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The Bible says: "Be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your minds."
My church standards enjoin the members to "not follow the fashions and fads of the world" in attire (?) - I'll check on that and correct it if it's wrong.
Some conservative Mennonite groups do a pretty good job of being unconformed to the fashions of the majority of the female populace. I mean, cape dresses vs low rider pants; head coverings vs uncovered heads; no pants, no swim suits in mixed company, etc. It's required in their standards, they aren't interested in being disciplined for breaching them, they have peer pressure from their Mennonite friends to keep them in line, and they have been raised to value standards of modesty. A certain percentage of them actually dress the way they do because they personally believe they should.
However, from time to time I've noticed the presence of -Mennonite- fads and fashions. While people should try to dress becomingly and not militate against a pleasant countenance, following fads seems like an improper focus. Granted, the majority of Mennonite fads might not be driven by sensuality, but they are definitely a focus on something other than God. Consider 1 Peter 3:3,4: "Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price."
Christian women should focus on developing godly character qualities; not getting the new headcovering style (indeed, headcoverings should be about the last clothing item to change style according to whims of fashion. If you're going to be vain about something - and please don't be about anything - but if you're going to, choose something secular), the new wavy collar cut, the new belt, the new sweater with larger holes in the knit.
Mennonite fashions... I think we could do without them.
My church standards enjoin the members to "not follow the fashions and fads of the world" in attire (?) - I'll check on that and correct it if it's wrong.
Some conservative Mennonite groups do a pretty good job of being unconformed to the fashions of the majority of the female populace. I mean, cape dresses vs low rider pants; head coverings vs uncovered heads; no pants, no swim suits in mixed company, etc. It's required in their standards, they aren't interested in being disciplined for breaching them, they have peer pressure from their Mennonite friends to keep them in line, and they have been raised to value standards of modesty. A certain percentage of them actually dress the way they do because they personally believe they should.
However, from time to time I've noticed the presence of -Mennonite- fads and fashions. While people should try to dress becomingly and not militate against a pleasant countenance, following fads seems like an improper focus. Granted, the majority of Mennonite fads might not be driven by sensuality, but they are definitely a focus on something other than God. Consider 1 Peter 3:3,4: "Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price."
Christian women should focus on developing godly character qualities; not getting the new headcovering style (indeed, headcoverings should be about the last clothing item to change style according to whims of fashion. If you're going to be vain about something - and please don't be about anything - but if you're going to, choose something secular), the new wavy collar cut, the new belt, the new sweater with larger holes in the knit.
Mennonite fashions... I think we could do without them.
posted by Claire at 15:21
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