The bewilderment is palpable. You can see it on people’s face. They stare at the Ministry Video, or Ministry Display, in consternation. Then the question comes, “How can they be so poor and yet dress in such nice clothes?”

And therein lay the conundrum of
Circumstances versus Convictions.

Circumstances are easy to explain. There are so many valid reasons why the destitute “Pastors of the Least” might be expected to be wearing old, dirty and worn out clothes. The fact is that scarcely one in a hundred of them have ever owned a single piece of new clothing in their life. Everything they wear is second hand. Without exception. Yes, even underclothes and hosiery. Circumstances that they cannot control have dictated that outcome. It is not one that they bear with a grudge. But they certainly understand what they are missing. Slum dwellers are not ignorant of the common luxuries of mankind in the 21st century.

What is not so visible is the Condition of the clothing. Yes, it is clean. It is starched. It is pressed. It is impressive. It looks brand new and expensive. Until you get close. Then you will notice that the clean, starched, pressed collar is quite tattered. It has already been removed once many years ago, reversed and then sewn back onto the shirt. To extend the life another few years. Used trousers are bought a size or two larger than needed. So that after hemming, extra fabric is made into a cuff. After several years, the cuff is let down, and the trousers used again as uncuffed pants for still more years.

Many pastors I have known for more than 20 years. Some are wearing the same suit and tie to this day. They would not consider getting another (used) suit, a second (used) shirt or second (used) tie. That would be an unimaginable luxury. If anyone has an excuse to be dressed casually and carelessly in church, it would be them. But to them, that is simply unfathomable. They operate out of inward Convictions...regardless of their outward Circumstances.

It would be insulting to casually conclude their formal dressing is mere legalism or pretentious posturing. That would be pointing the finger at them...while perhaps missing the opportunity to examine ourselves.

What is the Condition of my Heart toward God? Does my Outward Appearance and Behavior reflect that? Or is there a Disconnect? Could it be that my casual clothing, tardy attendance or silent, stoic worship stance reflect a disregard for the Majesty of God?

At some point we should be maturing in our Christian Convictions. And they should impact every routine of our daily life...

There is a divine Connection between the Physical and the Spiritual. The Temporal and the Eternal. Our Outward Appearance often reflects upon our Inward Reality.

How we dress, how we speak, how we walk, our mannerisms, our posture, our countenance...all reflect something of what is Inside. Indeed, even our physical position in prayer impacts our spiritual side. Kneeling is not some monkish torture. It is a position of proclaimed Submission, Subservience and Adoration. When was the last time you entered a church with common pew seating...with kneelers? I’ve seen churches pull them out at great expense, and replace them with individual seats...with the mandatory arm rests and memory foam cushions. Soon to be occupied by someone in clothing more appropriate for lounging at the beach. “Jesus sandals” included. There is something fundamentally wrong with such casual Preferences. Perhaps even something wrong in our Hearts.

This is not some minor issue. It speaks of an Irreverence of Biblical proportions. God is not to be mocked. He is not to be brought down to an incarnate “buddy” level. Like a big brother who fights on our side. God is infinitely above, beyond and different than we can ever think or imagine. We worship the “great I AM.” Not some innocuous “higher power” or “relaxed fit” imaginary god. To approach Him with the sense that He is OUR friend...some backyard barbeque buddy to “hang with” is simply blasphemous. We are never to consider Him our friend. HE may call someone HIS friend. But never once do we find anyone in the Bible calling God their personal friend. That would be “another Jesus.” And one unworthy of our adoration.

Reverence towards God is missing in the church these days. Reverence in the Sanctuary setup: black walls, cutting edge tech gadgets, and stadium seating are appropriate in very limited circumstances. And church is not one of them. God’s Word is replete with exhortations about Light versus Dark. These are not mere idioms. These are Physical examples that explain Spiritual Truths. We would do well to compare our dark, warehouse church man-caves to the awe inspiring naturally lit, awe-inspiring cathedrals of our forefathers. And then ask: which promotes a proper Reverent Perspective of God?

Reverence in our Worship: smoke machines, sequenced multi-colored stage lights, and a perfectly timed “green room” protocol to follow. We’ve engineered the Holy Spirit right out of our scripted performances. Interestingly enough, I’ve never heard a drum in an African church in 20+ years. Why? Conviction. They understand what drums have been used for in their pagan past...and dare not trust in themselves to do it right. This is NOT to say we cannot use drums. Indeed, they are prescribed throughout the Bible. But it does point out one thing: Conviction. The slum pastors know that using drums, even with the most sanctified intent, will stumble many who might enter a church. And so they Righteously Restrict their Liberties...lest anyone stumble. Simple music, simple presentation, maximum emphasis on the unseen God through unseen, but Reverent Hearts.

Reverence in the Word: we used to stand for the Word of God. We used to carry our Bibles. And notebooks with pens. We used to fill in the blanks on sermon outlines during the service. And our forefathers in the faith did much the same....

If nothing else, this bespeaks of one thing: Reverence towards God.

It’s time to put away our Preferences about what is Reverent...and put on some Convictions.