Why Vestments?

Part 2: Why Clerical Vestments?

The practice of ministers of the gospel wearing a special clerical uniform to highlight their ecclesial office is a practice that goes all the way back to the 6th C. As the theology deepened and reformation came to the Church over time, eventually Reformed pastors in the 17th and 18th C. began wearing the predecessor of what is now known as the clerical collar. Originally, Scottish Presbyterian clergy wore a white cravat (neck scarf) to identify themselves as ministering in the office of elder-pastor. To this was added preaching tabs to be worn whilst in the pulpit. As time passed, this was simplified to the white clerical collar we now see ministers wear.

So, what is the biblically-based justification for this practice of ministers of the gospel wearing vestments? First of all, the need for differentiation and categorisation is a part of what it means to be created in God’s image, tasked with taking dominion in His good world. Indeed, the very first thing Adam was tasked with in turning creation into a God-glorifying culture was naming the animals, which is a form of taxonomy (Gen. 2:18-20). This impulse is the reason we find our neighbours wearing uniforms specific to their vocation – it’s a form of differentiation and categorisation. It’s therefore, not a matter of whether people will don uniforms to foreground their vocation in society, but in which way. Will the baker do so in a way that reflects the truth, beauty, and goodness of God in his vocation, or in a way that fails to be make much of Who He truly is? What about the police officer or the doctor? In the same way, vocational elder-pastors foreground their God-given office by wearing a uniform that reflects the truth, beauty, and goodness of our Lord in their office.

Secondly, the wearing of liturgical uniforms is tied to the ordination of church officers. Under the old covenant, Levitical priests were formally set apart for the work of the temple through the laying on of hands on the head of a ram. At that time, they were given special uniforms to wear as they served in their office in a mediatorial role, and those robes were likewise ordained with oil and blood from the sacrifice (Lev. 8:22-36). Now, under the new covenant, elder-pastors are formally set apart for the work of teaching, shepherding, leading and ruling in the congregation through the laying on of hands on their head. Theirs is not a mediatorial role between God and the congregation, but rather a role of covenantal representative authority in the congregation. As such, not only in corporate worship, but also in the other aspects of his duties – whether it be evangelistic outreach or in biblical counselling – the elder-pastor is meant to be an example to the rest of the congregation of what it means to be a slave to Christ. The motivations of our hearts, the decisions of our minds, and the labours of our hands are meant to be gladly submitted to the Lordship of King Jesus, as He has defined for us in His holy law-Word. Elder-pastors are called to exemplify this in their own lives, and to counsel others to this end.

It is for these two reasons you will find elder-pastors at Christ Covenant Church wearing clerical collars as they teach, shepherd, lead, and rule in the congregation, and on behalf of the congregation in the public square. The white collar around the neck symbolises slavery to Christ. It’s placed over the voice box as a reminder that both the life he lives, and the counsel he gives must be gladly submitted to Christ and to His Word. In this way, we stand squarely in the historic liturgical tradition of our Reformed and Christian forefathers. In addition, in the spirit of “the church reformed, always reforming,” we wish to take this one step further in our efforts to reform the church and culture here in Canada back to the Word of God. Just as the dress shirt worn with the collar gives a sense of the seriousness of the minister’s office and duties, its colour reflects some aspect of Who Jesus is as Creator, Saviour, Lord, and Judge. Its colour also serves to correspond to the liturgical colours of the Christian calendar, and so acts as a way of tangibly reclaiming time and history for the Lord Jesus, both in the public square, and in the life of the local church. By doing this, we’re bringing the Christian calendar out into the public square, beckoning the world to once again be ordered under the Lordship of Christ.

These are the biblical and practical reasons for our inclusion of vestments in our practice at Christ Covenant Church, both within and beyond our corporate worship service on the Lord’s Day. As a Session, we have prepared this explanation as a way to help you understand this important practice, that we would continue moving forward together in unity. We pray it will be a help to you.

Additional Resource: A Short History of the Wearing of Clerical Collars in the Presbyterian Tradition, by Timothy LeCroy.