Many of the greater churches of God have become casual churches due to disunity. It used to be that when people attended Sabbath services, they wore attire that demonstrated reverence and respect for the sovereign God of the universe. However, even among congregations with mature leaders, casualness has clearly crept in. This decline in formality has dominated mainstream Christian churches over the last few decades, with non-traditional services becoming the new standard for professing Christians. Conditions when appearing before God to worship Him at Sabbath services are quite different for many people compared to a couple of decades ago when many congregations had hundreds of people attending, requiring careful organization in the form of formalities. Today, the size of groups gathering for service is relatively small, and in many cases, services are held in homes with family members as the primary attendees. There is a tendency in these small groups or in the comfort of our own homes to let formalities slip into casualness. It starts slowly with people becoming lax in their dress—men stop wearing suit jackets, ties go missing, shirts open up, and they grab something to sip on through services. Women begin to wear flip-flops and sloppy or immodest clothing. Some at home don't even bother to get dressed, still wearing pajamas or shorts through Sabbath services. Some responsibility for this casual attitude may fall on the leadership and ministry of the churches for not emphasizing enough that we are to do all to the glory of God in everything in our lives, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. The same responsibility falls on parents, who should be teaching their children proper respect and reverence when they appear before their omnipotent Creator God. Instead, children pick up a wrong message from their parents that the gathering is little different from sitting down to watch TV, as they have their snacks and lay down on the couch or floor, ready to fall asleep each week when the snacks and drinks are exhausted. This general transition from devotion to casualness is taking its toll on the churches of God. The relaxed attitude and lack of seriousness increasing in God's church today is a reflection of a rebellious and perverse society addicted to pleasure, of which we do not want any part. God's church must be careful that it is not just one more enabler in a culture of pleasure addiction, spoiling our children by offering them whatever they want so they will like church enough to keep coming back. We must not teach our young people through poor example that worship is just another theater or concert venue where we come to consume our pleasures before God, the great Giver of all things pleasurable. Acting so casually at Sabbath services sends the message to the new and the young that God is like us, which is an incredibly selfish way to look at God.

In the United States, a significant shift has occurred over the decades, transforming formality into informality across various aspects of life. This change is evident in everyday conduct and societal norms, where rapid information flow through modern travel and electronic communication accelerates the pace of cultural shifts. Historically, such changes often trend downward in quality, as formality gives way to informality, politeness to impoliteness, and discipline to recklessness. Unless strongly resisted, these shifts eventually redefine a culture's normal standards. A clear example of this decline in formality is seen in attire at public events. In the twenties and thirties, fans at major league baseball games dressed formally, often in suits with white shirts and ties. By 1947, attire had shifted to nice casual, and today, it has become extremely informal, often downright sloppy. This change in clothing signals a lessening of respect toward each other and an increasing disregard for others' opinions, reflecting a tendency toward self-centeredness. This decline in respect and formality extends beyond everyday interactions into sacred settings. In some scattered congregations, members dress very informally for Sabbath services, sending clear signals of forgotten reverence in the presence of God. Additionally, some cannot go through an entire service without a cup of coffee, which is seen as equally disrespectful as inappropriate attire. These actions raise the question of whether individuals truly recognize the level of respect required when coming before Him in a formal church setting.

Many in society seem to feel no compunction about showing disrespect for the Great God in their supposed worship of Him. There is a constant tendency in human nature to degenerate toward casual informality, a pull that must be resisted to avoid moral and spiritual chaos. This informality is evident in the way some dress and act, allowing the world to wedge its way into their behavior, reflecting a lack of dignity and decorum. Observations of American behavior during solemn events, such as the anniversary of September 11, reveal a lack of respect through inappropriate attire and actions, like wearing gaudy tee-shirts and behaving casually at memorial ceremonies. Such slovenly exhibitions are an affront to the occasion and to those honored. Similarly, the casualness displayed by some at Senator Paul Wellstone's funeral, turning it into a political rally, offended many, showing a disregard for the event's solemnity. Human nature pulls individuals to break rules for personal pleasure, leading to disorder and disorganization within the church. As confusion builds, divisions occur, and random informality dominates, scattering the body. This pull toward degeneracy must be constantly maintained against, or chaos inevitably results. Even during sacred occasions like the Feast of Tabernacles, informality can manifest through over-indulgence in food or casual approaches to the event's purpose. Such behavior raises questions about whether it truly honors God or fits into keeping a Feast unto the Lord. Prosperity and the freedom to spend can wear down inhibitions and self-discipline, leading to a lack of focus during services. The Christian world often practices a principle of ignoring God's law, reasoning that any day will do for worship because God is only concerned with the heart. This leads to sloppy informality in worship services, dress, and decorum. However, God is concerned with the whole person, including the witness made through outward appearance and behavior, reflecting His way of life and name.