I saw Tony’s photo on Facebook and I immediately said, “That needs to go up on BTFM! Love it!”
This is a lot of LOOK. A lot of LOOK is when you walk down the street or into a room and your visual presence instantly evokes something: an era, an attitude, a feeling… anything but generic Personhood.
Too many clergy walk around looking so generic it’s almost as if they’re trying to hide. As you know if you’ve been reading this blog for any length of time, PeaceBang thinks that is a big problem for the church, as it basically communicates that those who choose to take on the work of the ordained ministry are Blahsville folk who don’t have anything in particular to say, starting with their own appearance.
So here’s a LOOK, and whether or not you personally like it isn’t the point. The point is that Tony knows what he’s doing here, he has dressed intentionally to express a charism of presence and quite frankly, if I saw him in a room full of Generic Preacher Dudes in corduroy sports jackets milling around with their coffee cups, I would beeline straight for him. You know why? Because I would bet cash money that, based on his appearance alone, he’s a creative guy and maybe even a tiny bit eccentric. And darlings, give me creative and maybe a bit eccentric over staid rule-players ANY day, those fusty boys who stare you down with condescending glares if you challenge their patriarchal, paternalistic theology over lunch.
Let’s take it apart:
The hair and beard and totally styled and impeccably groomed. Very 19th century hair, beautiful beard. The hat is great on him – it suits him so well, and he wears it with total comfort and not an ounce of self-consciousness (the true sign of a great hat-wearer). The jacket and shirt are fine (yes, navy and black are FINE together — in fact, I love them together) and the touch of red in the pocket square is just a touch of fancy that I love, love, love. Again, it shows a sense of humor.
Many thanks to my colleagues, the Rev. Anthony P. Johnson. Photo by his wife, Jody Leight.
I will be the first to say, “Amen.”
He looks great.
Of course, I did live in the Southwest for many years, so I already approve of the hat.
Oh my gosh, yes! I was at a meeting last week, surrounded by men in bland polos and navy pants. I would have sat by this guy if he had been there.
I should have said that Tony’s ministerial context is parish ministry in the Metro New York City area, where a lot of people care about style and charisma. It’s so refreshing to just people-watch in NYC and watch the stylin’ MEN go by. And I don’t mean corporate Barney’s-wearing dudes. I mean the whole spectrum: hip hop, gay East Village, Boho artists, African ethnic chic… just a fantastic array. So different from my own Boston brothers who I think are just about the drabbest on the planet with their uniform of sweatshirts, fleece and baseball caps.
Bostonian mens’ strong point isn’t their fashion sense no I can only really think of one who cared much about it.
In 1997 I went to a Mass Bay UU Minister’s Association meeting in Malden. Every UU male minister present except for the District Executive and myself were wearing black suits. Those Puritan sartorial roots were certainly showing then.
Someday I will learn to read through my posts for subject/verb agreement.
wait, is accidental wearing of navy and black together ok as well? Got out in the sunlight last week and realized I had my dark navy slacks with my black blazer. [Oh darling, I’m sorry but I don’t think so. If you were breaking up a suit, no. It would wind up looking just like you fear, like you didn’t see the color discrepancy because of bad light. A black shirt with a blue suit, cool. Or vice versa. But to break yourself into two parts: top black and bottom navy, not gonna work if the two pieces are traditionally. If the jacket was something other than the typical suit jacket, maybe. It’s all about style and cut but my general rule would be not to try it. That’s why I think every man needs charcoal grey in his life: can go with black AND navy AND brown! – PB]
Love! And I’m an Episcopalian. Granted, a creative, eccentric Episcopalian who broke the surly bonds of all-black years ago.
For clarity’s sake, I am both a parish and community minister and I have ministry sites in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. This picture is outside my apartment in urban New Jersey.
Sarah, one of the wonderful things (I find, at least!) about being a FEMALE Episcopal priest is no need to feel shackled to the traditional black suit!
And, Rev. Tony, we’re so happy to have you here in Darkest Central Connecticut.