A Dress Code For Worship Teams?

Everyone on the worship team is considered a leader, and church leaders should exemplify Christian character in conduct, appearance and speech. The list of the fruit of the Spirit, from the passage in Galatians 5:22-23, is a great place to start when describing appropriate behavior for Christ-followers. According to The Free Dictionary, modesty is: regard for decency of behavior, speech, dress, etc., and modest clothing is designed to prevent inadvertent exposure of parts of the body.

Godly behavior doesn't draw attention to self, but seeks to exalt the Lord. Therefore, it's important that both men and women who take the stage during worship services make wise choices about how they present themselves through their behavior and dress.

Style can be so subjective. Everyone desires to be stylish to some extent, but it must be made clear that any clothing worn on stage that promotes sensuality must be corrected before taking the stage.

A proper dress code must be determined for each church. For instance, I was once a worship leader at a church that required all of the men to wear a jacket and slacks during Saturday and Sunday evening services, and a suit and tie for Sunday morning services. There were no jeans allowed, ever, on stage during the weekend services. Women were required to wear knee-length dresses at all services. The church I currently serve allows me to wear jeans and a t-shirt during worship, ladies are allowed to wear slacks—quite a contrast in dress requirements. Interestingly, the style of music for both churches is similar: modern worship.

A Modest Interpretation

Due to the wide interpretation of what modest apparel actually is, there must be someone on the team who is given the authority to discretely help the offending person make a change in apparel before the worship service begins (a guy for the guys , and a lady for the ladies). If proper training is given to each new member of the worship team before their first service, and a clear list of do's and don'ts for appropriate dress are given, then for the most part, these uncomfortable pre-service discussions and outfit changes will be unnecessary. If a person continually makes poor choices about their outfits during worship, it may be a cue to let them take a break until they fully understand the dress code and comply.

Again, those who are on the worship team are leaders, and a place on the stage is not so people can see how cool we look, play or sing. It's rather an opportunity to serve the Body of Christ, and to be as transparent as possible while leading worship, drawing the congregation's attention to the Lord.

Make sure that guest musicians, speakers and singers know your church's dress code in advance.

Teach the congregation about appropriate dress for church, too. Casual environments are rife with regular attendees who make poor choices of what to wear during worship. Growing churches will have to address this often, especially in anticipation of the summer months.

A Little Help From My Friend

My good buddy--worship leader, singer and teacher, Leanne Albrecht--wrote a very helpful blog post about proper stage dress for worship. She says: “So, girls…let’s be kind to the guys. Don’t make it difficult for them. Think of them as a best friend who needs your help to keep a clean thought life. When they look at us, let their first thought be of Jesus...”

She goes on to say: “The same is true for the guys. Tight clothing is not only uncomfortable but distracting. Be kind to the ladies...We, as Christians need to set a higher standard. A standard that is moral. One that promotes the attitude of Jesus and a lifestyle of purity; one that delights our soul instead of our 'fleshly' senses.”

Here are a few more helpful fashion guidelines from Leanne:

• “Necklines should not expose cleavage.”

• “No tight-fitting clothes for ladies [or gentlemen]; no see-through fabrics. Keep in mind that thin, 'clingy' fabrics are less 'forgiving' than heavier ones . If you’re on the stage, remember physical shape is accentuated with bright lighting.”

• “Also, for the platform – skirts should be to the knee. Remember, most stages are elevated which makes the length of a skirt appear shorter from the audience level. If you are sitting on the platform, make sure when you are seated that the skirt is designed to give adequate coverage.”

• “No exposed midriffs.”

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“Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and renew a right spirit within me.”
Psalm 51:10 (ESV)

"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”

Matthew 5:8 (ESV)

“And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.”

Philippians 1:9-11 (ESV)

“Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD?
And who shall stand in his holy place?
He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
who does not lift up his soul to what is false
and does not swear deceitfully.
He will receive blessing from the LORD
and righteousness from the God of his salvation.”

Psalm 24:3-5 (ESV)