In America we’re accustomed to the practice of people with different callings dressing differently. The church uses the same tradition.
For example, we’re used to seeing highway patrol officers dressed a certain way to identify themselves as law enforcement. Members of our military are no stranger to the concept of dress uniforms for special occasions. Even an usher at the theater might wear a bright red coat to identify themselves as someone at your service. In the same way, the pastor’s vestment (called an alb) identifies him as the spiritual leader of the congregation.
The pastor’s vestment serves a second important purpose as well. It helps remind us that our pastor doesn’t speak on his own behalf, but instead speaks as God’s representative. The alb hides the man and accentuates his ministry and his role: to proclaim the Gospel as Christ’s ambassador. The pastor wears an alb because he would rather you focus on the Word of Christ than on his own outward appearance.
