I wanted to make this a poll but there are too many variables at play. And I value some discussion on the subject as I'm curious why people hold the values that they often do.
The question is: In regards to your own personal standards and applications, what is liberal/progressive in your opinion? What is conservative in your opinion?
Things like dress, technology, vehicles, entertainment and so on. Give examples, tell stories, etc. Two rules: keep national politics out of it (church politics is okay), and no personal attacks. Let's try tot to induce a heart attack on the mods
0 x
I self-identify as a conspiracy theorist. My pronouns are told/you/so.
Some things that come immediately to mind... wearing a suit and tie is still a bit much for me. Ladies cutting/styling their hair is too progressive for me at this point.
0 x
I self-identify as a conspiracy theorist. My pronouns are told/you/so.
This is what we personally are ok with, not what we would tolerate at our church, correct?
0 x
The old woodcutter spoke again. “It is impossible to talk with you. You always draw conclusions. Life is so vast, yet you judge all of life with one page or one word. You see only a fragment. Unless you know the whole story, how can you judge?"
What I personally am not comfortable doing...
Wearing blue jeans everywhere except church...
Driving a bright red or bright yellow or hot pink car...
Wearing a lapel suit coat...
Growing a beard longer than 1/8"
Attending rodeos
Voting in national and state elections
I am not comfortable being part of a church that allows members to...
Pray/worship in public indoors with head covered (men)
Pray/worship in public indoors with head uncovered (women)
Express nationalistic sentiments
Engage in violence or self-defense (in a way that intentionally causes death or severe injury)
Wear jewelry
Engage in abusive behavior
Be ordained without meeting the character qualifications for elders and deacons
Withhold baptism/communion from people who are not doing the items mentioned above and who are walking in love with God and people.
0 x
The old woodcutter spoke again. “It is impossible to talk with you. You always draw conclusions. Life is so vast, yet you judge all of life with one page or one word. You see only a fragment. Unless you know the whole story, how can you judge?"
I realize that is much harder to measure than things like tie or no, straight-cut or lapel suits, and a lot of other things as well.
So recognizing that you specifically said "In regards to your own personal standards and applications", I will add the following that are readily recognizable (although I DO think that that single line above should be enough):
Older women teaching younger women (but not preaching, or teaching in situations where by definition of the group or meeting, men will be expected to attend).
Practice of the veiling for women, and avoidance of any type of head covering - in prayer or worship gatherings.
Men: Moderation in hair & beard length, style, and cut.
Hair length & style:
Women: 'Uncut' hair (I would regard trimming the ends as a manner of normal hair care to not be forbidden in Scripture. I have heard that some women's hair grows so long and heavy that it can cause neck strain and headaches. Trimming in a case like that should not result in censure, but should not be done in order to simply reduce the size of the bun in order to be able to use a smaller veiling. {I actually think that the veiling should be a hanging veil, and extend far enough over the top of the head so as to cover nearly all of the scalp. Since my conviction in this matter extends primarily to the gathering of the Body of Christ, a larger veiling is preferred. If a person has a conviction for use of a veiling at all times, then a second, larger veiling should be used in these certain settings.})
Modest clothing for both men and women:
No clothing that by design is meant to be revealing.
Men: no tight pants or shirts (especially T-Shirts). No shorts except in swimming or other water-related activities. (No short shorts.) No open shirts (top button only). Edgy: sleeveless shirts (still thinking about this one).
Women: Care taken that a dress top cannot 'fall open', to reveal cleavage, etc. Use of fabric of sufficient thickness that will not become revealing when standing between a strong light and other people (so as to reveal the entire human form). Dresses or skirts of sufficient length to at least cover the knees when walking or standing (a bit longer yet is certainly better.) Clothing of sufficient 'roominess' that it does not appear to have been 'poured into' (i.e., not so tight that it reveals every variation of the entire human form or shape).
1 x
Congregation: Gospel Haven Mennonite Fellowship, Benton, Ohio (Holmes Co.) a split from Beachy-Amish Mennonite.
Personal heritage & general theological viewpoint: conservative Mennonite Brethren.
Ernie wrote: ↑Wed May 22, 2024 12:09 pm
Growing a beard longer than 1/8"
That is a new one for me.
That is simply a preference for comfort sake. I put 1/8th inch as that is the longest that mine ever gets.
0 x
The old woodcutter spoke again. “It is impossible to talk with you. You always draw conclusions. Life is so vast, yet you judge all of life with one page or one word. You see only a fragment. Unless you know the whole story, how can you judge?"
