Dear Friends in Christ,
Sometimes people ask me why I wear a black pulpit robe and
stole in worship. The answer is as easy as saying it’s my work clothes.
Jerry and Robbie are great examples of guys who have
particular work clothes. The clothes they wear have distinctive elements that
show the world where they work. The patches and colors identify where they
work. The grease they wear is a less formal kind of identifier; it shows that
they work under the hoods and not in the corner offices.
As for me, I have choices about what I can wear in worship.
Those choices I made are in the picture on the right. I wear a black pulpit
robe. The origins of the black robe are from Scotland and Switzerland and point
to the role of the Minister as a teacher. I believe one of the roles I am best
suited to perform in the worship setting is teacher.
Something else I wear is a stole. The stole represents a
yoke. Matthew 11:28-30 says, “Come to me, all you that are weary and are
carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and
learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for
your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” To me, the stole the
yoke of Christ.
The symbols on this cloak have specific meaning too. The
stole itself is green. The colors around the sanctuary on most Sundays are
green. I wear this stole on those Sundays. On the left side of the stole is a
font and on the right side is a chalice. These are the symbols of the
sacraments—baptism and the Lord’s Supper. The sacraments tell the world who we
are, what we believe, and how we are nourished in the life of faith. I wear
these not just to show the world, but to remind myself who we are.
On a side note, I often wear hiking boots on my feet. I wear
them for comfort, sure, but also as a reminder that our faith is lived on our
feet. Our faith is in motion in the world.
Friends, this is how I put on my faith every Sunday. How we
wear our faith everyday, now that’s a good question. Ephesians 6:10-17 teaches
us the how’s to and why’s of getting dressed in the morning:
Put on the whole armor of God, so
that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For our struggle
is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the
authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the
spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole
armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having
done everything, to stand firm. Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth
around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness. As shoes for
your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace.
With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to
quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation,
and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
The next verse adds something very important, what we need
to do first as soon as we are dressed:
Pray in the Spirit at all times in
every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in
supplication for all the saints.
When we prepare to meet the day, when we prepare to meet
life head on, we need to be prepared in every way possible. I thank God that
not only has he given us this wondrous armor, but a place to wear it. We need
to suit up. We need to pray at all times. We need to keep alert. We need to
persevere. I’m thankful that we are here in the sight of God to do it together.
See you in Church,
Paul
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