Life and Religion
| The dress code |
| COGIC women traditionally stick to ‘modest apparel’ |
| Published Thursday, January 19, 2012 7:24 am |
Daisy L. Sherman was born and raised in the Church of God in Christ.
Her mother, grandmother, daughter and grandchildren are all of the COGIC faith.
Born and raised in Rockingham, Sherman remembers not being able to ever wear pants.
“We couldn’t be on the basketball team because (girls) couldn’t wear shorts,” Sherman, 82, said. “They said bodily exercise profits nothing and if you played games you had to play with children who were a part of Church of God in Christ.”
Those were the early days Sherman recalls of growing up in the COGIC. Today Sherman is still worshiping at the COGIC and does not wear pants to church or outside the sanctuary.
“I was in therapy after I broke my hip,” Sherman says, “ and I was the only person who didn’t wear pants. Those people really didn’t understand me.”
According to COGIC doctrine, women in the congregation should not wear pants to church. Additionally, women are supposed to be modest with makeup and nail polish.
“All churches have doctrines and some are different and some are similar to each other,” said Sherman’s daughter Beatrice Sherman-Boone. “It’s not just based on one thing. Our doctrine consists of modest apparel, cosmetics and standards of living.”
Sherman’s husband, the late Bishop J. Howard Sherman, was founder of Pentecostal Temple COGIC at 1401 Parkwood Ave. The church was renamed Sherman Memorial COGIC in 1996 after his death. Bishop Sherman pastored there from 1971 to 1996 and Daisy Sherman is the church mother. Bishop C. Ellis Anderson Sr. is the pastor.
“No pants were allowed when my husband was pastor,” Sherman said. “He told members ‘wear your street clothes to work and change if you have to when you get there.’”
Sherman-Boone, an evangelist at Sherman Memorial, says women members don’t wear pants but visitors do and that’s OK.
“Visitors are always welcome no matter what they have on,” Sherman-Boone said. “People do come to our church dressed in pants, they’re not members, but we do accept them as they are.”
Sherman says she was taught that pants weren’t allowed at all – even outside of church.
“I don’t wear pants, period,” Sherman said. “It doesn’t bother me having visitors wear pants to church. The only person I try to keep straight is myself.”
Sherman Memorial Associate Pastor C. E. Anderson Jr. says everyone in the congregation did not come up under the same teachings like he was brought up under or prior.
“Many people and their perspectives of how to dress are based on when they came into the church or the doctrine they are used to,” Anderson Jr. said. “I will never condemn a woman who comes to church wearing pants. God told me not to do that. He told me to preach the gospel.”
Anderson Jr. says his church is not concerned so much about attire, but what is in an individual’s soul.
“I know a whole lot of churches within the COGIC that for a long time have had women in their church wear pants,” he said. “It did not take away from their ministry, soul-winning or the desire or the impact of evangelizing. If anything, focusing on the individual’s soul rather than the garment enhanced their ministry.”
However, Anderson Jr., says that when he was brought up in the COGIC women wore skirts and dresses only.
“In the 1980s is when the big notice and the big shift began,” he says. “People began to question whether it was wrong or if it was OK to wear certain things. In the Pentecostal movement, and not necessarily in GOCIC per se, there are still some churches that are very staunch to a woman’s attire in the church.”
For Sherman, the president of the national Bishop Wives Circle COGIC, she speaks to women regarding COGIC principles.
“We teach young women as they are growing up,” Sherman said. “Teachings are based on the Bible. Modest apparel.”
First Lady Deborah A. Davis of Mount Zion COGIC at 1746 Camp Greene St. says she has asked Sherman to speak to women in her congregation several times.
“Some of the women have come into church with pants, but if they get into the usher board or auxiliary or something that has to deal with being in front of the church they can no longer wear pants,” Davis said. “But as long as you’re in the audience you’re fine.”
Davis said Mother Sherman’s COGIC upbringing was strict.
“She has taught a lot of women,” Davis said. “There is a standard that she upholds.”
Unlike Sherman, Davis admits she does wear pants to make errands.
“Now I do wear pants to the grocery store and for shopping, traveling and such,” Davis said. “But anything church related I do not.”
Sherman-Boone emphasized that when people come to their church they are welcome to come as they are, but as they continue to come and they learn the knowledge of the COGIC doctrine she feels they will eventually accept the dress code.
“If you’re a member, we prefer you don’t wear pants,” Sherman-Boone said. “As a visitor when you come to our church we just want you to come in your best whether it be pants, shorts or a dress. We’re going to accept you no matter what but when it comes to our members we prefer that you don’t wear your pants on Sundays.”
Sherman-Boone said the Bible dictates that a woman should not wear clothes pertaining to man, (Deuteronomy 22:5).
“We believe in holy living,” she said. “We teach those things, but we don’t say, ‘If you don’t do them you’re going to hell.’”
Anderson Jr. says there is not a prohibition against pants at church.
“The only requirement and stipulation that I have with regards to our services is that on First Sunday when we commemorate the Lord’s Supper my officials or leaders in the church have attire that they wear with regards to communion that we adhere to,” Anderson Jr. said.
Licensed members wear white habits for communion or black for ordination.
“With the congregation I do ask they dress somewhat modestly,” Anderson Jr. said. “I don’t want you coming to church half-naked. I just want you to come to church wearing the best you have.”
On the Net:
Sherman Memorial COGIC
www.shermanmemorial.org
Mt. Zion COGIC
www.mtzioncogic.weebly.com
Her mother, grandmother, daughter and grandchildren are all of the COGIC faith.
 |
| PHOTO/CALVIN FERGUSON |
| Daisy L. Sherman (right) church mother at Sherman Memorial Church of God In Christ in Charlotte, with fellow parishioner Bertha White. Sherman abides by COGIC tradition by never wearing pants to church. |
Born and raised in Rockingham, Sherman remembers not being able to ever wear pants.
“We couldn’t be on the basketball team because (girls) couldn’t wear shorts,” Sherman, 82, said. “They said bodily exercise profits nothing and if you played games you had to play with children who were a part of Church of God in Christ.”
Those were the early days Sherman recalls of growing up in the COGIC. Today Sherman is still worshiping at the COGIC and does not wear pants to church or outside the sanctuary.
“I was in therapy after I broke my hip,” Sherman says, “ and I was the only person who didn’t wear pants. Those people really didn’t understand me.”
According to COGIC doctrine, women in the congregation should not wear pants to church. Additionally, women are supposed to be modest with makeup and nail polish.
“All churches have doctrines and some are different and some are similar to each other,” said Sherman’s daughter Beatrice Sherman-Boone. “It’s not just based on one thing. Our doctrine consists of modest apparel, cosmetics and standards of living.”
Sherman’s husband, the late Bishop J. Howard Sherman, was founder of Pentecostal Temple COGIC at 1401 Parkwood Ave. The church was renamed Sherman Memorial COGIC in 1996 after his death. Bishop Sherman pastored there from 1971 to 1996 and Daisy Sherman is the church mother. Bishop C. Ellis Anderson Sr. is the pastor.
“No pants were allowed when my husband was pastor,” Sherman said. “He told members ‘wear your street clothes to work and change if you have to when you get there.’”
Sherman-Boone, an evangelist at Sherman Memorial, says women members don’t wear pants but visitors do and that’s OK.
“Visitors are always welcome no matter what they have on,” Sherman-Boone said. “People do come to our church dressed in pants, they’re not members, but we do accept them as they are.”
Sherman says she was taught that pants weren’t allowed at all – even outside of church.
“I don’t wear pants, period,” Sherman said. “It doesn’t bother me having visitors wear pants to church. The only person I try to keep straight is myself.”
Sherman Memorial Associate Pastor C. E. Anderson Jr. says everyone in the congregation did not come up under the same teachings like he was brought up under or prior.
“Many people and their perspectives of how to dress are based on when they came into the church or the doctrine they are used to,” Anderson Jr. said. “I will never condemn a woman who comes to church wearing pants. God told me not to do that. He told me to preach the gospel.”
Anderson Jr. says his church is not concerned so much about attire, but what is in an individual’s soul.
“I know a whole lot of churches within the COGIC that for a long time have had women in their church wear pants,” he said. “It did not take away from their ministry, soul-winning or the desire or the impact of evangelizing. If anything, focusing on the individual’s soul rather than the garment enhanced their ministry.”
However, Anderson Jr., says that when he was brought up in the COGIC women wore skirts and dresses only.
“In the 1980s is when the big notice and the big shift began,” he says. “People began to question whether it was wrong or if it was OK to wear certain things. In the Pentecostal movement, and not necessarily in GOCIC per se, there are still some churches that are very staunch to a woman’s attire in the church.”
For Sherman, the president of the national Bishop Wives Circle COGIC, she speaks to women regarding COGIC principles.
“We teach young women as they are growing up,” Sherman said. “Teachings are based on the Bible. Modest apparel.”
First Lady Deborah A. Davis of Mount Zion COGIC at 1746 Camp Greene St. says she has asked Sherman to speak to women in her congregation several times.
“Some of the women have come into church with pants, but if they get into the usher board or auxiliary or something that has to deal with being in front of the church they can no longer wear pants,” Davis said. “But as long as you’re in the audience you’re fine.”
Davis said Mother Sherman’s COGIC upbringing was strict.
“She has taught a lot of women,” Davis said. “There is a standard that she upholds.”
Unlike Sherman, Davis admits she does wear pants to make errands.
“Now I do wear pants to the grocery store and for shopping, traveling and such,” Davis said. “But anything church related I do not.”
Sherman-Boone emphasized that when people come to their church they are welcome to come as they are, but as they continue to come and they learn the knowledge of the COGIC doctrine she feels they will eventually accept the dress code.
“If you’re a member, we prefer you don’t wear pants,” Sherman-Boone said. “As a visitor when you come to our church we just want you to come in your best whether it be pants, shorts or a dress. We’re going to accept you no matter what but when it comes to our members we prefer that you don’t wear your pants on Sundays.”
Sherman-Boone said the Bible dictates that a woman should not wear clothes pertaining to man, (Deuteronomy 22:5).
“We believe in holy living,” she said. “We teach those things, but we don’t say, ‘If you don’t do them you’re going to hell.’”
Anderson Jr. says there is not a prohibition against pants at church.
“The only requirement and stipulation that I have with regards to our services is that on First Sunday when we commemorate the Lord’s Supper my officials or leaders in the church have attire that they wear with regards to communion that we adhere to,” Anderson Jr. said.
Licensed members wear white habits for communion or black for ordination.
“With the congregation I do ask they dress somewhat modestly,” Anderson Jr. said. “I don’t want you coming to church half-naked. I just want you to come to church wearing the best you have.”
On the Net:
Sherman Memorial COGIC
www.shermanmemorial.org
Mt. Zion COGIC
www.mtzioncogic.weebly.com
Comments
| This was one of the most obeyed tenants of the old holiness church and especially COGIC, but a younger generation of pastors and church attendees, has become more liberal, and with the holiness doctrine fallen away, Church attendance has fallen off,and many COGIC are struggling to maintain membership, and revenue to remain open, many pastor have adopted a watered down version of holiness doctrine casting a wider net to bring in new membership, and a lot of congregations have gone completely casual, with the come as you are policy going off the rails ripped jeans tank tops, showing bellybutton piercings, ankle jewelry, extremely tight and revealing, clothes, and many COGIC congregations have taken it to the next level which could and often does resemble nightclub clothing, but congregants know that their are other denominations within the pentecostal movement that are similar but don't have any issues with pants, bright red lipstick, or loud over the top colored nails fuller brush type eye lashes over an inch long, bizarre multiple colored hair, green, blue purple and blonde hair and modesty has left the in many cases many churches pants are just as popular dresses and on weeknight services you see more pants than skirts or dresses |
| Posted on November 16, 2024 |
| I dreamed my 83 year old church every day mother died in her pants. 3 times in one night the Lord said “Rickey. I put a woman in hell for wearing pants only….Guarantee what you say…” I knew exactly what it meant. I told many other people about the dream. My mom saw my great grandmother on her bed smiling and waiving with covered head and long dress. My mom said the dream did not mean anything. Many said thank you. Others screamed that it was not biblical. Matthew 22:8,11-13 no one worthy for Heaven. Clothing only keeps a man from Heaven. The Lord let me see my mother’s lying baptist preacher stand over my bed around 2:00 am. The night my mother died I begged her to listen. Around 3:00 am I heard my mother say my son warned me about this place. I could not sleep. Women pants are a very strong Jezebel spirit. When they removed her from hell I watched my mother pull her pants up. I said “Mommy. Take off the Blank pants.” Many will continue lying until God returns. The Lord said you do not have to believe Linda Rika YouTube HH testimony but you must believe that His word means only what’s written. Most preachers continue to lie about the Bible. Please pray without ceasing until He stops you. A woman is not a man. The Bible clearly says that I can not wear women’s clothing. Women have a hard time believing that they look like men when they wear men’s clothing. Look at Labron James in a dress. He does not look like a man. Remember Eve, she did not believe God’s word. Always ask God? Lord is it you in the dream? Lord am I eligible for Heaven? Lord who is Lord? I guarantee that 99.999999% of preachers are lying. A 2d rapture dream 1-3 souls out of the entire world go to Heaven. Read Matthew 24:36-37. Your preacher will lie about the Bible. Guaranteed. Stay at home. Ask God? The Holy Spirit is free. |
| Posted on August 24, 2024 |
| Pants on women need not be immodest--not if they're very loose-fitting. Tight pants are certainly immodest. Also, a jacket that reaches down to the top of the thigh helps to keep the look modest when wearing pants. |
| Posted on July 9, 2024 |
| I accept a dress code because we adhere to a dress code at work, weddings and certain restaurants. I was taught from a child that women should not to wear pants in church and I still adhere to that, however, pants were not around in bible times. I take notice that the dress codes only is directed at women and some of it i. e. wearing makeup & nail polish is stupid. There is no reason for a woman to look anything less than beautiful, however, I have no tattoos or multiple piercings other than one simple ear piercings. I do not wear high splits, low cut blouses or short dresses. This is my personal choice. I don't feel like I can inflict my wishes or preferences on others. I say what about men. Are these rules and dress codes made by some man who had nothing better to do. I object to membership to secret societies and other things. |
| Posted on February 22, 2024 |
| I'm just now seeing this in 2023. I was wondering what happened to the standard of the church, and when did it change. It use to be you could tell church from the world. Not the case anymore. Seems like ANYTHING goes. Muslims have a dress code, struck Jews have a dress code. Even our jobs have dress codes. No one has a problem abiding by said dress code, but when it comes to things the word of God requires of HIS people folk start to twist and turn the Bible around to fit there narrative. People are always saying God doesn't care about your outside it's what's on the inside. That's another lie from the devil himself. Romans 12:1 CLEARLY states: 12 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. Reasonable service. It doesn't take much. We shouldn't even have a desire to even look like the world. We are supposed to be a peculiar people. |
| Posted on February 21, 2024 |
| The Pharisees polished the outside of their cups, not working about the inside. This to me is pompous regard as is the restriction of women wearing pants. We out to focus on the inside of a person and not so much the outside, although I do believe that modesty is important for men and women both. I was considering coming to see if this church could feel like home but from what I have read I am skeptical and no longer think this to be a good fit for me. |
| Posted on February 15, 2024 |
| that is not COGIC doctrine |
| Posted on October 18, 2021 |
| I'm just seeing this article in 2021. I am a member of the Church of God. God has a people that will obey his word because they represent him. Whatever I wear, I'm telling the world that this is the way God is. This is the standard that Jesus teaches. Pants are not modest apparel at all. They are made for a man's anatomy. Women are more shapely. Pants reveal the shape of the entire leg up to the buttocks. Real Holy Women will have a conviction down in their souls to wear modest apparel, not pants! As for the make up and jewelry, Jezebel is your example for wearing make up. Did God favor her? No, he did not! The Bible tells us plainly not to wear jewelry, 1 Timothy 2:9, Isaiah 3:16-21 Isaiah prophesied of the Gospel Day in that passage of scripture. If the holiness preachers had held the standards of holiness, so would the people. But now you are likely to see anything, inside and outside of the church. It is a shame before Almighty God. Compromise will never enter Heaven. |
| Posted on September 30, 2021 |
| Look at Linda Rika YouTube testimony. Six hours in hell two hours in Heaven. God never changed pants on women. Read Matthew 22:11-13 clothing only keeps a man from Heaven. Many can’t read. Lord is it you in the dream? Lord am I eligible for Heaven? |
| Posted on September 17, 2021 |
| I'm not against anyone beliefs or teaching. However, men didn't even wear pants themselves in the Bible! So that what they wore was pertaining to a woman...a form of a dress...its called the custom in their time. And its the same in some countries...but okay...I thought pants came by accident because the slaves cut the material in half while picking cotton to avoid the cuts on their legs...or I could be wrong...but I enjoy fashion and saved by God's grace and mercy and man! |
| Posted on March 21, 2021 |
| https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTDfN1JWsFw |
| Posted on October 10, 2019 |
| I wasn't raised with this belief but it is ladylike to wear a dress or skirt. I do think it's modest to wear pants because nothing shows that way. I am most comfortable in pants but if the Bible says for women to not wear pants it must be right and I will obey. I'm glad to learn this as I want to do right by God. |
| Posted on September 29, 2019 |
| A dress does not make you holy. I have been trying to understand COGIC ,Alot of this is man made |
| Posted on April 30, 2019 |
| I also feel a need to add a note here......wearing pants won't make you any less or any more holy than wearing a dress would, for a woman. If we are supposed to not wear clothing that was designed for me then we'd have to stop wearing T-shirts, baseball caps, and leather jackets. Honey, there is a lot more important issues to tackle than the wearing of pants. Remember that the law doesn't make us Holy, Jesus does. Galatians 2:16 yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified. |
| Posted on April 29, 2019 |
| If we, as the Church, and Body of Christ Jesus, are going to base our dresscode on the Old Testament law, that we are no longer under because Jesus became the fulfillment of that law, are we also going to base our diets on the Old Testament laws as well? Why is it that women's way of dressing must be controlled? Do you truly believe that a woman cannot be Holy while she is wearing pants? The devil IS a liar! I think that we, as women, should wear what we are comfortable in, as long as it is modest. Don't be showing your toosh or cleavage. Use wisdom. But, if you are comfortable in pants, wear them. I leave you men with this verse... Galatians 3:28-29 King James Version (KJV) 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. |
| Posted on April 29, 2019 |
| I?m a 47 year old woman. I?ve been taught since I was 7 that it is wrong to wear pants, as a younger child I understood it was a COGIC doctrine but as I got older, I found out it?s scripture and as long as COGIC doctrines line up with The Scripture then it?s wrong to do it, this is what I often say to people. Anything that the Bible say we should do and we don?t do it it?s a sin anything the Bible say we shouldn?t do and we do it it is a sin. Therefore for y?all that says it?s not wrong you are entitled to believe what you want but it?s false teaching to try and teach others that it?s not wrong,when there are scripture to back it up. my question to you all that think it?s okay for women of true holiness to wear pants, shouldn?t it be okay for Men of true holiness to wear dresses if they chose to because remember it?s about the soul not the clothes. I think it?s wrong for women to wear pants as much as it is wrong for men to wear dresses. Because the Bible said it and that settles it. There are all types of prophecies of what scriptures means but anything you want to do it?s not gone condemn you cause you wanna do it, but if you are not sure whether it?s right or wrong to do something that you?ve been taught was wrong, just don?t do it at all. It?s better to be safe then sorry with God because if it turns out to be wrong you don?t get the opportunity to make it right at the day of judgement. |
| Posted on February 1, 2019 |
| Thanks and I too believe that sanctified women should not wear pants. |
| Posted on November 9, 2018 |
| When the scripture was written concerning women not wearing that which pertains to a man, pants were not yet invented. |
| Posted on August 13, 2015 |
| That was a type O: "Men should not wear that which pertains to a woman..." |
| Posted on August 12, 2013 |
| I find a lot of hypocrisy in your statements. The word does state to us the men should not wear that which pertains to a man, neither should a woman put on a man's garment. Also when God gave the commandments to the priest about "breeches" which are pants, they were for the priest to wear, not women. Wearing pants outside the church but not in the church, is kind of like trying to server two masters, your selfish will and God. IT Wont WORK. Where is the peculiarity? The Be Ye separation from the world? The Royal priesthood? Oh they are blending with the world...and still have Egypt in their pockets because they do not want to be or look different. Bishop Mason and others knew something, too bad you have fail to search it out. |
| Posted on August 12, 2013 |
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