FRESNO, Calif. — Beads of perspiration formed on Eric Rogers' forehead Sunday as he arrived at New Covenant Community Church in northeast Fresno, Calif., wearing board shorts and flip flops.

Not his usual church attire.

Then, again, Fresno reached a high temperature of 112 degrees that day — breaking a 110-year-old record.

Not even church fashion police dared to nab the 18-year-old Rogers, or others in swim wear.

"We encourage people to dress as casual as they can," said New Covenant Community Church's pastor, the Rev. Jan van Oosten.

Many places of worship prefer congregants to dress with good taste at Sunday services. Some larger churches provide options, specially designing Saturday services for those wanting to dress casual.

But during a heat wave, many clergy members and congregants are loosening their collars about church clothing, regardless of the day.

"Hey, there's no sense dressing beyond comfortable," van Oosten said.

At NorthPointe Community Church in northwest Fresno, an outdoor mister was set up near the main entrance to cool down congregants last weekend.

At Northside Christian Church in Clovis, Calif., a greeter, Kathi Claborn, said she goes along with Northside's wishes to dress with good taste at church.

She said she teaches her daughters, ages 7 and 15, to know the difference between their "church clothes" and their "play clothes."

"But when it's more than 100 degrees, it's hard to look at a pair of panty hose and say, 'I'm going to put those on,"' Claborn said.

Claborn thinks it is more important people attend church rather than stay home worrying about what they can — or cannot — wear to church on hot days.

Rogers agreed. On Sunday, he attended church with girlfriend Ashley Laws, 19, and her niece, Kalynn Smelley, 11, both visiting from Rushspring, Okla.

Rogers' eyes sparkled as he showed his Aeropostale board shorts. Ashley and Kalynn were wearing capris and flip flops. All were going swimming at a friend's home after service.

At Clovis Hills Community Church, officials said congregants are welcome to attend services "dressed to go boating" after services Saturdays or Sundays.

"And we tell them they can park their boats in the church parking lot," the church's worship pastor, Kimbery MacNeil, said.

There weren't any boats parked last weekend, but a lot of congregants wore shorts, sandals and other cool clothing to Sunday services.

Some congregants sipped smoothies they brought with them while listening to MacNeill's husband, Dave, give the sermon. He, like nearly everyone in the worship team, dressed in blue jeans and sandals.

Kimberly MacNeill said, "It doesn't matter what your activities are, you come dressed as you are — and go play."

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