One of our Sunday school classes wondered what was the deal with the robes that pastors wear. Some wear a black one. Some wear a white one. Some don't wear them at all. Do they mean anything? Yes and they mean different things. Way back in the beginning everyone wore robes. Tshirts, button downs, leggings, dresses, shorts, slacks - none of them existed.
We know most about ancient fashion from our nativity scenes. We see all the characters wearing robes. Shepherds wore pretty simple stuff. The Kings were much fancier ones. You had an undergarment, tunic and folks with more money may wear something over that. We read throughout the New Testament of putting on Christ. Wearing a white tunic or alb was what someone wore at their baptism and then was the symbol that they were a baptized member of the community.
An ordained elder wears the white alb and put a stole over their shoulders, a symbol of being yoked to the church. As a result, the Genevan gown, or scholar's uniform, became the norm in most Reformed churches. Ironically, these reformers held on to the tabs, an insignia of ordination also worn by the Roman clergy. The Church of Scotland expected their pastors to wear not only the scholar's robe and the ordination tabs, but also an academic hood, to forewarn the congregation about what kind of sermon to expect.
During most of the twentieth century a Glasgow hood has prepared the congregation for a liberal sermon, an Edinburgh hood for something more conservative.
Further reaction, rebellion, or reform within the Reformed camp brought associated changes in clothing. Those who left the State Church also left its scholar's gown for some other type of wear: street clothing or formal civil clothing. Some will remember the Prince Albert suit of striped pants and cutaway coat.
But one fact remained unchanged: what the pastor wore was important to the congregation and reflected its history and traditions. Today, many pastors are confused by the variety of possible preaching uniforms and are looking for guidance on what's appropriate for a given congregation.
Does it make any difference what a pastor wears? Sometimes it doesn't. If the congregation has been exposed to such a potpourri of clerical dress that it no longer identifies any specific type of clothing with faithfulness to the gospel, then the minister is free to wear whatever his or her insights dictate. On the other hand, if the congregation has strong attachments to the past, the minister should introduce a change in dress only after he has firmly established himself as a caring pastor who is faithful to the gospel.
Many ministers lessen their effectiveness by offending members of their flock in minor matters, such as dress, and then wonder why they are powerless on issues close to the heart of the gospel. In deciding what's an appropriate preaching uniform for a given congregation, a pastor should consider three factors.
First, and most important, are the expectations of the congregation : the preaching uniform should assist rather than interfere with the proclamation of the gospel.
Second, is the historical dimension : what have the people of this tradition considered appropriate? The answer to that question depends on where a pastor sees him- or herself in that tradition. For example, does tradition in the Reformed Church in America dictate that I wear a suit, as did most of my boyhood pastors? Or should I wear an academic gown, with tabs, as did the clergy of the Reformed Church in the seventeenth century?
How a pastor answers this question says much about where he or she stands within a tradition. A third factor that should influence the selection of a preaching uniform is the psychological consideration : What impact do color and shape have on the congregation? Do the colors speak of joy or of sadness. Later, when we are privileged with the Apostle John in the book of Revelation to peek into heaven, how is the worship conducted? What kind of worship is modeled for us in heaven?
There are all kinds of liturgical lessons to be learned here. I only wish to highlight one aspect: the heavenly service is liturgical and formal. According to Revelation , heavenly worship is a formal, coordinated activity. There are cooperative, formal responses by groups of worshipers.
Everybody responds together with the same words. There are no individual displays of spirituality. Angels, elders, and creatures respond antiphonally with responses that must have been learned!
They have been trained. There is a pre-arranged form to the worship. They have rehearsed this event, and they are dressed accordingly Rev. In other words, heavenly, Spirit-guided worship is liturgical and formal 1 Cor.
The robe will make the pastor unapproachable. Not so. It makes him more approachable in his capacity as pastor. In fact, people may be more apt to address the pastor with spiritual questions and concerns. They will be reminded that Jeff is the pastor! After all, people want to be able to trust their pastors. They want their pastors to be different. An outward sign of that office helps people.
This is not hard to prove. Think about doctors, nurses, judges, and policemen. People want them to wear something distinctive that reminds them of their expertise or calling. We are helped when our doctor wears a white uniform. The uniform assists us in remembering that we can place some confidence in him. This is his calling. The uniform reminds us of his training and commitment. The same ought to be true with our pastors.
Biblical teaching as a whole links clothing and calling. You are what you wear or you wear what you are. In Christian worship, biblically and historically, the ministers wear distinctive garments to testify to their office as representatives of Christ. The robe serves to hide the personality of the man and highlight his special calling. The pastor represents Christ, the Husband, to the church, his bride. God in Christ calls us to worship, to confess, to hear his word, to give, etc.
The pastor does not act for himself, but for Christ. A judge or a policeman wears a uniform because he does not act for himself. He is under orders. He represents the law and government of the county, city, or state in which he serves. In the same way, a minister represents the law and government of another kingdom.
The clothing he wears testifies to this. He also is under orders. It does not derive from his natural charisma impressive hair or flashing dark eyes. It most certainly does not derive from the fact that he looks and acts like other leaders in the world business suits , even though this is what happens too often in America.
He has been ordained in the Presbyterian Church in America since
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