Dress at General Synod
Thursday, June 23, 2011 at 7:15AM OK, so this might not be the most earth-shattering thing to comment on, and maybe I'm just a crank, but as an outside observer who occasionally got the livestream from General Synod to actually work -- does it seem to anyone else that 'anything goes' for dress at General Synod?
I'm not advocating anything like a formal dress code. (If I did, I'd make it simple. Like -- guys, cover your entire legs. And wear something that has at least one button.) I don't mind an air of informality. But might there be a line inserted in next year's online workbook to the effect that "casual Friday" dress is most appropriate for Synod meetings?
After all, we gather to do the Lord's work. Sometimes it seems like several delegates -- even staff (well, at least one that I saw) -- are gathered for a few moments before they head to the shore to dig for clams. Or to the parking lot for tailgating.
Is this the message we intend to convey -- "hey, we all just really love the Lord, and Jesus says 'come as you are' (please quote the passage for me), so it doesn't matter what we wear, as long as we're comfy?"
Is it sexist of me to notice that the women on the whole -- as few as they are -- dress in a way that befits the importance of the occasion?
Do we bind the Spirit if we ask for some kind of standard?
You can't even wear shorts to lots of golf clubs!
Have any bloggers attended the assemblies of our ecumenical brothers and sisters in Christ? If so, what do they wear when they gather to discern the will of the Spirit?
Lots of good things happen at Synod, maybe despite our dress. I get that. Seldom is enough credit given to the "back of house" staff people who work so tirelessly and cheerfully to deliver a productive Synod experience.
But -- tell me -- am I just out to lunch on this one?
(OK, I'll quit RobBelling, 'just asking questions.' If you're going to Synod next year, please, dress like you're doing the Lord's work, not like you can't wait to get out on the deck for margaritas.)
