10/07/2026
Beliefs, Policies and Practices of the Nigerian Baptist Convention (pgs 44-46)
ETHICAL MATTERS/ISSUES
1. Dressing Code
In view of the prevalent moral decadence in our society, all Baptist members, church organs, and churches should use every opportunity to seriously discourage seductive dressings such as body hugs, spaghetti strap, off-shoulders, transparent cloths that reflect underwear, see-me-through blouses, bell bottom, miniskirts etc, among our girls and even women. Christian ladies should continue to dress decently in order to win others to Christ and to enhance our Christian witness among people of other faith.
Since we expect Pastors and their wives to be models of what Christian dressing is, they should help our ladies through prompt corrections, advice, as well as stressing appropriate dress patterns during weddings for both bride and bridal train. Our young men should also dress corporately and decently.
Decisions:
(a)Modesty: In all that we do as Christians we should apply the rule of modesty, and it should start from the heart.
Children of God should not wear indecent dresses (Romans 12:1, Prov. 7:10). In the light of this, we encourage our women to dress smartly and neatly, they should not look un-kempt and dirty. Brothers should dress responsibly and sisters should also dress as candidates of heaven.
(b)
i.
Examples of indecent dressing:
Transparent fabrics - unless sufficient backing is added.
ii. Dresses that do not conceal but reveal body figures iii. Dresses that may make one lose dignity, such as:
a) Low Trousers
c) Bare Shoulders
e) Low necklines
g) Tight form - fitted tops
1) Skirt slits that are too tight
b) Midriff showing
d) Cleavage
f) Thin tops
h) Tight trousers (for males)
j) Mini skirt and micro-
mini skirt
k) Wider Coverage headgears
l) Uncovered hair during worship
m) Sagging for males
n) Males wearing earrings
o) Dreadlocks for both sexes, Jerry-curls and plaiting of hair for male.
• In our setting (culture), there are no compelling reasons for women to wear trousers. As much as possible, females wearing trousers should be discouraged.
(c) "Make Ups"
The rule should be modesty, decency, and simplicity in applying
"make ups" to the body.
(d) Wedding Ceremony Dressing
There should be a Christian standard of dressing code for wedding (not sheer blouses, sleeveless dresses, Thin-tops etc).Wedding gown should cover the chest and should not be sleeveless. The problem with some wedding dresses is usually with the top-part.
This should be addressed with all godly seriousness it deserves.
Implementation:
1. Pastors (Gospel Ministers) should teach and preach about modesty at every level of church life.
2. Correct in love (about heavy "make ups").
3. Wedding Dress: Churches should have marriage committees, which should work with the Pastor. The Committee should ensure that they verify wedding gowns, to maintain Christian standard for the wedding day.
4. The boys should also dress decently, no sagging.
5. Females should desist from wearing mini, micro-mini skirts.
6. Modesty, decency, simplicity should be applied in dressing. However, there is the need to exercise sensitivity and tolerance, knowing that spiritual maturity does not develop over night.
7. The responsibility for maintaining and emphasizing a godly dressing code should rest on the local church and her pastor.
