Dress Code Guidelines for Choir Members
& Special Music Singers

Pilgrim Baptist Church Family,

We are blessed to have you serve the Lord through the ministry of music! As we come together to lift our voices in praise, we want to share some gentle guidelines about appropriate attire when ministering in song.

Why a Dress Code Matters

Just as many workplaces have professional attire standards and schools require uniforms or dress codes to create a focused learning environment, we too seek to maintain an atmosphere that honors God and allows our congregation to focus on worship without distraction. The Apostle Paul reminds us, under the Holy Spirits inspiration, in 1 Timothy 3:15 that we should know "how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth."

Our appearance, while certainly not the most important aspect of our service, is part of our Christian testimony. When we stand before our congregation, we represent not just ourselves but the ministry of music, the Pilgrim Baptist Church family, and most importantly, our Lord Jesus Christ.

Our Guidelines

We ask that all choir members and those presenting special music follow these simple guidelines:

For Men and Boys:

• Please wear loose-fitting pants, jeans, or trousers (no dresses or skirts)
• Shirts should fully cover the chest and back areas
• Clothing should cover the nakedness of the thighs completely

For Women and Girls:

• Please wear loose-fitting dresses or skirts (no pants, jeans, or trousers)
• Tops should fully cover the chest and back areas
• Skirts and dresses should cover the nakedness of the thighs completely

These guidelines reflect the biblical principles of modesty found throughout Scripture (Isaiah 47:2-3, John 21:7), which teaches us that certain parts of our body are meant to be covered in public settings.

A Heart of Service

We understand that fashion and personal style are important to many, and we're not asking anyone to abandon their personality or creativity. Rather, we're simply asking that when we serve in this visible ministry role, we dress in a way that keeps the focus on Christ and His holiness rather than on ourselves.

Think of it this way: when we sing, we want people to hear the words about Christ, not be distracted by what we're wearing. Our goal is always to point others to Him!

Grace and Understanding

We recognize that not everyone may have a full wardrobe that meets these biblical guidelines immediately, and that's okay! If you have questions or concerns about appropriate attire, please don't hesitate to speak with me. We're here to help, not to judge. If you need assistance acquiring appropriate clothing, please let us know privately – our church family is here to support one another.

Moving Forward Together

These guidelines aren't about rules for rules' sake, but about creating unity in our presentation as we serve the Lord together. When we all dress modestly and appropriately, we present ourselves as a unified body of believers focused on one purpose: glorifying God through music.

Thank you for your understanding, your service, and most importantly, your heart for worship. We are grateful for each person who uses their gifts to serve in our music ministry. Let's continue to “make a joyful noise unto the Lord,” dressed in a way that honors Him and serves as a positive testimony to all who see us.

If you have any questions about these guidelines, please feel free to reach out. We're all in this together!

In His Grip,

Bro Jimmy
Pastor: Pilgrim Baptist Church

CLICK HERE to read our statement of faith concerning music.

CLICK HERE for a short list of Christ-honoring music.

"Let all things be done decently and in order." - 1 Corinthians 14:40