C. S. Lewis wrote in "The Screwtape letters" that the new Christian is likely to be put off by the appearance of the people at the local church. Irrational to be so, but then the new Christian isn't at his most rational. He knows he himself looks liike everyone else, but expects the others to look more spiritual. More biblical, perhaps. Sandals? Togas? Hollywood epics?
So I was sitting at the back of the church, on Easter Day, big day in the year. People greeting each other with the words "He is Risen !". So what do they look like?
I think there were four ties worn today, including mine. With two suits, two smart blazers.
The rest?
Football shirts.
Rugby shirts.
Sloppy sweatshirts.
Windbreaker jackets.
Saggy jeans (on boys)
Tight jeans (on girls)
Faded jeans
Combat trousers.
Skirts topped with home-made cardigans.
T-shirts with logos (e.g., JC/DC = Jesus Christ/Demon Crusher)
Dresses with bright patterns (on West Indians)
Smart trouser-suits (on Pakistani women)
One set of Goth hippy gear
Mini-skirts made out of what looks like old curtain material, over tights reaching six inches below the knee.
Wide leather belts with big buckles, and lots of metal studs.
One such - proving that the Spirit can sanctify anything - has the studs spelling out JESUS in capital letters across the girl's rear.
There's a reason it's called "Non-conformist" or "low church". The unity doesn't come from external appearance.
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