I like to wear a suit. I like to preach in a suit. In fact, I enjoy the act of putting on, tying, and wearing a tie. I don’t know why. I also don’t know when or why dressing in a suit became “old-fashioned.”
I enjoy the time and thought that goes into making sure my shoes are shined and my shirt is pressed. When I lace up my shoes, and I always preach in hard-bottom lace-up shoes unless I’m wearing boots, I double-knot them in preparation for a morning of intensity. When I head into church on Sunday mornings, I mean business. The Gospel is going to get preached.
I am not at church to lounge, impress, or be thought of as “cutting edge.” I’m there to work, and the prevailing theme of my occupation is to point people vigorously to the God of the Bible. I cannot do that in a pair of flip-flops while drinking a latte.
Some will say that I need to dress in a relevant way. I think that’s true. My problem is that the congregation I lead ranges in age from 10 to 100. Besides, I think fashion relevance is overrated. Don’t misunderstand me: Hickory Grove is not a stuffy or even traditional church. Most men will not have on a tie — much less, a suit. All walks of life in all manner of dress are represented on any Sunday at HGBC, and we’re all worshipping the same Lord together.
Style is not the issue nearly as much as modesty is — that’s a different blog post altogether. I’m not seeking to make the “Sunday best” argument or pleading for us to return to fashion of yester-year. I just like to preach in clothing that bespeaks the gravity of my task. I take that task seriously. When I crank down the Windsor knot and lace up my cap-toes, I know it is time to go to work.
So there’s a little insight into the mind of Clint Pressley, preacher.
Pastor, I agree with the suit on Sunday while preaching. I can see a little dressing down ( no tie ) for Sunday night and Wednesday night. I feel a reverence is deserved to our Lord and Savior and for me that is dressing in a suit and tie for Sunday morning worship and with saying that, I guess I can be critical of myself for thinking the other services are not just as needing of the same reverence…ouch. I do believe our deacons need to be in a suit and tie or sport coat and tie for at least Sunday morning services. People have told me I need to loosen up, as Jesus doesn’t care what you wear.
I guess I just have to be myself and hang on to some of my dad’s ol’ requirements..haha…I can hear him now..son, you will wear that tie this morning.
Love you Pastor
I appreciate that you care enough to dress your best.
Looking forward to the modesty blog. Hope you include the guys.
My daughter has understood the word modesty since age 2 & in turn my sons understand what it means.
Clint,
I dig suits–I typically wear one when I preach somewhere as well. But when are you going to start wearing bow ties? Your people deserve better than the neck ties you force upon them week-by-week. If you really mean business in the pulpit, then go bow.
NAF
Clint,
My sentiments exactly. I’m sharing this on Facebook. Thanks preacher brother!
Great word Pastor! I am 39 and for 20 yrs many thought I was old fashioned for often preaching in cufflinks and a nice suit. Sometimes we have made Christianity too comfortable and wonder why many don’t pick up their cross and die to flesh. God uses different people to reach folks and regardless if preaching in wingtips or flip flops may we all in ministry remember to preach as a dying man to dying men
This post made my day and I too am looking forward to the modesty post. If there is one thing I would love to see more of in the house of worship it is modesty! Thank you Pastor Clint!
That could not have been said any better by anyone else. That was Clint style right there! Miss you man!
More insight, More insight… tell us who you are and what you believe pastor. This is great!
There is something about being professional when dressed as a professional. The pastor’s role is to be a professional teacher, preacher, leader, and encourager. I too prefer to dress well when I preach. The clothes do seem to signal to me it is time to go to work.
I had a hard time adjusting to dressing down when I came here, but I do it but I have to revert back to Sunday Best as I was told you should always wear your best when you go to the Lord’s house. I missed the seesucker suit!
I certainly agree with you Pastor. I believe we show reverence to God when we dress in an appropriate way on Sunday mornings.
But why stop there. I would love to see our choir in their robes again. Sure do miss that.
Love you Pastor.
“I’m there to work,” – preaching is work, agreed.
“…and the prevailing theme of my occupation is to point people vigorously to the God of the Bible.” – Agreed
“…I cannot do that in a pair of flip-flops” – really? odd.
“…while drinking a latte.” – can anyone preach while drinking a latte?
“Besides, I think fashion relevance is overrated.” – Agreed
Keep on preaching Jesus, in a suit if you must!
Pastor, that’s a great article! I am sorry to say it will probably not make the next book on church growth. I love the fact you dress according the message you are preaching. I can see dressing casual if you were giving a lecture on bio-fuels. But this is the Bible, and to me the way you dress when behind the pulpit reveals what you think about the high calling of preaching. Isn’t it funny the ones who dress down are usually the ones who lay the Bible aside while they talk. Thanks for taking your calling seriously!
Hi Clint, You may or may not remember me as a past member of the church and a member of the same Sunday School class as Alan Baker….But I want to tell you that as a child My dad always said “Wear your best to Church, son, because you are in the presence of God and it shows your respect.” It is a personal thing, but also my training. I hear you are doing a GREAT JOB as Senior Pastor. Warm Regards, Gary Sisson
Rod, Your comments really hurt me as a Pastor, Friend and Preacher of the Gospel. “isn’t it funny the ones who dress down are usually the ones who lay the Bible aside while they talk. Thanks for taking your calling seriously!” How can you stero type everyone who doesn’t wear a $1,000 dollar suit on Sundays to Preach? This is one mans opinion. I’m glad God doesn’t look on the outside but on the inside.