I want to say a public thank you to Mississippi Baptist men and a ministry they have that has blessed me three times over the 22 years I have lived in Iowa. The last two times they did it, I didn’t have a forum like this to say thank you, but now I do, so here goes.
I know a lot of you young whippersnappers preach in t-shirts and sandals, in your ratty ol’ ripped blue jeans. But those of us who, like fine wine (grape juice?) have matured with age still wear our suits and ties when we preach on Sunday morning. And those suits do not come cheap, especially when you pastor some small church in Iowa which can barely pay the light bills, much less a living wage for a preacher. (Note: I’m not talking about myself here. I pastor one of Iowa’s more financially sound churches and have no complaints about my compensation.)
Mississippi Baptist men understand this need and have a ministry that has been a real blessing to Iowa Baptists and, as I understand it, pastors from other smaller, non-Southern conventions around the SBC. Three times in 22 years they have sent me a brand new, high quality suit around Christmas time. The last couple of times they have even sent my wife store credit to buy herself some stuff. I’m not as thankful for that, because the last time it introduced my wife to Chadwick’s catalog, and that has not always been so good. More seriously, taking care of the pastor’s wife is thoughtful and much appreciated.
On December 23, I stood before my congregation and I have to tell you, I looked good! I was sporting my brand new charcoal gray suit with a shirt and tie my wife bought me for Christmas and let me have a couple of days early. Yeah, I was handsome! (Please do not wake me up.) That was a real blessing. I will wear this suit a lot in the days ahead.
But let me tell you about the first suit they sent me. I got that one back in the early days of my ministry in Cedar Rapids when I was one of those financially stressed smaller church pastors I described above. That time I got a sharp blue suit with a subtle gray pinstripe in it. It was the only decent suit at the time and I pretty much wore it every Sunday for several years until I wore it out so badly I had to get another! I preached in it. I married in it. I buried in it.
My first Mississippi Baptist Men’s suit got used about as well as any suit ever has been!
I want to say thank you to the generous folks who fund this ministry to Iowa Baptists and other smaller conventions. It really is a blessing and we are so thankful for what you do.
When you see me in Houston this year, I will likely be wearing a charcoal gray suit, and we will both know where it came from!
(And, yes, I will be wearing a suit this year. I didn’t expect to get elected to anything last year, so I didn’t bring any other jacket with me, except the lime green suit. When we posed for officers’ pictures, I got an earful from both my wife and CB Scott!)
Love hearing about SBC partnership in all its forms!
Plus, I just look so GOOD in that suit.
I got one of those suits about 25 years ago when I was in Oregon. Very nice indeed. But I was already preaching in my jeans and short-sleeved shirts way back then, so I passed it on to a well-deserving pastor who wore it well. Thanks, Mississippi Baptists!
Enjoyed reading that, Dave. You not only look great in that suit, but you are an excellent writer, my brother. Keep it up.
Thank you, sir.
Every church budget should include “pastorate attire”. Seriously, we have College Presidents, CEO’s, Administrators, Hospital Presidents, Insurance Presidents, Automaker Presidents and the President of the United States of America wearing SUITES. Why does the representative of the King of Kings and Lord of LORDS wear casual on Sunday? It is casual on Fridays. We do not have to let down our guard. Get with it guys!
I don’t wear a suit on Sunday. The people in my church don’t wear suits. I dare say that I’m as capable in the pulpit in my jeans, boots, and a open collared shirt as is any guy wearing a $500 suit. I wear a suit when appropriate or when the situation dictates it. Get off your high horse, Bruce.
Sorry. I don’t mean to be rude with my last sentence there, Bruce. I just don’t get the whole “suit and tie” approach as if it’s somehow more sanctified. Never have, never will.
Do you really think it is a spiritual issue whether a preacher wears a tie and coat or not?
Brooks Bros., J C Penney, Wal-Mart or Gander Mountain Jeans and a L.L. Bean sweat-shirt — it don’t matter that much.
But, the suit of the Full Armor of God is the dress for the preacher that counts — every time, all the time.
Two thumbs up.
” . . . clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus . . . ”
(from Romans 13:14)
Yeah, but I think my people expect me to wear clothes as well.
Clothes? . . . . yeah. They are usually helpful.
Sheesh, Dave. I’m takin’ a shower to try and wash that image out of my mind…
cb scott,
I noticed your beloved SABANATION was mentioned in a post today here:
http://sbctoday.com/2013/01/09/dr-harwood-responds-to/#comment-35997
LOL,
I give up.
Randall Cofield,
I read that. I actually think our forefather was Genghis Khan. He practiced an early concept of the “scorched earth” approach in the conquering of Lesser NATIONS. . . . . as does the SABANATION.
I am glad you brought up the CRIMSON TIDE, especially since we are addressing pastoral attire. I would like to remind you all that it is always appropriate for pastors to wear CRIMSON and white attire. It is a sign of culture, education, and leadership.
Dave Miller,
Please make sure you wear a red power tie with the new suit when you take your turn with the gavel. I want you to be stylin’ and profilin” when you tell me my motions are not well received.
Seriously, the folks called Mississippi Baptists have proven through the years that they are a giving people in good times and in hard times.
Sounds good.
As a fellow Mississippian, I’m proud of and thankful for these ministering Mississippians.
And I’m just old-fashioned enough to believe that when we come to worship together in the presence of the King of kings, we darn well ought’a show up in our “Sunday-best.”
I just hope you don’t blame the Mississippi brethren for that lime green monstrosity you had last year.
I think they probably saw the picture of you with the other SBC officers at the convention and felt sorry for you.
They probably heard about how I was picked on as a kid.
I received my first “Mississippi suit” (navy blue with subtle pinstripes) this year, and I, too am very grateful. I haven’t yet got the pants hemmed, but I am anxious to get this new suit into the rotation of Sunday outfits. I even went out a bought a new shirt to go with it.
I’m as happy for my wife as for myself, because the pastor’s wife is so often under-appreciated.
Thanks, Mississippi Baptists! God Bless You!
Yeah, taking care of the pastor’s wife is a great thing they do. It is a wonderful ministry.
Hey Dave,
Why didn’t you put a picture of you in the suit in the article?
The fact is we all have differing opinions about attire. Personally I’m old school and I have reasons for dressing the way I dress. I really am not into casual when it comes to worship. But others are into casual and that’s their thing. I’ve heard young guys say they would not listen to anyone who preaches in a suit, in my opinion, that’s asinine. But the same would be true of me if I took that attitude with people in jeans.
My question would be, “does ‘casual depict the heart of the worshiper?” Is that an idea that is worthy of exploration? When Cain approached God with his sacrifice of fruits and veges, Cain was bringing to God what Cain wanted to bring that made Cain feel good about Cain – not what God wanted. I would be the first one to say I don’t know the Lord’s mind about the clothes we wear to worship besides the scriptural admonition of “be modest in appearance.” But does our clothing describe an attitude of the heart when we wear clothing that is… Read more »