"Prier, Pensir, Agir" ~~ Pray, Think, Do ~~ A Presbyterian Pastor's Blog
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Terse Week 4
Off Topic: Just wondering. Are these shoes on Dooce "preaching shoes"? If not, why not? I'm asking about patent leather black heels, worn under appropriate vestments. (Picture taken by Maggie of MightyGirl at a conference in Vancouver)
I second Songbird, but also add: if you can *walk* in them without tripping over the carpet, in and out of the pulpit, or on the communion tablecloth, go for it!
I personally would end up broken in the middle of the aisle during the first service if I tried to wear those, but then I'm more the chunky heel type....
Because they are close toed and close heeled they are indeed preaching shoes as they represent the inclusiveness and ark like symbols so important to be represented in worship. The heels symbolize the tree of life and the shininess of the patent leather symbolizes the seeing "face to face" as the scripture says.
Those look like strutting shoes to me. But then again, I went to a high school graduation and I believe every senior girl had on those shoes. I personally would fall flat on my face if I wore them. If they are comfortable to you, go for it.
I bought shoes similar to these in Minneapolis which prompted hoots of laughter and an informal poll with a table of stunned men... My colleagues in ministry suggested these were not appropriate for a dignified Gal of the Cloth. I am waiting to see if Ms. Gracebythesea Prim and Proper leaves a comment about da shoes.
St Cass, I’m delighted you think I am capable of being primish, since you’re the ‘proper’ one of da bunch. Girlz!!! I’m just trying to pertekt our gal pal since clearly her bodyguard(you know who) must have been hitting the opium pipe when she bought these naughty numbers. We all know St Cass looks hot even in Birkenstocks, so if she wants to ‘lift the spirits' of her congregants with the black patents, and wear Birkenstocks for Mr C on date night, then, well... by all means. She's happily married and I’m no Heidi Klum…
Well if I wore those shoes, the congregation wouldn't have to worry about me preaching overly long. But the point has been made, they are closed toed. As my preaching professor put it - no toe cleavage is showing. Since we can't see the rest of the pic, we don't know about any other cleavage. I'd say wear 'em. I wonder if any male preacher has had anyone comment about their shoes. I've had comments about shoes, robe, suit w/out robe... almost every time I've preached.
It all comes down to one question: Do they distract from the gospel?
I'd looked at this post earlier without commenting. It kept running around in my head last night, until I got out the trusty GoodBook and read 1 Corinthians. You know, that part about meat sacrificed to idols(chapter 8). Nothing about the shoes themselves makes them unpreacherly. Sisters, we have freedom in Christ! But if those shoes cause a sister or brother to stumble, then they shouldn't be worn. In my context, I'm pretty sure those would get more attention than the gospel reading. So, I won't be wearing 'em. But I'd rock 'em at non-worship functions!
13 comments:
If you can stand in them, why not?
I think we both know what kind of shoes those are...
:)
but do they reflect upwards?
BTW, I have a size five foot, heels that high just aren't physically possible. my "heels" are an inch. but patent leather, why not?
I second Songbird, but also add: if you can *walk* in them without tripping over the carpet, in and out of the pulpit, or on the communion tablecloth, go for it!
I personally would end up broken in the middle of the aisle during the first service if I tried to wear those, but then I'm more the chunky heel type....
there's the outfit i need for my highschool reunion...
Because they are close toed and close heeled they are indeed preaching shoes as they represent the inclusiveness and ark like symbols so important to be represented in worship. The heels symbolize the tree of life and the shininess of the patent leather symbolizes the seeing "face to face" as the scripture says.
Those look like strutting shoes to me. But then again, I went to a high school graduation and I believe every senior girl had on those shoes. I personally would fall flat on my face if I wore them. If they are comfortable to you, go for it.
thank you, all!
Presbyterian Gal sums up my feelings EXACTLY!
I bought shoes similar to these in Minneapolis which prompted hoots of laughter and an informal poll with a table of stunned men... My colleagues in ministry suggested these were not appropriate for a dignified Gal of the Cloth.
I am waiting to see if Ms. Gracebythesea Prim and Proper leaves a comment about da shoes.
I'd fall over too... but wouldn't that just be a great sermon illustration for how "we all fall short"?
St Cass, I’m delighted you think I am capable of being primish, since you’re the ‘proper’ one of da bunch. Girlz!!! I’m just trying to pertekt our gal pal since clearly her bodyguard(you know who) must have been hitting the opium pipe when she bought these naughty numbers. We all know St Cass looks hot even in Birkenstocks, so if she wants to ‘lift the spirits' of her congregants with the black patents, and wear Birkenstocks for Mr C on date night, then, well... by all means. She's happily married and I’m no Heidi Klum…
Well if I wore those shoes, the congregation wouldn't have to worry about me preaching overly long. But the point has been made, they are closed toed. As my preaching professor put it - no toe cleavage is showing. Since we can't see the rest of the pic, we don't know about any other cleavage. I'd say wear 'em. I wonder if any male preacher has had anyone comment about their shoes. I've had comments about shoes, robe, suit w/out robe... almost every time I've preached.
It all comes down to one question:
Do they distract from the gospel?
I'd looked at this post earlier without commenting. It kept running around in my head last night, until I got out the trusty GoodBook and read 1 Corinthians. You know, that part about meat sacrificed to idols(chapter 8). Nothing about the shoes themselves makes them unpreacherly. Sisters, we have freedom in Christ!
But if those shoes cause a sister or brother to stumble, then they shouldn't be worn. In my context, I'm pretty sure those would get more attention than the gospel reading. So, I won't be wearing 'em. But I'd rock 'em at non-worship functions!
Sister or brother aside, they would certainly cause ME to stumble, which might cause a problem to the whole of the wuship.
just sayin'.
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