I had a weird email exchange with someone last week and it left me a little discouraged. The subject matter was if he could "recommend our church" to people that might be coming to my area.  We have virtually the same doctrinal statement (Baptistic, Calvinistic, etc.) and we admire many of the same preachers and ministries (John MacArthur, John Piper, Shepherds Conference, 9 Marks, etc.), and we have very similar philosophies of ministry (emphasis on expositional preaching, emphasis the local church & discipleship, not "emergent", not "charismatic", not "seeker driven", etc.).  BUT, at the end of the day he would not recommend our church because our website mentions that casual dress is "OK" and we stress a come as you are attitude.

Don't get me wrong, among our church people and in our youth group we teach about "appropriate" and "modest" dress.  We believe the Bible teaches us to be modest and we think common sense and an appreciation for Who we worship would require that we dress appropriately.  I mean, I wouldn't come to church in a bathing suit, nor would I attend in a tuxedo.  Both say "look at me" instead of looking to Christ.  But I digress...

So how big a deal is "casual dress" to church?  Could you recommend or attend a church that was doctrinally and philosophically sound but lacked a clear "dress code"?  Do you think some kind of "church dress code" can be found in the New Testament?  Should we police the front door and turn away those dressed "inappropriately" or those who lack the proper "reverence"?  I guess at the end of the day, is this person (who I respect greatly by the way) taking the issue of dress and blowing it way out of proportion, OR am I the one who is way too lax and not giving this issue the weight that it deserves?

Just Curious...

eek
Phil. 3:10

PS: this is the part of my church webpage mentioning dress... http://www.calvarybyesville.org/sunday.htm