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Do You Wear a Pulpit Robe?

Discussion in '2000-02 Archive' started by Jamal5000, Dec 21, 2001.

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  1. Jamal5000

    Jamal5000 New Member

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    Hi Everyone,

    Lately, my pastor and many others I know have shyed away from wearing a robe on Sunday services.

    As a pastor do you still where one or do you just wear a suit? Do where one only on special occassions (i.e. if you have to speak at a graduation)? Do you wear one only in the winter?

    Thanks for any input!
    Jamal5000
    [​IMG]
     
    #1 Jamal5000, Dec 21, 2001
  2. DocCas

    DocCas New Member

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    Why would a man want to wear a robe in public? Is he to fat to get into his suits anymore (A la Homor Simpson in one of the episodes where he deliberately got obese enough to be declared disabled, and found that one of his wife's dresses was more comfortable than his old clothes)?
     
    #2 DocCas, Dec 21, 2001
  3. TomVols

    TomVols New Member

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    Dr. Cassidy, you seem a little too up on your Simpson knowledge to be considered IFB :D

    No, I don't wear a robe. Some services (Wed. nites) I don't wear a coat or tie. Interestingly enough, Martyn-Lloyd Jones thought a robe was a must for the preacher.
     
    #3 TomVols, Dec 21, 2001
  4. Kiffin

    Kiffin New Member

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    The argument for a ministerial robe, is really the same one for choir robes. It helps the minister or choir blend in and does not let one's tie or suit, clothes be a distraction. A white robe is symbolic of Christ justification. Some Baptists partcularly among African American Baptists do wear Genevan robes or robes which are usually black. I have no problems with it but most Baptist churches probably would. It sure would help on the cost of ties and suits. [​IMG]
     
    #4 Kiffin, Dec 21, 2001
  5. Rev. Joshua

    Rev. Joshua <img src=/cjv.jpg>

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    Since we're a liturgical church, I wear either a cassock-alb or a robe.

    Joshua
     
    #5 Rev. Joshua, Dec 21, 2001
  6. Dr. Bob

    Dr. Bob Administrator
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    Proper pulpit attire that most Baptists use is the suit/tie. John Calvin made a great issue out of the "cassock" look of RC priests, so taught his followers to simply wear business attire.

    For most businessmen, a suit/tie is standard.

    So we ifb'ers strangle ourselves with outdated fashion each Sunday -- BUT we can then feel free to call Pastor Josh a liberal for wearing a robe!! :rolleyes:

    And me, too. I have a robe for weddings. And a banded collar shirt (NOT the turned around collar look) that looks dapper with a tux! I do 50+ weddings a year, and have done them in all states of dress - mountain climbing in shorts and hiking boots, even in a submarine with a Hawaian luau look . . .

    Move over Josh. I think Shuller in the Crystal Cathedral looks stunning in his doctoral gown. And I'm just proud enough . .
     
    #6 Dr. Bob, Dec 22, 2001
  7. Rev. Joshua

    Rev. Joshua <img src=/cjv.jpg>

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    <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Dr. Bob Griffin:
    Move over Josh. I think Shuller in the Crystal Cathedral looks stunning in his doctoral gown. And I'm just proud enough . .<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

    We could pose together in our respective vestments. I'll stand on the left...

    :D
     
    #7 Rev. Joshua, Dec 24, 2001
  8. rlvaughn

    rlvaughn Well-Known Member
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    No, I do not, nor would I want to; and wearing one among "my" Baptists would probably be just cause to never be called on to preach again [​IMG] . IF anyone cares :rolleyes: , I usually wear black (or dark) pants, white shirt, black suspenders and black tie. For weddings and funerals, I upgrade to a black double-breasted suit (same white shirt & black tie). Some places I go, a suit would be considered "stuffy", and others it is expected. But, it seems, in our mostly country churches, the purpose of a suit-jacket is merely to have on so one can pull it off after he starts preaching. When the jacket comes off, that means he's really getting down to business. Watch out if he rolls up his sleeves :eek: ! I have never seen a Baptist preacher in east Texas wear a robe, although I am sure some do.
     
    #8 rlvaughn, Dec 24, 2001
  9. Squire Robertsson

    Squire Robertsson Administrator
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    Only wore a clerical collar once and that was for a play. My Pastor only wears a robe when he is in the baptistry; it covers the suspenders of his waders and the rubber oversleeves he wears. His predecessor (1941-1977) wore a morning suit in the pulpit into the '50s.
     
    #9 Squire Robertsson, Dec 24, 2001
  10. Revelator

    Revelator New Member

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    The Question for me is whether we should..I mean of course it may look nice. In all actuality though why should you? As a pastor I would never want my congregation to think I was anything but a born again sinner who God saw fit enough to preach His word(whether I feel I am or not)I don't feel it is nesscesary to wear a robe I would rather preach a plain old fire and brimstone message and wear a suit and tie or even a dress shirt and tie than dress up and have people ogle at my robe.
    Now no offense to anyone..thats just my thoughts and I am just a redneck from Lee county Va. Here people are taken in by what you do not what you say or do or wear. [​IMG]
     
    #10 Revelator, Dec 25, 2001
  11. Revelator

    Revelator New Member

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    I hate typos :mad: :mad:
     
    #11 Revelator, Dec 25, 2001
  12. TomVols

    TomVols New Member

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    Revelator,
    Martyn Lloyd Jones thought the preacher MUST wear a robe in order to distinguish the solemnity of the office and the task of preaching God's Word. My copy of his argument for this, found in his lectures and subsequent book Preaching and Preachers, is in my study at church. If you're interested I'll post the entire quote. Incidentally, I'm just a hick over the hills in Campbell County, Tennessee! I've preached a few times up in your neck of the woods.
     
    #12 TomVols, Dec 25, 2001
  13. Dr. Bob

    Dr. Bob Administrator
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    Tom - if it's not too much bother, I would LOVE the entire quotation from ML-J. Tanks!
     
    #13 Dr. Bob, Dec 26, 2001
  14. Rev. Joshua

    Rev. Joshua <img src=/cjv.jpg>

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    Revelator,

    For me, a robe and vestments are humbling, not self-aggrandizing. They are a reminder that I don't represent myself in the pulpit, but the Church, its heritage, and God's word.

    Joshua
     
    #14 Rev. Joshua, Dec 27, 2001
  15. Squire Robertsson

    Squire Robertsson Administrator
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    <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Dr. Bob Griffin:
    ...I would LOVE the entire quotation from ML-J. Tanks!<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>From Preaching and Preachers, D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, page 160: <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>At this point I would add a word which may come as a surprise to to some, and indeed sound almost ridiculous in view of what have been saying. I believe it is good and right for a preacher to wear a gown in the pulpit. How do I reconcile that with what I have just been saying about spiritual authority? The gown to me is a sign of the call, a sign of the fact that a man has been 'set apart' to do this work. It is no more than that but it is that. Of course, I must hastily add that while I believe in wearing a gown in the pulpit I do not believe in wearing a hood on the gown! The wearing of a hood calls attention to the man and his ability, not his call. It is not a sign of office but a sign of the man's scholastic achievements; so one has a B.D. gown, another a D.D. gown, another a M.A. and so on. That is but confusion; but above all it distracts from the spiritual authority of the preacher. Wear a gown but never a hood!<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>n.b. Brother Lloyd-Jones pastored Westminster Chapel as the successor to G. Campbell Morgan. If my rememberer is working Westminster was/is a Presbyterian work. Hence, Uncle Martyn's advice may not be strictly applicable to us Baptists.
    A further note, in the United Kingdom only congregations and buildings belonging to the Established Church may be called "churches".

    Hoping to shed more light than heat,
    Keith

    [ January 11, 2002: Message edited by: The Squire ]
     
    #15 Squire Robertsson, Jan 10, 2002
  16. Pastor_Don_Kirk

    Pastor_Don_Kirk New Member

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    I do not wear pulpit robes for several reasons. Like the members of any church, I am no greater in God's eyes, than the members of whatever church I'm speaking at (I'm normally a street minister; and make myself available to fill-in, for sick / vacationing, etc., pastors). I, just like the church members am NOT perfect; and I also (on ocassion) sin (an IFB minister who sins ? ? ?). I feel, that the members know who the minister is; and that while he studies and tries (hopefully), he does not consider himself "HOLY" (excluding the Pope). Last but not leeast, I buy my suits at thrift stores; and have the local cleaners alter them. SAVES $$$$$$. I might add, that I've NEVER been in an IFB church, where the minister wears anything other than a suit.

    I not going to say that wearing one is wrong; but for the above reasons, I don'twear one.
     
    #16 Pastor_Don_Kirk, Feb 1, 2002
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