Introduction
Well, first of all, I initially wrote this post about wearing hats in church in early 2022. I did so because I found that it was a fairly popular search term- “wearing hats in church.” I simply wanted to state my opinion from the viewpoint from which I was taught by my dad. I thought it was going to be a simple observation, but more people read this article than I ever expected.
So, wearing a hat in church, or not wearing a hat in church is not a heaven and hell issue. Please understand that I grew up in an era where, in my culture, it would have been extremely disrespectful to wear a baseball cap, etc. in church…especially on the stage of the church worship center.
With that being how I was taught, I still don’t think you’re some kind of heathen or that you don’t love God, etc., etc., if you weren’t taught the same thing. So, I may wear jeans and Carhartt shirt to church this Sunday, but I won’t wear my Braves baseball hat...😀
If I were a betting man, I would bet this computer I’m holding that next Sunday when I sing along as I watch the worship team on stage, there will be at quite a number of guys that wear hats into the worship center. There also may be one or two worship team guys onstage with a beanie or a hat of of some kind. Would I wear a hat inside the church? No. Do I see that as some kind of biblical law that is written in stone? No, also. I have friends of mine who are musicians and they wear hats onstage on Sundays. I don’t lose sleep over that! My greater focus is that people come to faith in Jesus Christ. Show me some grace and don’t freak out and call me a legalist. Anyone who knows me personally will tell you that I’m not that…🤣. Thanks!
Hats In Church
Discussing whether to wear a hat in Christian churches may not be a matter of eternal consequence, but it’s an interesting topic worth exploring. No one is going to be standing in front of heaven’s gates and having to answer the question, “Did you, or did you not wear a hat in church?”
Nevertheless, it’s okay to discuss the subject of wearing hats in church, particularly among worship leaders, because the topic gained attention in contemporary church settings in recent years. So, let’s explore the topic, especially in terms of wearing hats or baseball caps when leading worship.
For a large number of churches in the past, and still some today, it’s been seen as unacceptable for a man to wear a hat inside the church (especially the sanctuary or worship center). However, in some church cultures, it is deemed acceptable. But now, in many of the very modern and contemporary churches, it is acceptable to wear ball caps, sock caps (beanies), even for those leading music on stage.
Despite what we think about guys wearing hats in church, I love to wear baseball-type hats at other times. And, I like to be able to share faith at the same time. This one pictured here is my favorite right now. It’s made well and it’s adjustable. Have a look at it if you are into hats like these!
I do want to interject that I’m not addressing the topic in terms of the dress code for new believers or those we are trying to reach to come to church. If you’re not coming to church, this post isn’t addressed to you. This is a topic that only a few Christians would probably ever address anyway.
We need to recognize that it is infinitely more important to get folks into church than what to wear to church. So, in that respect, let’s make sure we should major on the majors.
I am basically asking if it’s the best thing to do for church leaders and long-time Christians.
Here’s to the Men
I am specifically addressing men here. Religious traditions have allowed young and older women to wear hats in our places of worship in our Sunday services for a long time. It can be fashionable and acceptable for a lady to wear a nice hat indoors with her outfit. Ladies wearing hats can be seen as a sign of sophistication and femininity. It has been accepted for a woman to wear a hat indoors, although not practiced as it was decades ago. So, what about in church? I’m fine with it…not that what I think matters..
Understanding the Tradition
In Western culture, a strong custom once pushed against men wearing hats indoors, period. My dad, was 87 years old when he passed away in early 2024. Until his last days, he still had a thing about hats indoors. It was once such a cultural tradition to take your hat off inside (including your own house) that it was seen as a sign of disrespect if you didn’t do so.
When I was a child living under my dad’s roof, he didn’t like it if another kid came into our house and kept his hat on. He normally wouldn’t say anything to the guests but I found out later that he didn’t like it.
Not that he was some hat ogre, it’s just that when he was raised a whole lot of people believed that it wasn’t good etiquette and was disrespectful for a man to wear his hat indoors.
I often wear a baseball cap around my house (indoors or out) for hours without thinking about it. However, my dad did. Until he passed away, when I would have a FaceTime call with my Dad, whether he called or I did, and he saw that I had a hat on… in my own house (I might add), he would say, “Is it raining at your house? Why do you have your hat on?” That was his way of saying, “Why do you have your hat on inside the house, son?“
For his generation, and my grandmother and grandfather, it wasn’t acceptable for men. My grandparents would promptly tell my dad to remove his hat if he didn’t take it off when he came inside. And you can bet that he complied with the request!
Before I go any further, I want to clarify that I am a big fan of Christian hats and caps that display something about our faith. I wear them a lot. There are some great ones here. That is a different question than whether or not it’s appropriate or inappropriate for a guy to wear a hat in church.
And, by the way, there are some really cool Christian hats on Amazon. Check them out!
Hats in Church: A Changing Landscape
When I am at any kind of sporting event and the national anthem is about to be sung, I remove my hat. Many times the public address announcer will ask men to kindly stand and remove their hats. So, there’s nothing new about the removal of hats in certain environments to show a person, a group, or a flag respect.
Now let’s think about it again in terms of churches.
Traditionally, many churches upheld the practice of men removing their hats upon entering a church building as a sign of respect. When I was a young boy and my parents were to look back in the auditorium and see me with my ball cap on……oh my….I was gonna’ have a bad day. However, in contemporary and modern church environments, that practice has transformed. It’s becoming increasingly acceptable for men to wear hats in the worship center, or while leading worship on stage.
The first time I began to see it was with the guys onstage leading worship. This was quite a few years ago. Those “wascally music guys”… always troublemakers, huh?
Okay, I was a church musician for a lot of years and we earned a bit of that reputation for pushing the envelope toward a more contemporary sound, especially in the southern US where we were located. We had a casual dress code and were trying to reach unchurched people, so I guess it’s understandable that we could gravitate to the hat issue.
The debate surrounding wearing hats in church often centers on whether it’s disrespectful or inappropriate for a man to wear them in a place of worship. However, it’s essential to remember that this debate typically revolves around personal preferences and cultural differences.
The apostle Paul’s writings in 1 Corinthians 11 address head coverings in a different context, referring to specific religious leaders wearing distinctive headgear, not the modern-day hats in church.
The Heart of the Matter
Ultimately, the choice to wear a hat in church should consider the cultural context of your congregation and the preferences of its members. It’s vital to weigh whether your actions might inadvertently offend or distract others. In this regard, the principles of love and kindness should guide our decisions.
In today’s diverse church landscape, practices regarding wearing hats in church can vary greatly. I know that it’s a multifaceted discussion with a range of factors, including religious context, cultural tradition, and individual expression. What is most important is that our actions reflect our love for God and our respect for fellow worshipers. For me, I certainly didn’t want my expression in apparel to be offensive to people,
Illustration From Personal Experience
Personally, I was a part of music leadership in various ways for churches for several decades and I didn’t allow my worship team members to wear hats on stage. That wasn’t because I thought the earth would open up and swallow us if we did or that God would be angry at us.
Although I was very contemporary in the style of music I was leading, I was still traditional and a bit old-school in terms of what the worship leaders/singers would wear.
Here’s a quick illustration of how this can play out. Keep in mind that this wasn’t last week. This was about 20 years. We were already live-streaming our Sunday worship services. On one particular Sunday, I noticed that one of the male singers came into the early morning rehearsal donning a very fashionable cap. It was much nicer than a standard baseball cap.
I didn’t say anything about it at the time since this was a great guy, a talented musician, and a person of great character who would never want to offend anyone. The cap was nice, and I certainly didn’t want to embarrass him by asking him to take it off. So, I didn’t say anything and he wore it through two or three services that Sunday.
However, that week I got a call from someone in another state who had watched the livestream for that Sunday. It was a gentleman in his 70s and he, very politely complained to me that our singers shouldn’t have hats on in the church. So, after thinking about it, and talking to the Senior Pastor, we decided to err on the side of caution.
We decided that from that point on, the guys would not wear hats onstage in the worship center of the church.
Do I think the young singer was being sinful by wearing the hat? No. I did not.
However, the issue for me was this. Was there a good reason to wear a hat, baseball cap, etc., in church, especially on stage if I knew that some people were offended by wearing hats in the church? I didn’t have a good answer for that. That’s why the Sr. pastor said. “let’s just don’t do it.”
At that point, it was simply a decision to err on the side of caution if we were in error at all.
I know. I know….
Certainly, we can’t live by making our decisions about life according to who is going to be offended. I’ve been through all of the worship wars and know the drill. I have had so many people irritated at me because of the modern style of music, or that I didn’t do enough hymns, or this, that, and the other.
However, the choice to do contemporary praise and worship style of music was an overarching strategic decision of our church leaders. Wearing hats or not wearing hats didn’t affect the ministerial decision to pursue modern praise and worship music.
Respecting Cultural Norms– If Biblical
Certainly, I think much of it is about age and the culture in which you came from. For some individuals, the wearing of hats in church remains a violation of cultural norms. Even though such customs might seem dated, they are rooted in a sense of respect for the sacred space of a church building.
Plus, we need to at least acknowledge that you can have pushback from some churchgoers, especially those of older generations. For me, if I could keep from offending even a relatively small group of people by simply not wearing a hat or cap in the church setting, then why would I want to put one on?
If, as a Christian, I knew that wearing a hat in my church offended other churchgoers then why would I do it? Just because I like to, or I don’t like my hair or lack of it? on the other hand, if you are in a church culture where no one even gives it a thought about a guy wearing a hat inside the church, then what does it hurt?
What Does the Bible Say About Wearing Hats In Church?
I guess this would be the most important question. What does the Bible say about wearing hats in church?
The question of whether wearing hats in church aligns with biblical teachings has been a topic of debate and discussion among Christians. To address this question, we turn to the New Testament, particularly the writings of the apostle Paul.
Paul’s Words on Head Coverings
“Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head. But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head.”
1 Corinthians 11:4-5
In 1 Corinthians 11, The Apostle, Paul goes into a discussion about head coverings, a topic relevant to the broader conversation of wearing hats in church. He writes, “Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head.
But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head.” These words can be interpreted in various ways, and their application today differs from the cultural context in which Paul wrote them.
Interpreting Paul’s Teachings
Okay, so Paul’s emphasis on head coverings may not directly relate to the modern practice of wearing hats in church. During his time, the headgear signified religious authority, and removing it in prayer or prophecy demonstrated humility and respect for God. However, the intent behind these actions may be more important than the physical act itself.
Paul identifies an activity carried out by men: praying and prophesying. Paul is referring to preaching God’s word when he says that the man who prays and preaches in public with his head covered disgraces his head.
At that time a hood-like covering was draped over the back of the head, not the face, with a piece of gown extending over the head.
He was speaking about wearing a hat as an item of clothing identified as something worn by religious leaders – such as the Pharisees, Sadducees, or Jewish teachers of the law.
So, although, personally, I’m more comfortable with a man removing his hat while in church, I can’t say that this passage is to be interpreted for today’s church and today’s hats.
Cultural Significance
Understanding the cultural significance of head coverings in the biblical era is crucial. Paul was addressing specific customs of his time, and the teachings were rooted in those cultural norms. It’s important to recognize that interpretations of these passages can vary among different Christian denominations and cultures.
Many pastors and theologians do not interpret this passage to be about modern-day Christians, today’s hats, or long hair, which for various reasons were also addressed in this chapter of Corinthians.
Personal Expression and Respect:
Today, the debate over wearing hats in church is often centered on personal expression and respect for the place of worship. While some view it as a matter of tradition and etiquette, others see it as a non-issue in the context of contemporary church services.
Respecting Worship Traditions:
In many African-American churches, wearing hats, often very stylish, is a cherished tradition. These hats symbolize both cultural identity and reverence for the religious setting. I think those cases are quite different than a youngster throwing on a ball cap and taking the stage. Certainly, that is my personal opinion.
Similarly, in some traditional Catholic churches, women may head coverings as a sign of respect and humility during religious services. So, once again, we see that the culture can dictate where men wearing hats in church is offensive to others.
Modern church settings reflect a diverse range of practices and cultural backgrounds. Some churches emphasize adherence to traditional customs, while others prioritize personal style and comfort. The glory of God remains central in all worship, regardless of outward appearance or head coverings.
What Matters in Worship?
Ultimately, whether one chooses to wear a hat in church or not, the heart of worship is what truly matters. The act of worship should be guided by a deep reverence for God and a spirit of love and kindness toward fellow worshipers.
Various cultures and traditions enrich the tapestry of Christianity as long as they are uplifting, in good order, and don’t violate God’s word given to us in the Bible. We want Jesus Christ to take first place in our focus. We share the common goal of honoring the Lord Jesus Christ.
Hats In Church… Simply Disrespectful?
Once again, it depends on your church’s situation. Talk with most of the Baby Busters and Boomers- really most churchgoers over 50. Even if they don’t think it’s sinful, quite a few of them at least think it’s a bit disrespectful according to the culture in which they grew up.
But, hey, I thought we were loving and serving a God of grace.
Yes, we are! However, many of us will note the passage in 1st Corinthians chapter 8 concerning the meat of the idols. Meats were being sold after being used as a part of rituals to false gods. There were people, apparently, a substantial number, who were offended if people bought those meats.
13 Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother or sister to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause them to fall.”
1 Corinthians 8:13
Some of you might be jumping up and down saying that we can misuse the “meat of the idols” passage for many issues. And that’s true. However, for me, it applied in my decision-making about this fairly small topic.
The apostle, Paul, basically explains that although meat is just meat, why eat the meat of the idols if it was going to offend or “be a stumbling block” to other Christians?
So, if I go to one of the churches that I most love next Sunday there will probably be one or more guys on the music team who will be playing or singing with a hat on.
Am I going to be upset or offended, upset, or angry because of that?
No.
Do my cultural proclivities occasionally jump in and make me more comfortable if the guys didn’t wear hats on stage? A bit. As a Baby Boomer, that’s the tradition with which I grew up, and it still affects my thoughts on this. I admit it.
Am I going to let it affect my worship or be frustrated with guys in my church for doing it? NO. If I thought there were massive numbers of people in the church who were offended by it, I might comment to one of the pastors. But, that’s about it.
Summing it Up
I would ask some questions at this point. Will more people be encouraged in their faith by you wearing a hat? Probably not. Will it make a huge impact in your church if a man wears a hat? Probably not.
From the time I was young in the ministry, I was taught to “pick my battles.” When you take hardline stances on issues, make sure those are the issues on which you definitely need to stand.
So, for men, because of my age and background, wearing hats in church is not my personal preference. However, it might be fine with you. That doesn’t mean that I think you are sinful. It is a cultural preference for me.
Ultimately, as Christians, when we gather for religious services, we do so to glorify God, and this shared purpose unites us, regardless of our outward appearance or personal style.
What my generation was taught as being very disrespectful hasn’t necessarily been passed down to a large number of modern churches. For me personally, if I were to wear a hat in church, inside a church building, my internally programmed emotions consider it disrespectful to wear a hat inside my church.
On the other hand, our Senior pastor is a Godly man who oversees and teaches the word of God. It’s a church with a majority of people who are much younger than I am. So, I will refer to my pastor’s judgment on this and worship the Lord even if there are hats all around!
Or, on with the debate! Just do it with love and kindness.
In your efforts to study the Bible, check out our suggestions for the best study Bibles for men and best study Bibles for women.
If you are just beginning as a Bible reader, take a look here.
Hats in church or no hats in church? Comment below, but be nice. I’m not going to argue with you either way. Is it respectful, disrespectful, or does it make no difference??
Leave a Reply