Texas Pastor Forbids the Wearing of Weaves in His Church? Faith, Hair, and a Woman's Right to Choose

By Lady Carolyn M. Summerset
Crowning Glory — Coils & Kinks
Originally published August 21, 2013 | Refreshed October 2026

When Hair Becomes a Church Controversy

Hello, my beautiful Curl Friends! 💕

Today, we're revisiting a story from the Crowning Glory archives that certainly stirred up conversation in 2013.

At the time, reports circulated that Pastor A. J. Aamir of Resurrecting Faith in Waco, Texas, had expressed strong opposition to women wearing hair weaves in his church.

His reported remarks raised questions about beauty, financial responsibility, church leadership, and how much authority a pastor should exercise over a woman's personal appearance.

When I first encountered this story, I had plenty to say!

And more than a decade later, I believe the conversation still deserves our attention.

A Pastor's Concerns About Hair Weaves

According to the reports circulating in August 2013, Pastor Aamir was particularly concerned about women spending substantial amounts of money on hair extensions when they might be struggling financially.

Now, I believe there is certainly room for conversations about stewardship, spending habits, and financial priorities.

We should all be responsible with the resources God has entrusted to us.

But here's where I had a problem.

When does financial guidance become an attempt to control someone else's personal choices?

There is a difference between teaching biblical principles about responsible living and deciding which hairstyles women should be permitted to wear.

And ladies, that difference matters!

Archive note: This discussion reflects statements reported in 2013. It is not intended to describe the pastor's present-day views or church practices.

Your Hair Is Not a Measure of Your Holiness

Over the years, I have seen women enter church wearing beautiful natural curls, elegant wigs, braids, twists, silk presses, and carefully styled weaves.

Some hairstyles were simple. Others were elaborate.

But none of those hairstyles told me whether the woman wearing them had a sincere heart toward God.

Consider 1 Peter 3:3–4, where Peter encourages women not to make outward adornment their primary source of beauty, but to value the character of the inner person.

The emphasis is on what is precious in God's sight.

It is not a declaration that every braid, hairpiece, or beautiful hairstyle is sinful.

God is concerned with the condition of our hearts, not simply the presentation of our hair.

We should be careful not to turn personal preferences into spiritual requirements.

Let's Talk About Financial Stewardship

I understand the argument that spending hundreds of dollars on beauty services while neglecting essential bills may indicate misplaced priorities.

That concern deserves thoughtful discussion.

However, responsible stewardship extends far beyond hairstyles.

We make spending decisions concerning clothing, automobiles, dining, entertainment, accessories, and countless other things.

Why should a woman's hair receive such extraordinary scrutiny?

Furthermore, we do not always know another woman's financial circumstances.

Perhaps she saved for months. Perhaps her hairstyle was a gift. Perhaps she works in an industry where her appearance is especially important to her.

And perhaps she simply enjoys wearing a weave!

We can encourage wisdom without publicly judging someone whose circumstances we do not fully understand.

The History and Beauty of Black Women's Hair

For generations, Black women have expressed creativity, identity, culture, and personal style through their hair.

Our history includes intricate braiding traditions, pressed hairstyles, wigs, natural afros, locs, twists, and countless other forms of self-expression.

Some women embrace their natural texture every day.

Others enjoy changing their appearance.

And many move comfortably between natural styles and extensions.

I have worn extensions myself, and I have also embraced the beauty and versatility of my natural hair.

My decision to wear my hair differently was personal.

It was not something another person could decide for me.

And it certainly did not determine my relationship with the Lord.

Church Leadership Should Encourage, Not Shame

Pastors and spiritual leaders have an important responsibility to teach, guide, encourage, and care for the people entrusted to their ministry.

I respect that responsibility.

But spiritual leadership should never become an excuse for humiliating women over their appearance.

We can teach modesty without creating embarrassment.

We can teach stewardship without making assumptions.

And we can encourage spiritual maturity without insisting that everyone look the same.

Micah 6:8 reminds us of the importance of justice, mercy, and humility before God.

Those principles should influence how we speak to one another, particularly within the church.

After all, a woman should be able to come into the house of God seeking encouragement, prayer, and fellowship without feeling that her hairstyle has placed her under investigation!

Natural Hair, Weaves, and the Freedom to Choose

One of the reasons I established Crowning Glory — Coils & Kinks was to celebrate the beauty of textured hair and encourage women along their natural hair journeys.

But loving natural hair does not require criticizing women who wear extensions.

A woman can love her coils and still enjoy a beautiful wig.

She can protect her natural strands beneath a carefully installed weave.

She can celebrate her heritage while experimenting with new hairstyles.

And she can decide that her own beautiful natural texture is all the styling she needs.

The beauty of our crowns lies partly in the freedom to choose how we wear them.

I encourage healthy hair practices, wise decisions, and self-acceptance.

But I will never suggest that a woman's hairstyle determines her value.

Looking Back From 2026

Reading this article again reminds me how many conversations surrounding Black women's hair have changed—and how many continue.

We are discussing hair discrimination, natural hair acceptance, personal autonomy, and beauty standards with greater openness.

Still, one lesson remains relevant.

Our appearance may invite conversation, but it should never overshadow our humanity, dignity, or faith.

I hope this archived discussion encourages readers to examine not only what we believe, but how we communicate those beliefs.

We can disagree about hairstyles without diminishing the women who wear them.

And we can stand firmly in our faith while extending grace to one another.

Let's Talk, Ladies!

What do you think?

Should a pastor have the authority to determine whether women wear wigs or weaves to church?

Where should we draw the line between spiritual guidance and personal choice?

And have you ever felt judged because of your hairstyle while attending worship?

I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

Until next time, my beautiful Curl Friends—

Wear your crown with confidence, walk in wisdom, and remember that your beauty begins within!

Happy Curls to You! 💕

Lady Carolyn M. Summerset
Crowning Glory — Coils & Kinks

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© 2026 Crowning Glory — Coils & Kinks by Lady Carolyn M. Summerset. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or republished without prior written permission of the author.