Clerical Collars

I would go for something a little more unique. A cleical collar does not identify someone as a jail chaplain. Maybe a unique hat or a special tie just for the chaplain. Don't think we need to reinforce the idea that a collar makes someone more spiritual or has more spiritual authority.

 

I wouldn't do it.....collars are out of style this year............and they clash with my shoes.

 

I think it's ok to do if you can turn the collar up and unbutton your shirt down to your navel.

 

If it's the Sheriff's policy, I would go along with it.

 

I agree with Marcia.

 

I cannot speak for everyone, but I am life is GREAT in the Commonwealth. I trust that it is good in my former homestate (I used to live in Tampa).

First of all, may God bless you while you are doing this, and my He grant you the wisdom to minister to these people. As with many of the people on this board, I will add your ministry to my prayer list.

I would recommend that you do it, however strange or bizarre it may feel. That may be for your own protection.

I have a question: does anyone know the origin of these collars?

God Bless you and your family, mcgyver,
BiR

 

This is from this site...
http://www.stjohns-lpin.org/christian_church_trivia.htm


What is the purpose and origin of clerical collars?

Ans. - We understand that the clerical collar was a development from the church's reaction to the flamboyant fashions in the late 17th and 18th centuries. Men wore much lace and silk which church leaders felt was inappropriate for clergy. The mode of dress was a black suit with a simple collar with tabs. Later the tabs disappeared and the clerical collar as we know it was born. The Roman collar developed in the areas of the Roman church in much the same way.

 

I agree with Marcia. I don't see any problem with wearing a clerical collar.

 

Ican't see the harm in wearing a clerical collar. Just don't wear one thats to tight.

 

When I visited the hospital in one town where I pastored I was given a name tag by them to recognize me as a pastor.

 

Wear it. As for style, it's my understanding that the more narrow tabs are RC, but the wider tabs are protestant-liturgical. The "super-wide" tabs are for evangelicals who chose to wear them. (...or so I've been told...)

By the way, it's not only so prisoners can recognize you, but so the prison security can spot you, too.

 

That sounds like a good enough reason to me.

 

Start wearing them, for the conveniance the prison security if nothing else.
However, don't be surprised if people start adressing you as padre.

 

I have a friend (baptist) that wears them. He says it gets you instant access to almost anywhere you want to go (jail, hospitals, ect) It is pretty much universally recognized as a symbol of clergy, so you'll spend less time explaining who you are, and more time ministering. He hasn't convinced me to get one yet, but a lot of what he says makes sense.

I haven't been involved in jail ministry very much, but I would think making sure the guards know you are not a prisoner is a very good thing

 

btw - I don't know where you go to buy clerical colars, but my friend wore some that actually looked pretty sharp. He had some denim shirts that were made for the colars, and they really looked nice. And when he left wherever he was visiting he could pop the colar off and it looked like a "normal" shirt that anyone would wear.