Just because a pastor wants to be comfortable and look like the people he (or she) serves during a worship service, is that necessarily a bad thing?
In my neck of the woods (and in many places) this seems to be happening more and more with pastors.
Does this trend alarm you, or is it perfectly natural and practically harmless…or even beneficial?
Thanks!
– Steve
Filed under: Clerical Attire |
The Old Adam Lives! 
By and with Whose authority does the pastor exercise the office of the public ministry? What is he there to do?
In light of these questions and what the vestments are meant to signify, i.e. the office and the authority it carries, I think your questions should be answered.
Nota bene: I have seen videos wherein a pastor dresses up to look like Jesus. Lest there be confusion, this is *not* the purpose of vestments — to make the minister look like Jesus. Faith is of hearing the Word, not by sight. Thus vestments carry the message of Christ, not necessarily the look.
Is it a sin for a pastor to dress casually? Not in and of itself. But is it beneficial to hearing the authoritative Word of God for the forgiveness of sins? That is, does it edify (lift up) the Word and those who hear it?
1 Cor 10:23 “All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify.” (NKJ)
1 Cor 10:23 “Everything is permissible”– but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible”– but not everything is constructive.” (NIV)
A servant of the Word,
Izzy
P.S. Are you the Steve who posted a prayer request to my blog? If so, please send another post with your email address so we can communicate further. I’ll keep it unpublished.