CALSSIC OR CASUAL: AREA CHURCHES ADAPT TO CHANGING STYLES OF DRESS

Top hat and tails, heels and a mink stole, hardly. Even when we talk about dressing our best, rarely would clothes such as these have been the norm for Sunday morning worship service. Men in suits, women in dresses and children "spit and polished" are a little more in line.

Jane Peacock attends the Clearview General Baptist Church at Kelso, Mo., where casual dress is usually the norm. Peacock prefers to wear a dress to church because that is how she remembers people dressing at churches during her youth.

"I feel I need to be at my best to worship God on Sunday," she said.

While Peacock may feel more comfortable wearing a dress to church, she doesn't mind that others have accepted a more casual attire and she sometimes opts for a pantsuit herself.

"The most important thing is that people are in church," she said.

Scripture says, "'Man looks at the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart.' It is the condition of our heart that is important when going to church," said Mike Parry, pastor at the Fruitland Community Church, where members are casually dressed.

Not everyone has or can afford a suit and tie to wear to church. When they hear that pastors dress in more casual clothing, it often makes them feel more welcome, Parry said.

"I believe that we have created an atmosphere where people can come as they are and that has removed some barriers to people coming to worship," said Parry.

The Rev. Jeff Sippy of Hanover Lutheran Church still wears a robe during his Sunday sermon. He thinks doing so is more in keeping with the tradition of the church body. Being a more traditional church, the congregation is less prone to the casual attire.

Whatever the dress, the greatest intention is to "point people toward Jesus," said Sippy.

Christ Presbyterian Church parishioners have adopted a more casual dress and "it's just a reflection of our culture," said Art Hunt, pastor of Christ Presbyterian Church.

"Years ago people used to get dressed up for everything," he said. "Now there are even casual days in business."

Preparing to attend church has more to do with the internal preparation of the heart's attitude than with clothing, Hunt added.

"God is more interested in you than in what you're wearing," said Hunt.