Vestments

[No Swansong]

Recently I have noticed a growing trend among DOC clergy to wear vestments, additionally I recently met a COC pastor who wore academic robes in the pulpit. Is this becoming a growing trend?

 

[heapshake]

I've never seen it, but I don't visit that many different congregations.

 

[Pleeyaize]

Goodness, I hope not.

 

[Phleboto]

I hope not either. What a disgusting display of human regalia and pride.

 

[bliz5]

Most of us wear specific clothing because of what we'll be doing - when it's raining, we wear a raincoat, when we're hiking, we wear sturdy shoes, when we celebrate a special ocasssion, we wear our best, whether that means "right side out" or formal attire.

What's wrong with wearing somethng different and special when preaching and conducting worship?

Which is not to mention the marvolous symbolism of each part of the vestment...

 

[Phleboto]

Because when it's the preacher standing in front of the congregation such clothing sets him apart as someone special, someone to be "revered" (e.g. the title "reverend" etc.). That's not at all seemly for one who's task is fundamentally no more significant than anyone else in the body with talents/gifts for the edification of the body.

I think it would be quite difficult to come up with a case for such vestments if one were to use Jesus as an example, who's primary activities were preaching and teaching. He dressed like everyone else. He didn't don purple robes, save for the one He was dressed in prior to His crucifixion - and that not of His own doing.

I see no case for vestments in how Paul dressed, how Timothy dressed, how Peter dressed, how Barnabas dressed, how Stephen dressed. As I said, the very notion is unseemly.

I don't think comparing vestments with rainwear, formal wear, or whatever is either logical or germane to the issue. It's not "dressing for the occasion" or "dressing for the weather;" it's dressing for appearance, to set one apart, to single one out...

 

[SoulFly51]

I recently met a COC pastor who wore academic robes in the pulpit.

Where is this pastor's church located - what is its name? Just curious - never heard of such a thing.

 

[Episaw]

Vestments were introduced to bring division between a priestly class and a layman class. The church is about unity not division so they should be dispensed with.

 

[Thedictator]

Because when it's the preacher standing in front of the congregation such clothing sets him apart as someone special, someone to be "revered" (e.g. the title "reverend" etc.). That's not at all seemly for one who's task is fundamentally no more significant than anyone else in the body with talents/gifts for the edification of the body.

I think it would be quite difficult to come up with a case for such vestments if one were to use Jesus as an example, who's primary activities were preaching and teaching. He dressed like everyone else. He didn't don purple robes, save for the one He was dressed in prior to His crucifixion - and that not of His own doing.

I see no case for vestments in how Paul dressed, how Timothy dressed, how Peter dressed, how Barnabas dressed, how Stephen dressed. As I said, the very notion is unseemly.

I don't think comparing vestments with rainwear, formal wear, or whatever is either logical or germane to the issue. It's not "dressing for the occasion" or "dressing for the weather;" it's dressing for appearance, to set one apart, to single one out...

Well done. I agree.

 

[No Swansong]

Where is this pastor's church located - what is its name? Just curious - never heard of such a thing.

It's in Cincinnati Ohio, I was visiting simply because I was in town for a Reds game I have no clue what his or the Church's name is. I just asked for a Church recommendation from an employee at the Hotel. I take it from your comment that this is an unusual practice in the COC's.