Congregational Churches arose out of the English Reformation during the period of the great Reformation which began in the 16th Century. The Reformation brought about a return to salvation by grace alone through faith. It also brought about a return to a focus on the Holy Scriptures as the sole source for Christian theology and practice. The worship life of First Congregational Church is deeply rooted in the Bible.

Occasionally I am asked why I wear a robe during worship services. The concise answer that I most often give is that when a person is walking down the street and sees a person dressed as a police officer, he knows that they can run to that police officer because of how he is dressed. His personality is taken out of the equation. He is a police officer and he is operating in his official capacity. Similarly, when I am in a robe on during the worship service the emphasis is taken off of me personally and I have stepped into the office of pastoral responsibility.

Several years in the military instilled in me an appreciation that our outward appearance speaks volumes as to who we are and even what we believe before we even open our mouths. When doing the work of God in any attire, I am intentional with regard to my appearance.

The robe reminds people of the high importance of the worship service and Lord's day for the pastor to be robed. While we do access God our personal Heavenly Father in worship, we are also worshipping the holy God of all creation, the Lord Almighty who is worthy of adoration, honor, and praise. I have never felt comfortable leading worship in casual clothing. Contrary to the impression that some may have, the robe is not meant to emphasize my importance as the leader of the service, but to emphasize the great importance of the congregation gathering to join together in worship.

In taking the emphasis off of me personally. It is intended to allow people to see the minister as the man of God who shall deliver the word of God and lead the congregation in seeking God in prayer, worship, and collective devotion to the Lord. The point is that the people are not being led by their friend, in my case their often younger friend, Pastor Chris, but by the man anointed and appointed of God as the instrument for deliver of the Holy Scripture and the leading of God's people in the acts of worship and adoration.

The robe also takes the emphasis off of clothing altogether. While many people come into the house of God wearing their best clothing, as a person would when going to meet with an important friend, some others are of low financial means or simply do not dress in a formal fashion. By wearing the robe I have taken the emphasis off of what type of clothing I am wearing which should potentially remove at least one distraction from the people whose focus should be upon the reading and expositing of the Holy Scriptures, not where the pastor can or cannot afford to shop.

The robe that I wear is called a "Geneva Robe" and is patterned after the clerical attire of those preachers and theologians of the Reformation era. It is simple, plain, and has its roots in the academic apparel of the Seminary and institutions of learning. I adorn it most commonly with a stole which is appropriate for the season of the church. I do this as an aide in the aesthetics of worship. Our Congregational forefathers designed and built Meeting Houses (Churches) that were to be simple, reverent, dignified, in order to take the emphasis off of great statuary, gaudy church art, and overly ornate fixtures and place it squarely upon the preaching of the word of God and the worship of God. I wear a robe and lead a reverent, though joyous, worship service under the very same theological and philosophical convictions.

The robe reminds the congregation and me that I have now entered into the sacred task of leading the people of God in the worship of the Lord. This is a holy office and a sacred duty. It is appropriate that I am dressed for the occasion and that my mind, soul, body, and heart are properly aligned for the work that I will do.

The robe adds dignity and reverence to the worship service. Why do many pastors wear the robe during weddings? To add reverence and beauty to the service. How much more so should we dress appropriately when engaging in the worship of the holy God of our salvation?

Does the robe make the pastor unapproachable? Actually I have found that it makes the pastor a great deal more approachable. The robe highlights that I actually am the pastor. I have found that people are more inclined to ask deep spiritual questions and share deeply personal spiritual needs in those hours that I spend robed; plainly in the office of shepherd.

What about a suit? I am not a CEO, a business man, or a even a community organizer. I am a man of the word of God. As such, I wear the robes of the Reformation. I teach the wonder of the grace of God plainly and preach the word of God unreservedly with dignity and passion. A robe is not necessary or even appropriate in all settings. However, it speaks of the office of pastor and it is for that reason that I most frequently wear a robe.

-Pastor Chris Surber