Recently, on a busy day, rushing to finish my errands, I finally sighed into the pew. Looking down, I was dismayed to discover I was wearing jeans. I wore jeans to church. Heart beating, pulse thumping, I looked around me. The lady with the long blonde hair, two rows in front of me, clad classically in jeans. I sneaked a peek behind me. I spied two more men in jeans. I tensely settled back in as my attention was brought to the stage. It will be okay, I told myself, I am not the only one in jeans.
And guess what?
The worship team still led in worship. Announcements were still made. The pastor still preached. No one said anything to me about my attire. The worship team did not say, “Wait! Hold up! We must stop! There is someone with jeans on in the congregation! We cannot go on!”
Not only were my legs shocking covered in jeans, but we were sitting in church at night. On a Saturday. Saturday night? Is that allowed? I can go to church at night? On SATURDAY?
Today, my Someplace Else is sitting in a church in jeans on a Saturday night.
What misbeliefs about church do we hold on to? White knuckling with all our might.
Women should wear dresses to church. Be sure it’s modest. Bathe. Makeup. Hair. Look your best. Add some pearls and some heels, but not too high. Church is only on Sunday morning.
I am in my 40s and have finally survived wearing jeans to church. On a Saturday. Seems so silly right? But is it? What if our misbelief is much bigger than that?
I worry that I will sit in someone’s “designated” pew – Janet Hart Leonard
Men can’t wear hats in church – Victoria Wilds Fuller
Church isn’t for me, church is boring – Molly Stillman
You have to stand up or raise your hands every time the worship leader tells you to – Angie Davis Monroe
I have to talk to every single person who is there or they might get offended that I didn’t personally greet them – Becca Meek, Pastors wife
Will the misbelief keep us from coming to church? What do you think? What if our Someplace Else is finally stepping into a church? What if our Someplace Else is the Lord calling us to leave a church and plant us Someplace Else? What if our Someplace Else is letting go of what we thought and opening the doors to what Jesus wants to show us?
Disclaimer: This article is not for you have suffered from deep church hurt. Cast aside, kicked out, abused. There are many wonderful people who write about the deeper things. Seek help or read here Lindsey Hartz, When Church Hurts