Expert: Pastor Don Carpenter - 1/19/2010

Question
Well I've been saved for a year now.I'm 15 years old now
You have helped me once so now I figure why not again?
This is something that has been bothering me
The people in my church keep telling me I should wear a skirt and straighten my hair and do this and I should do that
I feel like just because I don't look a certain way I'm not allowed to pray on the alter or hold envelopes during offering time
I want to shine for JESUS I want to put in work
I'm tired of sitting down just cuz I don't look like everyone else
Why don't they just accept me for who I am,what does my outside appearance have to do with anything when it comes to helping my church? I'm not dressed all crazy,I dress decent
Where in the bible does it say I cant even hold the basket to help pick up offering just because I don't wear a skirt and straighten my hair,just cuz him not a "girly girl" I'm being sat down

Answer
Hello Poet,

Thank you for this interesting question.  You are right, there is nothing in the Bible that says you must wear a skirt and change your hair in order to hold the basket.  It does, however tell us that we should submit to those who are over us in the Lord.

Hebrews 13:17
17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.  

The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

If your pastor or youth pastor has set up some dress standards for anyone who serves in the church, then it is your responsibility to submit to those standards in order to serve.  You say you really want to be sued... God wants your heart first.  It is through submission to God and those whom God puts over you that you demonstrate your service to Him.

Now as to wearing a skirt and dressing like a lady, here is a verse to consider:

Deuteronomy 22:5
5 The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman’s garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God.
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

Perhaps if you follow the standards you church has set up, you will be following the principles laid down in this verse.

I hope that this has given you some help.

In Christ
Pastor Don