all righty now I have been doing some digging, and have discovered some interesting things honestly cassoks look nice, and are the hollywood ideal for clergy (Which affects almost everyone from their first movie experience as children. Now then here is the question pictures, and ordering info just in case you want to know just what is a cassok, and why do I care? Well here you go
https://peacock.rainyday.mb.ca/cgi-bin/prod...=US;productNm=1
http://www.zieglers.com/scripts/prodList.asp?idCategory=334
AND.......
Yeah while we're at it the priests shephard shirt as well
https://peacock.rainyday.mb.ca/cgi-bin/prod...US;productNm=53

So here it is what's your opinions on it wearing the regalia of your rank, or rejecting past apparel in favor of newer methods of reaching the congregation?

For me personally, I think it would be a little of both. Growing up Presbyterian, I am quite comfortable with clergy in 'regular' clothes. I mostly experienced Ministers in gowns/robes for services only, and then again nothing so formal clergy as an alb or cassock. Most were closer to the choir robe/graduation gown cut, more or less. Again it returns to what your calling is, what you plan to do, and with whom. I am sure people you are ministering too will be a variety, from those desiring casual clothing to those who are most comfortable with a full alb or cassock, with any number of variations in between, including...different colors. Given that that link had the cheapest alb and cassocks I have seen, and some of the most expensive shirts, it will always be, even for ministers, a question of need, comfort AND economics.

That being said, I can see ministering situations that might well fiind a 'Shepard's / Clergy shirt' with advantages. When someone is ministering ( whether man or woman or belief) in prisons, hospitals, nursing homes, social gatherings, or games etc. There would be advantages to being clearly visible as clergy. And more importantly, to whom you are ministering, and how they perceive you.

Rev Jeff

Since rabbis have no regalia of their rank I can't offer any opinion.

Shalom,

Peter

I tend to agree with Rev. Jeff here - (Don't let it go to your head Jeff - LOL).

Perception is key. Sometimes a simple solid tie is best.

I do feel hospital and funeral home visits, and even pastoral care visits for the sick or infirmed - especially those of the traditional Christian Faiths or elderly, who are accustomed to cleric style garb - should be made comfortable with such presence.

That said -- Rev. Jeff doing a wedding service beachside in the speedo and flip=flops for 'comfort' might be a sight. Just kidding! (Wanted to be DrCorey to the punch-line.)

I think that would qualify more as a horrow film than a wedding.

Now doing it in a turn of the 20th century full body suit might be funny. Guess I will have to call Omar.........

cossacks?
what do russian war lords have to do with it?

They ride cool horses?

Being new at this, I've always wondered if it would be appropriate for someone who is a non-christian minister to wear a Shepard's shirt. As a Pagan minister I've often wondered what the "uniform" would be if I were called to service non-pagans. I've known other pagan priests/priestess who have worn mainly monk style robes, gowns and the like, but they were for formal pagan holidays, and celebrations. So, what would a Pagan minister wear while visiting hospitals, nursing homes ect. I know in most cases what clothes you wear doesn't really matter, but in some cases it does. Some places want to see the uniform along with your credentials, and some people are as DrRayUniversalLifeChurch put it "I do feel hospital and funeral home visits, and even pastoral care visits for the sick or infirmed - especially those of the traditional Christian Faiths or elderly, who are accustomed to cleric style garb - should be made comfortable with such presence."
So I'm just curious as to what those of you with more experience think about that.
Thanks for the input. Blessings Be.

I also think it is a matter of cost for example I as a pagan priest do not have much money as my religion is not my income, b ut when I have some to spare i'll buy the shephard shirts online at what is it thirty bucks a pop with two collars whereas in a store like berean it's fifty with no tabs. But yes I as a pagan priest prefer actually the roman catholic cassok, and a shephard shirt when not being formal why....the image evokes confidence, and professionalism of course. The shephard shirt also seems to me usable in the basic at home ministry work meaning whenever you do such work with congregation outside of ritual functions for example. That's my two cents, any more thoughts?

Dear Hippiepriest,

Well, here’s my two cents ( 0.001 with Canadian exchange), a pagan religion must have origins from somewhere so why not reflect the culture of that origin in your choice of “Formal” clergy attire?
It is true, assumptions are made from the clothing a clergy member chooses to wear. For example, a male wearing a black hat, suit, neatly cut hair with side locks would appear to be Jewish, yet another male who wears robes and carries a ceremonial dagger and has a turban may appear as a member of one of the East Indian religions. Christian clergy may be assumed by the appearance of a Sheppard shirt, but clergy of an African religion may be assumed by the presence of a colorful gown and fez.
Point I am trying to make is why represent yourself as something other than what you practice. If you are requested to perform a ceremony of sorts, it is once again assumed that those who would request your services would be aware of the denomination of your practice. If I were Pagan, I would not enlist the services of a Christian minister, so why would I expect him/her to look like one. This is not to say you can’t wear the clothing of another denomination, but it seems to me representing yourself as another opens the door to misunderstandings.
Just my opinion and an offering of food for thought.

God’s blessings,

Rev. Campbell.

ahh true however the attire of a pagan, and wiccan do wear collard shirts is open to interpretation the collar shirt is not traditional of christianity as well. They used to be dressed similarly to the monks as I understand it.

Insightful as always Pathmender.

I might just add another 2 cents of my own.

Given we are a Non-denominational group of ministers, bearing no affiliation to any particular faith as a whole, then do we not have the ability to choose own own garbing in a manner best to present the message we intend to send? I mean it is articles of clothing. Associations of given articles change over time, no one 'owns' them. ( An example is the swastika, once a religions symbol, now mostly anathema because of the association of the Third Reich.) So the garb or arraignments we chose to wear can equally be a forging of new ideas, much as this church does the same thing.

Secondly, some of the ministers intend or have a non-denominational practice. Not just not of an 'established' religious doctrine but also crossing many divisions to minister to those in need. To me, part of that could well be adopting some related trappings to make the recipient more comfortable. If I am in a nursing home, visiting and ministering to those so often forgotten, if I wear a 'Sheppard's shirt" that has meaning to and comfort to a 90 yo Catholic, Episcopal, or what ever background and faith, who may have not talked to any clergy in a long time, is that not a better way of ministering to their needs that another outfit?
I think within reason, our attire should reflect what message we are giving, to whom, where and how.

Just my thoughts.

Rev Jeff

Thanks for the input Rev. Campbell. My thinking is that the Shepard's shirt simply says "Clergy", regardless of the religion. For instance, last year I went to Salem, Mass. which has a very strong pagan presence. While shopping in one of the shops I saw a woman wearing a Shepard's shirt and a pentagram. The first thing to enter my mind was "Hey, a Wicca Priestess." The second thing was, "I didn't know they wore the Shepard's shirt". To me she wasn't misrepresenting herself, her attire simply said "pagan clergy". I just didn't know if this was a common thing or not.
For the most part, I agree with your statement "If I were Pagan, I would not enlist the services of a Christian minister, so why would I expect him/her to look like one.", I have many Pagan friends who were married by Catholic priest and Protestant ministers because no Pagan priests were available. That's part of the reason I became ordained. In a situation like that I would put on distinctive pagan attire. However, for those who have no religious affiliation, or are Christian with no church home, I would want to wear something that easily identifies me as clergy.
Regretfully, even in this day and age, apperences do matter. A man wearing robes and carring a ceremonial dagger and wearing a turban would be consitered a threat. In some parts of our nation, even today, a Jewish Rabbi wearing a black hat, suit, neatly cut hair with side locks, would be treated with hostility and a Pagan wearing a robe with a pentigram consitered a devil worshiper. Wearing a formal religious outfit may in some cases detract form the work you are trying to do. Many Rabbis I know get by with a suit and a yamaca which Identifies them as Jewish and to many a Rabbi. At the same time I could go for rest home and hospital visits with nice casual cloths and a pentigram around my neck and be just as effective. But then, some people just want to see the uniform. They get extra comfort from it. It's like going to a doctor's office and being examened by a doctor in a t-shirt and jeans, or a doctor in scrubs or a white lab coat. Both may be equals, but were taught at an early age to respect the uniform. As long as you let people know who you are and what you believe you lessen the chance of being misunderstood.
Those are my thoughts. I look foward to hearing more from you. This is a very interesting topic.
Blessings Be.

Being as versatile as I am and non-religious but spiritual if I had the money I would buy it all so that each of my personalities. (I joke about having because I am so versatile) could have something to wear.

What it boils down to is you need to wear what is comfortable for you, what feels right. Even if others don’t understand it. Perhaps the pagan woman in a clergy shirt wore that because that combination best fit the image she needed. Clergy shirts get more respect than the Abs. However often the Abs is more descriptive of the needs I like the Abs.

Who knows I like them all and would love to own several of them. I have a magazine from a local clergy clothing store that has a lot of nice stuff in it. I have 1 light blue clergy shirt and a minister tee-shirt. I plan to get another minister tee-shirt. I bought the clergy shirt because it is more accepted in places of business.

I am not a Christian; however the Sheppard’s shirt I have with a little lamb on it means more to me than a description of a particular religion. The Sheppard’s use to guide there lambs with there staff- to me as ministers of any faith isn’t that one of the things we are supposed to do… Sincerely Reverend Penny.

you are lucky. when I ride the bus in my cassock, I get "nice dress dude"
and when I wear my zuchetto, I get shalom, all the time.
I guess people can't tell the difference.
first clue would be jewish people don't wear a cassock.

Dear Hippiepriest,


In truth, all denominations have their own style of uniform of sorts, and all are recognizable as that belonging to a clergy member. (However, the general recognition of them depends on your exposure and the cultural norms you are familiar with.) It just depends on which one you want to use and who you are trying to please. Of course you can wear a Sheppard shirt, but then again you may wear a fez, robes, turbans, cassocks, or any combination of if you wish, but the question is why. Is it for you, or the people you are trying to serve? If it is for you, then it doesn’t really matter as long as you are comfortable with your choice. But if it is for those you serve, then your choice should reflect their comforts.
Now on to the Wicca Priestess you mentioned. My thoughts would have been mixed. The first thing I would have thought was “go Sister!” assuming another female finally stuck it out and made it through the grueling task of ordination from a Christian faith. I would have noticed the collar first and the pentagram second. In Canada, it is the norm for those clergy who are Catholic, or some other Christian denomination to wear the Sheppard shirt, and so at first glance, I would have assumed the same of her. Had I been an elderly person, I might not have been even able to see or recognize her pentagram. Same goes for a small child, though they could have seen the pentagram, they probably wouldn’t know what it represents. So though I believe she (the Priestess), had no intention of deception, I’m sure you can see my point about misunderstandings for others.
Wouldn’t it be nice if the leaders of this church put together an official uniform? One that does not reflect any other, and when once recognized the wearer would be known as one who belongs to a faith that is all encompassing? I think that would solve a lot of issues.
Ahh, just a thought anyway.

God’s blessings,

Rev. Campbell.

yup I know being pagan who works interfaith I often get asked if I am Jewish to which I reply no I am pagan. The conversation often ends in the silent look of oops despite my best attempts at avoiding that however every now, and then....

By the way we seem to have forgotten albs thought they looked interesting, and warranted an opinion as pagan robes are ridiculously expensive linkie here
https://peacock.rainyday.mb.ca/cgi-bin/prod...=US;productNm=8
no kidding on the expense the basic robe is 150 it's cheaper to make than buy

yes they are cool looking, but is there a way of changing its color?

either on zeiglers, or on the monasteries appointed website you can custom order any of the clothes I think it's called custom regalia on the tab, or something like that.