What Myers Brigg type is most common amoung Priests?

[Fairbairn]

...which is a lousy reason, I'm sure you'd agree.

Imagine where Anglicans would be if they did everything "because the old people like it". We would look like Continuers. Cool.

Funny how a essentially useless custom favoured by the elderly could be maintained and another equally favoured but more spiritual discarded. I don't need to give examples, but I'm sure you can think of a few yourself.

I agree, but equally, we like our traditions in these parts - stopping for tea, and that kind of thing. And the vicar in his collar is one of those things.

In the grand scheme of life, it doesn't make a big difference, but in our society, we have continual erosion of our values/culture/tradition, so perhaps the clerical collar is the thin edge of the wedge.

Those of us who don't see any super spiritual meaning behind it can at least concede that it is something that is part of our culture - so if the old people want it, let them have it. The only person that really matters is the vicar himself - so if he wants to wear cords and a fleece, so be it.

The other thing is that some people like to set aside specific clothes for work. I know that I rarely wear the same clothes on the weekend as I do during the week. It's convenient to hide behind a uniform, and saves on those difficult decisions in the morning.

 

[Fairbairn]

Also, we do take other people's views into account when we dress. How many parents have forced their child to wear a specific jumper when visiting granny?

 

[karen freeinchristman]

I tend to think of the collar as a kind of uniform. I think it's appropriate in some circumstances and not in others. My vicar sleeps in his, I do believe. When we were doing our alternative worship services, we wished he wouldn't wear it, but he did.

 

[gtsecc]

If one see the priesthood as a calling, he might want to dress most of the time in a way that he could be recognized as a priest.

 

[Fairbairn]

If one see the priesthood as a calling, he might want to dress most of the time in a way that he could be recognized as a priest.

In the same way that Jesus dressed like a God...

 

[gtsecc]

In the same way that Jesus dressed like a God...

No.
I don't understand your objection.
Priests have worn black for years, and I see abosulutely nothing wrong with them dress in a way that is traditional and identifies them as such.
Again, the only thing that makes sense to me is that some folks object to anything traditional at all as a reaction against some negative image they have of some sort of church.

Our Priests don't wear a collar
our altar is covered up
we don't follow the lectionary
we don't do traditional hyms


When Kalistos Ware wrote about protestants and Roman Catholics being two sides of the same coin, he sure nailed it. Increasingly it is clear to me that Protestant identity is more in not being like Roman Catholics that it is an expression of the faith. If wear to be the light of the world, we must get out of that mind set.

 

[karen freeinchristman]

I personally feel it is appropriate to wear a collar when a vicar is on the job. Most of the evangelical vicars I know do wear their collars when on the job, but most do take it off when they are at a social or fellowship event. My vicar, as I mentioned before, keeps his on all the time. Well, maybe not on his day off. That is, when he actually takes his day off.

 

[Fairbairn]

I'm not really objecting to anything. I am happy with what our vicar does (in as much that he is happy). If you are happy with what your vicar does, then what's the problem?

 

[karen freeinchristman]

I'm not really objecting to anything. I am happy with what our vicar does (in as much that he is happy). If you are happy with what your vicar does, then what's the problem?

I think this is fine. I don't think it is something we should get legalistic about.
(I know your question wasn't aimed at me, though).

 

[gtsecc]

Priests don't have days off.

 

[karen freeinchristman]

Priests don't have days off.

You know what I mean.

 

[erin74]

I'm wondering what point is being attempted to be made by not wearing a dog collar?

sorry for missing this yesterday.

It's not really a point as such. It's more that he finds that people find him more approachable without the collar. It kind of puts peoples barriers down a little, and makes him appear more 'normal' I guess to them.

To older folk that doesn't seem to be as much an issue. They are used to seeing the collar, and have learnt that clergy are human I guess.

His general thing is he would prefer to be comfortable, but if not wearing it is going to create a barrier to someone hearing the gospel he will wear it. This congregation has become accustomed to their clergy not wearing it, so to do so could actually then create a barrier that doesn't need to be there.

 

[erin74]

Priests don't have days off.

I guess in the sense that christians don't have days off from being christian that is true. But in the sense of having time off away from their usual activities, or 'official duties' or what not, they do have a day off.

As for wearing it as a uniform. Christians don't wear a uniform to identify them as christians. Our lives should be a testiment to our faith. And many occupations don't have uniforms. I don't see that it is entirely necessary or always helpful.

Plus the 'uniform' was designed for England. In Australia we have slightly different weather patterns, and the uniform is often impractical. If my dh had to wear a collar every day he worked he would have a tough time when he was out visiting farmers in the middle of summer and what not. It would just be stifling. I know many have done it, and still do, but that doesn't make it the most practical way to go about ministry. We are all for removing barriers that hinder and distract from the goal.

 

[ContraMundum]

Priests don't have days off.

From the vocation, no. From the Parish, yes. Thank goodness!

 

[ContraMundum]

I guess in the sense that christians don't have days off from being christian that is true. But in the sense of having time off away from their usual activities, or 'official duties' or what not, they do have a day off.

As for wearing it as a uniform. Christians don't wear a uniform to identify them as christians. Our lives should be a testiment to our faith. And many occupations don't have uniforms. I don't see that it is entirely necessary or always helpful.

Plus the 'uniform' was designed for England. In Australia we have slightly different weather patterns, and the uniform is often impractical. If my dh had to wear a collar every day he worked he would have a tough time when he was out visiting farmers in the middle of summer and what not. It would just be stifling. I know many have done it, and still do, but that doesn't make it the most practical way to go about ministry. We are all for removing barriers that hinder and distract from the goal.

Amen!

I used to have to wear the collar when I was in Queensland! Black too! Whew!

 

[Fairbairn]

Amen!

I used to have to wear the collar when I was in Queensland! Black too! Whew!

They haven't developed an Aussie bloke version then? String vest, plus collar, perhaps?

Our clergy only wear black shirts for funerals, btw.

 

[karen freeinchristman]

I suppose my 'uniform' argument stems from the idea that a priest is a representative of the church to the community, and as such, a uniform can be useful. If it isn't useful in the context in which they are working, then by all means, it is dispensible.

 

[erin74]

My husband owns a clergy shirt!

In our last town our senior minister was given a stack of clergy shirts from a catholic priest or Qld minister or something. He decided to wear one one week. He got a few comments about it from the early congregation - they really liked it. So he decided there was no harm in wearing it, and since it pleased some of the early congregation decided to make it his practice. That way they had one minister who didn't and one who did. I thought that was pretty thoughtful, especially given how hot it can get where we were!