do you think going to church needs special preparation???

first i am pagan... but that is besides the point for what im about to say.

church is where god is, all around but for those that would like the formality of church, i think it depends on the local congration. if yours is a bit more layed back then a clean t-shirt and jeans is fine. if yours is a bit more traditional then by all means press the skirt! most churches now days are pretty well mixed. even by age you can see an atire difference. so long as personal hygine is paid attention to it shouldnt be an issue.

what about the bums that go to church? they go because everybody has a right to religion. it is wonderful if the church tries to help them (some are proud and thus dont want it) but i dont think any should be refused services.

I think it's important to prepare for church too. If we dress up for our friends and go to functions on time, I don't see why we should not show that kind of respect, if not more, to God. I know some people who say..God don't care, he only sees what is in the heart, etc. But I think what is in the heart is also reflected in the outward actions of a person. So, if a person comes late, dresses shabbily, etc..I just feel that person is not showing enough respect and love to God.

about come to late i think this only depend individual.the important is their and we heart about jesus and church, many pople out there always go to church, always on time, always talk about jesus BUT NO HEART.NO FEELINGS...their dont know what the mean go to church and pray, they only thing going to church only activity every weekend.

I believe we should represent God in going to church, like being clean and neat. I don't believe you have to wear a fancy dress or anything like that. I wear slacks myself. But dress slacks.I try and look nice. If poeple are going to church just for a form and a fashion instead of worshipping God. Then in opinion they should just stay home.

What sort of preparation are you thinking of?

At the church I go to, most people dress nicely for church. Most of the women wear dresses, or nice pants suits. I always wear a skirt. Some people dress more casually, and that's OK too. I wear a headcovering to church, because it says in the Bible that women should wear a headcovering when praying. Not everyone in my church wears a covering, though. I make sure the night before that my clothes are ready for morning.

Other than dressing for church, I don't really have any other special preparations.

Kelly

for me, let's just dress ourself clean. it doesn't matter if we wear best dresses or not though. what important is we went to church with an honest intention to praise Him and listen to his words. being late is also a negative points but why others came there early but look at them and they are not listening to priest. prepare ourselves to concentrate on Him maybe that's the best.

I think the most preparation is our heart. It's words of God we are going to receive.
We don't need good clothes or beautiful make-up.
In Indonesia people also came late. I don't even know why..

Ideally, no, I don't think going to church require special preparation. However, if you don't dress appropriately or show up late, you are likely to offend fellow church-goers or even your church leader (preacher/pastor/father/etc.). However, as to whether you are offending God...I would like to think that you're not. God knows what is in your heart - he doesn't need to judge you for what's on the outside. As for being late, I'm sure God would rather you come late than not late at all, so if you have a good reason, I don't see why it would be a big problem.
I understand and respect people who prefer to get "dressed up" for church, but I sometimes wonder how many people are just putting on aires. God does not want us to be preoccupied with material possessions.

hi! just want to share this if you can call
this preparation for church. saturday from 7 to 10 pm, we practice for worship team. sunday morning we wake up 6 to go to where the worship will be held (ok,we all call it church)and clean, arranged chairs and equipments and musical instruments. Worship service will start 9:30 AM.

s0 if that's not preparation, i don't know how you call it. but what I want to point out more is that no matter how you dress up, how much time you prepared yourself before going to church, what really matter is your heart.Are you going there just to display your new dress? or to see your friends? or just to obey parents? preparation for me is within-preparing for church means prepare to meet thy God!

it is just because they don't see the real meaning of the church, what's inside it and what is it in their life. you see, the church is a symbol of God in every aspect. we just need an hour to prepare and an hour to attend mass. that's it. and it is even just once a week. and well, they take it for granted because priests and nuns never go to scold everybody house to house act that they need to go attend mass or to church. one more thing, it is our obligation, each one of us to go to church with proper attire, with the intention to talk to God and have peace in both our minds and hearts.