Is it okay for a woman to speak/preach in a sleeveless shirt?

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mystdancer50

mystdancer50

Senior Member
Feb 26, 2012
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50
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Hi,

Lisa Bevere posed this question and I was just wondering what all you thought. Is it okay for a woman to speak/preach in a sleeveless shirt, whether in mixed company or just women, in summer or in a hot room?

NOTE: this same thread was created in three different forums.
 
I have talked about Christ with my sister when only in my boxers (underwear)....

Buuuutttttt..... I am also a hypocrite... :(





Personally I don't know I have never done a biclical study on what women can or can not do... :p
 
:) Nice. I don't think the Bible says if they have to wear suits or not. :) This is more of an opinion thing. Thank you, T_Laurich, for sharing yours. :) I appreciate it.
 
In mixed company, I would personally feel that the woman should NOT be preaching at all. Speaking, sharing a testimony...that would be fine. In a sleeveless shirt? I guess it would depend on how sleeveless the shirt is...there are different kinds of sleeveless. I feel like it's unfair to expect anyone to be covered head to toe if it's that hot in the room, but then obviously people can't just be going around in their birthday suits just because it's too warm...

So, my answer is, I don't know :)
 
I'm in agreement with MissCris. As far as the shirt being sleeveless, if she is with a group of women fine. But we should be our brother's keeper and more covered the better.
 
To women in a Sunday school class: yes.
To a whole congregation of men and women: no.
But, then again, I'm not real for the too-casual, like skinny pants dress for pastors or jeans that some preach in. Call me a fuddy duddy but I think a suit is best for leadership to where in the church. Maybe, skinny jeans if you are a youth pastor but that too is not my favorite attire for a YP. Dress modestly. I would say that in certain situations like preaching on the streets of some poor class urban town like Westside Chicago or southside LA, OK, for long hair on guys. But, otherwise, again, I think, though it's not a 'salvation' issue, we still should try and follow the bible the best we can and IF Paul mentions long hair is not best for guys then long hair is not best for guys to wear in a worship service.
 
mystdancer50 said:
Hi,

Lisa Bevere posed this question and I was just wondering what all you thought. Is it okay for a woman to speak/preach in a sleeveless shirt, whether in mixed company or just women, in summer or in a hot room?

NOTE: this same thread was created in three different forums.
Click to expand...

Exact standards for modesty are relative. For those in the Amazon jungle (it's SUPER hot and humid there), totally fine. The heart of the Bible belt? Probably not.
 
This scripture addresses how women should dress in church:

9 in like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, 10 but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works.
(1 Timothy 2:9-10 NKJV)
 
zeroturbulence said:
This scripture addresses how women should dress in church:

9 in like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, 10 but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works.
(1 Timothy 2:9-10 NKJV)
Click to expand...

Dude, define "modest." Even the standards held by the most conservative Christians today would have shocked many of our predecessors. Paul gives no hem lengths, collar types, sleeve dimensions, or percentage of extra material around the middle. THAT'S BECAUSE IT IS LEGALISM. Modesty is dressing appropriately for the situation. Appropriate means to not draw undo attention to yourself through materialism, sexuality, or false humility—like wearing what my family calls "mission trip clothes" (a denim A-line, ankle-length skirt) to a formal dinner.
 
Thanks for all the replies so far. :) I really appreciate all your thoughts on both sides of the issue. :)
 
I don't think she should, only because...I would not want to distract my audience in anyway from the Word of God and message I would like to convey to them. We want the focus to be on what we're saying and sometimes people are distracted easily.
 
I don't see it as a modesty issue, but rather an issue of how casual she wants to dress and if it is appropriate for the situation.

I think most women would choose not to wear sleeveless so that really flabby part of the arm is not display.
 
Isdaniel said:
Is it okay for a man to speak/preach in a sleeveless shirt?
Click to expand...
There's actually a shirt for that. :)

clergy_mens_sleeveless_tee.jpg
 
Misty77 said:
Dude, define "modest." Even the standards held by the most conservative Christians today would have shocked many of our predecessors. Paul gives no hem lengths, collar types, sleeve dimensions, or percentage of extra material around the middle. THAT'S BECAUSE IT IS LEGALISM. Modesty is dressing appropriately for the situation. Appropriate means to not draw undo attention to yourself through materialism, sexuality, or false humility—like wearing what my family calls "mission trip clothes" (a denim A-line, ankle-length skirt) to a formal dinner.
Click to expand...

Don't look at me.. I'm not the one who wrote the scripture. :confused: In fact I think I'd like it if women preached sleeveless (but don't tell anyone). I just hope they shave their armpits.
 
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If God calls on her to speak something right there spontaneously and in the moment, and she just *knows* it, and she just happens to be wearing a sleeveless shirt at the time, she had better not let something silly like her outfit stop her. That is my opinion. :)
 
Here is what I think. I think people are far to concerned with outward appearances and if a woman should even preach. If a woman is called by God to preach the gospel( which by the way are ALL called to do) wearing a sack clothe who are we to decide what one should wear or who is allowed to preach. Did Jesus say anything about what we should wear to spread the Good news? Did he even say that only a man is allowed to spread the gospel? Until I hear from the very mouth of God that man is the only one able to teach and preach I say let them speak.
 
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