I ran into Tom at our General Assembly the other day and I said, “TOM! Can I put your photo up on BTFM?” Well, the poor flustered dear was so kind. He asked me to explain my request and then laughed charmingly as he understood that he was to receive a PeaceBang Halo of Praise merely for looking professional, warm, approachable and well-groomed on his church website. One would think that this isn’t a difficult thing to achieve but honeyheads, PeaceBang can testify that it apparently is NOT. Because why does she continue to see clergypersons in horrid mug shots on church and synagogue websites? Bad, dark, shadowy photos that look like they were taken in someone’s dank basement during a meeting with leaders of organized crime; sweaty, unkempt ministers looking like they were shot out of a cannon immediately before having their pic snapped; weird, stricken expressions on reverend faces; DRAB DRAB DRAB men and women in sloppy clothes squinting into the sun with tree branches apparently growing out of their heads.
I love Thomas’s photo. His expression is both calm and friendly: in short, he looks like someone I could trust and whose ideas I would get up on a Sunday morning to hear. Sure, he’s squinting a bit but that just gives him character and is part of his great smile. He is vested in robe and stole but he doesn’t look uptight and formal even though his hands are formally posed. Very handsome tie and shirt under the robe, which is always a good idea. He looks comfortable in the setting, like he belongs there (and I cannot stress enough how often clergy photos do not project that kind of comfort and stability). Tom’s hair and skin are beautifully groomed, his spectacles are clean and modern, and he just generally looks like a cool dude.
Halo of praise to you, Tom, and thanks!