One must realize that there is no "neutral" clerical clothing. Whether an Hawaiian shirt, slacks and an open collar, suit and tie, or clerical collar, each makes a statement of one's understanding of the ministry. I wear a clerical collar when preaching, along with a "preacher's stole" or Geneva gown. I argue from the principle of general equity from the OT dress for church officers in that OT Church, not that there is a ceremonial aspect to the collar and robe, but that there is a distinguishing point at issue, which is corresponds to the general equity. One earlier referenced "holy garments" in the New Testament--that is not the point at all. It is simply a uniform to distinguish the calling and the office, much like a judicial robe worn by the judge, or the uniform worn by a police officer, doctor, or other professional. The clothes do not make the man holy--far from it. They do however, tell the story of the office.

Aside from this principle, there are, as one would expect, numerous practical applications of wearing distinctive dress. I wear a collar in public when on official Church business, such as visitation, ministering to the sick, at meetings of Church courts, etc. I even took one man to the grocery store one night in a collar, after he had come to the Church looking for money. Refusing to give him money, I visited him in his home, spoke to him and his family about Christ, and offered to take him to the store to buy groceries. I surmised that if he was willing to walk around the store with me, dressed as I was in a collar, he probably was truly in need.

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Rev. Todd Ruddell
Pastor, Christ Covenant Reformed Presbyterian Church (RPCGA)
Wylie, TX
www.christcovenantreformedpc.org

Our best marks can contribute nothing to our justification, ...that is proper to faith. Faith cannot lodge in the soul alone, and without other graces; yet faith alone justifies before God.--G. Gillespie