"Mom, Why is Pastor Chris a Princess?"

It seems like every time I wear my robes, I get kidded (explanation: it's only been over the past year that I've begun wearing my robes for special services and occasions).  I've been called a 'gigantic marshmallow', the 'Michelin Man', 'really pretty', and a number of other things .  But what happened yesterday afternoon took the cake!

Following our final worship service yesterday, we held a special service in order to consecrate one of our leaders as a lay pastor in our congregation.  As I stepped forward to begin the service, one of the children turned to his mother and asked, "Why is Pastor Chris a Princess?"

Pretty funny, huh?  Kinda cute, don't you think?  But the comment was also innocently honest, and reminded me that SO OFTEN, I take the simple things, the little things, the common things for granted as I seek to minister and serve God's people.  All too often I let teachable moments slip past me.  And yesterday, the Lord used a precious, pure, and honest child to point out that often there are probably adults in our congregation who may also be wondering 'why' the pastor is dressed like a princess!

Ours is a post-Christian culture, and many of our people grew up never having been exposed to church stuff (like robes!).  It's not that they don't like robes -- it's actually quite the contrary (really!). Surprizingly, I'm noticing that the wearing of robes seems to 'lift' the significance of what we're doing -- whether it's baptizing/dedicating an infant, performing a wedding, or conducting a special service like yesterday's. Maybe it's because robes seem to accentuate the fact that a sacrament or ritual is being performed (i.e. something considered holy).  Yet despite all this, I can't forget the likelihood that many people (and children!) remain clueless about the symbols, vocabulary, and practices of our faith.

I guess Princess Chris had better get busy.

Comments

[Rev. Fr. Stan]

maybe you just need robes that arent as puffy. Get an alb from Autom and hang a stole around your neck. No one will say you look like a princess then. They might say Jedi, but not princess.

I think that if your robe could also be used as a mu-mu then its time to pull it all back in.

Or, just get a wand with a star on the end and just go with the whole princess thing. You'll have a big childrens church in no time. And you can use your own robe for the flannelgraph!

Whats good about Orthodox robes is that they look very sci-fi. And, as we all know, sci-fi is mostly for males. but they are shiny enough for kids.

[dave]

Chris-
I think you hit on an important topic. Not only do we need to educate people in our post-christian society in the symbols, vocabulary and practices of our faith, but we also need to teach the significance of those. We can teach the "what's" and the "how's", but if we can't connect the "why's" along with them, then we risk coming off as a dinosaur close to extinction.

[Chris]

"Or, just get a wand with a star on the end and just go with the whole princess thing. You'll have a big childrens church in no time. And you can use your own robe for the flannelgraph!"

LOL!!! I love it, Rev. Fr. Stan. Now I know why I chose those velour panels (and I thought they were only for holding my stoles in place when needed)!

[Chris]

"Not only do we need to educate people in our post-christian society in the symbols, vocabulary and practices of our faith, but we also need to teach the significance of those."

Yep, Dave. You're right.

For many churches though, this represents a paradigm shift away from a "seeker" approach which deliberately ommitted much of this.

[Carlos]

I serve a church where the danish cassock with ruff, surplice, stole and casuable (expanation) used to reign supreme and now the alb is taking over. Some of the people find the alb less then flattering (nightgownish) while the cassock is heavy and uncomfortable winter or summer (too cold outside, too hot inside). Nothing beats the cassock though, for really festive occations.

What does work is using gowns to every service. People get used to the garments more quickly. A bit like getting used to the clergical collars. Now what I REALLY want to try out is a killer Hawaiishirt with clergical collar. That should be able to raise a few eyebrows.

[Andii Bowsher]

It's probably worth remembering too that ceremonial robes are part of televisual culture: just look at programmes like "Buffy..." and see such things used as part of the ritual actions of at least some groups. We should also recall that -at least in the UK- things like weddings often see people wearing things that they would be very embarrassed to wear to work or to a meal out [morning suits in extravagant cloths and colours, for instance], so it's not like our culture has lost the idea of special clothes for special occasions. What I do think we need to do is to be prepared to think about what we do wear in the light of the wider cultural vocabulary relating to clothes. For example, I think that the cassock/alb still has resonances of religious orders and has been adopted by some 'new' religous groups for ceremonial purposes.

Practicality and context comes into it too. I used to lead a eucharistic service where the communion table was about 30cm [12"] off the floor and where I knelt using a prayer stool to preside and the other participants sat around -many on bean bags and floor cushions. My cassock-alb was positively dangerous in that context as well as being overdressed. So I tried to dress in a way that was both 'serious' but relaxed, in this case I opted for black trousers and a black roll-neck sweater over which I put a stole [which I usually put on at the start of the service as a signal that we were getting underway].

[Kevin]

One of the things lacking in the modern church is "reverence". Now, I am not syaing that we can't use the sanctuary for a fellowship hall for a pot luck dinner. But, I would never have dreamed of running in the sanctuary when I was a young child. Someone... anyone... would have snatched me up by the hair of the head and made sure I didn't do that again.

I miss some of the symbols and practices of the past that made me enter the sanctuary with an attitude of worship. A robe, a clerical collar, a choir (not a "praise band!") all can call us to an attitude of reverence and worship.

[Chris]

"What I do think we need to do is to be prepared to think about what we do wear in the light of the wider cultural vocabulary relating to clothes."

Andii, you're right. Our church's "invite card" has a pair of comfortable denim pants on the front, with the words "Church Clothes" written across the top. Although I am beginning to wear the robes for special occasions, I prefer to wear common clothing the rest of the time. Do you feel I'm wise to do so? I'd enjoy hearing your thoughts.

[Gina]

LOL

I've mentioned this before on your blog, but I get similar feelings from our wearing of veils. It's so beautiful, such a visual reminder of the clothing of the church by our Lord (I get choked up when I think of this). As well as a tactile and visual reminder of what we are gathering to do.

[Gina]

P.S. Fr. Stan, you know you love those "man muu-muus". ;)

[Carlos]

I've always been a fan of dressing up for sundays. I mean, really, what's the point of having a holy God and not look nice when going to meet in his or her house?

Yes, Chris, I think you'd be wise to lead with example here, the holy space becomes more festive when the minister wears churchgarments. The flock will accept and follow, because it's "church".

[Judy]

Hi Chris, I feel the same as Carlos in regard to adding to the occasion by the addition of a sacred symbol. I happen to be the new lay pastor that Chris consecrated Sunday, and I requested that he wear the robe. The event was very special to me and I really wanted it to seem as sacred and holy to those who joined in sharing it with us. Thanks Chris for taking that little "hit" for me. You're a real "Prince." (:)