Should A Pastor Wear A Suit and Tie In the Pulpit?

Some people would answer this question with a resounding, “yes!” The argument goes that a pastor should dress in a suit and tie to show respect for God. I have often heard the argument that a man would not think of visiting the President of the United States without wearing a tie, so why would a pastor think of worshipping God without a tie? (Have you noticed that even the President is dressing a little more casually these days?) These well-meaning people who answer this way will often tell you that we should “give God our best.”

Other folks would say a pastor should wear a robe when he steps into the pulpit. The logic goes that a clerical robe emphasizes the ministerial role of the pastor, it helps him symbolize Christ in worship, it takes the focus off the man, and it adds dignity and reverence to the worship service. These well-meaning people would say that a suit and tie should be covered up lest the minister look too much like a worldly business man.

My personal comfort zone is a suit and tie. I have worn suits and ties into the pulpit for most of my 22 years of ministry. I was raised in a church where it was customary for the pastor and most men to wear coats and ties. It is funny to me, however, that even back then it was not uncommon for the preacher to shed his coat and tie mid-sermon when the room got too hot and when he got fired up. I have vivid memories of preachers throwing their suit coats across the front pew and draping their ties over the pulpit chair, never missing a beat in the message. That is when we knew the “fire” of the Holy Spirit had fallen! Not once did I hear someone say that the pastor should put his coat and tie back on out of reverence for God. Never did I hear someone accuse the preacher of being disrespectful to God. Never was the President of the United States even mentioned. Perhaps I should continue wearing a coat and tie to church and just rip it off as I begin to preach. Most people would probably never think twice about it. They may even leave the service saying, “That preacher was on fire today!”

What is missing from this discussion so far is the Word of God. What does God’s Word say? If we are truly, “people of the Book” then the precepts of God’s Word should matter more than our personal preferences. Does God care what I wear to church?  Well, we must admit that the Bible does not command that a pastor wear a suit and tie. People who try to point back to the Old Testament priesthood as their support for modern clerical dress need to be reminded that the church is not Israel and that the Israelite priesthood ended with Christ’s death on the cross. It should also be noted that elevating man-made traditions over the Word of God is legalism. We must not act like modern-day Pharisees by requiring that people must live up to our personal preferences in order to be right with God.

1. Do we worship a different God on Sunday night and Wednesday night than we do on Sunday morning? If not, then why is it appropriate for a pastor to leave the coat and tie off in those evening services?
2. Should it matter that when I am worshipping God as a Christian I am seen by God as His child and He is my heavenly Father? I am not just His subject, I am His child! Does a child have to always “dress up” to come to his father?
3. In giving God my best, should I buy a $1000.00 suit if I can afford it instead of the $150.00 suit from JC Penney’s?
4. If God had a dress-code for ministers why didn’t He include it in the list of qualifications and expectations (1 Timothy 3:1-7; 2 Timothy 4:1-5; Titus 1:5-16)?

Here are some areas that we can all agree on as we consider this personal issue:

1. God looks on the heart while man looks on the outward appearance (1 Samuel 16:7).
2. It is a sin to judge people on the basis of their appearance (James 2:1-3; 4:11-12).
3. God expects His people to dress modestly (1 Timothy 2:9-10).
4. We should do everything to bring glory to God (1 Corinthians 10:31-32).
5. It is appropriate to relate to the culture we are trying to reach (1 Corinthians 10:19-23 1 Corinthians 9:19-23).
6. Worship is about focusing on God and not people.

I recognize that this is a personal matter and each must reach his or her own conclusions. This is one of those matters where good Christians can disagree. In the essentials of our faith we must have unity, but in the non-essentials we must have liberty and charity. However, I hope those who disagree with me can at least respect my decision made after years of seeking to serve the Lord and bring glory to Him. I will continue to wear suits and ties, but on occasion I will dress a little more casually (usually a coat without a tie). I mean no disrespect to my heavenly Father. He invites me to His throne as His child (Hebrews 10:19-25).