Are You What You Wear

Once upon a time getting dressed for church on Sunday was easy. I got up, put on a white shirt, knotted a tie (I did go wild there, often having ties with pictures of quail or snowmen on them instead of the traditional stripes), put on a suit and drove to church. There I took off the coat and put on my robe and stole. It was as easy as that, no thought involved at all and I was always properly attired.
Even though I resented an experience I had during my first appointment, I realized I wasn't that far removed from it. Let me describe that experience.
I had just graduated from seminary, received my first appointment, and was invited to have tea at the apartment of a retired minister who served in that church. During the visit he told me to come into his bedroom and he would show me what the closet of a Methodist minister should look like. (once again seminary had failed me; not one class or lecture on proper ministerial dress!) He opened the door to his closet and there were seven dark blue or black suits hanging on the rack. Next to them were seven long sleeve white dress shirts. Draped over a hanger were several red, blue and striped ties. On the floor were two pairs of highly polished black wing tip shoes. "That is what a preacher's closet should look like!" he solemnly informed me.
Now I never followed that theology of sartorical propriaty. In fact a few weeks later he wanted to have me excommunicated. The senior pastor was on vacation and I preached my first sermon in that congregation. At the end of the message the retired minister informed me that I had disgraced the ministry! I thought it was a pretty good sermon and was extremely disappointed. He then informed me that I had...shock of all Satanic shocks....worn brown shoes into the pulpit!!!! I almost never regret that choice.
Looking back I realized that while I wasn't in that school, I was not very far off. I still wore a tie and a robe and looked like a preacher. (Not the green leisure suit of TV evangelists, thank God.)
Now I look back and in many ways long for the security of those easy days! I awaken now and have not a clue what to wear. If I put on jeans I am told that my tire shop is open, you know, your belly has Dunloped over your belt. If I wear slacks and a dress shirt, then I am out of touch with the vast majority of the congregation. If I wear chino's and a polo shirt, I am uncomfortable. Who would have ever known that in seminary I should have taken classes in chic?
I am told that I just need to wear what makes me feel comfortable. That doesn't help at all. The only clothes I really feel comfortable in are my hunting and fishing clothes, you know those things you wear when only your very best friends will see you. Somehow those don't seem appropriate for leading worship.
Or are they? Do I really believe that God is impressed by what I wear? Am I really so tied to the thinking of my Grandma, who was taught you only wear your very best before God? What do I really believe?
I wish I could tell you that I have an answer to post on the blog. Oh, how I wish I could tell you that. But the truth is that while I love the freedom of preaching without pulpit and the freedom of telling God's story in wild and new ways; I still am extremely uncomfortable with how in the world I should dress. Perhaps I am just still recovering from wearing an Axel Rose costume on stage a few weeks ago!
It is easy for me to feel comfortable with people in shorts and tank tops sitting in the congregation. I have no problem with our several Goth couples in the audience. The motorcycle for Jesus folks with all their leathers and tattoos are great. In fact, when someone comes in with a tie on we know they are lost! None of that bothers me. But I agonize over what I should wear.
Who would have ever imagined that of all the changes I've made these past two years, the biggest, most difficult, most enduring problem I face is what to wear on Sunday?
Anyone out there got any suggestions?
God's best,

Bill