The Ministerial Robe (from City Pres Church: Denver)
The question is often asked, “Why does the minister wear a robe?” The answer is, because he is extra holy and has special access to God...not. Quite the opposite. The robe is designed in part, to de-emphasize the personality of the minister (a
refreshing concept in a time when American Protestantism has become so personality- driven.) The robe represents the office and calling of the minister, and directs our thoughts to the fact that in worship we enter into the presence of God, not the Cult of Personality.
A second reason is that in the Bible clothing and calling are often connected; a person’s calling or office – together with whatever authority is connected with the office – is often visually symbolized by the clothing the person wears. The purpose of the robe is to cover the individual and accent their God-ordained office or calling.
Thirdly, the minister leading the worship plays a symbolic role during the service. When he leads the congregation in prayer, he symbolizes Christ leading the church in prayer before God. The same is true when preaching the Scriptures, administering Communion, etc. The robe is not meant to place the minister above the congregation, but to set him apart from them because of his unique office during the Lord’s Day worship service.
Finally, the minister is not a businessman or CEO of the ecclesiastical corporation (the image that is conjured up when the pastor wears a business suit – the de facto clerical garb of American Evangelicals. The ministerial robe reflects the dignity and reverence of our worship services, with a timeless style that is free from the tyranny of contemporary fashion. It represents the fact that our access to God is not predicated on our social class or economic status. All have equal access to our Heavenly Father.
