I wear a collar when making hospital calls and on other occassions. There are several reasons why I do: 1. It identifes my office and people generally recognize it. Many people will often strike up conversation when they see me, which can turn to spiritual matters. 2. It sets me apart from the "business man" in his suit. 3. It is a reminder to me of what I have been called to do. The collar is the sign of a slave. In slavery times the slave would wear a collar with a chain as a reminder that he belonged to someone. As a minister I am a slave of Jesus Christ and a servant to people.
I also wear a robe or teaching gown to set me apart in worship as a representative of Christ. People are not looking at a man in a business suit or casual attire, but a representative of Christ, who comes to lead them before the presence of God. In worship we move from the common and mundane world to a world that is extraordinary. Calvin wore a teaching gown and some of the puritans would have worn some simple kind of dress. I certainly would not advocate much of the romish garb, but a simple dress for the minister is appropriate. I am a former Roman Catholic and would not reject dress based on the fact that Roman priests wear them. We do many things that Roman Catholics do, but we cannot throw the baby out with the bath water.

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Stephen Welch
PCA Teaching Elder
Nova Scotia :cheers: