You’re absolutely right to bring this up. I comfortable and regularly condemn the super-rich pastors among us for their hypocrisy and their ostentatious wealth. I believe they’re so obviously living against Jesus’ commandments as to be a shame and a fraud.

What I am advocating is not to pursue wealth so we can outfit ourselves extravagantly (or for any other reason except to earn a decent living and to finance good works), but to outfit ourselves with as much dignity and beauty as we can in order to visibly communicate how relevant, with-it, and essential the Church of today still is in all our lives.

Thanks for bringing this up.

I have a question regarding your first response to Rev. Blue Jeans. What if you are a minister with great financial means, like a Joel Osteen or a T.D. Jakes. T.D. Jakes in particular comes to mind as I heard him in an interview defend his lavish dress and lifestyle. Creflo Dollar is another preacher who believes that God blesses the good with material wealth and there is nothing wrong with living within the means that God provides.

Don’t you think a rich preacher living a lavish lifestyle can be at least “suspect” and at worst create a huge divide between her/himself and a congregation of regular folks?

If we go by your reasoning anyone who works hard and earns money should have no problem with wearing whatever clothing and accessories their wallet can comfortably handle. After all, the congregation is paying their salary so they expect their pastor to look good. What if the pastor is also making a mint from book sales and other speaking engagements? Should he/she dress only within the means of the congregation or do they get to include money from other things?

I don’t think I’m in total agreement with Rev. Blue, but I do think you could be on a slippery slope.