Tradition, is it a good thing, or is it a bad thing? According to Webster, Tradition is: an inherited, established, or customary pattern of thought, action, or behavior. From this definition, we can conclude that "tradition" is in and of itself neither good or bad, but is whatever we make of it. At Christmas, we have several family traditions. When we are putting up the Christmas tree, we always play Christmas music and drink eggnog (non-alcoholic, of course). Until recent years when Amy decided to have an active voice and do most of the work in putting up the tree and decorations, the tradition was we put it up on December 15th. Well, Amy changed that tradition for us, now we put the tree up the day after Thanksgiving. Of course some of us old-timers objected to this changing of our "tradition" and we argued and fussed about it, but the "tradition" still changed. We still play the Christmas CDs and drink the eggnog, so that part of the tradition remains. Was the change of our tradition good or bad? Well, it was neither good nor bad, but as out lifestyle had changed it fit more into the pattern of our current life. Even in church we have traditions that we seem to assume are laws, and when they get changed it seems to ruffle our feathers. Let’s look at our worship. We used to sing solely from opening the Hymnal and only used a piano and/or an organ. Somewhere along the line some Pastors, Music Ministers, or someone decided that people could worship better if they didn’t have their eyes looking downward at the Hymnal, so they broke the "tradition" of using Hymnals and went to using overhead projectors and putting the songs on the wall. At the same time they broke the tradition of singing solely out of the Hymnal and started using "Praise and Worship" songs. This change of "tradition" was met with opposition by many of the old-timers, but by and large if you go into a church of any size today, the "tradition" has changed, and songs are put on large screens with fancy digital projectors. Does any one remember back in the 70s when men wearing hair over the ears was change in "tradition" that met with lots of resistance? We were told in one church that our Bass player couldn’t play in the church because his hair was over his ears. This was at a time when such heroes of our genre like JD Sumner and Ben Speer were breaking that "tradition" by wearing their hair over their ears as well. Does anyone remember when EVERYONE at church wore a suit and tie? Why even at 4 and 5 years old, our parents were dressing us up in suits and ties to go to church. Somewhere back in the 70s, people started changing that "tradition", and young people started attending church in casual clothes. By the 90s, the tradition of EVERYBODY wearing suits to church had changed. Of course we didn’t just drop those "traditional" suits all at once. Remember those great Leisure suits? It was officially still a suit. I still have pictures of many of those great Gospel groups of the 70s wearing those Leisure suits with those wide open neck collars. Of course there was some resistance to wearing those suits, because it was changing our tradition. Fortunately those Leisure suits weren’t a "tradition" that lasted too long. Do you remember the Turtle necks? Once again the heroes of our genre were breaking the "tradition" and actually wearing turtle necks and no ties. Then we went to the smaller ribbed shirts that had no collar, but we wore them under jackets. There has been a lot of discussion in our industry about our "traditional" dress. Here we are facing some of the most troubling times our nation has ever faced, and we are discussing, not Bible, but religious Tradition. We are not focusing on getting our message to the hurting of the world, but rather on how our contemporaries are dressing. Are they living up to our "tradition"? Please take notice, our TRADITION is not our MESSAGE. There is another religious culture out there that is trying to take over our nation, and we are focusing on "tradition". More ridiculous than that, we are focusing on our tradition of "dress". Our message will change this world, not the "tradition" of our dress. If the tradition of our dress would change the world, and be the light that the hurting could see and judge us by, then we would still be wearing robes and riding donkeys. Let’s stop as an industry, bickering over if we should wear a suit on stage or not, and start concentrating on the message that we have to offer. We can offer a Savior to this nation and world that will give them peace and comfort like they have been longing for. We can offer them a God who cares enough about them that he gave His only Son as a sacrifice for them. We can offer them a message of hope and love and a life that will last through eternity. I was just reading about David, a man after God’s own heart. When he was called to "minister" to Saul who was being tormented by an evil spirit, David was brought in to Saul in his grungy shepherds outfit, not a nicely pressed suit and tie. It is time that we realized the seriousness of the battle that we are in. We are not battling forces who care if we are in a suit or not. We are battling spiritual forces who are affected by what we have inside us, not by what we have on the outside. I say to the leaders of this great genre of ours, stop this petty fussing over how artists are dressed while singing, and be concerned about doing all we can to get this message to those who so desperately need it. Traditions change, but truth does not change. The Word of God does not change. Let's be concerned that the "dress" we put on is the one that will equip us for the battle. Let's be concerned about being dressed with the ARMOUR of GOD. Ephesians 6:10-20 10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age,[3] against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints-- 19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. (New King James Version)
Author: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Written: 10/31/2003
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Category: Monthly ArticlesEditorials
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Amen, Dion, thanks for a great article. It's time we were more concerned about what is on the inside rather than the package it is in.
God is good all the time & all the time God is good.
Elaine Harcourt
I stumbled on your website as I,being new to the internet, browsed along. I totally agree with you and I have a question for the folks who want the groups, as well as you and I to dress "traditional." Traditional for who(m)? Thanks for speaking out.
You're right about the 70's seeing a change in the "traditional" dress we all wore to church. Isn't that about the time church attendance dropped off? Seems as if I remember this being the case. I don't know if they are related, but they are in my mind. I don't believe we'll ever see eye-to-eye on this issue, but to many of us, this really isn't a trivial issue, but instead bears directly on how we present ourselves to the populace at large. Your mode of dress will never be able to truly reflect what is inside, so we have to rely on what we wear and how we present ourselves to make a first impression. I understand and applaud your sincerity, but can you honestly not see the point of us traditionalists? Tradition for its' own sake is senseless, but I believe the traditional mode of dress does serve a purpose; showing the world and each other that we care enough about what we are doing to wear the very best we can, and to dress a little different from the rest of the world. We don't WANT to be the same as everyone else, we want to show that we are better than those not yet saved.
A young guy who's about 20 years old performed a song at my church earlier tonight wearing a white tee shirt and faded blue jeans. He was gently chided about his choice of clothing by the pastor after he finished singing, and we all had a good laugh. To be honest, his clothing hadn't crossed my mind until it was mentioned.
Excellent article Deon. Though I am "somewhat" of a young traditionalist, I see the point, and in many ways agree with you. For me, I prefer wearing a suit when singing in most instances, but that is for me...it's not for everyone. We all need to do what we feel we need to do to get our message across. Like Mike Warnke once said, "God didn't come to change my shirt, He came to change my life." 
:( David - I hope the young man who was "gently chided about his choice of clothing by the pastor after he finished singing" was actually laughing with the rest of the congregation. Don't know too many old foggies who would like to be chided - gently or otherwise - in public about what they're wearing. Hope he continues coming to church and serves without ducking!!
A HUGE RESOUNDING AMEN, DEON!!!
What a wonderful, thoughtful article, Mr. Unthank.
Sally, please don't worry, the young man was laughing too. The preacher had a big smile on his face the whole time as well. We all knew he was just joking.
I totally disagree with the article. I think that you should dress tradtionally. I know everyone hollers don't judge, God only looks on the heart the outward doesn't matter. But the outward does matter. If the inside is clean and holy then the outside will be also. The outside represents the inside, and if we look like the rest of the world. How in the world do they tell us apart.
How in the world do they tell us apart.?
:rolleyes: I do disagree, since you have quoted from the NKJV, a carefule study of it and you will find that it is not of God, but inspired by satan, and i can send proff of what I say, if you care to know the truth!
Really? Well let me quote from the KJV which is so vastly different and obviously not inspired by Satan.
Oh, wait, I'm sorry. You are obviously disagreeing with Deon's NKJV on the Armor of God.
Stephanie, I have to ask you a question. Just which "traditional" do we go by?
Traditional for Jesus was a robe. Traditional for the early settlers was overhaul jeans and a shirt. Traditional for the 20s was a double breasted suit, Traditional for the 70s was a leisure suit. Traditional for the 90s was a three piece vested suit. Traditional twenty years from now will be a much more casual look. My point in the article is that tradition changes. Now modesty is something we should always be concerned about, and the vast majority of SGM artists and fans do dress modestly.
Deon Unthank
SoGospelNews.com
My Blog
Some people are like Slinkys… Not really good for anything, but they
still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs - Author Unknown
I think the only place that "dress" is talk about in the "industry" is here on this website and the message boards. Maybe it's just me, but I don't hear or see it talked about anywhere else.
Well, as I put on my armor for the darts that will come, I will weigh in on this subject. First, Jeff, it is being talked about a lot of places and it(at the present time) is going to cause changes in who will NOT be singing on the stage at NQC this coming year. The main problem, as I understand it, is that the performers at NQC were told BEFOREHAND suggestions on proper, repectful attire for being on stage. Several groups seemingly ignored that and so next year will not be invited to sing. The people that run the NQC love SG and its high standards of dress and want to hold to a higher standard for SG Music and the image that goes out to the world. Even the secular world judges people by their dress. Look at the current TV ad that has a grandmother faking her death to get her grandson to dress properly. Also the company(I think Microsoft but not sure) that started casual Fridays have gone back to the higher dress code because the work production went down. And look at society, 30 years ago, when society had good character and strong morals, people(nearly every one) going to a football game would dress in a blazer and tie and the women wore skirts and dresses. Now it is kind of scary sometimes the things people will wear at a game. To sum it up, in a way, I believe to a certain extent that what you wear reflects on what is in your heart, and the NQC people want the world to see something different than what the rest of the world (including some contemporary Christian artists) will show them. Whew! I'm done. Fire away!
Funny thing though . . . in the scriptures where Jesus was discussing the difference between the inside of man and the outside of man, He was defending his disciples regarding their failure to keep up a cosmetic, outward tradition. The Pharisees had noticed they ate without washing their hands . . . what a terrible sin! . . . but Jesus set them straight about the difference between the inside of a person and the outside. Pharisees even made up laws for themselves that excused them from higher laws (God's Ten Commandments, no less), and Jesus pointed out their hypocrisy in that matter.
Jeff, I understand an editorial in the Trade Review magazine was devoted to this topic recently. The November issue of Singing News also published a couple of letters to the editor on the topic. Aside from those "major media" attentions on dress in SG recently, it's been an off and on discussion at alt.music.gospel.southern (a Usenet discussion group) for years.
Of course Gods word is still true today, but i think your application of scripture is off in this situation. MOST of the SG singers are NOT "Pharisees", they are people that love and acknowledge Jesus and proclaim Him Lord, NONE of which the Pharisees did. In this case the NQC is calling on groups to KEEP the standard high! And to me it seems a bit rebellious if you were(as I understand it) told beforehand the respect to be shown and you decide to do your own thing
Any reference to what happened or didn't happen or what might be or is happening now between the NQC and groups is simply gossip, rumor or innuendo and we do not support that. This article is an editorial and is not presented as something that is happening, but is presented as something to think about.
Another thing to think about is how much attention things like this take and how much attention they take away from the things that are really important such as the articles this month:
Jeff. LOL, are you living under a rock or what? The topic of dress is all over the industry including the Singing News and the Trade Review.
Amy Marie
“If somebody makes me laugh, I’m his slave for life.”—Bette Midler
Oooops, I did it again. That post was by me, Deon, just using Amyu's puter. Deon
Amy Marie
“If somebody makes me laugh, I’m his slave for life.”—Bette Midler
I just look at the pictures in the Singing News! Just kidding.... I probably just didn't read that particular article. I think that most people in our industry will agree that modesty is the main point in "dress". It's possible to look professional, conservative, and stylish all in one outfit. Also though, if the NQC has a certain standard of dress code, then you as an artist need to respect that. It's not your stage that you are singing on. Be respectful....
First of all I don't consider how I dress a tradition. It's biblical. If you read (KJV) Deuteronomy 22 (5). About how men and women should dress. Also there is plenty in the bible about MODEST dress. It's terrible when people have to turn their head at a SG concert or anywhere else for that matter before lusting. Whether traditional or just modest it think things need to change.
Unless you are dressing in the same fashion as those during the time of the writing of Deuteronomy then you are most definitely dressing of your own tradition. To be dressed scripturally according to Deuteronomy then you would have to be dressed in the fashion/style/dress of that day, not of today-2003.
Clothing does get bad lots of times.I don't agree that it don't matter what you wear as long as you claim Christianity.I seen one guy who who had on a leather jacket and was a member of a Christian Motorcycle Club.He didn't look much Christlike to me.IMO if you got it on the inside it will appear on the outside.
All good points. I have never been in a church service without suit and tie, it is who I am. It makes a statement about who I am. That said, I have friends who come to church in casual attire, and thats fine with me. If, as has been suggested here, that NQC management asked the artists to adhere to a certain dress code standard and they then did not comply, then they, the artists, were in the wrong. Its like someone asked me to sing at their Mother;s funeral and asked for something stately and approiate and I decided to sing "Back In The Saddle Again". Nothing wrong with the song, it simply was not what was requested of me. I would have been wrong. I personally would like to see a higher bar not only in dress but in quality of all our appearances. If we allow ourselves to be pulled one direction one time, is not easier to distract us the next?
Stephanie,
I would sure like to know what SGM concerts you are going to. I go to an awful lot of Concerts, and if there is more than one or two people that are dressed inappropriately, it is very rare. The ratio for people being dressed immodestly at any SGM soncert is certainly no more than the ratio at any regular church service. The number of SGM artist dressing immodest is practically nil.
Joshua,
I dare say that those men and women wearing the Christian Motorcycle Club jackets are winning more souls to Christ than the majority of SG groups all together. BTW, what does one have to do to "look" Christlike to you? Guy Penrod, that great lead singer from GVB, looks more like Jesus than any other SG singer today. Should we all strive to look like Guy? We were recently at a concert where some of the local Christian Motorcycle Club attended. They were for less inhibited in their worship of the Lord than many of those wom you would consider dressing more "Christlike".
Ben,
You are right. If the NQC board wants to set those standards then those who want to sing there should follow their rules. The problem comes in when we fail to realize that the NQC is simply one concert event and not the all in all of SGM. The rules that apply at NQC do not apply in every situation the other 51 weeks of the year. My article was not aimed at the NQC and their rules, but rather the mindset of SGM in general today.
Deon
Amy Marie
“If somebody makes me laugh, I’m his slave for life.”—Bette Midler
There you go Deon, pretending to be Amy Marie again! :laugh:
OR, is it Amy Marie pretending to be Deon. :ohmy:
Hmmmmmmmmmm...........
James,
I woud blame that post on Amy, but I admitted writing the article in that last post.
Deon
Deon Unthank
SoGospelNews.com
My Blog
Some people are like Slinkys… Not really good for anything, but they
still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs - Author Unknown
Deon Amy called, and she wants her computer back! LOL
If Amy would ever paid for her computer she could have it.
<<Clothing does get bad lots of times.I don't agree that it don't matter what you wear as long as you claim Christianity.I seen one guy who who had on a leather jacket and was a member of a Christian Motorcycle Club.He didn't look much Christlike to me.IMO if you got it on the inside it will appear on the outside.>>
Leather jackets aren't bad,what I don't like is when people try to claim Christianity and try to dress as close to sin as possible.
Would somebody please define "Long Hair" for me. Is it long if it grows more than an inch from your head? Many bald men would consider that long hair. Or, is over the ears long? Does God consider it long when it reaches the sholders, or the waist? Or, maybe it's not long until it reaches the knees, or the floor. If anyone out there has scripture and verse for where the definition of "Long Hair" is found, then please, please, PLEASE refer me to it. Then I can make sure that I always keep my hair at least two inches shorter the sinful limit. Sure wouldn't want to miss heaven! :angel:
I believe the scripture you are looking for is in 1 Corinthians 11(14 -15). It doesn't really give a defition of long or short. But I think common sense will let you know. But for long on a woman is uncut.
Then without a definition of long we are at the mercy of whoever decides our hair is too long or too short. As for common sense I sure don't see any scriptural reference that tells us we should rely on our common sense. On the contrary, we are supposed to rely on our spiritual sense.
Well I don't have bangs and I don't have straight ends. So I guess I can say mine is long. Thanks
<<Leather jackets aren't bad,what I don't like is when people try to claim Christianity and try to dress as close to sin as possible.>>
Well my if HEALTHY and long at the same time.
Before laughing out loud,I would like for you to study the history and see for yourself.Also Paul wouldn't have wrote that it's a shame for a man to have long hair if Jesus would have had long hair.As all scripture was inspired by the Holy Ghost.
Joshua, Thank you so much. I glad where on the same wave link here. I agree totally with what you've posted. Thanks again.
It's a real shame that the only thing that some people can concentrate on in this entire article is the discussion of long hair. You can keep your traditions and be happy with them, but don't impose them on other people or judge people's spirituality or Christlikeness by your traditions. Instead do as Jesus instructed and judge people by their fruits. I don't see a Fruit of the Hair, or a Fruit of the dress anywhere listed.
Okay Mr History Buff, can you please define "long" for us who may not see your point? Like Daryl said, there needs to be a definition of the word "long" when we are using it in this sense. Otherwise you don't have a valid argument. Right now, "long" is purely subjective.
Surely you're kidding? That you believe those artists made Jesus have long hair in the pictures to justify their own? Are you also going to tell us He didn't wear a robe? Please keep researching and don't take the word of someone trying to slap some legalistic something on you to keep you in line.
WhereHeLeads,
I still stay with my original point would Paul wrote in the Corinthians that it's a Shame if Jesus would have had long hair?
Joshua, feel free to keep your tradition, but I urge you to continue reading those scriptures in context and not just grabbing one or two. Paul goes on to say in verse 16, "But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God." Everything he was talking about was custom or tradition and he said that he himself (we) had no such custom.
Stephanie, your points are taken, but if I were to go by your tradition, then should I also discount your words? After all, " Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence."
Joshua,
Apostle Paul wrote "...stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught,whether by word, or epistle." 2 Thes 2:15
I don't think anyone on here disagree with modest dress. That has never entered into the discussion. However, modest dress does not have anything to do with the length of someone's hair.
Everyone is so quick to quote the verse from Pauls writing, "does not NATURE itself teach you......long hair. The next verse says "But if ANY man among you seem contentious about such matters, we have NO SUCH CUSTOMS, neither the Church of God. Thats pretty plain, tradition is to be followed, but it is not a God ordained, damn you soul to hell thing to worry about, and those who insist on using this verse out of context or by all accounts and this verse, just as bad as the person "out of tradition".
I agree with Deon that there are lots of external, inconsequential, things that distract us from knowing God and receiving his message. Sometimes it's the audience that is hung-up over these things. Sometimes, it's the artist that causes the distraction. Some artists intentionally dress provocatively to attract attention to themselves. This is just as wrong at the fan or audience member who cannot get past the artists appearance to hear the message.
If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit
- Galatians 5:25.
I agree that if you're going to play the SOUTHERN GOSPEL BANDWAGON Game then you should play by the rules of the Powers That Be.. But I can't help but think that that is why the southern gospel market is often concidered a "Small Pond." The entire Idea of singing the message of the gospel is to reach souls for the Kingdom of God and I think that by holding on to tradition really causes you to limityour ability to reach the broad spectrum that in fact makes up the lost. My pastor preached a sermon the other day on reaching the other side of Jordan and he was speaking from a spirituality stand point. One side of Jordan representing what I would concider a complacent Christian and the other being as close to God as humanly posible. And one of his points was that tradition is a man made thing and it will rob you of a blessing if you let it consume your thoughts. I said all of that to say this, I think dressing modest and what I mean by that is covering your body in a respectful manner is required. All other dress codes are man made and I agree with Darryl, you can't pin point it in the BIBLE so don't try. Live and let Live, just live for Christ. :thumbsup:
Man looks on the outward appearance but God looks at what is inside.
I amm trying to find more information on Gospel singer Ben Pendor one afternoon in N.C.. Hw never told me who he was. I also meet his two fine sons. Any info would be appreciated. I have a picture of him and his two sons I would like him to have..............//thanks.Jihn Cloud
I think the whole thing has gotten out of hand. Some people now think they are BETTER because they dress like bums - although they drive SUVs. In other parts of the world, people wear their best clothes out of respect and reverence. It's only in the US that Christians dress like bums in order to impress others!
Does anyone know where I can go online to find a suit jacket like Guy Penrods? Odd question, I know, but My husband would rather wear that style jacket to church and I cannot find them!
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