We all know that how we dress for ministry is partially determined by our context, but I do push back at that concept on occasion when I hear it being used to justify dressing way down. “My people wear hoodies and shorts to worship, so I wear jeans because I want them to feel like I’m not trying to be BETTER THAN THEM.”
Huh? Since when does showing respect for the leading of corporate worship signal arrogance or competitiveness? It’s your job to represent the highest ideals of your religious community, not to attire yourself like a social pal who’s heading to a night of beers and a movie. Wut the wut? Take repsonsibility for your role, people!
Anyway, sometimes I see a garment or accessory that gives me private giggles when I think of the looks on people’s faces if I wore it to church. I was looking at this bag, because I have a funny penchant for Western-style wear, kind of unusual for a New England girl. But I do. So here’s this bag. It’s cute. I’m not going to get it or anything but I like it:
And then I saw this, and I bust out laughing:
Good God, that’s about the wrongest accessory I can imagine for my ministerial context. Anyone’s, actually. Unless you’re like the NRA chaplain or something.
How about this purse (love the silhouette) in the categories of wrong for a funeral AND wrong for a hospital chaplain:
http://www.amazon.com/MG-Collection-Howea-Trendy-Devil/dp/B009G8N2XO/ref=sr_1_4/177-5524223-4693033?ie=UTF8&qid=1432659167&sr=8-4&keywords=skulls+handbag
[But you’re getting me one for a gift, right? – PB]
Here in the High Plains, these purses are everywhere! And I have 2 – a lovely red one and a floral one, both with crosses on them (no skulls or guns or camouflage, thank you very much). Of course, the only times either see the inside of a church is if I’m running in on my day off to grab something I need and in my context my purse is perfectly safe in the car, so that’s where they stay. My work bag is a sedate brown laptop purse/bag.
Back to your central point, I get lots of comments on my clothes, as in “you have such pretty clothes” and “wow you are really dressed up!” Enough that it’s starting to make me wonder if it’s a subtle way of telling me my clothes are a notch too formal for the context. Yesterday I wore a long skirt and a patterned tee , and everyone wondered what I was dressed up for!
[Hold steady, Ramona! Let them talk. So much better to be a bit of a “fashion plate” for your context than to look like a drab nothing. – PB]
I’m in a small, urban congregation in a beautiful historic building with a vibrant organic permaculture garden in the front (they replaced 5000 square feet of lawn with this incredible garden, it’s been the energy-driver of the congregation). When I first got there, I pretty much stuck to suits on Sunday mornings, but gradually moved toward dresses (and no – they don’t have Hello Kitty or My Little Ponies on them! referencing your “whimsy” post!).
The older women in the congregation LOVE the dresses and they almost always comment. (And one of these women in particular – she’s around 80 – is always so put together – I should start taking pictures of her to send to you, PeaceBang, she is just something else! I’d love to have a tour of her closet).
I think they comment b/c as you talked about in an earlier post – there are so many drab, sloppy clothes out there these days, it’s refreshing to see people who look like they’ve thought about their clothes, their image, what they are projecting – like they cared enough to pay attention to details. [YES! Style is exciting. It’s interesting when someone has some. And increasingly rare. – PB]