Robes

[Jim1999]

Robes and collars were quite common in England, even among the Baptist Union. Things are a little different to-day, with fewer wearing collars.

In Canada, baptists used to wear tails and striped trousers instead of collars and gowns.

Cheers,

Jim

 

[Tom Butler]

As a choir director, I liked robes because it provided a uniformity to the look it presented. And when we were going through the hot pants and mini-skirt craze of the 1970s, robes were a Godsend.

That was about the time we started being glad that women started wearing slacks.

 

[Alcott]

No choir robes; and we don't even have a 'choir' every week; sometimes it's an ensemble of 4-6, sometimes only intruments, lyrics on the screen and a songleader. It seems those getting baptized still wore robes-- at least the females-- until a couple or so years ago. I don't remember anyone saying anything, but I have a hunch one (maybe "the") reason that stopped in favor of wearing these long dark brown shirts was because the steps out of the baptistry made the baptizee visible to about half the auaditorium, depending on gender, and as the females went up those steps, soaking wet, their panties could be seen rather easily through a white robe.

 

[Joseph M. Smith]

Robes and collars were quite common in England, even among the Baptist Union. Things are a little different to-day, with fewer wearing collars.

In Canada, baptists used to wear tails and striped trousers instead of collars and gowns.

Cheers,

Jim

About clerical collars: my cousin was a seminary student in a Lutheran seminary, and was invited to come to my home town to preach. He wore his collar on the plane, and said that everyone addressed him as "Father."

Since this was just days before his first child was born, his reply was,
"Not quite"!

A couple of the people called into ministry from my congregation took to the collar for hospital visits, feeling that it gave them an identity in that setting. Not something I would have been comfortable doing.

 

[Mexdeaf]

A couple of the people called into ministry from my congregation took to the collar for hospital visits, feeling that it gave them an identity in that setting. Not something I would have been comfortable doing.

I wear this on hospital visits- seems to get me past the receptionist much faster.

 

[JohnDeereFan]

I was wondering what is the usage of robes in your church.

In my church, the minister wears a white baptismal gown while baptizing people, as do the people being baptized. During the non-baptismal parts of the service, the preacher wears a regular suit and tie. Normally an assistant pastor baptizes people. So while my pastor doesn't wear a robe during the service, I do.

That's because I'm in the Chancel Choir. We got new robes today. We wear black robes with a blue and white pennant stole, and, for the men, a white cutaway shirt collar, unless we're already wearing a white shirt. The old robes were tattered and at least fifteen years old. I love dressing up in a long, flowing, choir robe for church. They really look nice. Of course, on Sunday mornings I wear a suit to Sunday School and hang up my jacket in the robing room before the service. One time in high school I was on our mock trial team and I got to wear a judicial robe because I was being a fake judge.

So, what do you do in your church? Are there any churches represented on here where the pastor wears a pulpit robe. I know such Baptist churches exist.

The only time I've ever worn a robe in the pulpit is when I've been invited to preach at churches where that is the tradition.

 

[JohnDeereFan]

About clerical collars: my cousin was a seminary student in a Lutheran seminary, and was invited to come to my home town to preach. He wore his collar on the plane, and said that everyone addressed him as "Father."

Since this was just days before his first child was born, his reply was,
"Not quite"!

A couple of the people called into ministry from my congregation took to the collar for hospital visits, feeling that it gave them an identity in that setting. Not something I would have been comfortable doing.

I was raised in the Methodist church and then, when I was a little older, attended my new step-father's Catholic Church.

Around that same time, my mother put me in an after school program at a local Baptist Church (I was probably around nine years old). Having come from the Catholic Church, I then mistakenly (albeit innocently) called a Baptist preacher "Father". I thought he was going to have a stroke. I don't think I've ever been yelled at like that before or since.

Now, every now and then, we'll have a Catholic visitor who will call me "Father". Of course, they don't recognize me, a non-Catholic, as a "Father", but I understand they're just trying to be polite. I always think of that experience from when I was a kid.

 

[Salty]

As a choir director, I liked robes because it provided a uniformity to the look it presented. And when we were going through the hot pants and mini-skirt craze of the 1970s, robes were a Godsend. ...

Why should mini-skirts be a problem. You simply have leadership who actually lead and inform individual that if they want to be part of the choir - they will dress modestly. But they might leave the church - then its time to preach on John chapter 15

Discipline (or lack thereof) is a big problem in our Baptist churches.

 

[John Toppass]

That sentiment is straight from the Bible:thumbs::

John 12:5
Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?

Ahhhhh yes. HMMMMMMM Wasnt that Judas that said that?:tonofbricks:

 

[David Lamb]

Robes and collars were quite common in England, even among the Baptist Union. Things are a little different to-day, with fewer wearing collars.

In Canada, baptists used to wear tails and striped trousers instead of collars and gowns.

Cheers,

Jim

Jim, do you really mean robes (in the sense found at What does a Vicar Wear? with a cassock, surplice, stole or chasuble etc.)? If so, I must say that I have never seen such in use except in Anglican or Roman Catholic circles. Or are you just talking about preaching gowns and "back-to-front collars"?

Personally, I cannot see any scriptural basis for pastors/preachers wearing any kind of special "uniform" that sets them apart from other Christians. I have heard some people say that it helps when hospital visiting, but I have never found everyday clothes to be a problem in that.

 

[annsni]

Why should mini-skirts be a problem. You simply have leadership who actually lead and inform individual that if they want to be part of the choir - they will dress modestly. But they might leave the church - then its time to preach on John chapter 15

Discipline (or lack thereof) is a big problem in our Baptist churches.

I agree. We had one of the young ladies (a teen) at our new church campus working with the kids with a rather short skirt on. She was wearing thick tights so she was pretty well covered and it was a cute outfit - but when she sat on the floor, my daughter saw that you could see to the crotch while she positioned herself. So my 20 year old went to her afterwards and suggested that she wear leggings under the skirt next time just because of the children and the girl had no problems doing so. So even my 20 year old daughter was able to handle this comfortably and easily - with no muss, no fuss!