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Clerical Attire

Discussion in 'General Baptist Discussions' started by Salty, Dec 15, 2012.

  1. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
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    Now that we have the issue of pulpit in the middle settled - or have we?:1_grouphug:

    Lets bring up this subject:

    Geneva Gowns Do you ever wear one - Regualr services, special occasions - graduations, ect -
    If a church said you had to wear one - would you?

    just for fun, we will add in the collar


    In the US Army - according to AR 165-1 para 3-5-a states
    Chaplain uniforms. ​
    When conducting religious services, a Chaplain will wear the military uniform, vestments, or
    other appropriate attire established by a religious organizations law or practice. The Chaplains scarf, stole, or tallit may
    be worn with the uniform. Chaplain ceremonial stoles are authorized for wear with Army Class A or dress/mess
    uniforms in conducting either religious services or military ceremonies.

    In other words you would not be permitted to wear a civillian suit and tie. So as a chaplain would you wear your uniform or a robe?


     
  2. Mexdeaf

    Mexdeaf New Member

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    I would- almost -be tempted to leave the ministry if such were required of me. The deaf wouldn't like all that cloth flapping around while I'm signing, either.:laugh:
     
  3. Squire Robertsson

    Squire Robertsson Administrator
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  4. Deacon

    Deacon Well-Known Member
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    Let's see, this has come up a few times in our congregation - what's proper in the pulpit?

    We've decided that hoodies and hats are improper attire - just about anything else is acceptable... although I've never worn a dress... ahh I mean gown.

    (funny thing is the teaching elder did wear a dress once - in a skit)

    Rob
     
  5. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
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  6. mont974x4

    mont974x4 New Member

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    no robe, no way, no how

    I seem to recall some chaplains wearing civilian clothes in garrison, but never while deployed (obviously).
     
  7. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
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    Why not?

    ( and you never took civvies to the FTX )
     
  8. go2church

    go2church Active Member
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    Wear to what makes since for the context. An occasional tie mixed in with boots and jeans. For funerals always a suit and for weddings I would wear what the couple wanted as long as I didn't feel foolish. I wear a robe for baptisms which covers my waders.

    If the context demanded a suit every Sunday, I would be more then willing.
     
  9. mont974x4

    mont974x4 New Member

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    I did have one pair of civvies when I deployed. They were authorized for R and R only.

    I don't wear robes now. I have no reason to wear them if I were a chaplain.

    As to the reg in the OP. You said it meant we couldn't wear suit a tie. I am not seeing that in what you posted. I'll post it again:

    In the US Army - according to AR 165-1 para 3-5-a states
    Chaplain uniforms.
    When conducting religious services, a Chaplain will wear the military uniform, vestments, or
    other appropriate attire established by a religious organizations law or practice.
    The Chaplains scarf, stole, or tallit may
    be worn with the uniform. Chaplain ceremonial stoles are authorized for wear with Army Class A or dress/mess
    uniforms in conducting either religious services or military ceremonies.



    It looks to me like a chaplain has a good deal of freedom. He can wear what he would normally wear as clergymen in his specific denomination or faith group. He can also modify the military uniform by adding appropriate items (like the RCC use of an alb or a Rabbi wearing a yarmulke).


    When I was at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, AL there was a CSM there that is a Sikh. He had a full beard and wore a turban. Granted he was not a chaplain or not but he was authorized to maintain an appearance in keeping with his faith which included a different headgear. Whenever I saw him he was in BDU's and turban.
     
  10. righteousdude2

    righteousdude2 Well-Known Member
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    My Thoughts are Simple....

    ...wear what you feel comfortable in so long as you wear something, unless you are a pastor at a nudist resort :laugh:

    Honestly speaking, I have severe and chronic neuropathy. It bothers me to have anything tight round my neck, so I wear nice slacks and a dress shirt, sometimes a sport coat over the shirt, and like me or hate me, I'm ready to preach!

    I would love to be able to wear the collar, but my physical condition doesn't allow it, and my wife told me if I wear the collar, I'd be going to church alone :smilewinkgrin:

    Great questions and some very good comments!
     
  11. Tom Butler

    Tom Butler New Member

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    Part of the reason Baptist preachers as a general rule don't wear distinctive clerical garb is due to the tradition that there is no distinction between clergy and laity. I like the description of the pastor as "chief among equals."

    Also, over the years we have pretty much eroded d the idea of wearing our "Sunday best" to Sunday School and Church. Sure, some folks still wear coats and ties, but the trend seems to be in the opposite direction--more like a contrived casualness. Nothing wrong with it, of course. I'm just observing a trend.

    One distantly related story. I remember in my church when the standard for women was a skirt or dress. Slacks were not overtly forbidden, but the women knew they were taboo. That is, until mini-skirts became the cultural rage of the l960s and early 1970s. After a few of our teenagers showed up in them at church, it wasn't long until slacks were suddenly an acceptable alternative.

    Today, skirts and dresses are a rarity in my church.

    But my pastor still preaches in a suit.
     
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