How Short Can My Skirt Be?

Summer is here. So are summer clothes. When we lead worship, we are set up for disaster automatically. Why? As mere humans on-stage, we're attempting to draw complete, undistracted attention to God. (It's why chancel choirs in liturgical churches have sung in the back for years.) That's why here at TBC I've decided that I'll now lead worship from the balcony. OK, I'm kidding (although I might try it some Sunday).

My point is, unfortunately for us, just about anything done in public is bound to distract in some way. Different things distract different people. For some, bowties and cufflinks are a distraction. For others, tie-dyed T's and gummy shoes are a distraction. Yet others, wearing a full superman outfit (pic, video) makes you wonder. We can't win. And it's not our job to win to please man. But it IS our job to please God with our role as worship leaders. While God is concerned with our heart, way before what we look like (1 Sam 16:7), He is concerned about our reflection of Christ. A better way of saying it is "deflecting" to Christ - that is to deflect the attention off of us and onto the One and only One who deserves it. When we take the stage, we represent Christ. Even OFF stage, we represent Christ. So when it comes to dressing for worship - modesty is a no-brainer.

What's modest? If you aren't sure, ask your mother (if she dresses modestly). When in question, always err on the side of modesty. What you may think is appropriate, may not be appropriate for someone else attempting to worship.

While this hasn't been an big issue on stage at TBC — summer is here, and so are summer clothes. Let's allow our vertical relationship with God to supercede our desire to be attractive in our horizontal relationships with each other.

Sorry to disappoint you, but I'm not going to tell you how short your skirt can be. That's not the right question. The right question is, are you deflecting the attention you typically get, to Christ? He's the One who deserves the attention of everyone.

PS - Sometime ask me in person about my "clothes log." It has nothing to do with modesty — but has everything to do with making sure I don't wear the same shirt two weekends in a row. Embarrassing, but true.