What Does a Clerical Collar Say? Part 2

It was over 5 months ago that I blogged on "What Does a Clerical Collar Say?" -- and with 30 comments (and still climbing), this post remains one of Paradoxology's most frequented.

After reading a recent post by Rick Saint (pictured below) on what is obviously still a hot topic, I decided to bring on "Part 2" of the clerical collar discussion. I loved what Rick had to say. Check it out:

"The whole issue of wearing clerics has been interesting with me.

I come from a pentecostal/charismatic background. I attended a traditional pentecostal Bible school for both my undergrad and M.A. My father was prominent pastor in the same denomination, although I usually attended charismatic/word of faith/vineyard churches.

With that being said, I am now ordained in a sacramental church (similar to Charismatic Episcopal Church) that is both liturgical and Spirit-filled.

The interesting thing I found out was that wearing a clerical collar usually attracted the unchurched although some "very religious" Christians were turned off by it. I even saw a difference between wearing a colored clerical shirt and wearing my "black and whites". When I would wear my black clerics to places such as hospitals, etc. it was normal for strangers to speak to me, ask me for prayer, etc. I guess those who were in need could recognize me for what I stood for and would ask for help.

As far as those "very religious" Christians are concerned, I had to make a decision... was it more important for me to reach those who did not know Christ or upset a few people who were already on their way to heaven? For me the answer was simple."

I suppose that, like Rick, I might also be more inclined to begin wearing a collar for the sake of the unchurched, rather than concerning myself with what "religious folk" might think. Some of you may remember that I've been toying with the possibility of wearing a clerical collar -- something which was common in my own faith tradition a century ago (Free Methodist). In addition to a couple of leaders in my church who are encouraging me in this direction, and even "daring" me, the words of my friend Pavel (aka Addai, of TheOoze fame) continue to haunt me: "wearing a (clerical) collar is like telling the world, 'the kingdom of God is open for business.'"

And so I'm asking myself afresh, "who did Jesus primarily seek to proclaim his kingdom to?"
I think that Rick's conclusion is starting to sound more and more persuasive. What are your thoughts?

Comments

[Matt Segawa]

Maybe we should all start wearing clergy collars?

[rl]

but if we all wore them, they'd be just like wwjd bracelets, or fish on our cars. :-)

[Daniel]

Chris, you just need to take the plunge and go get one. You're not going to be satisfied until you do. So in the spirit of my prediction that Cleave would become a Mac addict (made January 13, 2004 and fulfilled April 26, 2004), I predict that you will eventually sport the collar.

[kristi]

I agree with Daniel - just go for it! It's sure to be an informative experience. Also if you try it and it doesn't work out, you can always go back to wearing your civvies.

[Benjy (groovythpstr)]

I think it would definately be a good idea for you. Its not a legalistic thing, not everyone has to do it. Rod had a good point, but I don't see a huge amount of people sporting them soon. Chris, do you think certain types or ages of people would respond to this more than others, besides the unchurched vs. churched angle?

[Chris (DesertPastor)]

Thanks for prophesying over me, Daniel! :D

If it's fulfilled, I'll be sure to post some photo documentation!

[Daniel]

I read a great article at Pastors.com last week entitled, "Younger pastors ask: Is preaching out of touch?" (You can readi it here...and you really should!) In it, Doug Pagitt makes a comment that has been smouldering inside me since I read it. I'll include some of the article surrounding it for context:

For Pagitt, it is unhealthy - even abusive - to suggest that only a few, privileged individuals can speak for God. "Why do I get to speak for 30 minutes and you don't?" . . . To treat the sermon as an oratorical performance delivered by a paid and trained professional who claims to speak for God sets up an artificial power imbalance within the congregation, says Pagitt, a Baptist by training. It's hard for a congregation to practice the priesthood of all believers when the preaching perpetuates an image of the pastor as somehow more authoritative or spiritual than his or her listeners.

So I wonder...does wearing a collar (or any other vestiments) perpetuate the same image? I think it plainly does...so the question becomes, "Is it worth it?"

[Daniel]

Wow, Chris...we posted at the same time. An omen, I think, don't you? =)

[Chris (DesertPastor)]

"do you think certain types or ages of people would respond to this more than others, besides the unchurched vs. churched angle?"

That's a good question, Benjy.
I don't think general social categorizations apply here (e.g. age, gender, race, economic status). I don't even think that the paradigmatic factor of modernity v. postmodernity applies.

My "hunch" is that anyone could theorhetically qualify as an interested/approaching party to a person wearing a clerical collar UNLESS certain "disqualifiers" were present -- such as: 1) personally wounded by/disenchanted with church or having a close friend that experienced the same.
2) familial disinterest or distruct in organized religion.
3) absense of any pressing "issue" or "need" in one's life.

How about you, Benjy? Do you have any possible answers to your question?

[Chris (DesertPastor)]

Daniel (the Prophet) --

Yes, I've read that article in Pastors.com.

Pagitt always puts forth some excellent throught-provoking ideas.

Part of the problem is that we've set up a false dichotomy between the "lay-clergy" distinction and the ministry of all believers. Frankly, I see both as coexisting in the New Testament -- it's one more example of the "tensions" within our faith. The body is designed to be egalitarian, yet it also should recognize and support those who are "part of them" and yet "over them" in the Lord. This is paradoxical. This is enigmatic. This is biblical.

It may be that Doug's baptist orientation is in part what has spawned his observation of the "power-weilding" characteristic of much of today's pulpiteering. Administrative-pastors, worship-pastors, youth-pastors, counseling-pastors, and the like can become just as "power-abusive" as the stereotypical preaching-pastor. In fact, as far as THAT goes --- many, many "lay" people in typical small (and unhealthy) congregations are weilding power in VERY destructive ways every day (through family and board coalitions and other manipulative methods). The answer is not to omit teaching from the life and worship of communities of faith. Leaders need to help transition their congregations away from the overly bibliocentric models of church life that have dominated evangelicalism for the past 250 years. When the diversity of charismata within the body is recognized, cultivated, expressed, and appreciated by those who lead -- "abuse of power" is a mute point. The best leaders are servant leaders -- they're not in the ministry for themselves, they're in the ministry for others and for the sake of Christ.

So, my response to Doug would be -- the problem is not an inherant flaw in the leadership role, it's in the one occupying that leadership role.

[Benjy (groovythpstr)]

I think I remember parts of the New Testament reminding us to serve and to submit to each other. The authority in the NT seemed to flow out of the contexts of healthy relationships. Within their community, they served and submitted to each other.

Back to Daniel's question, what if more lay people were given encouragement to also wear collars? Surely we don't believe that only "certain leaders" can pray and counsel with those in need.

[Heidi]

testing comments Chris - hope it will work...

[Heidi]

it looks as if typepad is accepting my comments again - hurray!

i had written a pithy amazing comment (take my word for it) about your post when i got blocked by SORBS :/ and it got eaten, so now i'll comment on the above comments.

i just finished an article on power in the church that is due to be published in youthworker journal that addresses this exact issue.

i came from a 'power weilding' denomination and it caused a lot of damage. we're in a much better place now, but you still 'wait for the other shoe to drop' sometimes.

my previously eaten comment dealt with the great suprise that rick saint made about those outside the church responding to his collar. i was relieved and gladdened by that. it gives me joy that the collar still holds 'happy thoughts' instead of negative images i feared.

i think it would be a great experiment (and i know it goes deeper than that for you chris) to give it a trial run, see how it feels and if it 'fits' you and your ministry. i think that's part of what emergent is about, old being new again, re-creating and bringing new meaning to things that have been lost to us.

i'll be interested to see/read about your decision and the outcome it will have in your ministry. thanks for sharing the thought process.

[Fr. Charles Wood]

What does a clerical collar say? Pt.2

I'm an African American Catholic priest (ordained July 2000). Currently in the Roman Catholic tradition, priests are meant to wear the clerical collar whenever engaged in ministerial service. However, I often choose to wear my "black and whites" (occasionally "gray and white") at other times--such as on airplane flights, or going to cultural/arts events for several reasons.

One reason is that I hope to help people be all the more aware of the racial and ethnic diversity in the Christian church and particularly in its, shall we say, "visibly obvious" leadership. Another reason is to be a visibly recognizable sign that "the Kingdom of God is open for business." Regarding cultural/arts events, I admit to having an agenda of wanting people to realize--if even subliminally--that priests and ministers take an interest in what is good, praiseworthy, mind-and heart-engaging and beautiful in those realms of human expression.

BTW, related to the thread about Doug Pagitt's article on preaching, I'm in the Twin Cities and just attended a worship gathering at Solomon's Porch, where Pagitt is pastor. Ironically, he was not there 'cause he was attending the Emergent Conference in Nashville.

[scott]

hard to think of jesus wearing a clerical collar and trying to be recognized by his dress...

[Justin Baeder]

Scott-
That may be the best argument I've heard for no special dress. On the other hand, Jesus did clearly fit into the contemporary concept of a rabbi, so it's probably fair to conjecture that he did dress differently. The egalitarian hippie Jesus may not really be that accurate a picture. Very stimulating discussion.

(Sorry about the three trackbacks. I'm doing a server move and things are funky.)

[Chris (DesertPastor)]

"hard to think of jesus wearing a clerical collar and trying to be recognized by his dress..."

That's a helpful reflection, Scott. Thanks.

This, combined with Justin's "rabbi" angle has me wondering... was Jesus your "typical" rabbi? He seemed to hang out in what were considered unconventional places, with unconventional people...and my hunch is that he stuck out from what was considered the status quo.

Is it wrong for us to do the same?
Which is worse? To distinguish ourselves by wearing a clerical collar, or to wear a condenscending, I'm-more-spiritual-than-you attitude? I fear that ordinary folk (if I can get away with even using such a term) are just as guilty of tarnishing the reputation of the name, "Christian", as any member of the clergy who might sport clerical garb in public. In fact, when it comes to the desire to announce "the kingdom of God is open for business," (as has been previously suggested), I'm a lot more leary of religious wacko's touting signs than of a minister wearing a collar. :O

Well...I guess I'm done thinking out loud for now. Let's keeping probing and asking the tough questions -- this has been great!

[Daniel]

Wow...this conversation just gets better and better. Thanks, Charles, Scott, and Justin.

I'll confess to my ignorance of Jewish rabbinical customs in the time of Jesus...how did rabbis dress that set them apart? Prayer shawls? I thought those were worn by lots of men. I'll have to do some research on this...

[Chris (DesertPastor)]

"Regarding cultural/arts events, I admit to having an agenda of wanting people to realize--if even subliminally--that priests and ministers take an interest in what is good, praiseworthy, mind-and heart-engaging and beautiful in those realms of human expression.
"

Fr. Charles -- I enjoyed your entire post -- it was great. But the above comments really caught my attention. Your very presence serving as an "affirmation-of-sorts" for things the culture-at-large may assume "Christians" are against -- hmmmm. I like that.

[Tom Ball]

I'm a retired professor at Spring Arbor University in Michigan, and an Elder in the Southern Michigan Conference. We celebrated Easter Eve one year with our John Wesley Liturgy and Eucharist service on Saturday evenings - derrived from the Book of Common Prayer, Rite I. We wear robes, acolytes process in with Icons, the celebrant waves incense over the congregation and altar, elevates the host and wine at consecration while a congregation member rings the sanctus bell and the celebrant bows. Different volunteers from the congregation deliver the homily each week.

This high-church approach to communal worship is well received.

I would *love* to wear clericals. Have wanted to for a long time. FM pastors in England, and Africa, do, but it's a cultural thing there. I wish general conference would make it optional for pastors here.

[Chris (DesertPastor)]

Tom -- what a pleasure to meet a fellow Free Methodist, and such a distinguished one at that! Spring Arbor's current president, Gayle Beebe, is a good friend. Reading your description of celebrating the Eucharist was thrilling! What a far cry from the common Evangelical practice of staying in our comfortable seats and having ushers serve us, huh?

"This high-church approach to communal worship is well received."

Out of curiosity, what percentage of the congregation is in their 20's or 30's?

Concerning the wearing of "clericals", I wasn't aware of a general conference ban. Maybe you could elaborate a little more about that.

I sure would love to visit your service sometime. Any chance that you've got some photos or video of these services?

[TammyJo]

DP: I had a funny experience with a collar just this week.. .I was visiting a kid in jail. had on my jeans (attempt at relevancy) stood there waiting with a lutheran youth pastor wearing a collar. The guard came out got him and totally bypassed me. Came back out because he knew there was another pastor waiting and ending up making an announcement on the PA to find me. It never once occured to him that this denim clad, 30 something chick was a real pastor. . It was very funny when he realized he'd passed me 4 times!!

[Chris (DesertPastor)]

TammyJo -- that's hilarious and sad all wrapped up in one. Wow.

Maybe next time you should wear jeans and a collar. Or...maybe a denim collar? ;)

[Andii]

Thought some of you might be interested in
http://nouslife.blogspot.com/2004/06/clerical-collars.html
For some practical how to's as well as a look at how at least one Anglican works it out.

[Keith Seckel]

Boy, am I glad to be reading these posts!

I had posted near the end of the Part I blog awhile back, and thought it died there. Imagine my surprise and delight tonight when I saw 2 posts following mine -- and this Part II thread! Yea!

I am strongly considering adopting the wearing of the "Roman" collar with a black tabbed-collar shirt, for "official" ministerial duties, such as hospital visitations, counseling appts, etc -- but I would probably wear blue jeans and my black work boots, or black skechers.

I like the idea of easy recognizability and the whole "open for business" model, but also appreciate the comments re: "why don't we just have all Christians wear collars".

I'm wondering about that too. On one hand I understand the "everybody gets to play" idea. On the other hand, certain folks are "set apart for the ministry" a la Paul & Barnabus. And Paul is pretty clear in Ephesians re: the 5-fold ministries given in order to build up the body at large. So to have one person be the primary teaching person does not seem counter to the "everybody gets to play" idea to me. It just means that, like Paul says, we're not all hands or ears -- but each of us is something. In the week-in and week-out functioning of a church community, some body parts are more visible, although no more important.

And, I think, the same is true as the church community expresses itself within the context of the society at large. If my role is more or less visible than another's, this in no way venerates nor subjugates one's value in or to the Kingdom.

But, as I mentioned in my post to Part I, my scrubs send a message re: the role I play as an RN. Likewise, I think (at times, at least) wearing a collar could be a good thing, for some -- myself included!

Now for the hard part -- where do you find one? I googled a bit and came up with a few sites, but they were all pretty hard to navigate. Would a regular "uniform store" carry them perhaps, or do I need to find a "Religious Haberdashery" type place?

~ Keith