When I am appropriately dressed as a clergyman, I experience a real test of how I and the church are perceived. Sometimes I enjoy the feedback, and sometimes I don’t. People react in many different ways to a person wearing a clergy collar. Here are some examples.           

I drove up to the pick-up window at Wendy’s to get my garden salad, and as the young girl working at the window glanced at me she shouted out, “Shut up, Leo, there’s a preacher out here!” I don’t know what had transpired between her and Leo, but it obviously wasn’t for my sensitive ministerial ears to hear. Was her reaction caused by her concern for my condemnation, or from her embarrassment? Who knows, but she did give me extra salad dressing to make amends.

While at the bus station downtown helping a person who needed to get back home, I was confronted by an older gentleman who said, “Are you a Reverend?” After introducing myself, he gawked at me and blurted out, “What kind of car do you drive? Ministers drive big cars, don’t they? Do you have a Cadillac? A Mercedes?” I quickly found out that George’s perception of a pastor is one who makes a lot of money at the expense of the poor.

Leonard stopped me at Hudson and Judson with real excitement in his eyes. “Pastor, they let me into the program. It’s great, and I thank God for it.” Leonard had been accepted into a program that would help him find a job, and assist with housing. He was no longer living on the streets. He had some good news to share, and he knew that I would listen.

Alissa was seated in Panera Bread at a table close to me. As I got up to leave, she stopped me and asked, “Pastor, will you pray for me? I’m having a hard time, and I need some help.” She didn’t ask for money, or any other kind of assistance. She just wanted me to intercede on her behalf. She thought she needed my hotline to heaven.

When I dress the part, I represent the church. People’s reaction to me is based on their perception of the church or what some would call “organized religion.” Sometimes I am a symbol of condemnation. On other occasions I am seen as a representative of corruption. But the majority of people who react to me still see the church as a place where it is safe to share some joy and celebration, as well as a place where there is intercession and spiritual help.

Lent is a time for all of us to ask some questions. Do people see us as an institution of condemnation, or one of good news? Have we led people to believe that our role as church members is about taking care of others, or taking care of ourselves? Are we a welcoming place where people can share their stories, or are we too insular? How do we see ourselves, how do others see us, and how does God see us?

My experiences tell me that people do see us as an oasis of hope in the midst of many lives of desperation throughout our neighborhood. We also provide a place of joy and fellowship for people who want to celebrate a message that is larger than themselves.

I wish for all of us to be Easter people. The proclamation of Easter should be our message every day to people in every circumstance. We celebrate each Sunday the joyful announcement that the tomb is empty. People can destroy, but God can raise up a new life. God is alive and well and with us. A community of hope is possible. New life is reborn with each new morning.