"Tell your wife," the anonymous comment read, "to dress appropriately for church. No more pants and spaghetti straps."
I held the blue paper in my hand, and turned it over a few times. It was the most ridiculous thing I had ever seen, at that moment. It was a pastoral review form. And this member wanted to talk about my clothes. I wasn't sure if I wanted to throw it away, or wear it as a badge of honor.
Yes, I knew people noticed me. And I knew I was in the traditional East. I had heard, on a Sabbath afternoon, perfectly serious people talk about the color of the elder's socks (visible as he sat on the platform) as if this was legitimately their business. But I had also expected I had earned some slack, since they had known me more than three years, and I had been struggling to pull together a maternity, and then nursing-friendly wardrobe I could afford.
I know people notice me. I am married to the pastor, and everyone knows who I am. So I have tried to be a good example, including my appearance, since that is all some people know about me. But being a good example means something in particular to me.
I have noticed, in my 18 years of being the pastor's wife, that notes like this have always been anonymous. I have never met the clothing police face to face.* In fact, if it weren't for the anonymous notes, I couldn't tell you that the critics even existed in my churches.** I have to conclude that either there are very few of them, or they aren't passionate enough about their opinions to get serious. So I don't feel obliged to please them.
Moreover, Jim has a theory about growing healthy churches, which he calls "Don't cater to the kooks." I just expand it to include the critics. What he means, of course, is that you have to feed the culture you want to grow in a church. You don't make healthy churches by jumping through hoops for unhealthy people. Instead, you encourage and support healthy people.
So I take care with my example. I take care to consider who my example is supporting.
One morning I came to this same church in my winter wool skirt (long) and high-heeled tall boots. One of the younger women came to me, excited about them. "Now we can all wear those boots," she said. And she told the story of another young woman who had worn some, and been told she looked like a harlot. Of course, now that the pastor's wife wore them, they were okay.
The conversation opened up a whole new way of thinking for me. If I have to be an example, let me be an example of what I really believe. When spring came, I went out and bought nail polish in rainbow colors for my toes.
I look in the mirror with new eyes on Sabbath mornings. I don't dress to offend the critics, but I don't dress to please them, either. I have never been hurt by the church fashion police, but I know that others have been berated, excluded, or kept from volunteering because someone disapproved of what they wore. So I ask myself, "Can my example be used against someone else? Could someone point to me to defend a theology I don't believe?"***
Life is not about the clothes you wear. And if that's true about the need to look fashionable, it's also true about the need to look conservative. Appearance does matter. But it matters only as a means to something more important, like hinting at the relevance and vibrance of our faith. Or communicating that I am an approachable person.
So what's my bottom line on this one? Get dressed. Be sure to wear clothes. And try to suit them to the occasion, and the function. Then put your mind on other things--things that truly matter.
By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. John 13:35
*Well, once, but it was a visitor, and someone with so little social sense that I can't really take it seriously.
**Okay, there is also the "reporting for someone else" tactic. You know--where someone tells you, "I thought you should know that some people have been saying . . . " This usually means "I said to my friends, and they all nodded, so they must agree." On really serious issues it comes out as "There are a lot of people who think . . ." but it translates to the same thing.
***I remember one morning when I realized I was wearing a denim skirt and sensible shoes. Plus, my hair was in a bun at the nape of my neck. I changed to pants right away.
I remember conversations similar to this one :) Glad the conversations are still happening.
ReplyDeleteI wish people would mind their own business. I preached a sermon one Sabbath morning during our church's women's ministry weekend. When I went to my car to retrieve something during potluck, someone had left a note under my windshield wiper, referring to the Bible verse about women keeping silent in church. I did not let that note stop me from being involved in ministry. I answer to God--not man.
ReplyDeleteAmen! I like how you think, Sister. And I have a plethora of nail polishes for my summer shoes. I'm wearing a beautiful coral shade on my toes right now; and to think they'll be seen in church tomorrow by the fashion police. Oh my, what will they say?!! I hope they like coral.
ReplyDeleteIn all seriousness, I don't understand what gives some members of our denomination the right to become "church fashion police" or to criticize anyone that doesn't conform to their personal understanding of appropriateness. It's one thing to wear a long skirt and high heel boots to church; it's quite another to wear a skirt so short you can see the hem of the underwear. There are such things as modesty and good-taste. What may be good for me to wear to church may not be someone else's taste, and I'm okay with that. I just hope they are, too.
There are so many issues currently to be addressed in our denomination and churches. At this point, we should be grateful that new people are coming, learning the Word and remaining, especially the young people, who tire of hypocrisy. What about sharing a little love and compassion?
ReplyDeleteI love it! Thank you so much for sharing. I love what you said about feeding and growing the culture you want to see, and not catering for the unhealthy. Lines can get blurred sometimes when you want to show love and be careful not to distract or offend others, but also, they need to grow. So it's a fine balance. At least, that's where I'm at, at the moment. So this was really encouraging! Many blessings and Happy Sabbath!
ReplyDeleteI think that God is happy that we are coming to church and He really doesn't care how we look. He just wants us to love Him.
ReplyDeleteI remember when I became a pastor's wife, Sister Grady, having just turned 20. I was fortunate in having kind congregants, but there was a lady who thought it was okay to flirt with my husband - I think that's worse.
ReplyDeleteI'm a female SDA pastor...this made me laugh and smile and cheer you on. Love you:)
ReplyDeleteCan I just say, I wish you and husband were leading my church. Just came across your blog and I enjoy your openness and honesty.
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ReplyDeleteI like your site. It's fun. Once when I was in charge of the potluck a visitor came in a sheer dress. We could all see all of her underwear and a lot of everything else, too. I put her to work helping me with the food and kept near her in case anyone decided to "counsel" her. No one did.
ReplyDeleteSo happy that there are truly salt, light, and earth women like you in the Church to counter the ones who think AGAPE means staring with your mouth open.
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ReplyDeleteAny thoughts on jewelery? I personally don´t wear any, except my engagement ring. But I'm the new Real Time Faith teacher and some girls asked me about nail polish, jewelry and going to the movies. Any advice on how to approach the topic? They are interested in the why not part. Thanks!
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ReplyDeleteI love this post so much. I take pride in having my nails look pristine (fingers and toes) and believe it is imperative of pastor wives to model feminine beauty. So my nail appointments are scheduled on Saturdays for a reason! We have been at our church now 3 years and it's a blessing to see the wives getting their nails and toes done now and I think it's because they see the pastor's wife doing it so they know it's an acceptable way to display their femininity. Love your blog and this post.
ReplyDeleteI love this post so much. I take pride in having my nails look pristine (fingers and toes) and believe it is imperative of pastor wives to model feminine beauty. So my nail appointments are scheduled on Saturdays for a reason! We have been at our church now 3 years and it's a blessing to see the wives getting their nails and toes done now and I think it's because they see the pastor's wife doing it so they know it's an acceptable way to display their femininity. Love your blog and this post.
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