(ABP) -- Those careers that are part of what may broadly be construed as the “service sector” often involve some means of identification. Policemen sport badges, waiters don aprons and nurses wear scrubs. The idea is that such tell-tale signs allow the proverbial “man on the street” to identify these people and seek out their assistance -- whether that takes the form of a refill of one’s soda or intervention in some transpiring crime.

Traditionally, clergy have also worn some token of their profession. In times past most ministers wore large robes, called cassocks, to identify themselves as representatives of the church. Today cassocks are mostly limited to certain traditions and settings. In contrast, the clerical collar has enjoyed a significantly wider and longer-lasting use among pastors.

By way of example, a clerical collar is still a fairly common symbol of the ministry in popular culture and can be seen sported by such divergent figures as the Rev. Timothy Lovejoy of the animated comedy "The Simpsons," the mysterious Preacher from Clint Eastwood’s gritty Western "Pale Rider" and the mild-mannered Pastor Alden of the classic family TV drama "Little House on the Prairie."

Some may wonder though why pastors would want to distinguish themselves at all. Why would one advertise his “spiritual credentials,” especially in light of the temptation to pride that such a practice can entail? Jesus himself even seems to have decried this very thing -- special clothes and titles for ministers -- as demonstrated by passages such as Matthew 23.

Or did he?

When one looks to Jesus’ words concerning the clergy of his own time, one finds his distinctive use of hyperbole (see Matt. 5:29-30, 17:20 and Luke 14:26). This interpretation is necessary, for otherwise the God-ordained uniform for the priests of the Old Testament (Ex. 28:1-2) and the willingness of New Testament authors to refer to themselves and others by the title “leader” (Heb. 13:7) and even “father” (I Cor. 4:15) would be rather difficult to explain.

And if this is the case, then we can see that Jesus didn’t so much condemn the Pharisees’ externals as the discontinuity between their outward presentation and their inward disposition. That is, Jesus’ objection to the Pharisees seems to be that while they were willing to “lengthen their tassels” and “broaden their phylacteries,” they also “devour[ed] widows’ houses.”

Jesus’ critique of the Pharisees is aptly summed up Matthew 23:25 and 28: “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside they are full of robbery and self-indulgence.” And, “you, too, outwardly appear righteous to men, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.” Jesus’ main concern then was not with attire and titles at all, but with a lack of consistency.

Even so, are there any benefits to wearing a clerical collar? Or, with an eye toward Paul’s words to the Corinthians, even though such a practice may be permissible, is it helpful?

From personal experience, the answer is an unequivocal “yes.”

A collar advertises to everyone (including the minister himself) what he is and, more importantly, for whom he stands. A good example of this occurred at a ministerial prayer meeting in which I participated a while back. I was by far the youngest person present in a room of experienced and distinguished ministers. And yet, when a woman wandered in off the street looking for prayer, she panned across the room, saw me, and remarked, “Oh, a collar; you must be someone important.” She approached me because I was the only one in the room “flying the flag.”

This kind of recognition is particularly helpful during pastoral visits. In my own ministry I have found that a collar allows me, for instance, access to hospital patients that are off-limits even to their own families.

The collar is also something of a conversation starter, which lends itself very nicely to evangelism. On one occasion I stopped in at a grocery store on my way home from a meeting and, while I was standing in line, the cashier leaned over to the bagger and whispered, “I need to go back to church.”

Of course, Christ’s words still stand. A good show on the outside means nothing unless it is accompanied by faithfulness, virtue and humility on the inside. This is something no Christian, ordained or lay, ought to forget.

But as a minister I would encourage my fellow pastors to consider wearing a clerical collar in certain, appropriate situations. Who knows? Your congregation may enjoy it -- and I’m sure that LifeWay (which sells clerical collars) would appreciate the business.

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Eugene Curry is senior pastor of the First Baptist Church of Granada Hills in Los Angeles. This commentary is adapted from a post on his blog.

EDITORIAL DISCLAIMER: As part of our mission to provide credible and compelling information about matters of faith, Associated Baptist Press actively seeks a diversity of viewpoints in its columns, commentaries and other opinion-based content. Opinions expressed in these articles are not intended to represent ABP editorial policy and do not necessarily reflect the views of ABP’s staff, board of directors or supporters.

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