Thank you EastCoastRemnant for your thread. I will offer a few thoughts which tackle some of your concerns.
Summarising, and generally so, I think you are exploring as much as challenging whether the "impression" we give by way of "appearance" thru the great variety of dress codes (whatever it be, wherever) conveys to people, believer or not, the essential nature of "the true Church of Christ", as God intends. Furthermore, you have put forward the idea that "Christ's life and the lives of the apostles" serve as examples as how we should live; compared with the mode of dress of various "ministers" today. At the heart of your question is how is "Christ's character and ministry" to be represented by us, and is the way we do things the way he taught us to love?" You have, of course, offered other thoughts around these things, but I will confine my comment to those things I have outlined above.
So, how did our Lord present himself and with what is God satisfied? To be sure, Jesus did not dishonour his Father. He was in all things, "about his Father's business" and, I would expect, that included the way he dressed. Nor did he draw attention to himself -- he didn't go about naked as some Eastern mystics do these days -- but ensured that his Father was glorified thru every aspect of his life. In such a way he is our absolute example whom we should imitate, as Paul admonishes.
Jesus and Paul knew -- and we should know -- "The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." (1Sa_16:7). Indeed, Apostle Paul writes, "God does not judge by external appearance"; rather, as Paul continues, "James, Peter and John, those reputed to be pillars, gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship when they recognized the grace given to me." (Gal 2:6, 9). So in that we have the examples of the Apostles, to look at the grace of God within, not how we dress, and accept people on that basis (even if they don't dress according to our preferences and sensitivities).
In such a way the Church should exhibit the grace of God which changes our hearts into hearts pleasing and acceptable to Him. Anything else can be a distraction, especially our pride. Pride is a deceitful thing for it can convince us that we should, or we should not, dress in this way or that in order to be accepted by OTHERS; even believing that our lack of vestments is what will lead God to accept us. We are only acceptable to the Father because we are "IN CHRIST". Christ is our robe of righteousness which is pleasing to God and it is God who dresses us. On fact, we are to be clothed by the holy Spirit: "I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high." Luke 124:49.
People are not to see 'us' but see God in us: "After John's messengers left, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: "What did you go out into the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind? (25) If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear expensive clothes and indulge in luxury are in palaces. (26) But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet." (Luke 7:24-26 NIV)
So, IMHO, we shouldn't attempt to draw people to ourselves or even to the good gospel we preach through the way we dress-up or dress-down. I note, tho, that just as polished dress may turn some people away so can grubby dress. What is important is that the Gospel is preached and we should not do anything to hinder that. This may mean that we dress with some respect to those to whom we preach. Jeans and bare feet may not encourage businessmen, for example, to listen to our message; nor would an Armani suit go down well among the down-and-outs. Wisdom is needed and pride of place and presentation is to be despised. But that is not to say that the Holy Spirit cannot cut through our insensitivities or our circumstances in which our dress may not fit the context.
As for the papas, the fatherly-figures in their the priestly-style vestments and titles -- Remember: "And do not call anyone on earth 'father,' for you have one Father, and he is in heaven." (Matt 23:9). However, I dare not think more highly of myself because I don't wear such things.
Tongue-in-cheek I will add a variation on John 6:68-69:
Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You are the one who dresses in a way that pleases us so very well, so we can forget all this stuff about having the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God because you look sooooooo good and your eloquent words that caress our pride satisfy our itching ears!"
Having said all that, above all, let us be seen as those who live with the love of God toward each other, just as Jesus tells us all, "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13:34-3.
Thanks ECRemnant for your question; it has caused me to think about how I live out my life in Christ before others.
Regards,
Peter.
Some other verses to guide us....
~ Zechariah 3 is a good read!
~ Mat_5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
~ Mat_6:1 "Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.
