Nice faith shame about the trousers

What is it with trendy Vicars/Ministers/Pastors?

I came across a site the other day (no url to save any embarassement) which was all about modernising the church – good subject. However on the front of the site was a picture of their modern and inspirational leader in his 1980’s waistcoat.

Now I’ve know a lot of clergy in my time and many (not all) have been kind and nice people who have had the best interests of others in their heart. However if there is anything to do with ‘alternative worship’ or ‘youth ministry’ you had better get your sunglasses ready.

So many of them make the effort to look more contemporary but end up looking like a fool. I’ve seen ties that were never in fashion but might have found their way into the Charity Shop just after Christmas. I’ve seen tank tops that mums probably knitted for them when they were in their teens. I’ve seen waistcoats that look like they were used to protect the TV when the decoraters were in. I’ve seen trousers that seem to levitate six inches off the floor and were either bought in a sale in a fit of daftness or were purchased by mum for their thirteenth birthday party.

Sorry if this sounds like a man thing because women clergy are just as bad. Why do so many women clergy think they have to dress like a man anyway?

I would like to say that this is unusual but sadly it isn’t. Perhaps what is even sadder is half the congregation also looks like this on their dress down family service day (only someone forgot to tell THE family to come – more of that on another day perhaps).

So often Christians are told to wear something bright when the ‘outsiders’ are coming to visit. Wear something bright? Why? Is church so boring that we think wearing a bright pink boa will someone make it exciting?

“Hey, won’t the outsiders and young people be impressed when we turn up with something bright on!”

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

When will we learn that to be contemporary is actually about being yourself?

By all means leave off the cassock but if you feeling comfortable wearing a shirt and tie then go for it. There is nothing more offputting than falsity and this is just what it feels like when the clergy turn out in their ‘trendy’ gear.

Of course there are exceptions to this rule and some clergy wear more contemporary clothes naturally. Good for them!

What we need to start doing is breaking down the old images of the church and putting in new better ones. This is not done by looking like a scarecrow.

Relax – be yourself – dress like you want to.