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How church has changed...
Old 04-20-2014, 04:30 PM   #1
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How church has changed...

As a kid,my family took us to church every time the doors were open. Later life, drifted away from the organized congregations and haven't been to a regular service in years. Today, my DW and I spent Easter service with my DM at the small, very conservative (Church of Christ) church I grew up with in the small town where we lived.

How times have changed... everyone was dressed very casually (we always dressed to the nines growing up). The song leader lead hymns from his iPad with lyrics projected in a powerpoint on a giant screen. The preacher used his tablet for his notes and when he gave the invitation to walk down the aisle to be baptized or to repent, he also projected his cell number on screen and invited us to text him if we wanted more info.

Good to see lots of folks I grew up with..none of us has changed one bit We did,however continue to sing the 100+ year old hymns that we grew up on... maybe they were tops in the 1890's, but do sound very dated today. Enjoyed the service very much and, of course, the great day with my Mother..... hope everyone had a great Easter!
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Old 04-20-2014, 07:48 PM   #2
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I'm always disappointed by the new accepted dress code in churches. You don't need to wear a suit but some guys are even so clueless as to leave their baseball hats on!

Then again, I suppose it's better than an empty church; at least people go.
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Old 04-20-2014, 11:51 PM   #3
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I'm always disappointed by the new accepted dress code in churches. You don't need to wear a suit but some guys are even so clueless as to leave their baseball hats on!

Then again, I suppose it's better than an empty church; at least people go.
Try a black church. I always enjoy it when I am going past one of the historically black churches near where I live on Sunday morning. Every man very sharply dressed, every woman perfect.

Ha
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Old 04-21-2014, 10:05 AM   #4
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When I went to church, the nuns would go "sit up straight or else!". That was a long time ago.
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Old 04-21-2014, 10:28 AM   #5
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Try a black church. I always enjoy it when I am going past one of the historically black churches near where I live on Sunday morning. Every man very sharply dressed, every woman perfect.

Ha
So true. I've heard that during slavery and Jim Crow, church was the only place you can get dressed up and the tradition continues today.
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Old 04-21-2014, 10:32 AM   #6
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Not a church goer, but it's probably good that churches are adapting to the times. Many around here have multimedia, live bands, daycare, and other activities to attract a younger, more mobile, more ADD crowd.
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Old 04-21-2014, 10:42 AM   #7
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We used to have "sunday clothes" and mass used to be said in Latin, which made it that much more solemn.
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Old 04-21-2014, 12:02 PM   #8
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Remember you don't have to go along with the crowd.

At the church I go to most people dress more casually, but there are always one or two of us who wear a suit. No one objects ;-)

(not that I ever wore a suit to work, but I always dress up for church)
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Old 04-21-2014, 01:56 PM   #9
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I see the same thing in our area - and the African American ladies' hats are a sight to behold. It's about the only place you see people wearing hats any more.

Also, many Catholic families still dress up for church. It's very nice to see Mom, Dad, and the little ones turning out in their best.

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Try a black church. I always enjoy it when I am going past one of the historically black churches near where I live on Sunday morning. Every man very sharply dressed, every woman perfect.

Ha
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Old 04-21-2014, 02:01 PM   #10
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The church we've been part of for the past 15 years has become much more dress-code diverse - on any given Sunday (except Easter!) there will be a man in a suit and tie next to one in shorts, t-shirt, and sandals. It took me a while to get used to it but now I like it.

During fall, winter, and spring the choir and pastors wear formal robes, but we give that up in the summer to reduce the electric bill.
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Old 04-21-2014, 02:08 PM   #11
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So in summertime, the pastor doesn't wear any robes?

That is quite a liberal church you've got there!


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During fall, winter, and spring the choir and pastors wear formal robes, but we give that up in the summer to reduce the electric bill.
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Old 04-21-2014, 02:46 PM   #12
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Don't know if this is true of the OP's small town church but Church of Christ is known as one of the most progressive Protestant churches. My niece and her family are C of C in Texas and the OP's church sounds like a church they would attend as they are computer geeks and are very casual. Her parents are much more traditional and prefer the Baptist church.
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Old 04-21-2014, 02:51 PM   #13
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I'm always disappointed by the new accepted dress code in churches. You don't need to wear a suit but some guys are even so clueless as to leave their baseball hats on!
Not surprised by the baseball hats. In today's culture, ball caps are to bald people what powdered wigs were to 16th century royalty, and for the same reasons!
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Old 04-21-2014, 03:39 PM   #14
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Not surprised by the baseball hats. In today's culture, ball caps are to bald people what powdered wigs were to 16th century royalty, and for the same reasons!
Back in my younger days I used to think that. But, now I realize that baseball caps or hats of any kind are primarily used for climate control by balding individuals.
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Old 04-21-2014, 03:42 PM   #15
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Not surprised by the baseball hats. In today's culture, ball caps are to bald people what powdered wigs were to 16th century royalty, and for the same reasons!

Not always. I have a full head of hair. I just like the way they look and hate windy days.

But I'd never wear one to church!
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Old 04-21-2014, 08:19 PM   #16
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Don't know if this is true of the OP's small town church but Church of Christ is known as one of the most progressive Protestant churches. My niece and her family are C of C in Texas and the OP's church sounds like a church they would attend as they are computer geeks and are very casual. Her parents are much more traditional and prefer the Baptist church.
Are you sure you're not thinking of the United Church of Christ, traditionally known as Congregationalists? (that's my church) The UCC is very progressive. As I understand it, the Churches of Christ (i.e. - no "United") are generally quite conservative.
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Old 04-21-2014, 09:18 PM   #17
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I don't give a crap what you wear to Mass, so long as you are clothed. Of more substance to me is the retrograde, medieval bullcrap that the local parish serves up every week. I grew up being educated and attending Masses conducted by Jesuits, Franciscans and Dominicans. Listening to this retrograde crap by people who fervently wish to turn the clock back 800 years is a massive turn-off and is killing my youngest's interest in religion despite her obvious gift of faith. I have about had it and am not sure what to do.
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Old 04-21-2014, 09:37 PM   #18
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I grew up being educated and attending Masses conducted by Jesuits, Franciscans and Dominicans. .

That's quite a group of educated troublemakers. :-)

And, IIRC, the current Pope is one of them.
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Old 04-21-2014, 09:39 PM   #19
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And, IIRC, the current Pope is one of them.
You would not know it from listening to the local bunch. All they talk about is "saint" John Paul.
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Old 04-21-2014, 09:48 PM   #20
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Try a black church. I always enjoy it when I am going past one of the historically black churches near where I live on Sunday morning. Every man very sharply dressed, every woman perfect.

Ha
Be warned. Around here, the black churches come early and stay late.
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