Golf Shirts

The Difference at the Golf Course or Church

ByPastor Wynn

During our week of revival meeting, it was my privilege to carry the visiting preacher on a golf outing.  We went to a nice golf course about thirty minutes away.  We were accompanied by a man from our church and one of his co-workers, so that we had a foursome.  It was our first time to play this particular course.  Upon arriving, we were impressed with the beautiful landscaping surrounding the clubhouse, and the course looked well-manicured.

After securing a cart and loading our clubs, we entered the clubhouse to register and pay.  This is where a problem arose. . .One of our four was not dressed to the course standards!  Although we were all dressed nicely, the man from our church did not have on a “collared” shirt.  He was informed that he would not be permitted to play without a collared shirt, and he was pointed to the “Dress Code” sign.  The sign clearly stated, “Must wear collared shirts, and no denim is allowed.”  At this point, I was intrigued with the ease of compliance that the golfers readily gave.  Our man, quickly walked over to the shirts that were for sale in the clubhouse, secured a shirt, paid for it and put it on.  Of course, I could not help thinking of the different scenario that would have occurred had this happened at a church.  For the sake of this article, let’s consider how that might have played out.

Clubhouse Worker:  “Sir, you cannot play without a collared shirt.”

Man:  “What do you mean?  I cannot believe you try and tell me what I can or cannot wear.  It doesn’t matter what I have on the outside.  What makes the difference are the skills I have to play the game!”  “I am going to play just like I am dressed.”

Worker:  “Sir, you cannot play without the proper attire.  See the sign?  We have a dress code that must be adhered to.”

Man:  “Well, I’ll just find another course that does not have all these stupid rules.  You guys are WAY behind the times.  No one cares about how you dress anymore!”

Observer:  At this point, the man storms out of the clubhouse, and begins to tell all the other golfers about how bad he was treated.  He tells them the Clubhouse Worker yelled at him and demanded that he buy a shirt.  Then, he convinces forty other golfers to leave the course, and vow NEVER to play there again!

While the above scenario is far from what happened at the golf course, I have seen it take place at many churches over the years.  If modest dress is taught or preached on, people get mad, complain, sow discord, and leave.  If they are expected to maintain a standard of dress, as leaders in the church, they resign, get mad and leave.

Yet, at the golf course, they willingly submit to the dress code of the course.  They fork over good money to buy the required style of shirt, they pay their green fees,” and they go out and play for three or four hours in one-hundred degree temperatures.

Of course, I immediately pondered the question of:  Why was the reaction so submissive and different to that of professing believers in the local church?  Could it be that they love the world more than they love God and His Word?

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49 Comments

  1. One thing to consider is that the golf club is actively trying to exclude individuals who do not present a proper image for the club which is a clear biblical prohibition for the church. In the church, we are dealing with leading lost souls to Christ while Golf is a game that will matter little after it’s over.

    The golf club would prefer that someone who cannot afford to walk over and purchase better clothing to leave rather than tarnish the image of the club. Woe to the church who goes by this standard. On the other hand, “christians” who disrupt the church over respectful dress are just as wrong. Provocative dress has no place in the church but opinions as to the propriety of fabrics and collars are just that…opinions.

    The problem with the comparison is that there is nothing biblically “wrong” with excluding people on the basis of dress to achieve a certain level of appearance in regard to a golf course while it is specifically prohibited in scripture and even then should be disregarded purely on the grounds of common sense for the christian. Various cultures through time would never accept what we consider to be “proper attire” for church attendance.

    I agree with your point that christians should not cause dissention if the leadership of their church expects a certain level of dress for that congregation on grounds of respect for the House of God. On the other hand denim and tshirts should never be a means of excluding someone from participation in worship as it is to enhance the image of the golf course.

  2. While I agree that a church is to never be exclusive (that is the point of James chapter 2), that is not the thrust of my article. The point is that people appear to be more willing to show respect for the golf course than they are in their worship of the Holy God of Heaven.

    I cannot imagine anyone being turned away from a church because of their dress. However, when it comes to believers, we should maintain a higher standard when we approach God in worship. Also, church leadership should present an even higher standard. For instance, I believe that the man of God, who declares the Word of God, should show his respect for the Word in the way he dresses while preaching. To be casual in one’s dress implies a casual attitude toward that which he presents. No U.S. Ambassador would ever consider delivering a message from the President in casual attire. Yet, professing believers will argue over standards of dress and will refuse to serve, rather than meet the requirement. That same professing believer will quickly and readily yield on the golf course.

    I also agree with you that the golf game will not matter after it is over. Therefore, if we will submit to the rules of something so temporary, should we not more readily yield to what God expects of us.

    Someone may argue that God does not care what one wears to church, as long as it is not indecent. Such an argument can only be made by one who has not carefully studied the Scriptures. The Scriptures are replete with admonitions concerning one’s dress. (See my book, “Does God Care What I Wear?” for a more complete statement on this issue).

    Concerning the issue of “leading souls to Christ,” we must understand that the church service is for believers. The lost are to be won to Christ as the believers go. Sadly, too many churches feel the point of the service is for evangelization. While I rejoice whenever a person is convicted by the preaching of the Word of God and they respond with saving faith; I do not believe that is the point of the worship service. The service is for worship of the Savior and edification of believers. As believers are being obedient to the Great Commission and “going,” we are to be winning people to Christ. Yes, there are times when we should conduct an “evangelistic” service. However, because of the prevailing philosophy of the contemporary church, the “seeker-sensitive” churches and others, most believers do not see evangelism as being their personal responsibility. Yet, every believer is to be a soul-winner.

    Therefore, if the point of the service is mainly for believers, then we should expect believers to acknowledge the holiness of God in their appearance. The Old Testament priest would not have dared to approach God without the holy garments on. God would have struck him dead. While we do not live under the Old Testament ceremonial law, we do still worship the very same God. He is holy and righteous. He deserves our best in every area of our life, even in our apparel.

    As I said in my original comment, too many folk balk at the idea of dressing right for God. I know that I am called “old-fashioned.” That’s fine, because I preach a Book that has not changed in over 2,000 years. 🙂

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