Keep it simple, kids!
1. SIT. UP. Your spine should touch the back of your pew or chair. We are not lounging in our bathrobes.
2. KEEP YOUR LEGS DOWN. Decorum, for Jehovah’s sake! I don’t care if I’m channeling Cotton Mather here – it needs to be said: if you’re at the chancel in a preaching gown, keep your legs on the floor. If you want to cross them at the knee, please do so CAREFULLy – we do not FLING our legs around when vested, please – and DISCREETLY with a minimum of fuss.
2B. We do NOT CROSS OUR LEGS AKIMBO while wearing vestments. Period. If we are in sight of the worshiping community, we cross our legs carefully and slowly at the knee or ankle or not at all.
PeaceBang is bloody sick and tired of seeing male clergy at serious gatherings slumped down and chatting behind their programs with their legs all flung about as though they are watching a football game.
Pass the popcorn, boys? No. You too, ladies. That preaching gown is an honor that has been bestowed upon you in great trust, not a floppy big dress that you’re wearing just to hide the toothpaste stain you got on your lapel. Sit up for Jesus and behave yourself. All of you.
Now pass me my powdered wig. I have a witch trial to attend.
This is the Rev. Byles Mather, a distant relative of Cotton. He was a damned Royalist in the Revolutionary Era, but he looks FABULOUS.
I catch myself slumping sometimes and quickly sit up straight. Oh, the shame!
Like the image of Byles Mather (Biles Matter?) It’s the “W” smirk combined with the ruby ring that completes the ensemble. [Isn’t he just too much!?- PB]
I appreciate the standard, but have to disagree with the advice that one ought to sit with back to chair. Some of the more portly and thin-shouldered among us look absolutely collapsed that way. Especially if we’re facing a congregation — exposed! — in a gown.
My preferred sitting posture — for decades now that I think of it — is to sit with my pelvis no more than two or three inches from the edge of the chair or pew, with one leg bent at 90 degrees (for support) and the other slightly tucked under. This supports the lower back and allows me to pull my shoulders back and chest out. It takes some practice, but is more comfortable, looks more confident, keeps me from yawning or fidgeting and even helps with reading in a service.
One foot flat on the floor, the other tucked behind it crossed at the ankle. Knees together, of course.
I’m with you. We actually have guidelines about this at our church for all liturgical leaders.
I’d add the NEVER CROSS YOUR HANDS IN FRONT OF YOUR CROTCH WHEN STANDING rule. Please, especially gentlemens…this drives me nuts!
Our leader chairs (where the preacher, presider, deacon & subdeacon sit) are outfitted with a special slot in the back so that our outer vestments, whether a cope, chasuble, dalmatic, or the occasional surplice) can be placed behind us so that we don’t have to sit on them. This involves making a slight gesture that gently (not too dramatically) flips up the back of the vestment and it automatically falls into place as the person sits. The design is brilliant.
Then, the leader should sit straight with hands on each knee, facing the liturgical action for the moment.
All of this is part of the all too often ignored choreography of the liturgy. I’m always grateful when it’s given the attention it deserves across the spectrum of traditions.
“Sit up for Jesus and behave yourself” might be my new favourite phrase.
Oh your timing! I co-officiated a funeral with a male colleague from another church in town last weekend. Granted the chancel chairs were HORRIBLY uncomfortable, but his slouched down, sloppy crossed legs (ankle on knee), head in his hand on the armrest even offended me. Neither of us robed since he doesn’t and he was the “home team.” It was just a mess, and I felt so bad for my church member who was there to honor and remember her father, a patriarch of this church. The pastor was a retired ministered working as an interim.
I will confess to sometimes being guilty of poor posture while vested. But I’ve also found that furniture is a huge factor. One of the churches I sometimes guest preach at, is a very modern building with modern furnishings. The chairs for the altar party are these 60’s-ish cup shaped buckets with a seat that tilts you back about 15 degrees. Trying to stay upright (instead of tilted) gives me muscle cramps in my back. And then there is the whole problem of keeping my feet on the floor when my thighs are tilted above the seat of my pants.