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Those White Collar Things

Discussion in 'Pastoral Ministries' started by USN2Pulpit, May 14, 2003.

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  1. USN2Pulpit

    USN2Pulpit New Member

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    Please forgive my ignorance, but could someone please fill me in on the significance of the collar that some ministers wear? What does it mean, and how did it come about?
     
    #1 USN2Pulpit, May 14, 2003
  2. Kiffin

    Kiffin New Member

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    I am not totaly sure but I am told that the collar symbolizes that one is a bond sevant or a slave to Christ and his work.
     
    #2 Kiffin, May 14, 2003
  3. Squire Robertsson

    Squire Robertsson Administrator
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    I as I recall the white collar is a vestige of 16th century dress. Picture if you will the costume of an English judge (only with a black robe instead of red). Remember, for many years collars were detachable, hence the term "turned round collar." Also, in some locations, the less white that showed the "higher church" you were. The more evangelical (Low Church) the more white showed, I seem to remember seeing Methodist clergy with an all white collar.

    [ May 14, 2003, 04:58 PM: Message edited by: Squire Robertsson ]
     
    #3 Squire Robertsson, May 14, 2003
  4. Jim1999

    Jim1999 <img src =/Jim1999.jpg>

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    Up to the 16th century, the clergy wore a neck cloth, which set them apart from the parishioners. It essentially was like a police officers uniform, it was only worn whilst on duty.......so, the minister was "on duty" whilst wearing a collar.

    It was quite common for all clergy to wear collars in England, and as the Squire said, the wider the collar, the more evangelical the minister.

    I continued to wear my collar in Canada. In the army, where I was chaplain for some 9 years, a collar was part of the dress. Then in civilian life, I found the collar gave me access to places where others were otherwise engaged at the door. It also opened up other patients in hospital rooms to be open for prayer and a word from the book.

    I don't wear a collar for social events, sports or just walking about, and usually restrict its use to actual church functions; weddings, funerals and services. Its use is gradually disappearing apart from some churches, and I have been scorned by other Baptists for the collar.

    When I first came to Canada, the common dress for Baptist ministers was mourning trousers and a black jacket with tails. By the 1950's and early 60's, the tails had gone and replaced by a black jacket. Eventually this went to a regular "street" suit. Some continued to wear a gown at morning services, but most didn't....I really think it was some sort of revolt against Rome and the modernists.

    Cheers,

    Jim
     
    #4 Jim1999, May 14, 2003
  5. Tony F

    Tony F New Member

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    I knew a Pentecostal pastor that started wearing collared shirts for just that reason. During the work day he would wear the collared shirt so that people would recognize him as being a minister. He said it was especially helpful at hospitals and prisons.
     
    #5 Tony F, May 15, 2003
  6. Dr. Bob

    Dr. Bob Administrator
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    In the late 1800's when shirts began to have regular collars (as part of the shirt, like we have today) only the "poorest of the poor" still had detachable collars.

    Guess who they were?

    And I believe it was Calvin (may his name be blessed) who suggested ministers where business suits of his day rather than the garb that made Romish "fathers" who looked like "mothers".
     
    #6 Dr. Bob, May 15, 2003
  7. Griffdog

    Griffdog New Member

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    I wear Star Wars T-Shirts and Old Navy khaki shorts when I'm out. Man, times sure have changed.

    Josh
     
    #7 Griffdog, May 18, 2003
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