Clerical Collar

[Lance Schmitz]

Questions for the clergy types...

I was ordained this May and since my ordination have begun to wear a clerical collar. I have had so many unique and enriching experiences since I began wearing this uniform. I've made many new friends, encountered a fair share of jesting from friends, and found myself living more fully into my ordination because of this.

What have been your experiences with wearing a collar?

[Jon Twitchell]

I primarily wear my collar when meeting families that are outside the church.

I am bivocational, serving on the "short-list" of pastors that our local funeral home calls for a family from out-of-town or without a church connection. In that role, I perform an average of one funeral per week. Typically, I wear a grey clergy shirt for visiting hours or meeting with the family, and my black shirt for the funeral itself.

I have also worn it for weddings (again, typically the grey shirt for rehearsal, and the black shirt for the wedding). (I'm actually doing a wedding this fall where the bride and groom are discussing having me wear an alb & stole--because (while a church) their wedding venue is devoid of much Christian symbolism.)

I don't typically wear it on Sundays (in fact, I generally don't wear a suit on Sundays, and tend to avoid ties between Memorial Day and Labor Day).

I do wear the collar if I'm asked to visit someone in the hospital--especially if it's someone I don't know.

I vowed to always wear it when doing ministry in the jail. After wearing the collar for several weeks, I was used to not having to walk through the metal detector, and only ocassionally being "wanded." One week, I showed up in street clothes, and not only did I have to walk through the metal detector and get wanded, the officer (who had seen me every week for 2 months) patted me down before letting me go in to visit.

I also wear it when asked to do any "public" appearances--like praying at the community college's graduation, or walking in the Memorial Day parade and offering the benediction.

It has opened up conversations for me in places where nobody would know me--especially the hospital-- (but also at Wendy's or anywhere I might happen to be doing errands).

And, I've taken my share of ribbing--although I'm not sure how "good-natured" it was... At District Assembly this year, I wore my collar 2 out of the 3 days because I had funerals on those days as well. I was (mockingly) called "father," asked if I had converted, and reminded by one lovely lady that "it's not Halloween."

I voted "Sometimes," because I really do wear it only for specific occasions.

[Lance Schmitz]

i always wear alb and stole for weddings. at each wedding the bride and groom expressed their thankfulness that I chose to wear the vestments.
also whenever i lead the wesley covenant service or ash wednesday service I wear the vestments and 99 percent of people express the meaningfulness that garb brings to the service.

it is interesting in that after I've left the room and removed the vestments I've had many people ask me who the pastor who performed the service and how wonderful job that guy did. I usually just smile and agree

[Jon Twitchell]

can you advise a good source for alb/stole?

[Ryan Scott]

I haven't yet figured out how to attach the collar to my t-shirt.

[Jon Twitchell]

I haven't yet figured out how to attach the collar to my t-shirt.

Get someone to sew buttonholes in your t-shirt... :)

[Kent Campbell]

Hey Jon a good source for albs/stoles is www.autom.com
I have bought items from this source and found them to be good quality and fair priced.

[Ryan Scott]

They just need to make wrap-around collars. I'll be all set.

In all seriousness, I'm not in a ministry position now where those things would be needed, but I do plan on going that route for weddings and funerals and times when I'm expected to blend in rather than stand out.

Really, I'd be down for wearing the grey robe the monks where everyday, but that might be a little too far to be practical.

[Jon Twitchell]

They just need to make wrap-around collars. I'll be all set.

In all seriousness, I'm not in a ministry position now where those things would be needed, but I do plan on going that route for weddings and funerals and times when I'm expected to blend in rather than stand out.

Really, I'd be down for wearing the grey robe the monks where everyday, but that might be a little too far to be practical.


Wrap-around collars?

Like these:

[Ken Pell]

When I pastored in Tulsa I wore one quite frequently. I still find them very very helpful in settings like hospitals, jails, weddings, funerals, etc.

The catalyst for beginning was jail ministry. I was always assumed to be an attorney when I wore a suit and had to sit a lengthy period of time. Once I began to wear the collar I was expedited in to see the inmates.

I began to see more and more how it identified me with my role. I do not remember any adverse responses to the "uniform."

I do not wear them now, my parish would not be comfortable with it for whatever reasons. But I do recommend them if your ministry setting allows for it.

[Lance Schmitz]

Jon-

I had my alb made for me by a seamstress friend. But some other places that are good to get vestments are:

http://www.cokesbury.com/

and

http://www.ebay.com

[Barbara Moulton]

I am pretty much the same as Jon. I wear my collar for weddings and funerals. I am occasionally asked to do funerals for people who I have met through chaplaincy or am called by the funeral home if someone doesn't have their own clergy. I also wear one when I am preaching at a church where they are accustomed to their minister wearing a collar.

I used to wear a collar at the hospital (where I am chaplain) all the time. But I found that it could be off putting for some patients (who associated the collar with last rites and thought their time was up). I also found that staff connected with me better when I didn't wear it. So now I don't.

As a Salvation Army officer I wore a uniform. I found it did open many doors to reach people. When we first left The Salvation Army, I could hardly conceive what it would be like to do ministry when my clothing would not be announcing to everyone that I was in ministry.

I thought the collar would be equivalent but the collar has never resulted in the same type of connections that the uniform gave me when I am out and about in the community.

Having been in this community for eight years now, I have found that people are starting to know who I am. It is rare that I am don't meet someone from our church, someone from the hospital or someone else who knows me from the community. And they will want to talk to me whether I am wearing a collar or not.

One thing that really surprises me about the collar is that you can buy one without having any identification to show that you are ordained in a church. In The Salvation Army, you couldn't get a uniform without having proof that you were a soldier or officer. I often thought how dangerous it could be if someone decided to wear a clerical collar in the same way that some have purchased police uniforms. To gain trust so that they could hurt another.

For me, the collar is useful in some ways, but that nothing can take the place of connection that goes beyond clothing to the heart of who I am as I minister in the spirit of Jesus.

[Mike Schutz]

I wear my robe for weddings and funerals, and my collar for hospital visits in areas where such will allow me more access. In certain places such apparel will be more of a detriment than a help.

Just an observation: It is interesting that some of the same folks who choose much more casual clothing - jeans and a shirt with shirt tail hanging out - for some pastoral functions - such as preaching - choose formal clerical apparel for other functions. I have heard some say that they wouldn't ever wear a suit on Sunday morning, because it would separate them from the rest of the congregation. Yet they will wear a collar and/or robe. I don't have a problem with it, just confused by the logic.

[Marg Webb]

I haven't yet figured out how to attach the collar to my t-shirt.



Are you happy or complaining?????:)

[Jon Twitchell]

Just an observation: It is interesting that some of the same folks who choose much more casual clothing - jeans and a shirt with shirt tail hanging out - for some pastoral functions - such as preaching - choose formal clerical apparel for other functions. I have heard some say that they wouldn't ever wear a suit on Sunday morning, because it would separate them from the rest of the congregation. Yet they will wear a collar and/or robe. I don't have a problem with it, just confused by the logic.


I don't think that you are referring to me... :) (In part, because I don't think I would wear jeans with shirttails hanging out...)

However, I do tend to choose a more casual approach to Sunday morning-- (although I'm not consistent). Part of the reason is that my community is dichotomous--doctors and lawyers on the one hand, and lobsterman and farmers on the other. In an effort to reinforce the idea that people should not be overly concerned about what they wear, I choose to vary my attire with a degree of unpredictability.

Good logic? probably not... but at least that's the thinking for me!

[Gina Stevenson]

Questions for the clergy types...

I was ordained this May and since my ordination have begun to wear a clerical collar. I have had so many unique and enriching experiences since I began wearing this uniform. I've made many new friends, encountered a fair share of jesting from friends, and found myself living more fully into my ordination because of this.

Sort of like folks watching their driving a bit more, maybe, once they decide to put a "fish" on their vehicle? ;)

I don't think that you are referring to me... :) (In part, because I don't think I would wear jeans with shirttails hanging out...)

However, I do tend to choose a more casual approach to Sunday morning-- (although I'm not consistent). Part of the reason is that my community is dichotomous--doctors and lawyers on the one hand, and lobsterman and farmers on the other. In an effort to reinforce the idea that people should not be overly concerned about what they wear, [I]I choose to vary my attire with a degree of unpredictability.

Good logic? probably not... but at least that's the thinking for me!

Just might be good logic; if it varies unpredictably, no one can then decide they must dress a certain way "because pastor does." ;)

[Hal Paul]

I haven't yet figured out how to attach the collar to my t-shirt.

get a t-shirt with the clerical collar printed on it.

[Steven Martinez]

I wear my robe for weddings and funerals, and my collar for hospital visits in areas where such will allow me more access. In certain places such apparel will be more of a detriment than a help.

Just an observation: It is interesting that some of the same folks who choose much more casual clothing - jeans and a shirt with shirt tail hanging out - for some pastoral functions - such as preaching - choose formal clerical apparel for other functions. I have heard some say that they wouldn't ever wear a suit on Sunday morning, because it would separate them from the rest of the congregation. Yet they will wear a collar and/or robe. I don't have a problem with it, just confused by the logic.

I never get that either. I usually wear a suit or a coat and tie to church, especially when I preach. Why? Because I like the idea of standing out. I think people should know who the pastor is when they come to church. As a youth, I spent my time in a contemporary church and I remember that people never knew who the pastor was because there was no distinction. Personally I tend to reject the seeker sensetive model that i was "raised" with (I grew up an hour or so from Saddleback) and prefer a more liturgical approach. Perhaps that is what I find it facinating that those who reject the saddleback, Willow Creek like models would accept the casual dress approach. But then again I am from the casual West and have little memory of the the Suit and tie church era. I guess I am a rebel and I am rebeling against casual dress. I never owned a suit until my senior pastor bought me one for my birthday 2 1/2 years ago.
I wear my clerical collar at the usually norms (weddings, funnerals, hospital visits, etc). In fact I am getting a new shirt tomorrow. We had a sister pass away this weekend and the collar allowed me and her family special privaleges which essentialy allowed all of the family to be present and say their good buys as she passed instead of the two at a time rule. As a side note, I was approached my a complete stranger to try and help his family to gain access to a dying family member. He did not know me but saw the collar which told him that he had access to me and that I could help him. A T-Shirt just can't convey that message. Sometimes clergy have to standout in order to be community figures of guidance and hope.

[Chris Patton]

So do you all wear the clerical collar that is more Catholic or Anglican? I'm thinking of wearing these so that the collars on my shirt won't slap my neck when I am on the motorcycle. ha.

[Jeremy D. Scott]

I missed this thread because I was out of town.

And I feel like I shared this here recently...but I don't remember...

Anyway, I wear a collar to the hospital and in other situations where it may be useful for people to identify me as clergy. It has helped out tremendously in certain situations. For the latest example, I was leaving Boston Medical Center last week after visiting someone, and the security guy on the way out pulled me aside and explained how I could park for free (most hospitals in the Boston area have pay-for parking). They would validate my ticket as long as I was recognizable.

But even more so, I've appreciated the times when someone will stop me in the halls of the hospital and ask advice or otherwise appreciate my presence as a non-threatening person.

For weddings, I've worn a white shirt with white collar, but most recently gone with an alb and white stole.

On Sunday mornings, I'm as casual as a Seinfeld episode, though I have been known to throw a stole around my neck for the Lord's Supper. So, I guess, Mike, I am one of those who is mostly casual, but will wear vestments for the special occasions. I'm not sure why that defies logic...? Why would I want to look like a businessman on Sunday mornings?

[Mike Schutz]

So, I guess, Mike, I am one of those who is mostly casual, but will wear vestments for the special occasions. I'm not sure why that defies logic...? Why would I want to look like a businessman on Sunday mornings?

I have no problem with the way anyone dresses. But you do raise a good issue here - one of presuppositions. I don't think of a suit as exclusively "businessman" apparel.

It is difficult for some of us - possibly of a particular age, but maybe not - to distinguish the difference between what some folks consider "casual" and what seems to us to just be sloppy. It helps me understand why some folks in my congregation have a problem with me making references to movies and TV shows and even, as I did recently poker (while using the phrase "I'm all in") when I realize that their discomfort is based upon previous teaching and enculturation, because I am uncomfortable with certain types of personal appearance because I was taught:
1. There are two types of shirts - shirts that are made to be worn tucked in and shirts made to be worn not tucked in, and you should not be seen in public with a tuck-in shirt not tucked-in (Thus the continual cry of mothers for generations, "Tuck your shirt into your pants, young man!")
2. Men should never wear hats inside a building, and should always take off their hat in the presence of a lady,
3. If you are going to be standing in front of people, courtesy toward them is demonstrated by your appearance. If you didn't take the time to dress nicely, why should they take the time to listen to you?

Thus, when folks do not follow these, I am a bit uncomfortable - like the folks in my congregation who were taught that it is wrong to go to movies and now have a pastor who visits the cinema.

[Bruce Carriker]

A friend's son, who pastors in the Houston area, wears a collar when he goes on hospital and nursing home visitation. He said that when he just went in a suit or a sports coat, he was frequently asked who he was, why he was there, etc. He says that, at least where hospitals, retirement homes, nursing homes are concerned, it's still a "hall pass" that requires no explanations.

[Jamie Wayne]

My brother left about a week ago to be the chaplain to the Anglican Archbishop of Egypt, Jerusalem, the Middle East, and all of Northern Africa, and, at the airport, since he was wearing his collar, they let both my mother and father back with him - apparently they don't usually do that. Not only that, but my Dad, the good man that he is, always has a knife on him; the lady offered to hold it for him until he returned - they usually make you get a locker or go back and put it in your car.

Getting collarized sure has its benefits, I guess. Then again, there's a lot of responsibility that goes along with wearing one, too.

[Steven Martinez]

Getting collarized sure has its benefits, I guess. Then again, there's a lot of responsibility that goes along with wearing one, too.

I also enjoy the radical accountability that comes with the collar. In public everyone knows who you are and what you are suposed to represent.

[Ryan Scott]

Again, it's not something I've had to face as of yet, but something I've spent a lot of time thinking about. I am very committed to Christianity as a counter-cultural lifestyle, especially as it relates to our lack of community (and lack of diverse community).

I have felt very convicted about dress for public worship. I generally wear what I wear every day (jeans and a t-shirt or other things depending on the weather). I see at having three purposes.

One is for those people who may enter a sanctuary filled with well dress congregants and feel utterly out of place (the first reason many people in low income areas give for not attending worship is not having the right clothes to wear - whether a legitimate excuse or not, it should not be an excuse people have to give). I might stand out like a sore thumb, but there is camaraderie in that; this person is not alone.

The second is for me. Part of my faith journey has been escaping from the idea that I am or should be a perfect example to people. When I wear a tie or a suit, I feel different about myself, as if I've put on a mask over who I really am. It encourages me to think of myself in the wrong way. This may be a failing of mine that God will help me overcome - right now I dress casually because it keeps me humble.

The third one may be a bit preachy (as someone called to preach that may or may not be good), but it's for others in the service. So much of our society is based on appearance, whether we like it or not, it is difficult to get out of that mindset, even in our worship. I preach in the same casual dress because it is an important representation of the gospel - all are welcomed as they are, the word and the proclamation of the word are not reserved for those who meet society's standards, but for those on whom God's grace has be given: to all people.

In light of that, I've struggled a lot with how to handle situations where these messages are not appropriate in this way. A funeral or a wedding for example is a special gathering of the congregation - it is not the familiar weekly meeting of the family, but a time to celebrate God's work in specific lives. What I've concluded is that a collar or other appropriate vestments are the right way to present myself as a minister without feeling that I am conforming to societal expectations I deem distracting (if not counter) to the gospel.

[Mike Schutz]

Again, it's not something I've had to face as of yet, but something I've spent a lot of time thinking about. I am very committed to Christianity as a counter-cultural lifestyle, especially as it relates to our lack of community (and lack of diverse community).

I have felt very convicted about dress for public worship. I generally wear what I wear every day (jeans and a t-shirt or other things depending on the weather). I see at having three purposes.

One is for those people who may enter a sanctuary filled with well dress congregants and feel utterly out of place (the first reason many people in low income areas give for not attending worship is not having the right clothes to wear - whether a legitimate excuse or not, it should not be an excuse people have to give). I might stand out like a sore thumb, but there is camaraderie in that; this person is not alone.

The second is for me. Part of my faith journey has been escaping from the idea that I am or should be a perfect example to people. When I wear a tie or a suit, I feel different about myself, as if I've put on a mask over who I really am. It encourages me to think of myself in the wrong way. This may be a failing of mine that God will help me overcome - right now I dress casually because it keeps me humble.

The third one may be a bit preachy (as someone called to preach that may or may not be good), but it's for others in the service. So much of our society is based on appearance, whether we like it or not, it is difficult to get out of that mindset, even in our worship. I preach in the same casual dress because it is an important representation of the gospel - all are welcomed as they are, the word and the proclamation of the word are not reserved for those who meet society's standards, but for those on whom God's grace has be given: to all people.

In light of that, I've struggled a lot with how to handle situations where these messages are not appropriate in this way. A funeral or a wedding for example is a special gathering of the congregation - it is not the familiar weekly meeting of the family, but a time to celebrate God's work in specific lives. What I've concluded is that a collar or other appropriate vestments are the right way to present myself as a minister without feeling that I am conforming to societal expectations I deem distracting (if not counter) to the gospel.

Ryan, I don't disagree with anything you have said here. And, heaven forbid, I'm not arguing that folks should wear suits and ties.
What we wear, like what words we use, matter to folks. To rail against it is quixotic at best. We communicate something by what we wear. So I have no problem with what people wear, but those of us who make our living standing in front of people, leading and serving and proclaiming, need to understand the nonverbal message we send. You have articulated it well. We need to be intentional about it - and recognize that there is no such thing as "neutral" apparel. If I stand in front of my congregation wearing a suit - considering my age and the experience of most of the people in my congregation, they will be more comfortable than if I stand there in formal clerical garb, or in jeans and a t-shirt.

So...
when I wear a suit, I wear it on purpose...
when I wear a "Rick Warren" shirt, I wear it on purpose...
when I wear dockers and a golf shirt, on purpose...

Of course, If I could get away with speaking from behind a curtain with no one seeing me, I would. But then someone would quote the Wizard of Oz,
"Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain."

[Eric Frey]

Ryan, I don't disagree with anything you have said here. And, heaven forbid, I'm not arguing that folks should wear suits and ties.
What we wear, like what words we use, matter to folks. To rail against it is quixotic at best. We communicate something by what we wear. So I have no problem with what people wear, but those of us who make our living standing in front of people, leading and serving and proclaiming, need to understand the nonverbal message we send. You have articulated it well. We need to be intentional about it - and recognize that there is no such thing as "neutral" apparel. If I stand in front of my congregation wearing a suit - considering my age and the experience of most of the people in my congregation, they will be more comfortable than if I stand there in formal clerical garb, or in jeans and a t-shirt.

So...
when I wear a suit, I wear it on purpose...
when I wear a "Rick Warren" shirt, I wear it on purpose...
when I wear dockers and a golf shirt, on purpose...

Of course, If I could get away with speaking from behind a curtain with no one seeing me, I would. But then someone would quote the Wizard of Oz,
"Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain."

I think this is the best response yet. It is not about what it (our dress) gets us...a hall pass, a free parking spot, etc. It is about what that dress communicates. I like the collar and vestments precisely because it is not me. It should bever be about me. It should never be about who I am. It is all about whose I am. I believe the collar and vestments help people look beyond me and see the real minister of grace.

[Ryan Scott]

No worries, Mike. I didn't necessarily write that as a rebuttal to anything; I'd just never put those thought down in one place like that before and this seemed like a good place to do it.

I think, in addition to what you've said, you preaching in a t-shirt and jeans would be pretty similar to me preaching in a suit. Something many people miss in worship is the call to come as they are, not as they're expected to be. That ends up being all kinds of dress and it should be. If we're all wearing the same kind of thing to worship every week, we might need to work on getting into the lives of different kinds of people.

[Mike Schutz]

you preaching in a t-shirt and jeans would be pretty similar to me preaching in a suit.

Of course, I did preach in a t-shirt and jeans for 15 years. Every summer. It was called "teen camp."

And I really miss those days.