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Why do we not use clerical collars?

Golf Cart Mafia Underboss Posts: 3658 **9/19/15 9:37 pm**

Why do we not use clerical collars? If you do, tell us when, where, why.

If not, why?

Thanks!

[Insert Acts Pun Here] Posts: 12817 **9/19/15 9:43 pm**

I see no reason, scripturally or logically, to wear something like that.

01000001 01100011 01110100 01110011 Posts: 24285 **9/19/15 10:04 pm**

For those who have a quick temper, it might be the thing that makes one think twice before berating a cook or a clerk who is at least working for a living instead of drawing welfare. Knowing that you are BRANDED!

I have known preachers make a fool of themselves in sports clothes 'chewing out a fast food guy for being slow, and most folk did not know he was a preacher." Embarassed

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Re: Why do we not use clerical collars?

Golf Cart Mafia Underboss Posts: 3658 **9/19/15 10:35 pm**

Re: Why do we not use clerical collars?

01000001 01100011 01110100 01110011 Posts: 24285 **9/19/15 10:36 pm**

Re: Why do we not use clerical collars?

Acts-pert Poster Posts: 15570 **9/19/15 11:01 pm**

Re: Why do we not use clerical collars?

[Insert Acts Pun Here] Posts: 14803 **9/19/15 11:20 pm**

Golf Cart Mafia Underboss Posts: 3658 **9/20/15 1:29 am**

Why is the collar associated with celibacy? This is a Protestant invention and tradition, not Catholic.

I have/wear the "tab" collar ...

Acts Enthusiast Posts: 1994 **9/20/15 6:08 am**

I have/wear the "tab" collar from time to time - like at weddings where the wedding party is all dressed up (tux, etc), I think the minister should represent the church well and not look like a wedding guest in just a suit and tie.

The collar is great for civic events when the clergy needs to be recognized, and in emergency situations it gets you into places (hospitals, accidents, crime scenes, etc) with a lot less explaining of who you are. The collar is respected on the streets by gang members and police alike.

The collar has its place and for people from more formal church backgrounds it is very much a part of their "religious identity".

It is not a sign of authority, that would be the sash worn when in full regalia.

Mat

Re: I have/wear the "tab" collar ...

01000001 01100011 01110100 01110011 Posts: 24285 **9/20/15 1:45 pm**

Re: Why do we not use clerical collars?

Acts-perienced Poster Posts: 11849 **9/20/15 1:52 pm**

Acts-perienced Poster Posts: 11849 **9/20/15 1:58 pm**

The clerical collar in my mind promotes the whole clergy-laity distinction, where you see the ordained as special holy 'men of the cloth' who levitate two inches above the ground, and the rest of the folks as poor mere regular folk.

The whole model doesn't fit well with the perspective we see in I Corinthians 12 and Romans 12 and other passages where every believer has a role to play in the body and gifts and ministries are scattered throughout the body. The ministry of prophet is important even though he may not be 'ordained' and may not wear a collar. And would apostles wear collars or just elders? Think about a first century context. Who would you put the collars on?

I suppose we could have all Christian wear collars.

But it is just clothing, and I'm reading my own thoughts and perceptions into what it symbolizes.

Since the Protestant Reformation, different Protestants have also been against all kinds of clerical garb at certain times in history because they see it as promoting papist thought or culture.

Something I found strange was to see a young woman in Indonesia in her 20's come out of a hospital wearing a blouse that looked like a Roman Catholic priests black outfit with the little white collar thing in front, but she was wearing a black skirt. There are Reformed Protestants over there, and even at least one group of Charismatics who had their own denomination (but had a lot of COG guest speakers) had a pastor who wore a collar. Some of these groups ordain women. It was weird for me to see a feminized version of the RCC outfit, though.
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I feel there is a time and place ...

Acts Enthusiast Posts: 1994 **9/20/15 2:38 pm**

I feel there is a time and place for a clerical collar, but each has to make the choice for themselves. It seems no more a "uniform" then a tee-shirt (maybe with the Apple logo to be really cool), Jeans, sandals and a large cross handing from the neck. One style is no more spiritual than the other, but there is a time and a place for both.

Now what I find sad is the acceptance of a minister of the Gospel carrying a concealed pistol (just in case he needs to defend himself by taking someone's life) while at the same time condemning those who find a collar helpful.

Mat

Friendly Face Posts: 144 **9/20/15 3:33 pm**

I sometimes wear a clergy shirt when I teach for these two reasons:

1. It is a way for me to practice the spiritual discipline of simplicity by taking minimal concern for my appearance—solid black clothing with no accessories except a pectoral crucifix, and a lack of “What will I wear today?/Does this match?”/etc.

2. I want to remind my students that some of their teachers are both Ph.D.s and ordained ministers. Our academic teaching is the primary form of our ministry to the one church catholic in general and (in some of our cases) to the Church of God in particular. There is nothing wrong with being either one or the other (or neither), but I want to remind my students that some of their teachers are both.

Re: Why do we not use clerical collars?

Acts-pert Poster Posts: 15570 **9/20/15 3:57 pm**

Re: I feel there is a time and place ...

Acts-perienced Poster Posts: 11849 **9/21/15 2:41 am**

Re: I feel there is a time and place ...

Acts Enthusiast Posts: 1994 **9/21/15 7:11 am**

Acts Enthusiast Posts: 1021 **9/21/15 8:58 am**

For me, the clerical collar clearly reinforces the unbiblical distinction between clergy and laity.

The priesthood of all believers is a fundamental Gospel truth, and essential to the operation of a healthy church. Having a uniform, or special dress, for one section of believers undermines that truth.
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Golf Cart Mafia Consigliere Posts: 3382 **9/21/15 9:01 am**

Re: Why do we not use clerical collars?

Acts-pert Poster Posts: 16646 **9/21/15 9:02 am**