A growing trend among elders, preachers, and members of the church of Christ is to turn Christianity and worship into things that are casual in nature. On church websites and in church bulletins, various statements have been made advertising “causal worship services” in “casual atmospheres.” These sentiments are expressed to make it known that these worship assemblies are “no judgment zones.” They are mentioned so that people know that they can come worship God “as they are” and “dressed as they are.” In a similar manner, statements have been made by Gospel preachers that they try to dress and act “casual” when they teach and preach. This writer has even heard one preacher say that he tries to be “real causal” in his preaching. Is this really what God wants? Were the apostles “casual preachers?” Were the early disciples casual in their worship to God Almighty? Are we justified in trying to practice casual Christianity?

The Merriam-Webster’s dictionary defines the word “casual” as relating to something “occurring without regularity; feeling or showing little concern; something done without serious intent or commitment.” With this definition, various synonyms could be offered to express what it means to be casual or to do something casually. Nonchalant, indifferent, apathetic, mediocre, and haphazard are all synonyms that relate in some way to the casual concept. Is this really what we want to offer to God? Do we want to come into the presence of Jehovah in a nonchalant way? Do we want to live an indifferent, haphazard, unconcerned, apathetic life? Do we want to haphazardly preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ? As elders, preachers, and even members of the body of Christ, do we want to paint a picture of Christianity to the world which says that we can worship or serve God in a nonchalant way? Certainly not! On the contrary, we need to be serious, faithful, devoted, and committed.  Likewise, we need to grow in respect and reverence for God, His worship, and His Word. Still, many try to practice this concept of “casual Christianity.”

Some try practice casual Christianity by possessing a casual attitude. They are not zealous. They are not serious. They are not motivated.  Yet, God’s grace reminds us that we are a “peculiar people” who are to be “zealous of good works” (Titus 2:11-15).  We must be like Jeremiah who possessed that “burning fire” within his bones and would not stop doing God’s will. We must be like Isaiah who responded to the Lord’s work with the attitude of “here am I send me.” Out Lord taught that we are to love God with “all our heart, all our soul, and all our mind” (Matthew 22:34-40). Hence, we need to be sincere, devoted, motivated, and zealous in our Christian living. However, there are countless Christians who want to serve the Lord with a nonchalant, easy going, and lighthearted attitude.

Others try to practice casual Christianity with causal attendance. Unlike the Psalmist who was “glad when they said unto me, let us go into the house of the Lord” (Psalm 122:1), many people are “hit and miss” when it comes to their attendance. They are there for some services, but they are not there for other services. At times, they come frequently, and other times, they are hardly there. They are not serious about worshipping God. This is made evident by their presence being very irregular. However, we are not to “forsake the assembling of ourselves together” (Hebrews 10:25). True worship demands regularity. True worship demands thought, effort, and proper action. We cannot casually, haphazardly, or halfheartedly worship God and please Him.

Then, there are those who try to practice casual Christianity through casual dress. This is especially true when it comes to worship. It seems as if many members of the church are growing less and less concerned about their dress in worship services. This writer has seen this in person and even heard sentiments expressing a desire for dress in worship to be more casual. Many people, especially those who are younger, desire to be able to come to services in casual attire. Many are drawn to the idea of worshipping God in jeans, t-shirts, and tennis shoes. Some have even said that “God looks on the heart and He isn’t really concerned about what we wear in worship as long as we are sincere.” Is this true? Would Moses affirm that God isn’t concerned about what we wear in His presence, seeing that he was told to take off His shoes in God’s presence? Would the Levitical priests assert that God isn’t concerned about what we wear to worship, seeing that they had specific and intricate instruction about what they were to wear in offering worship to Him? Would Timothy argue that God isn’t too picky as to what we wear in worship, seeing that Paul wrote to him regarding modest apparel in the context of the worship assembly? God is concerned about our attire in His presence. We must be concerned about what we wear to worship. Our dress must express respect and reverence. Our dress does not need to show a flippant, nonchalant, and casual attitude.

Never once do we find God commending anyone for strolling into His presence in an apathetic, haphazard, or casual way. Instead, in Isaiah 6, we find Isaiah understanding how wretched of a man he was when he saw the glory of the Lord and the cherubims praising Jehovah. In a similar manner, we find Ezekiel falling to ground as if he was dead when He was in God’s presence in Ezekiel 1. Then, in the last book of the Bible, John is pictured falling at the feet of the Lord when he recognized he was in His presence. Isaiah, Ezekiel, and John understood the seriousness of doing God’s will and being in His holy presence. We need to be more serious. We need to be more reverent and respectful. We need to develop more concern for our attitude, attendance, and attire. In a time when many want to practice casual Christianity, we need to practice true Christianity. We need to practice serious Christianity, devoted Christianity, and respectful Christianity.