A vital part of the internship experience at Trinity, Wolbach, NE is developing a pastoral identity.  Rev. Joseph Javorsky from St. Mark’s Lutheran Chruch, St. Paul, NE provides supervisory support and one of his first “challenges” to me was to wear a clerical collar as I went about my ministry.  This was an astute observation on his part; 15 months ago I thought I was going to be a Christian business man who occasionally preaches.  Putting on the clerical collar  for the first time is one of those moments where you do look at yourself in the mirror a little bit longer! :)   It’s about being in community but uniquely identifiable.

Some observations:

  • People do notice the collar- it certainly is helpful in helping people know who you “represent” when you visit a nursing home or hospital.
  • I am a father of 3 but I don’t think that’s what people are talking about when they call me “Father”!  :)
  • I have had some interesting conversations on why people don’t
  • Many of my middle-age pastor friends don’t wear a clerical collar and I would think that’s because they have formed an pastoral identity over the years and simply relaxed the “dress code”.   Although middle-aged myself, I am in the process of being formed/transformed into this new identity and the simple shirt and clerical tab from “Friar Tuck’s” is a part of the journey.

Thanks for joining me in my journey…….  Vicar Lowell