Ministerial Dress in the Pulpit

[Whole Hearted]

Originally Posted by Charlie Brown

That is because you guys are really business men.

Well if I go to town to take care of church business i always dress as a pastor. I think we should respect the office of pastor.

[Charlie Brown]

Originally Posted by Whole Hearted

Well if I go to town to take care of church business i always dress as a pastor. I think we should respect the office of pastor.

I am just teasing you Bro! You are a business man. In the business of winning souls, and keeping them saved. Amen?

[ChTatum]

Originally Posted by philjones

Bro. Tatum,

Why must we be the ones to adapt and adopt the practices of our culture? I find your premise to be factual but ultimately a straw man created to justify your desires (nothing wrong with the desires but yours nevertheless). Certainly we can make an idol out of anything, including those things which are holy, but desiring to present a professional appearance doesn't fall into the category of idolatry and you are scone with too much marmalade to make this comparison!

Love you! Have a great day. I must now go to work.

Admin, how is this for a first post?

Bro. Jones,
I understand your premise, but we have already adapted. The "professional attire" was instituted by whom?
It certainly was not John the Baptist....
Please understand, I do not like jeans and shirt-tails hanging out, and I do enforce a pulpit "standard" that some would say is legalistic. My point is many things, not just or only clothing, have become "icons" unto themselves. At one time they were profitable and necessary, but their usefulness or relevance has now passed by.

(BTW, the scone and marmalade was not a reference to my obesity, was it? LOL!)

Originally Posted by ChTatum

Bro. Jones,
I understand your premise, but we have already adapted. The "professional attire" was instituted by whom?
It certainly was not John the Baptist....
Please understand, I do not like jeans and shirt-tails hanging out, and I do enforce a pulpit "standard" that some would say is legalistic. My point is many things, not just or only clothing, have become "icons" unto themselves. At one time they were profitable and necessary, but their usefulness or relevance has now passed by.

(BTW, the scone and marmalade was not a reference to my obesity, was it? LOL!)

Care to list some other things that "their usefulness or relevance has now passed by"?

[ChTatum]

Originally Posted by Garfield

Care to list some other things that "their usefulness or relevance has now passed by"?

Horse-drawn buggies.

Wash boards.

Sundials.

"Bag" cell phones.

The U. S. Postal Service.


Seriously, I have no desire to list specific things in the church which would only foster disagreements or arguments.

[secretplace]

Originally Posted by Rhoni

I'll just have to tell this...a couple years ago Franklin Jentzen's church in Atlanta decided to go casual on the platform...when I was visiting I did not feel the least bit impressed with the wrinkled shirts and jeans...I sent him an e-mail about the lack of professionalism and that I was raised to wear my best for the Lord. While you could not enforce, nor would you ever want to make anyone feel uncomfortable wearing what they have to church, I felt the leadership should be more of an example.

He changed it back within two weeks. I am sure it wasn't just my e-mail but he probably got many! LOL

Blessings, Rhoni

I admire your 'spunk' to do this. I'd like to send an email or two.

[secretplace]

Originally Posted by Pragmatist

I agree that clothing is not an indicator of spirituality and people should not be made to feel less if they are not dressed up. At the same time, I think the tradition of dressing up is a good one and intend to lead by example.

I like it.

Originally Posted by Ronzo

We have a park here in Austin on Lake Travis where you can do the same...

It's called "Hippie Hollow".

Well, Austin is the San Francisco of Texas!

JK JK

Originally Posted by IAintMovin

Philly, welcome to da house....glad you are here...

Thanks for the welcome... I am glad to be here!

Originally Posted by ChTatum

Bro. Jones,
I understand your premise, but we have already adapted. The "professional attire" was instituted by whom?
It certainly was not John the Baptist....
Please understand, I do not like jeans and shirt-tails hanging out, and I do enforce a pulpit "standard" that some would say is legalistic. My point is many things, not just or only clothing, have become "icons" unto themselves. At one time they were profitable and necessary, but their usefulness or relevance has now passed by.

(BTW, the scone and marmalade was not a reference to my obesity, was it? LOL!)

Fat people DO NOT make fun of Fat people! Nuff said on that!

As to the adaptation, I like to think that most of our adaptation has been ascendant as in ascending to a higher plane or a more beneficial or respectable position, yes, even to the point of being set apart by the level of that adaptation. I am opposed to descendant adaption where we settle in at the level of the lowest common denominator of our society. This is true about me in both my professional life and my ministry. I am still accused of being locked into the IBM big blue of yesterday because I feel more comfortable in a coat and tie on a sales call than in an open necked shirt and slacks. As much as I love my dogs (all five of them) I would never feel it was appropriate for them to sleep under my desk in the office or to accompany me on a sales call. That is an adaptation i will not make!