Men in ministry

[laj528]

I know that I may seem a little old fashioned by this question.
However, I would like to know what the shared view point of LGM is?

Should men in ministry wear earrings?

[nessalynn77]

My personal opinion is no, but I was raised very conservatively and I tend to hold to that.  What other people do in their ministries is up to them and the Lord, ya know.

[THE WOLFMAN]

Define "ministry"........

there's a whooooole lot in ministry, not just the Prysbeterial order.(the dudes that are the preachers...)

I've been in a church where they wanted to "lay hands on my ears.."(fools....), and then in another one where the pastor told me, "I dont see a scriptural basis for not having them. Just dont wear them when you play on Sunday"
That was understandable. I had no problem with that. Be subject to the house.
But there were times i forgot I had them on, but I got no heat because the pastor knew my spirit as a faithful levite and worshipper.

IMO, if you're the pastor, and its your house, do what you do as long as it does not violate scripture.

If you're under a ministry, and there are prohibitive guidelines, then no, do not, if that is what the pastor calls for.

If it gets in the way of you being able to minister, then perhaps no.

[2tight]

I wear earrings.i wear studs,

[MrSparrow]

I guess you should just respect the wishes of your Pastor...

Today the thought that earrings are women's fashion only is as old as the thought that women shouldn't wear pants because pants are men's fashion...

I bet the majority of the same folks that don't allow men to wear earrings don't allow women to wear pants...

MrSparrow

[nessalynn77]

I guess you should just respect the wishes of your Pastor...

Today the thought that earrings are women's fashion only is as old as the thought that women shouldn't wear pants because pants are men's fashion...

I bet the majority of the same folks that don't allow men to wear earrings don't allow women to wear pants...

MrSparrow

Now I wear my pants, LOL.  But I was raised not wearing them, and I still don't wear them to church... just a preference, I guess.

[uniquepraise]

The only time I wear pants is with my garment and when Im dancing...ya'll dont want to see my behind when Im twirling and giving GOD praise...some things are just common sense. I think leadership should make the decision. 

[laj528]

Wow, very interesting comments.

If you all don’t mind I would like to ask another question.

Do you feel that the type of ministry makes a difference in what a male should wear? (M.O..M.- vs - Pastor)

What I am saying is should standards be different for each facet of the priesthood or should all the called ministers be head to the same standards.

I know that when the word standard is used it has a connotation of legalism and some get offended by it.
So I am using it carefully so as not to seem to be asking a leading question.   

I respect and enjoy all comments made even if I agree or disagree.

I find it quite interesting that we have so many beliefs and so many variances of standards yet all will say that they are all based on the same book. (Bible)

Be Blessed

[nessalynn77]

I believe that the church should hold to what it believes to be the appropriate standard throughout.  In other words, if it's wrong for the pastor, it ought to be wrong for the average brother in ministry.

[BBoy]

I wear earrings, but I am very careful about where I wear them. I know it is not a sin for me, but it ain't all about me  . . . in other words, I don't want someone else to stumble.

[LyricTenor]

I wear earrings, but I am very careful about where I wear them. I know it is not a sin for me, but it ain't all about me  . . . in other words, I don't want someone else to stumble.

Don't they get caught up in your Curl?    

[Furious Styles]

I am a preacher and I refrained from wearing earrings because I outgrew the style. Men in Africa wore gold earrings.. I remember when I was a teenage drummer my pastor hated that I had earrings in my ear. He asked me not to wear them and i didn't. One Sunday I forgot and we talked about it. He didn't use scriptural references he just said that in european cultures men who wore earrings were considered effeminate.

I explained to him that African men wore earrings  and ii represented a certain status in their communties and not homosexuality. Personally I don't have a problem with them. If you wear them on the street why not at church? I'm in agreement with another post. If they cause someone else to stumble then I'd rather not where them at all. I haven't worn earrings in over 5 years. So its not that serious to me.

[sjonathan02]

I am a preacher and I refrained from wearing earrings because I outgrew the style. Men in Africa wore gold earrings.. I remember when I was a teenage drummer my pastor hated that I had earrings in my ear. He asked me not to wear them and i didn't. One Sunday I forgot and we talked about it. He didn't use scriptural references he just said that in european cultures men who wore earrings were considered effeminate.

I explained to him that African men wore earrings  and ii represented a certain status in their communties and not homosexuality. Personally I don't have a problem with them. If you wear them on the street why not at church? I'm in agreement with another post. If they cause someone else to stumble then I'd rather not where them at all. I haven't worn earrings in over 5 years. So its not that serious to me.

You AREN'T serious with that question, are you? 

[LyricTenor]

You AREN'T serious with that question, are you? 

SOMEBODY'S  gonna get a response with a name/emotion at the end.   

[MauRece]

This is a great topic.

Every so often at my church on Thursday nights, we have panel discussions. It's an open forum and if you want to ask questions about anything, you can. You can verbally ask your questions, or you can email to my Pastor.

I emailed the question of WHY is it such a double-standard that men can't wear earrings, but women can.

I went more in depth with it, but this was my pastors response...

He gave a few scriptures in the old testament where somebody took the earrings from the men and did something with them, I can't remember off-hand...but his main point was...There is no real scriptual reference/evidence that says men cannot wear earrings...He said, to be honest, if you want to be truthful...if men can't wear earrings, then WOMEN, take yours out too! He said...if you want to be REAL, that's how it should really be...but of course the women got quiet, because they're so proned to wearing earrings as an everyday attire...ALL the women in the house got quiet.

He then went on to say "just because a man wears earrings, does NOT make him any less anointed than a man who doesn't wear earrings."

It's such a double-standard in the church, and I HATE it. I have both of my ears pierced. They've been pierced for 5 years nearly now, and depending on what church I'm in, I automatically take them out...when I minister in the pulpit, they come out. There's been times where I've forgotten to take them out, but never caught any flack...I DID propose to my pastor, however that we ought to be allowed to wear our earrings as well. He said you have to know WHY you're wearing them though....if you're trying to catch the attention of someone else...then maybe you're wearing them with an alterior motive...

Anyway, my point is, it's TRADITION, and the old folks are stuck in tradition...not bible-based facts. That's what's wrong with the church of today because some of us are so stuck in tradition that some of our blessings are held up...if I tried to minister to someone with my earrings in, some wouldn't receive me as they would if I didn't have my earrings in....for that very reason right there, alot of peoples deliverance/blessings/healings are blocked.....*terrible shame* God bless y'all.

[laj528]

Some more for us to discuss.

1.   Is it more of a matter of what is acceptable or what is excellent. 1 Cor 10:23-24

2.   Why do you want the earring? Are you doing it to glorify God (1 Corinthians 10:31) or to draw attention to yourself (Proverbs 25:27; John 7:18; 8:50)?

3.   What impact will the earring have on your life? Will it help you grow spiritually (2 Peter 1:5-8), or is your desire to be like everyone else (Romans 12:1-2)?

if I tried to minister to someone with my earrings in, some wouldn't receive me as they would if I didn't have my earrings in....

Wow, I guess then maybe the next question should be is my witness worth wearing them?

Blessing in Jesus name

[nessalynn77]

This is a great topic.

Every so often at my church on Thursday nights, we have panel discussions. It's an open forum and if you want to ask questions about anything, you can. You can verbally ask your questions, or you can email to my Pastor.

I emailed the question of WHY is it such a double-standard that men can't wear earrings, but women can.

I went more in depth with it, but this was my pastors response...

He gave a few scriptures in the old testament where somebody took the earrings from the men and did something with them, I can't remember off-hand...but his main point was...There is no real scriptual reference/evidence that says men cannot wear earrings...He said, to be honest, if you want to be truthful...if men can't wear earrings, then WOMEN, take yours out too! He said...if you want to be REAL, that's how it should really be...but of course the women got quiet, because they're so proned to wearing earrings as an everyday attire...ALL the women in the house got quiet.

He then went on to say "just because a man wears earrings, does NOT make him any less anointed than a man who doesn't wear earrings."

It's such a double-standard in the church, and I HATE it. I have both of my ears pierced. They've been pierced for 5 years nearly now, and depending on what church I'm in, I automatically take them out...when I minister in the pulpit, they come out. There's been times where I've forgotten to take them out, but never caught any flack...I DID propose to my pastor, however that we ought to be allowed to wear our earrings as well. He said you have to know WHY you're wearing them though....if you're trying to catch the attention of someone else...then maybe you're wearing them with an alterior motive...

Anyway, my point is, it's TRADITION, and the old folks are stuck in tradition...not bible-based facts. That's what's wrong with the church of today because some of us are so stuck in tradition that some of our blessings are held up...if I tried to minister to someone with my earrings in, some wouldn't receive me as they would if I didn't have my earrings in....for that very reason right there, alot of peoples deliverance/blessings/healings are blocked.....*terrible shame* God bless y'all.

I'm not that old, LOL!!  For the record, appearance always plays a role in how well you are received.  This truth transcends earrings and accessories. 


As for the "double standard", there are many clothing items/accessories that are acceptable for women and are not acceptable for men and vice versa, so the theory doesn't apply across the board.

[THE WOLFMAN]

I'm not that old, LOL!!  For the record, appearance always plays a role in how well you are received.  This truth transcends earrings and accessories. 


As for the "double standard", there are many clothing items/accessories that are acceptable for women and are not acceptable for men and vice versa, so the theory doesn't apply across the board.

so i cant roll up in you church rockin this?

[nessalynn77]

so i cant roll up in you church rockin this?

LOL, just talk louder so we can keep our attention on what you are SAYING...

[laj528]

so i cant roll up in you church rockin this?

Now that would Definitely be a trip! (lol)