Sunday Best Culture yay or nay ?

I know, I know....yet  another huuuhhh? title. I promise to keep them to a minimum.  

This has nothing to do with the BET hit show ‘Sunday Best’.

 

Now on to the topic at hand; Sunday best culture. What is it? I think this term is familiar to most Christians.

I was raised in a Christian home and that consisted of going to church every Sunday for 2 hours or more, followed by a nice hearty late lunch then a nice session at the park or straight home for an afternoon and evening of chilling, family time and fun.

Going to church was a very big deal; the only time anyone was allowed to miss church was if we were ill or revising...something major. So missing church was a major no. What we wore was also a very big issue. We always had to wear our Sunday best clothes. As a child I thoroughly enjoyed this especially because it was like playing dress up but recently this is an aspect of going to church and being a Christian that is severely grating on me... I feel it’s changing church for the worst. There’s a negative Sunday best culture developing. One filled with judgment, really mean side eye glances and negative competition.

I’m all for dressing in your best clothes and looking good when going to the house of the Lord. But the question is what is the motivation behind it?

Are you dressing up to look down on others or because you want to show off or even look better than everyone else or to impress people or to attract attention? If your reasons are somewhat leaning towards what I’ve listed, Houston we have a problem!!! A very big problem. 

Why you ask?  Because the purpose of church is the gathering of brethren to worship God, listen to God’s word and to fellowship with one another.  The bag you’re carrying, the car you’re driving (or not driving), the value of your outfit, where you live, your family background, your occupation,  your ‘social status’... shouldn’t matter in church. Church should be the one safe zone for Christians (and non-Christians alike) to convene without worrying about such things. We all deal with those things on a regular basis outside of church. 

I hope you understand what I’m trying to convey. I don’t mean to offend anyone or any church in particular or any religion. I’m just voicing my feelings on an issue that needs to be rectified. Just look back and try and recall the last time you had an in-depth conversation with the person sitting next to you or with anyone you don’t know in your church...

I’d really like to get your views on this topic.

Here's a video on the same topic hope you enjoy it.