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THE CLERICAL COLLAR: A Divine Authority or a Distinctive Measure?

By Pastor Abunerry, Ayella.

2-2-2026

Torit

When a cleric wears a collar, they may feel divinely immeasurable. They usurp authority as if they are next to Jesus in line. As a result, they tend to overlook their colleagues who do not wear collars. Yet the very colleagues they overlook often outperform them in many areas. Although some of these clerics adorn themselves with cassocks and collars, or gowns, they do not know what transpired or when the collar was invented. This article briefly recounts the origin of the collar and its purpose, which is not biblical but rather a distinctive attire meant to distinguish clerics from laypeople.

In 1867, Rev. McLeod, a Presbyterian minister in Scotland, invented the first clerical collar. He combined a detachable collar with a white band of cloth to create the distinctive collar worn by clerics today. Before that, Reformed pastors wore a scarf called a cravat, which was the precursor to the modern collar. The purpose of the collar was simply that the clergy wanted to be “easily recognised” in public.

It is this public recognition that continues to fracture the church. While it is a good gesture to distinguish pastors or shepherds from the sheep, the use of the collar has been abused by many clerics. It has become a symbol used to exploit and manipulate worship and leadership. Additionally, some pastors use their collars to threaten believers who might not agree with them on daily issues. Such an unbiblical act compromises the health and life of the church of Christ.

When Jesus chose His apostles, commissioned them to go into the whole world, taught the people, baptised them, and commanded them to obey all His teachings, He did not equip them to usurp authority over their colleagues. Jesus did not give collars to the disciples as a sign of spiritual authority. Just because one wears a collar, he should not undermine those who do not, so long as they serve God faithfully.

A collar is good when it is worn only as a distinctive measure rather than as a symbol of spiritual or governing authority over the church. The church needs shepherds, not collars. Even Jesus instructed Peter to feed the flock, not to wear a collar and feed the flock (John 21:15–19). A collar is just like an ID; an ID is mostly valuable in an insecure environment. What matters most is what a pastor delivers to the church. With or without collars, no one should undermine others who faithfully serve God. Therefore, we should always allow the Bible to guide our instincts rather than depend on outward appearance to usurp authority over the church.

End.

Brutal Writer, Ecclesiastical Critic, Freelance Teacher and Invincible Activist

 

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