Beauty Tips for Ministers

She Has Blistering Commitment!

July 2, 2009 on 8:51 pm | In Pastoral Fashion Emergency, Or "PeaceBang, Help!", Shoes (Gals), Shoes (Guys) | 8 Comments

Oucherinos!!! Pigeons, listen to this tale of woe!

Sunday I wore a cute pair of black ballet flats (on sale at Talbots from $100 to $29…should have been my first clue, but I digress…) before the 8am service even began I knew I was in trouble. By the time I walked out of the service at 9am I was in hot pursuit of band aid to ease the pain on my blistered heals.
In pursuit, I ran into the council president. As I told her my story (feeling stupid for making this the topic of our conversation) the Sr. Pastor joined us. BOTH of them told me to just go barefoot.
THEY WERE SERIOUS. ???? I found band aids. I limped along. Both of them thought *I* was nuts for not taking my shoes off and told me so again after the third service.

I haven’t searched to see if you have covered summer foot wear (I imagine you have) but I had to share to see who you think was the wackier.

Darling, PeaceBang steps right up to pin a medal on your pulpit robe for Valor in Service! Sunday service, that is. You made absolutely the right choice. Going barefoot may have saved you a wee bit of pain but it would have undoubtedly been extremely distracting both to you and your congregation. Well done, Soldier of Spirit!

Blisters are AWFUL! PeaceBang is quite fond of that little stick one can rub on to prevent blisters (I believe Band-Aid makes it). I keep that in my bag at all times. Another idea is to purchase some foam tape and back all your heels with it before you wear them for the first time. Don’t buy the expensive Dr. Scholl brand; buy your own at a craft shop and save tons of money.

As a last resort, crush the heels of your shoe and walk on the backs of them to preserve your poor bleeding flesh. The shoe may never recover but you may decide that the sacrifice is worth it.

Painful feet are a serious detriment to mindful, centered presiding. It’s such a disappointment when we think we’ve found a good pair of church shoes at a decent price only to find that they’re a living torment to our tootsies. We feel your pain, sister.

There’s some foam tape for ya. You can put sports tape on top to secure it. Just make sure to get a shoe that’s a half-size bigger than you need if you’re going to try this trick.

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1. This is the stuff PB is referring to, our local newspaper just had 3 women review it and they all said it works wonderfully:

   http://www.drugstore.com/qxp163404_333181_sespider/band_aid/active_friction_block_stick.htm

   She was right not to take off her shoes. Our church (my husband is one of the pastors) just had to write a dress code because people were complaining that members of the band were playing barefoot.

   Comment by Marlene — July 2, 2009 #

2. I find that Moleskin is worth the money. Keep some in your bag, or wear it as insurance the first couple times with new shoes. Love the stuff, wouldn’t be without it. [I've seen it before, I think... where do you get it, and how do you use it, please? Thanks for the tip! - PB]

   Comment by Josephine — July 2, 2009 #

3. It isn’t only those of us in ordained ministry that are concerned about footwear. I had the mother of one of my acolytes tell me that her daughter had special “acolyting” shoes–comfortable, soft soles, and plain. (I think she mentioned Sketchers.)

   Comment by Sue — July 4, 2009 #

4. Oh how I wish all acolyte’s moms would take a cue from this one. One of my fav acolytes-from a very affluent family-keeps showing up in Crocs-and his mom thinks he’s making a big concession to Sunday decorum, because both feet are sporting the same color…bright (dirty) orange. I just keep telling myself that AT LEAST this kid’s participating, and Jesus is looking at his heart, not his shoes.

   Comment by Rev. Hannah — July 4, 2009 #

5. Over on this side of the pond, there is a fantastic product called Compeed. Put one of their special plasters on, and problem sorted

   Comment by Pigwidgeon — July 4, 2009 #

6. Compeed in the UK is the same stuff as Band-Aid brand Blister-Block stick. And BTW, Boots has its own brand at about £1 less per stick!

   Comment by Wendy in England — July 4, 2009 #

7. I have gone barefoot for leading worship before. But that’s only because I forgot suitable shoes and my big heavy snow boots would have been infinitely more distracting.

   I do keep a pair of backup black flat shoes (well broken-in ones) at my more distant church now, though!

   Comment by Katie — July 5, 2009 #

8. Moleskin is actually adhesive flannel. Maybe it was actual skin from actual moles at some point, but now it is just sticky flannel. You can get it with or without a layer of foam. I find it at the drug store, but for sure any outdoors store that has hiking and camping products should have it. I would not get the pre-cut stuff. Its better to cut it to fit your own foot.

   Comment by S. — July 6, 2009 #

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