What to wear - the (almost) 4 year on follow-up)

A few years ago, not long after being selected as a candidate for ministry, I wrote about 'What to wear' in that position. Because I'd deferred, I wasn't actually training at the time I wrote it, but it was part of things which were going around in my head at the time (none of which I remember, almost four years on).

Have my opinions changed about clothing? Yes and no. (Don't you just like decisiveness?!)

Yes, because I can really see how, depending on the context in which I may serve, how a cassock would be handy. I could roll up on my trike wearing cycling clothes (this is where I have to point out there will be no lycra in my cycling wardrobe - I am still recovering from seeing too many Lands End to John O'Groats cyclists' lycra last summer for my liking...), slip a cassock on and look all 'ministerial.' That's the theory at least!

And yes, because I do think there are times when people 'need' to see the minister as looking like one or at least be able to easily identify them. My supervisor at Highland Cathedral usually only wore a collar with his suit, when leading worship, but at baptisms he put the robes on. It wasn't that he was trying to be someone he wasn't, just he was serving the needs of those who were in the congregation for the baptism. Or, a retired minister I know of who wears his collar doing hospital visits, as he finds he can open doors which would be harder to push without. Again, because there are times when people need to see he is a minister, and it saves the hassle of having to explain who he is and why he's visiting someone.

But there's also a 'no' here, too. Though a collar can open doors, it may also close them, depending on people's perception (or relationship with) the church. I suppose it's about 'finding' what's right for a context - and what might work one month might not the next. But that would be in non-church situations.

And no because why is it being worn? I know there is sometimes an expectation probationer minsters wear a collar, if that's their supervisor's practise, to 'show' the congregation they are equals. Maybe it's just be, but 'clothes doth not maketh the man (or woman)' and I would suggests not being seen as an equal to the incumbent minister is (perhaps) their problem and wearing or not wearing some clothes won't change that. Besides. with the best will in the world, probationer ministers will never be the 'equals' to their supervisors, as the congregation did not have a choice in their placement and, until ordination, they cannot administer the sacraments.

Another 'no' is ministers in the early reformed kirk (can you tell I'm studying for a protestant Scotland exam?!) wore their 'ordinary' clothes, with a gown to show their educated status. So, if we are in keeping with 'good' reformed practise, why don't we just wear ordinary clothes? These days, having a degree level of education isn't that uncommon (in fact, almost all candidates already have a degree of some sort - or more). And there's a 'thing' (does it need to happen?) where outside the church (oh, and these days, sometimes on the website) is the minister's qualifications (or at least the letters after their name - I so often forget I technically have them, but in the scheme of things do not view them as important). So, why aren't ministers wearing what they'd 'normally' wear to church to lead worship? Yet, and this is where I could argue I am a bit of a hypocrite, I would turn up to be a bum on a pew in jeans and a top, but to lead worship I wear a suit and blouse (more like a shirt - no frills or bows or puffs). But it is work and I would want to be appropriately attired for it.

I suppose the bottom line, for me, if why a minister is wearing what they are wearing. If it's a 'I'm the minister and need to show that I am' in a very authoritarian, status driven sort of way, I think that if they need clothes to gain respect, well, I'll just leave it like that. I also know of a minister who was 'persuaded' by his session to wear a collar. Was that the 'right' reason to do it? I don't think so and, if you know me, you know I would have dug my heals in about that one.

Even without 'ministerial' clothes I have been regarded in a past placement and in other contexts as 'a minister.' Clothes don't do it, a call from God does. What we wear when following that call, I feel, should reflect the context in which we are serving and whom we are serving. And that will vary from person to person, parish to parish.

What to wear...

Over at Pilgrim's progress, Nik has been posting on what to wear as a minster. You can read the post here.

Generally, I think it's useful for the congregation, especially visitors, to see who the minister is. This is where the dog - sorry, clerical - collar comes in useful. I know, when I am a minister I will wear one for leading worship, certain types of visits where being instantly recognisable is advantageous and funerals.


It's a uniform. I recognise the assistant in Tesco by their uniform. I know if I want to know where to get the item that's been moved for the umpteenth time, I ask the person in the right clothing. I suppose the same goes for ministers!

As for robes...quite frankly, I'd get roasting in them. Generally, I don't feel very cold, unless it's really hot. So, robes would get me too hot under the collar! There are times, I know, where they set even more gravitas - such as when performing (or should that be administering?) the sacraments and remembrance Sunday. Having said that, if I was called to a very cold church, my opinion on robes may change very rapidly!!!

Preaching scarves...well they can be useful. A bit more formal than just the collar, but without the insulation of robes!

And there's then the debate (at least in my head) on what to wear with the collar. Jeans, biker trousers, a suit?  That will depend on the occasion and people involved.

Sometimes, though, I think the collar can be a barrier. People will see the minister in a different light. They may not fully show themselves or be appalled to see the minister having a pint in the local! Even out of uniform, a minister, by some, is still expected to be a certain type of person and not necessarily very Christ-like - I'm sure he'd go to the pub. Jesus didn't change clothes to teach the people, according to scripture. Maybe he did, but it was not recorded. I'm sure if he did and there was an important reason for it, it would have been recorded by the gospel writers.

From a very personal point of view, at the moment, I wear a suit jacket when leading worship in my home church. It shows I am being more formal and sets a bit more gravitas (for me, believe me, that is an achievement!). I am doing pulpit supply at the end of October and I will wear a suit on that occasion.

When I start training, I think my attire for the occasions will remain fairly constant. Although I will be a trainee minister, I wouldn't want people getting a false impression I am  the minister, as that could lead to all kinds of comedy situations.

But, at what point would I begin to wear a collar? At the right time in training? At the start of probation? When following the call to congregations? When being ordained? Spot thinks probation. He uses the police analogy, where even during training the police wear a uniform. I pointed out there are indicators on their uniform they are in training....so, should trainee ministers have a blue clerical collar!!!

God has called me because of who I am. My clothes are a reflection of that. So long as my clothes do not distract others from His message, I think that's all that really matters.