Proper attire for pastors

During ‘show and tell’ at a recent gathering of quilters, one woman displayed a shawl (not sure if that is the proper term) that she made for her brother who is a priest. In that denomination, church leaders wear distinctive clothing that sets them apart, at least in appearance, from the rest of the congregation.

I’ve been to churches where the pastor (or pastors) dressed up or dressed down. One young church leader in California wore loose garments and sandals. With sun-bleached hair, he looked like he spent significant time on a surfboard as well as leading his flock. I’ve seen others in elaborate robes and head-coverings.

In our church, the pastor dresses much like most of the people in the congregation. Some approve while others wish he would always wear a suit and tie. I’m sure suits and ties are cultural and certainly didn’t exist when the Bible was written, but wonder if there is good reason for church leaders to be distinctively dressed.

The book, Recalling the Hope of Glory traces worship practices from ancient times and connects them to the New Testament, making application for today. On this matter of what worship leaders should wear, author Allen P. Ross says, “The priests were clothed with beautifully prepared robes because they were to give dignity, honor, and beauty to the priesthood, which was to communicate the glory of the LORD.” He then points readers to Leviticus 8:7-8 and Exodus 28:2.

“Then Moses brought Aaron and his sons and washed them with water. And he put the tunic on him, girded him with the sash, clothed him with the robe, and put the ephod on him; and he girded him with the intricately woven band of the ephod, and with it tied the ephod on him. Then he put the breastplate on him, and he put the Urim and the Thummim in the breastplate. And he put the turban on his head. Also on the turban, on its front, he put the golden plate, the holy crown, as the Lord had commanded Moses” . . . “And you shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother, for glory and for beauty.”

While there is nothing in the New Testament that tells church leaders to wear robes like those Old Testament priests, the imagery of clothing remains. However, this imagery is used for all Christians of whom God says are His priests. Each one of us represents others to God and God to others, so what we ‘put on’ applies to every believer.

Because we represent the Lord, we are to be properly ‘clothed’ as Romans 13:14 says, “Clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.” This is another way of saying we must let Jesus Christ rule our lives, not sin.

We are also to ‘wear’ good qualities and deeds. Colossians 3:12 says, “As God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”

When we reach heaven, there will be a great gathering of all believers, the ‘bride’ of Christ, and in that gathering, or marriage of the Lamb, the bride or the church will be ready and properly ‘clothed’ as Revelation 19:7-8 says. “And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.”

From these verses it seems clear that what a pastor (or any other Christian) wears on his back is not nearly so important as his character. Anyone who majors on robes or suits and ties without the spiritual garb of a believing heart, a godly life, and the fullness of the Spirit has missed the point.

However, I remember something from my own experience in highschool. If I dressed up, I felt more like working, but if I was sloppy with my attire, it affected my attitude, even my posture in my desk. Does that hold true for everyone? It shouldn’t, but I suspect it might. Yet, a worship leader should be reverent and focused on God no matter what he or she is wearing.

Maybe the issue is not the leader. Maybe those who want robes or other distinctives in the clothing of their leaders are like I was in highschool. Without realizing it, they project this to their pastor and think he should ‘dress’ accordingly. They might admit that clothes don’t make the man, but they strongly feel that clothes affect his attitudes. It certainly seems to affect theirs.

In contrast, some are disgusted with robes and finery on worship leaders. They point out that these people are believers just the same as the rest of us, so why make themselves stand out?

I’m guessing on all of this, but the next time the topic comes up, this morning’s study makes me feel a bit more informed, and a lot less inclined to brush off those who have a problem with what someone wears (or does not wear) when worshiping the Lord. Instead, this could be the jumping off point of a great conversation.