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

[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.