I never expected to write an article on this topic, and I’m still not certain I should. But I’ve received sufficient questions from readers of the blog and listeners of the podcast to indicate I should tackle the issue.
Allow me three caveats before I go further. First, this post is about high-level issues of attire, not the specifics of fashion and dress. I am not qualified to write about the latter. I once tried to subscribe to GQ and was rejected as unqualified. Second, though I am writing about pastors, much of the content could be applied to other church staff. Third, I am only writing to males. I am not about to delve into issues about female attire.
With those caveats, I must disclose a clear bias of mine. I do not like neckties. They are too similar to a hanging noose for my comfort. With those issues cleared, let’s look at six thoughts about pastoral attire.
- Understand the demographic context. Most churches in South Florida and Southern California have different expectations about dress than some churches in Mississippi and Alabama. Find out how other pastors dress in the community. Find out how the men in your own congregation dress for worship services.
- Understand the church’s expectations. The expectations of churches in the same community typically vary. Because I speak all over the nation, my assistant always asks my host about the expectations of my attire. I would never want the way I dress to be a distraction or stumbling block.
- Understand changes in fashion. I have been fascinated to observe the changes toward a more informal dress in many churches. When I became a member of my church ten years ago, about 90 percent of the men attending wore ties. Now I suspect the number is below 10 percent. Such changes may be a signal to you as a pastor that you can dress a bit more informally.
- Lead change gradually. The pastor’s attire in a worship service can be a sacred cow for some church members. Don’t let the way you dress become a major divisive issue. For example, if you notice a more informal trend for dress in your church, you may want to move from wearing a tie all the time to leaving the tie off in the summer months. Gradual change can be better tolerated than radical and sudden change.
- Don’t put your preferences ahead of your love for others. The biblical principle of the stumbling block (See 1 Corinthians 8) means that we put our own rights on the backburner for consideration of others. It is not a sin to dress without a tie and coat, but it can be a problem for others. The matter becomes sin when our own preferences become our idol.
- Understand your members’ emotional attachment to certain forms of attire. I knew a pastor who was called to serve an established church in the South. Previous pastors had all worn suits and ties in the worship services. On his first Sunday, he wore jeans, an untucked shirt, and sandals. He had the shortest tenure of any pastor in the history of the church.
I welcome your input on this issue. Ladies, feel free to share about female attire for church staff as well. You are far more qualified than I to broach that topic.
Posted on July 13, 2015
With nearly 40 years of ministry experience, Thom Rainer has spent a lifetime committed to the growth and health of local churches across North America.
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247 Comments
Might Jesus just call us in our “dress wars” a bunch of white washed tombs? I dress modestly, am clean, not ragged. But,my focus is my heart. Do I get it right all, the time? Unfortunately, no, however a clean heart is more desire able to my God than my three piece suit. My two cents worth. Haven’t we gotten tired of playing church?
I grew up in the 1950s and, based on observations at my home church, believed that pastors wore dark suits, white shirts and ties 24/7. Then at church camp I saw a young pastor in shorts! That sighting actually helped to form my call to ordained ministry.
Over my years of local church ministry dress expectations for pastors became less formal. By the time I retired, I wore a suit and tie only at funeral or weddings…or if the Bishop was visiting. On Sundays, an open necked shirt worked under my clergy cassock-alb and stole. I mean why would any male pastor need to preach with a piece of cloth tied around his neck? Another attire item is the style of worship. For contemporary or blended worship, an open collar shirt was just fine. I never went the route of jeans and tail-out shirt because I felt like a spiritual leader should have a bit of class both outside and in.
Dave,
I recently went to a community event at night to help the local chamber of commerce. I knew it was going to be hot and some of it outside work so I wore shorts. When one of the ladies found out I was a pastor she looked at her husband and said, “We might need to try his church, any pastor that wears shorts is worth checking out.” I laughed because she said it right in front of me and she told me she’d never seen a pastor wear shorts before. They haven’t visited yet but I’ll never forget that.
I do think that being distinct in your dress is important. If your congregation is older, and men are wearing a suit, then by all means wear a suit. But, if everyone is wearing shorts and flipflops- uh, don’t! You still wear for the office you hold. That does’nt always mean a coat and tie, but skinny jeans, and a ripped shirt is so ridiculous. Dress in a manner that is worthy for the office you hold, tipping your hat to your congregation but not the culture.
Prentiss –
If I wore shorts and flip flops, the congregation would become ill at the horrid site!
I agree. Leadership should set the standard.
Again, when in Hawaii, we witnessed church service on the beach and the pastor was in shorts and flip flops – then I went to their regular services where he was dressed differently and again matched the people attending that service. If we had absolutely no tradition in this area, this conversation wouldn’t even exist. I believe that one of the biggest problems in the American church is that we have focused so much on our traditions, looks and actions that we have forgotten that it’s about the heart. My love and devotion to Christ (as well as yours) is far more important than my dress. This is not a biblical issue – it’s a traditional issue and it seems that the churches and people who “dig in” on this issue seem to care more about the outside appearance than the mission of the church (and individuals) – to reach our world for Christ. If I’m reaching my community for Christ in flip-flops because I’m out in my community – I believe God is far more pleased than with me in my church with a coat and tie!
Just a few questions:
Do we really believe that Jesus had a “go to church clothes?”
Have we forgotten that Jesus sought out sinners and spent time with people that made the Pharisees ridicule him?
Have we forgotten our mission?
I recall one church I attended voted against calling a new pastor when he had the temerity to come to Wednesday evening prayer without a tie! All agreed with his theological stance as evidenced by his preaching on Sunday (where he did wear jacket and tie).
Another pastor I spoke to was taken to task by older members of the congregation for wearing a tie and rolling up his shirt sleeves for a Communion Service.
I, personally, agree that in any endeavour involving working with or leading others, we should dress so as to not create unease or a stumbling block for them. To do otherwise will only make our message that much more difficult to share.
Wow!
It sounds like there’s not a little idolatry going on there, and it’s probably not a very healthy congregation—perhaps the guy who was voted down for that reason was relieved!
Mike, I’m not sure how you back up your position Biblically or theologically. Perhaps reading “Pagan Christianity” would help.
Thanks for this post! Though in my denomination clergy attire is more often than not established, this is useful for staff and key volunteers. For our parish in a first-ring Chicago suburb, weather is a dictator of dress as well, with even the most proper people opting for cool clothing – even shorts as I saw yesterday – in our non-air conditioned church. Otherwise, we try to have staff, greeters and other key folks at at least “business casual.”
Thanks, Eric.
The issue is frivolous considering all things. Clearly hearts are not ready for worship if this is an issue.
I believe many pastors would avoid conflict and confusion by knowing the context of our ministry.
Thanks for the blog. I look forward to the upcoming podcast!
Thanks, Andrew. We just finished that podcast. It was fun!
Thom, I’m not trying to stir up trouble, but I have a question. Why is a coat and tie considered our “best?” I was raised being told that I had to wear a suit because “God wants out best.” Yesterday, I preached in a pair of Ralph Lauren wool slacks, a J.O. Banks shirt, and Rockport shoes. That outfit cost much more that the three suits in our congregation. Those few who still choose a suit wear the exact same suit every week and the suits are really old. I don’t mind if they wear suits, but should my outfit be considered “better” since it costs much more, is new, and is in fashion? Again, I’m not trying to be confrontational. My dad still insists on wearing a suit to church and doesn’t like when pastors do not. Dress codes never seemed to be an issue with Jesus except when he chastised the Pharisees for looking good on the outside but being full of dead men’s bones. I think your blog was on point about knowing your culture. I pastor in Alabama but most of the men in my church own one suit and it probably doesn’t fit them anymore. It’s hard to find a place to buy a suit. I was raised under the “wear your best” argument but I have always wondered who gets to set the criteria for “best.”
The thought of a coat and tie being the “Sunday best” is both a contextual and cultural issue, Ben. And it seems to be on the wane.
I have found that my congregation kind of sets the tone. It’s common for us to wear coat and tie in the AM service and casual in the PM service. Wednesday service can be jeans and polo type shirt. The idea of pastors dressing like the young adults when he is pushing 60 seems like a good idea. I hear most comment that he still looks like an old man dressing down. Pastors set the bar in worship and dress is equally important. If dress interferes with ones ability to truly worship then we might want to rethink our position.
Well said, Kenny.
By the same token…if the dress of others is your main focus in a worship service, then maybe you should rethink your reason for being there!
this has been an eye opening conversation for me. I guess dress is not just limited to us ladies at all. With the”casualization” of dress across society, it should not be surprising that this conversation has sparked such an interest for the church.
I have always been taught that leaders should dress a little above their followers.
No confrontation, just a question. I Sunday night less important than Sunday morning? Or Wednesday night less important than Sunday morning? Should Pastors not set the example and lead rather than follow? Just asking…….
The principles you listed apply to women as well. I dress in a conservative fashion for whatever the trend is. For women, I find, that the dynamic of attire is scrutinized at a much higher level than men. Thanks for the article!
I’m just glad to get a lady commenting, Patti!
Yes the Holy Spirit is with the believer all the time, yet Christ says His house should be “a house of prayer”, we should “offer our bodies as living sacrifices, Holy and pleasing to God…”
What every we wear, it should be pleasing to God, we are to keep His House a “House of Prayer”, and as we are told in 1 Samuel, “to obey is better than sacrifice”. So many of the comments are about what “I want” “I think” “they are looking for”… our worship is about what God wants and what pleases Him and not you and me.
Ezekiel 44:16-18 …16″They shall enter My sanctuary; they shall come near to My table to minister to Me and keep My charge. 17″It shall be that when they enter at the gates of the inner court, they shall be clothed with linen garments; and wool shall not be on them while they are ministering in the gates of the inner court and in the house. 18″Linen turbans shall be on their heads and linen undergarments shall be on their loins; they shall not gird themselves with anything which makes them sweat.…
Awesome comment. Dressing up is dressing up. Knowing we are a royal priesthood. A Holy nation, a peculiar people belonging to God. Come as you are but dont leave the same. When we are saved All things become new. Dressing up takes time, costs money, and sets a standard of discipline. I see people now just showing up to church like they fell off the bed. Now coffe and pastries are sold and brought into the sanctuary. Or audience as some pastors refer to the congregation. Church is not about our comfort. Dress code is important. And I too want to look my best when I gather amongst the brethren to worship my King. God is good.
Amen
This is my personal opinion, but the attire should match what is fit for a king. To me, it doesn’t matter if you are in Florida, California, Alabama, etc, we are still meeting with the same King of kings and He deserves our best. It doesn’t matter what the congregation wears either because I want to look my best for the King even if the rest don’t care. I look at it this way, it is a matter of respect. I would never walk into a courtroom, a funeral service or a wedding wearing casual or informal attire because it would be disrespectful to the one I am going there for. Shouldn’t the Lord receive better than them. Most people argue, “God doesn’t care how you dress as long as you come,” and I disagree. God wants the best from His people and He deserves it. Most people want to dress down for their own comfort and convenience but church is not about us, it is about Him. It was not comfortable nor convenient to hang on the cross in the hot sun for six hours but Jesus did it for us. I will always believe that we need to give our best when we come to church whether Pastor, staff member or member. If a lost person comes dressed down that is fine because they do not know any better. Christians should know better, we have been saved and set free.
I agree that we should always give God our best. What is our best and how that would look is going to be different across the board.
Patti –
That is so true. A visit to churches in other countries demonstrates your point well.
Yes, there is that point, but before being King, he is our father. Do we dress the same to see the queen Elizabeth or president Obama as we dress to see our Father? Hummm. Interesting point to consider.
Apart from that, try wearing a suit in Suddan at 50 degrees Celsius inside a church with no air conditioning and then come back to these comments.
Context is everything. Your best attire may be not a suit. I can point to rappers for example who wear thousand dollars chains around their necks and that’s their best, much more costly than most of our suits, yet, their best, however, they would be looked upon with much judgement in a high church.
Clothing is a divisive as worship wars or the carpet colour wars. If we think that wearing our best is going to be the standard – and suits and ties are the best – then we will continue to have diminishing numbers, uninterested younger folks, and continuously out of step clergy. Context is indeed everything. As for women clergy, how does the clothing law translate over to them?
It’s called respect! Jesus hung on that cross for us and we can at least give Him some respect, my goodness, is it going to kill anyone to wear something other than blue jeans and a sweatshirt? Many go to church in them designer ripped up jeans, my niece thinks it’s cool since her pastor wears jeans all the time. Come on people, you would not go to a wedding dress that way, are those people more important than God?
Mike,
Respectfully disagree with you. I pastor a small country church and began wearing ties and a suite as I thought that was the expectation. After realizing I was one of only two people wearing a tie and having countless questions about why I was so dressed up (families come in camo here because some of them were hunting before the service), I gladly chose to forgo the tie. I even take my jacket off some when it is really hot inside.
I remember many years ago rejecting church as a young man because a pastor called me out for my attire which was casual on a 110 degree day in California. I didn’t go back to church for a long time and never to that one. Something tells me your attitude toward attire probably turns people away from Christ. I say that in love as a brother in Christ because I’ve been there.
As for the overall tenor of this thread a certain passage comes to mind:
“Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels.” 2 Timothy 2:23
Good points, John.
I’m saving that II Timothy quote, really like it.
Let us beware, brethren, lest we cause shame to our poor brothers and decend again into empty formalism [James 2, Hebrews 6], surely when I join a meeting of disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ as long as the confession of my lips matches the condition of my heart then the Lord will accept me; now if my nakedness is decently covered I will be surely accepted by the brethren?
If my acceptance in your church is dependent upon my attire, my family background, my occupation, my political allegiance, my race, which flag I wave [if any] then perhaps I am knocking on the wrong door and maybe He is too? [Revelation 3:19-22]
Are the poor, the naked, the ragged and the oppressed still welcome in the U.S.A. that bastion of liberty or not? And what can be said of the real condition of ‘churches’ in that place? For all men who are under Satan’s heel are still welcome in the Kingdom of God…alleigances of this world have no place in His world so beware my brothers that we concern ourselves with His truth and not those ‘truths’ that certain men have crept in with [Jude 4]
Maybe we need to repent and do our first works again for the Word is still sure…no matter what men who wrap themselves in flags have done with it!
amen i totally agree my husband and i pastor a small church in Hartford ct also we do not make dressing an issue because as every christian mature in God spiritually their dressing will mature also some Christians really don’t have the finances you never no what a christian is going through so don’t be so quick to judge and in the summer we dress down
James 2:1-4 talks about A warning against prejudice
The King of king deserves our best. After all, they cast lots for Jesus’ robe because it was worth something…he was ministering to people and embraced the fact that he represented the father. What we wear says something to God, others and ourselves.
However, it does not necessarily mean suits and ties. It could be a nice Hawaiin shirt in hot climate…
Worship leaders…it may mean wearing black jeans and nice shirts as opposed to everyday street jeans. The Bible says two things concerning dress code… DECENT (appropriate. ..clean …fit for the occasion) and MODEST (not suggestive of …sexual…esp. women…tight things that are tight or exaggerate parts of the body)…that’s it
Leaders are examples….regardless of what lay people wear. However, dressing up or down does not affect God showing up…all it speaks is whether we are a people of the excellence that God is and are we followin the word?
Mike,
I have had many occasions where a community member has openly told me they didn’t feel like they could come to church because they didn’t have clothing good enough.
Some have tried to vainly point to Matthew 22 to explain why we must dress our best.
“But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes. He asked, ‘How did you get in here without wedding clothes, friend?’ The man was speechless. “Then the king told the attendants, ‘Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ (Matthew 22:11-13 NIV)
But to do so would be to ignore the history behind it such as the host being the one who provides the wedding garment when the person arrives. This text speaks far more of putting on a right heart and being clothed with what the King provides for you than it does with wearing your Sunday best.
This King opened his doors to everyone no matter if they were worthy or not, shouldn’t we try our best to do the same?
I believe my best answer to folks when they have asked what they can wear on a Sunday morning has been ” Well I plan to wear jeans and a button up shirt this Sunday so whatever you have seems fine to me.”
Thanks, Mark.
Your response begs the question: “Who decides what is best and most fitting?” Is a “business suit” more godly than something more casual.
Perhaps we should seek what the scripture says about it instead of opinions of people.
I would submit that our best has little to do with our outward appearance and much more to do with our actions and attitude which we aproach God with.
I look at the story of the Garden of Eden. When Adam and Eve are first created, they don’t have any clothes at all. Literally the first thing they do after the Original Sin is to create clothing for themselves. That tells me clothing is an entirely *human* novelty. Even Jesus appeared to wonder why people gave so much credence to clothing (“Consider the lilies of the field” and so on).
That’s not to say I advocate going back to birthday suits though. Rather, what needs to happen is people need to drop their outmoded opinions that going to meet God in worship is like meeting a head of state. God cares little for the superficiality of clothing, and more about what’s in one’s heart. If putting on a full suit puts you into that worshipful mindset, then by all means, do it. But don’t chastise the 14 year-old singing the hymns in a blank t-shirt and jeans, nothing provocative at all, because he doesn’t “measure up” to your standard. The only standard one should care about while worshipping is God’s.
Yikes. Your last clause is the best: “we have been saved and set free.” Exactly. That’s why you don’t have to wear a suit. You have been set free from putting on a show and keeping the outside of your cup clean (Luke 11:39).
Comparing Jesus’ death on the cross is ludicrous, prideful, and I might argue blasphemous. It’s also superspiritual. It’s a man-made mandate you are advocating. Other religions have similar rules. It reminds me of Muslims throwing down a carpet before they pray.
Aren’t we always in the presence of our king? Do I need to dress in formal attire even when I sleep? I believe that dressing for church is something you need to prayerfully consider and Thom has really addressed this well. Great post!
Shannon,
Studying Jacob and I just came across this which I thought appropriate for your comment:
“Now, I would not say a word to detract from the holiness of the house of God. But let us bear in mind that every place ought to be holy to a man of God; that in every place we ought to be true to God. We ought to be as true to Him in our place of business as we are in the house of God;”
D. L. Moody, Bible Characters (New York; Chicago; Toronto: Fleming H. Revell, 1888), 95.
We have been set free so now you have to wear a tie?
I’ve said before, I don’t feel the need to wear formal attire to visit my Dad.
With all due respect, your extra-biblical rules sound really legalistic, my friend
If you were going to a meeting in which your father was being recognized and honored publicly, you would probably dress a little more respectfully, even though he was your dad.
I think I agree with and pretty much practice Dr. Rainer’s advice here, but I have found that the “dress down” folks are more judgmental about this than the “dress up” crowd. Just my casual observation.
Interesting. My experience is that the dress up crowd has always been far more judgmental than the dress down crowd. Even the more harsh comments here seem to me to be from the dress up crowd, so I guess it’s all perspective.
In churches I have been in it’s always the dress up crowd that make an issue of dress (well them, and now Thom…haha). And they are often times rude about it. The dress down crowd don’t seem to care if people dress up or dress down.
To take it a step further, in my experience (not saying this is everyone’s experience) those with the “dress up” mindset that make an issue out of it are the ones that tend to have an inward focus and cause other problems within the church. To clarify, I am not saying that people who dress up are problem causers. I am saying, in my experience, the ones who make an issue out of dressing up are typically problem causers within the churches I have served. The outward focused members who were also the best servants within the church didn’t seem to care one way or the other how people dressed.
I completely agree!! Give of your BEST to the Master.
But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”
1 Samuel 16:7
Mike, I agree with you. I respect the office of pastor too much to allow comfort to dictate my attire, especially in the pulpit. I admit to some dressing-down on hospital visits, but that even varies. I also am not saying how I dress should match how anyone else dresses.In fact in the small church I pastor, I usually am the only one in suit and tie. I’m accountable to God for myself only.
Mike, I think you need to prayerfully reconsider your position. I haven’t gotten through all the comments but thus far I think the most important one is being missed. If we dress up to appear before the King of kings when we gather with fellow believers then do we put on a suit and tie before praying at home? We are still appearing before the King of kings, just without all the people who can see what we are wearing. Who are we really dressing up for?
Excellent thoughts, sir. The old English actors told each other, “Play to the king,” in the event the king showed up for the performance. Our king does.
As a pastor I feel that reverence to my God is the most important thing! I am accountable to my God, when I stand before Him I give my best! I take my duties seriously and that is why, I cover up me so that He may shine through!
My King wore what looked like a gown and sandals. Goodness! Just like my King, my goal is to express myself in love to others–I make my congregates comfortable by being like them, just as Jesus did. I don’t dress to impress my Master, I dress in order to be more like Him.
These kind of statements just open the door wider.
When Jesus was transfigured and later glorified, His attire took on a completely different appearance. That is the One I dress for.
My job is also to preach the Word of God. I take that very seriously. Still, when I dress up I am comfortable in my clothes such that I don’t draw attention to differences. I don’t feel that I put anyone off or look down on anyone. I really don’t think that they notice all that much.
Where is your Biblical support for “dressing for a king”?
Jesus had an inner and outer garment. His only comment I could find in Scripture was negative toward the Pharisees who wore there fancy robes and tassels to be seen.
This is not a Bible issue directly… but an issue of satisfying legalistic people who live more by religious traditions than the Bible.
I agree with my brother Dr Ranier that if I go to serve in a formal high church then blend in rather than cause division or offense to the immature Christians who think God cares how much a person dresses up.
Bottom line: God look at the hearts of people, not there outward appearance.
I have mixed emotions on the dress attire for Pastors and church as a whole. There are those that use “Come as you are” as the bases for dressing down. Then there then case of the one that got kick out from the wedding feast, because of not being properly dressed. Jesus said “come to me as a child”. This for me doesn’t mean childless, but completely trusting in Him. With all of that being said, it is as it always will be, an heart thing. God goes beyond what we have on, on the outside, and looks at our heart, and if the heart isn’t right than what one has on isn’t going to matter. When the heart is right, then then dress will be right.
I totally agree with you on this. We need to give our Lord the best.
Amen!!!!!!!
I do not know this brother’s heart. However, I am profoundly reminded of what the Pharisee prayed. 11“The Pharisee stood and was praying this to himself: ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12‘I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get.’ 13“But the tax collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, the sinner!’ 14“I tell you, this man went to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted,” Luke 18:11-14.
I
Yep, your absolutely right. It’s your personal opinion, and there’s nothing wrong with your view- until you try to impose it on everyone else. Nowhere in the Bible doesn’t specifically address this issue, therefore, any view an individual holds regarding attire is purely that individuals opinion, nothing more. Its not a person’s clothing God is concerned about, it’s the heart. Do really suppose that the disciples wore their “Sunday best” everyday for three years, after all, they were in the presence of the Lord of Lords were they not. Yet my bible never states that Jesus chided them even once about their dress. Maybe that’s why less fortunate people stay away from churches… They don’t want to feel ashamed they know they don’t have any nice clothing and now they feel obligated to meet some ridiculous dress standard that Jesus himself never required.
Great points – one of the issues that bothers me so much about this thread is that it seems to boil “worship” into a Sunday morning event “The Worship Service.” Where giving our best for this one service equates to dressing our best. Umm, that’s where the church in America has had so much problem – Sunday is a day of worship and I can live any way I want the rest of the time. That’s not a Biblical precept or principle. Romans 12:1 tells us we are to present our bodies as a “living sacrifice.” That means that God’s idea of worship is 24/7 not an hour on Sunday morning. And as long as we keep making a big deal about this “holy time” on Sunday mornings, we will continue to create a disconnect between what we do on Sunday mornings and the rest of the week. It’s time to get real every day instead of dressing up and pretending once a week. I actually wear a coat and tie on Sunday mornings and many do and then we dress down for our other services during the week. And I don’t really believe God cares. I do believe He cares how we approach him and the way a person dressed might reveal their attitude but that isn’t always the case. The attitude of our heart reveals far more than our clothes does. It’s why Jesus called the Pharisees “whitewashed tombs.”
We have to understand clothes do not make people, people make the clothes We have to get out of the expectations of the people to progress farther in life as well as ministry. I myself is a son of an apostle and he wears the ties and the suit, sometimes jeans but mostly the tie.. if he has to go to a church that wears the robe then he will wear one of his. But if you read the Bible it does talk about looking your best. Jesus looked his best when he walked around but he looked just like one of the other disciples because when they came to capture him in the garden he said the one that I kiss he is him so they didn’t even know who Jesus was because he looked just like them and a lot of times we miss the loss soul because they Are intimidated by the suit and tie in the big fancy robes.. I myself seen it and now that I stepped into a role of a pastor I take with me and understood it’s not always about what you wear and sometimes it is but the fact of the matter is the Point your trying to make while wearing it. You have to know the environment your in
Jesus wore a robe and sandals. Not sure a necktie would go with that in any situation.
I agree with you, Mike. John, Mike said your best; and that’s different for everyone. A minister/pastor/leader should dress his best also. Mae
I agree and have been looking for a way to express it, we now live in a come as you are society and that’s ok when you go down to a street loaded with bars and want to reach people . Also though if someone comes to church casual that’s ok but a pastor should at least look very presentable, we expect that from the President and a pastor carries a more important message