Two questions on Holiness

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Sender: Dee Goepel <dee@kagoona.mitre.org>
Subject: Re: Two questions on Holiness 

On Wed, 7 Feb 1996, Rachel Ramos wrote:
> I agree.  We absolutely should follow biblical standards of dress.  After
> that, if you Pastor has a standard that can not be found in scripture then
> it becomes a matter of obedience to the man of God you feel the Lord has
> placed over you.  

I agree with this to some degree and think that obedience simply for the 
sake of obedience or discipline can be strengthening for a Christian, but
placing unnecessary rules and conditions (as *some* dress codes are) on
a congregation can make it difficult to bring others to the church.  It only
adds to the non-Christian view that church is "just a bunch of rules" and 
it can cause someone who would have otherwise been open to hearing 
the message feel ostracized or unwelcome.  When I bring accquaintances
to church in the attempt to expose them to the word and they asked me,
why do you do this or that, I want to be able to have a solid reason and 
point to a verse of scripture, rather than "because that guy said so."  

I think that everything in the bible is there for a reason and has a logical
reason for being followed.  I will do anything God asks of me, simply 
because He asks, but I know that there is a rational reason behind it.
I cannot say as much for the pastor and don't think it is a good practice
for him to impose rules beyond what God dictates.  It is one thing to do
so among the church leadership or in an environment where everyone 
is committed.  But many people I bring to church have never been before
and don't really know the message, but are willing to investigate it 
because they admit that perhaps they are missing something.  To be 
faced with arbitrary rules without already having the understanding of 
Christ could quickly turn them off.

Just another aspect to consider.  It could be detrimental in a church
with a strong outreach.

His grateful child,
-Dee
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