What Does a Clerical Collar Say, part 3

A couple of recent posts on my last installment on this topic has had me thinking some more about wearing a clerical collar.  Here's what Father Deacon Raphael (fdr) had to say:

We Orthodox have a slightly different take (of course).

First, the "collar" is not really Orthodox. Some Orthodox jurisdictions disdain it completely, others have embraced it, but most see it as an alternative to traditional clergy attire. The Riassa or cassock....usually black.

2nd, there is no "option." We are supposed to wear it at all times, because we are always a deacon, a presbyter, a bishop. It is not a way to get people to notice you....although they do. Its an obedience. And while it often has the advantages talked about in this post and comments, it has its disadvantages. You can never just "blend in."

...Bottom line, even though I work a secualr job (which has its own uniform), I strive to obediently wear my cassock (or collar) at all times in the community. I can never forget I am a servant in the house of the Lord....pretty humbling thought.

This hit me pretty hard.  It's the thought that a clerical collar points to one's calling and responsibility -- something we can't "turn on" or "turn off" as we choose.

I wonder how often evangelicals (like me) are glad for the relative annonymity we so often live in?  I for one have certainly been guilty in the past of not wanting, any distinguishing marks on my vehicle (e.g. decal, license plate frame) alerting people to my faith and profession (I say this with shame).  Choosing to wear a clerical collar only during hospital visits or funerals (mentioned in the comments to previous posts) is one thing; but those who choose to wear the collar regularly choose to forfeit their annonymity on a daily basis (or at least whenever they're in public).  I respect that.  It has me pondering the commitment I may need to make if I choose to don the collar.

What are your thoughts?

Comments

[tim]

Interesting post. I was reading Bruggemann's "Cadences of Home" last night, and he was writing about this, except that the context was Israel in exile, and the "collar" was the symbol of circumcision. Circumcision took on a very deep significance for Israelites in exile, it became a constant reminder of who they really were - that in the midst of exile, surrounded by Babylonian religion, authority, culture, society etc., the Israelites could live and work 'among' the Babylonians, but never truly 'be' one of them. Of course the symbol is rather patriarchal, and quite less obvious than a clerical collar, but the point is the same - it was a way for us to acknowledge that we are 'among', but that we are not 'of' the kingdom around us. I am a pastor; I don't wear a collar (never will) because I think the collar has lost its veracity as a symbol (except maybe for the wearer - although that might be the point). Bruggemann suggests that baptism is the symbol equivalent of circumcision for Christians. Even though the Babylonians cannot see it, it is a marker that tells us and our witnesses that we are no longer citizens of the empire, but belong to the Kingdom of God.

[maryellen]

Ok, here is yet another story from our archives...
A few years back, Farmington New Mexico made a gallent attempt at "unity" as illustrated in the Transformation Videos. There was a Christmas Party for local pastors and their spouses, held at one of the large, nondenominational charasmatic churches and the guest speaker was an "apostalic" leader of this nondenominational group. There were in attendance, Anglo, Hisapnic, Native American, Baptists, Methodists, AOG, and Father Carl, the local Episcoplian priest. The speaker was impressed with the gathering, and especially interested in Father Carl.
As he got up to deliever the "message" he made a comment about Carl and his collar, at which point Father Carl got up, took off his collar and placed it around the neck of the speaker. "There, now you are ready to deliver an Apostalic message" The crowd roared!

[Lauren]

Thanks for sharing this viewpoint. I hadn't considered enough the "heat" it brings to the constant wearer -- too mindful of the flip side of the issue. I'm way left (maybe too much so) on the "set apart" continuum of the representative ministry.

[Monk-in-Training]

I have considered this, and it is something I am a bit concerned with, since my Order does have a habit. I have sort of looked on this idea with a bit of dread for the exact reason listed above. I sort of like not sticking out in a crowd, and if I want to be less than loving or Christlike I can without bringing much shame upon the Name of the Lord. Not so if I was in habit. Fortunately I have time to get used to the idea. :)

[Keith Seckel]

Part I of this post is what gogled me to Paradoxology in the first place, so it is interesting that today, just days after purchasing a clerical shirt and collar online, I find myself posting here!

I'm an Associate Oastor (but not paid staff -- I'm an RN for a local hospital for that) and I'm preaching on 10th July.

I'm planning on wearning the shirt/collar with blue jeans -- maybe even wear jeas that are overly faded and have a hole in the knee...

I'd do that to model two things:

(1) We are all priests and, as such, set apart
(2) We are all still "in" the world

A Haiku:

many lines are blurred
both/and kisses either/or
tension is my home

I'm preaching on "Public Worship as Spiritual Formation" frm Brian McLaren's talk at Emergent -- we are "in" church, but we are also "in" the world. How do we grow? Can we be both fully "in" the world, but "of" the Kingdom? YES!

Also -- I'm a volunteer chaplain for the local PD, so wearing a collar quickly identifies me when in that role. (otherwise my crew-cut, pierced, tattood appearance might not be well received, sadly!)

Oh yeah -- the clerical shirt I bought is short sleeved, so my wrist tatoo will be visible. =O)

~ Keith

[Keith Seckel]

Aside from being a Associate *P*astor and RN, I am apparently also a poor proofreader...

...and a tad insecure about it! =O)

~ Keith

[Chris]

Hey, great comments so far everyone! I'm totally enjoying this. Keep it up!

[jimmy]

I have a friend who was a church planter, volunteer police chaplain, and construction worker. He wore skater shoes, shorts, and politically incorrect T shirts to his church, but while on duty as the chaplain he wore the clerical collar. It was pretty amazing to see this big guy, with full sleeve tattoos, completely shaved head, and several facial piercings with the short sleeve black button up clerical shirt with the little white collar on it. I thought it was an amazing testimony, because anyone who spent more than two minutes with him would feel the love of Christ oozing out of every pore of his body!

grace and peace, jimmy

[Justin Baeder]

Glad to see another post on this topic, DP. I think for many young evangelicals, the WWJD bracelet served the same purpose in the 1990s. I (for some reason) still wear mine at all times, and it has served the function you described, to good effect.

[Matt]

Chris,
Dude..maybe try wearing one for a week, see what happens? Then you can blog about your experience and give us some firsthand feedback. Hee heee!

What do you think gang?

[Keith Seckel]

When I preach on 10th July, it will be my first time wearing the collar -- I'll be sure to let you all know how that goes...but I think Matt's challenge is a good one -- what do you say Chris?

~ Keith

[fdr]

Having reread my comments, I have to clarify a little....lest anyone think they could always find me walking around Niagara Falls, NY in my cassock. Ideally that would be the case. But in reality, I work my job in the police Dept., wearing the uniform of that vocation, as well as wearing shorts and t-shirt when I coach little league.

It is a struggle, but feel convicted that I should keep the "exceptions" to a minimum. Usually when I do, its out of compassion to my wife and kids, who would like to "blend in" once and awhile...so as a rule I don't wear "the garb" when I am on vacation....although I think it better to do so. (I never fail to get in spiritual conversations when people recognize me as a minister of some sort.

ONe further reason that I like the Cassock over the collar, is that it is easier to throw on "over the civvies." If I am working in the yard, but want to run out and make a quick visit on "Mrs. Mokhiber," its a lot easier then putting on black pants and shirt and collar....

But my priest observed the other day, that I seem to be less of a traditionalist in hot weather!!

[Seraphim]

hmm. i wonder. what would happen if instead of our wwjd wristbands, bumper stickers, 'official cloth' we went about clothed in the love of Christ to a lost world?

I think it's easy to be seen as a 'religious' or even 'christian' when wrapped in the garb, but more desirable i say is when the fruit in our lives id's us, without the clothes/trappings.

don't get me wrong, i like the liturgy just fine, but i doubt that the apostles needed the things we seem to need.

and didn't Jesus say "and you will know my disciples by their love, one for another?"

he must mean those other sheep, not the usa denoms.

Peace

Seraphim

[Keith Seckel]

Seraphim,

I agree wholeheartedly. James says to be doers of the word, not just hearers. I'd add to that in this context that we are to be doers of the word, not just wearers of the garb.

My struggle is this: that life well-lived is something that others notice over time, mostly. It is relational. Certainly there are moments when someone first meets us and the love of Christ shines through. But mainly it is my coworkers and the people on my street that I will impact by my life well-lived.

When I am in specific circumstances, like acting as a Police Chaplain, my personal demeanor communicates volumes, but so does a collar. Just like a Police badge or firefighter clothing, or my nurse's scrubs, etc etc etc -- the uniform helps direct someone's expectations.

Now if Rev and 1 Tim say we are all priests, then why not ordain everyone, and have everyone wear the cloth? (see Chris other awesome post on clergy-laity distinctions for that)

~ Keith

[John Surinchak]

I run a healing prayer ministry in Marin County, California....read very liberal. Since my ministry is interfaith I try not to scare off the non-Christians with a collar. I wear a guayabera shirt tailored for the clerical collar. Check out clergyshirt.com or guayaberashirt.com. These are also called Philipino or Cuban shirts with two vest pockets and two waist pockets. I wear a blue shirt as it's the color of healing and also the Order of St Luke. This shirt has been specially tailored to take a collar insert. The shirt will get you into a fancy restaurant but is also comfortable and a lot of people think it's cool. Not cheap, starts about $45. Mine costs me $60.
On less formal occassions I wear a V necked T-shirt with a vest pocket from Haband with a clerical dickey.
A lot of times I wear my "Area 51" T-shirt with a name tag with Healing prayer Minister and my name on it...along with my multicolored beach pants. Just depends on how formal I want to be and the occassion.

Paz....John+

[Kevin Powell]

Great picture of Bp. Fred Hiltz of the Nova Scotia/PEI Diocese! He's a great guy. Excellent bishop.

I wear a collar because it gives me a higher profile than I otherwise might. I've had great conversations that started with "Hey, are you a priest?"

kgp

[Chris]

Kevin, do you wear your collar fairly frequently? The Lutheran pastor in our town does, and has also shared with me about the many opportunities it opens for conversation and ministry.

[Rachel]

Fascinating thread. There's no equivalent for rabbis, though many observant Jews choose to wear head-covering at all times (the kippah or yarmulke, often rendered "skullcap" in English) which can serve a similar purpose, e.g. setting the wearer apart and identifying him/her as someone committed to Judaism. But that's not quite the same as identifying oneself as clergy; I imagine that must be a fascinating choice to be making!

As far as the car thing goes -- I actually find the preponderance of religious stickers on automobiles kind of annoying, so I don't see anything wrong with not emblazoning the driver's religious credentials on the bumper of the vehicle. But maybe that's just me... :-)

[Chris]

Rachel, so Rabbi's are generally only known through "relationship" (like many Evangelical Protestant pastors)?

[Pastor T]

Has anyone heard that the cleric comes from a symbol that a christians used in regards to being beheaded? Meaning that christians would be persecuted and beheaded for preaching christ. Those christrians who continued to preach wore a metal plate around their neck and a white cloth over the metal plate to avoid be beheaded. I'm not sure how true this is but I am looking for answers.

Thanks,

Pastor Tee

NY

[Dave S.]

Nice rip-off of CatholicInsider's (www.sqpn.com) black, white, and yellow priest image. Did you forget that Commandment, Thous shall not steal?

[Chris Monroe]

Dave S.--

Are you related to www.sqpn.com in some official capacity? I noticed that you listed it as your URL.

Thanks for pointing out the origin of the pic in that post.

Blessings,

Chris

[Mike]

Jesus and I both hate the doctrine and works of the Nicolatians. Pharasese collars seem to indicate you are better than the laity, when in actuality you guys are comming between God and man. Many of you will have a rude awakening on judgment day.

[George]

I don't wear a clerical collar all the time, and I don't think this makes me unavailable to those who might need pastoral care. The collar doesn't make the priest--God does, and we are not required to wear one all of the time. I feel just as much a priest wearing a collar as not. On the down side, the clerical collar can also be a lightning rod, attracting crazy people who might not need the kind of pastoral care we might ideally think we will be available to provide. However, when I do wear clericals, I wear 100 percent cotton shirts under a 100 percent wool rabat... and always under a suit. The cotton/poly blends are scratchy and cause one to sweat.

[Casey Taylor]

Amazing that this is still drawing attention two years later! First, a sidenote: wow, Mike! Pulling the "me and Jesus" card! I guess I'll take my chances on Judgment Day, brother.

I've been thinking about this a lot lately. I've noticed a few things. First, clerical garb carries different connotations for evangelical Protestants than for Catholics, Orthodox, etc. Protestants seem OK wearing the collar when they can take it off. Catholics have more pressure to wear it all the time. I sympathize with both impulses. If we've been called, we're always on call. Pastors are always pastors, even at 3am.

Second, evangelical Protestants (and I reluctantly admit that description) still have issues with the clergy/laity divide. For some, the collar implies clericalism. Clericalism seems to equate Church with clergy. Moreover, it implies that clergy are better than laity. We need to overcome this elitist notion while maintaining a hold on Christian leadership as expressed in Scripture and accented by Christian tradition. Like it or not, we ordain leaders to do a DIFFERENT kind of work on behalf of the community. Not better work; different work. Ordained ministers administer the Word through preaching and sacraments. Leadership happens whether we formally acknowledge it at not. The most dangerous sort of leadership I see is the personality-driven leadership that emerges in churches with a free church orientation (usually Charismatic circles).

Third, I think it's remarkable that so many charismatic (note the little "c") leaders - again in Charismatic circles (note the capitalized "C")- take up the collar as a sign of authority. I see this most often in African-American Charismatic leaders. Simultaneously, white Protestants often seem eager to shed robes and collars for dress shirts or polos in order to deemphasize their authority.

Finally, for those of us in traditions which ordain women (Methodists), the collar can be a powerful symbol of the authority the church has invested in this individual. When my wife is ordained, I'd love for her to wear a collar if context will allow.

I look forward to more thoughts on this.