Beauty Tips for Ministers

Down With the Scruffy Beard!!!

July 16, 2009 on 10:00 am | In Basic Grooming Issues, Tips For My Menfolk | 13 Comments

What do all of these men have in common?

They would all look so much better without the scruffy beards!! A scruffy beard is the fastest route to the Unkempt, Slightly Dirty look that may be appealing to the hipster crowd, but doesn’t belong on a clergyman’s face. When I see a scruffy-faced colleague ascend the pulpit wearing vestments I always think, “Eeek, what visual discord!” But then again, this is usually the guy with the scuffed shoes he thinks no one can see under the robe he threw on in his office.
It’s all part of that “I’m just a reg’lar guy” affectation that may be genuine for some (still, though — even “regular guys” are capable of grooming!) but for others is some kind of defense mechanism. What’s that about, guys? It always seems to me that if a clergyperson seems more invested in being thought “cool” than being thought faithful, there’s something wrong.

Here’s something even worse: The Spiky Hair AND the Scruffy Beard!! Saints preserve us!

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1. No, no, no PB – the above examples are not scruffy beards at all – I have seen mangy, unkempt, loooong Old Testament prophet styles that resemble a little the beards of Roald Dahl’s ‘The Twits’ [y'know, where they have bits of crumbs and food stuck in 'em to snack on later!!]. I thought these were quite ‘kempt’ beards in comparison. Unless what you’re saying is actually you think chaps should be clean-shaven, period?
   Maybe it’s a preference thing… kinda like my guys a little [tidily] hairy I guess

   Comment by Nik — July 16, 2009 #

2. I’ll fall into the procrastinating on my sermon… whoops, I mean, in favor of scruff category too. I have no problem with clean tidy scruff, either.

   Now Tevas and nasty toes, I will be with you all the way. One of my colleagues has both of the above- clean, tidy scruff, and nasty toes and filthy Tevas. The WHOLE THING together makes him look like a slob, but shaving that scruff would do him no good. A pedicure and new shoes would help a lot, though…

   Comment by rev. Bee — July 16, 2009 #

3. i thought they were going to be examples of how to wear a beard, as opposed to the ‘place to keep crumbs’ style of beard wearing. I think Rob Lowe looks hot there.

   Comment by marie — July 16, 2009 #

4. I’m with Marie; Rob Lowe looks scrumptious here. It’s true, he doesn’t look much like a pastor, but he doesn’t look bad either.

   Comment by Strange Attractor — July 16, 2009 #

5. When does he not look scrumptious, though?

   Comment by PeaceBang — July 16, 2009 #

6. What many men do not realize is that their beards may make them look considerably older. Facial hair seems to gray sooner than head hair and is much more in the “line of sight.”

   A gentleman from my old church showed up at GA this year clean-shaven for the first time in probably 30 years. He looked great! Even with long white hair in a ponytail, the clean face made him look vibrant. Turns out he had a chiseled chin all along. Who knew?

   If you’ve had a beard for years, seriously, consider shaving for the new millennium. You might be surprised by how folks react!

   Comment by Louise — July 16, 2009 #

7. I disagree as well, PB – as long as the rest of the appearance is not sloppy, some well-kempt facial hair is okay with me on a pastor. [I love a nice beard. I didn't say no facial hair; I said NOT SCRUFFY.- PB]

   I must point out, though, that you forgot the king of the tidy, scruffy beard:

   http://cm1.theinsider.com/media/0/74/87/george_michael_pic.0.0.0×0.300×386.jpeg

   I know he doesn’t play for my team, but no matter – yum yum!

   Comment by Gina — July 16, 2009 #

8. I like facial hair. I think the key is that is needs to be groomed. When it is groomed it can look very nice. It just depends on the person.

   Comment by Sarah — July 17, 2009 #

9. Another thing they have in common is that none are wearing clerical garb. [That's because they're not pastors. I didn't have time to go out snapping photos of actual clergymen -- we do the best we can here with Google images, kids! - PB]

   A well-kept beard can be very attractive. My bishop maintains a very trim beard, but he also wears an engaging smile.

   Comment by Sue — July 17, 2009 #

10. Totally on board with the so-called-scruffy beard fans. Spiky hair can be adorable too, although probably only for the first-call set. Everything in context.

    Comment by The Simpleton — July 18, 2009 #

11. I’m voting with you on this one PB, even as someone who can’t shave every day of the week even with the best shaving cream out there. I save my scruffiness for the day off and the day I hole myself up in my office to write.

    Comment by Michael — July 18, 2009 #

12. Agree- Rob is hot here.

    Comment by Jeannie — July 21, 2009 #

13. NO! NO! NO!

    If a man can’t grow a proper beard, then he needs to shave. Fashion has been trying to pass off the partial beard/scruffy look for the past 25 years and, frankly, it just looks unkempt.

    I cannot grow a proper beard (the hair is too fine and there is a gap between the chin and the jaw – it really looks odd). So I have chosen to take my father’s advice to “Have some consideration for those who have to look at you” and I shave every day unless I am seriously ill.
    [A Halo Of Praise to you for your dedication! - PB]

    Comment by WBJ — July 29, 2009 #

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