God." [I Peter 3:3-4] Lastly, I strongly agree with the pastor's bulletin where he states: "… What you wear will make a difference to those who find that short clothing offers distractions of another sort." Much could be said here. Some women are so incredibly naive about the power of the visual. Others have an abundance (and they flaunt it) of awareness to their detriment and to the degrading and potential destruction of others. ================== Does God Really Care What I Wear? **How do I live Christianly? **How do I pursue holiness in all areas of life? **What is appropriate attire? What is not? **Should the church remain quiet in addressing modesty for fear that an unbeliever would be "turned off" and away from the gospel? A resource that we believe has a very positive impact in addressing these questions, and many more, is Nancy Leigh DeMoss' booklet, "The Look – does God really care what I wear?" She also has produced via her radio broadcasts a series of cassettes and CDs that carry the same title. To order online: https://americandecency.org/resources/thelook.htm Or call us at: 888-733-2326 *********************************************************** American Decency Association Bill Johnson, President P.O. Box 202 Fremont, MI 49412 ph: 231-924-4050 www.americandecency.org If you have investments in any of the following 10 mutual funds then you have dollars supporting Victoria's Secret (Limited Brands). You may want to consider transferring to THE TIMOTHY PLAN -morally screened mutual funds that have zero tolerance for investments in Victoria's Secret or any other company linked to pornography or anti-family entertainment. You can contact www.timothyplan.com or call them at 1-800-846-7526. What about your mutual funds? [NOTE SEVERAL CHANGES BELOW] — CAPITAL RESEARCH GLOBAL INVESTORS INVESTMENT COMPANY OF AMERICA WASHINGTON MUTUAL INVESTORS FUND GROWTH FUND OF AMERICA INC OAKMARK SELECT FUND HARTFORD CAPITAL APPRECIATION FUND HOTCHKIS AND WILEY MID-CAP VALUE FUND OAKMARK FUND HARTFORD CAPITAL APPRECIATION HLS FUND, INC. RS INVESTMENT TRUST-VALUE FUND A pornographic environment helps create an atmosphere of tolerance, amorality, godlessness, sexual irresponsibility, decadence, societal reprobation …. Is fighting pornography at your local mall irrelevant? Is speaking up against indecency at the checkout counters trivial? Is writing letters to advertisers unworthy of your attention? Is perfecting holiness in the fear of God old-fashioned? ============================================================= "…It is light: if it exists, it will show itself. It is salt: if it exists, its savour will be perceived. It is a precious ointment: if it exists, its presence cannot be hid. …" =========================================================== American Decency Association Bill Johnson, President P.O. Box 202 Fremont, MI 49412 ph: 231-924-4050 https://americandecency.org

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