I recently read an article by Joe McKeever: “Does It Matter How the Preacher Dresses?” He encouraged preachers to wear appropriate attire by dressing one step above the men in their congregation.
Jeremy Bell
As a young pastor, I asked myself: “Does this concept just apply to preachers on Sunday morning, or should this concept be applicable on a variety of ministerial levels?” I want to encourage my peers to dress in appropriate attire all week in order to make an impact for the glory of God in the local church and our communities. Let me remind you of 1 Timothy 3:1: “The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task.”
Youth pastors have influence over the minds of a generation easily persuaded by various ideologies. In light of this truth, the youth pastor position should meet the same qualifications outlined in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9. Think about it. Youth pastors do the exact same thing a senior pastor does within the context of student ministry. He is responsible to pray for students, preach to students, shepherd students, and equip students to be faithful followers of Christ. Plus, we must be in a position to equip parents to disciple their students effectively. How can a youth pastor do this if he is not held to the qualifications outlined in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9?
With this clarification, I would like to focus on one of the qualifications that pertains to the subject of appropriate attire for student pastors. First Timothy 3:7 states: “Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.” The interpretation of this passage suggests that the overseer must have a respectable reputation in the community. If you are student pastor who has access to the school system, I would encourage you to dress like the administration. Let me define “the administration” in the school system: They are the principal and assistant principal. Perhaps we should wear slacks and ties while in the schools so that the community may see a respectable leader who serves Jesus Christ as a man proud of his calling.
It seems that we aspire to be like students instead of dressing for students to be like us. The students we serve do not care if we can wear the latest trends of fashion that youth culture puts forth. Students desire to know that we care about them. I am not saying student pastors have to wear suits and ties at youth worship events (although, I would not oppose a suit and tie). I am saying that whatever your senior pastor wears on Sunday, you should wear on Sunday. And, during the work week, dress in business attire or business casual in order to represent yourself as an adult to the community and to your students.
I would assume that some youth pastors, especially younger ones, wonder why they have a hard time receiving respect from parents and other members of the church or the community. A potential factor could be the way they dress on Sunday and during the work week. If we dress like students, we should expect to be treated like students. Moreover, parents and other adults in the church have an easier time respecting a young man who acts and looks like an adult rather than one who acts and looks like their student. We should respect our office enough to dress professionally.
I don’t intend to suggest that youth pastors are doing a bad job in serving the Lord. I just think we can do better in representing the office of overseer, for the glory of God, by dressing more like young professionals. I would ask that all senior pastors and those with influence over the lives of student pastors encourage them to be more aware of the message they are sending with the attire they wear — to students, the membership, and the community.
— Jeremy Bell is associate pastor to students and families at Mt. Tabor Baptist Church in Anderson.