Theology of a Lip Ring

I had to take my lip ring out. It never healed quite right, and so I went to get it looked at on Monday. The guy said, "Oh, your jewelry's just too small. I'll switch it out for you." But when he went to switch it out, it was too swollen to put it in. So he said, very apologetically, that he would repierce it for me once it healed. I had been somewhat prepared for this possibility, but was disappointed nonetheless. While I'm having fun being able to drink from both sides of my mouth again, I do miss my lip ring a whole bunch. I'm pretty sure I'm going to get it done again, once this one heals. There are plenty of people who understand why, but also a large number of people who don't. I run into this a lot.

I have seven tattoos in addition to my dearly departed lip ring. I didn't modify my body in order to shock, or to be different, or to be cool. Granted, sometimes it's fun to shock and be different, but it can also sometimes be detrimental when trying to establish relationships. I got my piercings and tattoos because they're an expression of who I am and where I've been. They are a physical expression of the spiritual, emotional and mental journey I've been on my whole life; as I continue that journey, I expect that I will continue to change on the outside, continue to reflect how I'm changing on the inside.

The mods do make some people uncomfortable, though, especially when it comes to publicly performing the duties of a mainline church pastor. Although I know it does make some uncomfortable, I will not hide or change my modifications in order to participate in or lead worship in my church. When asked to consider whether I would take the lip ring out in order to lead worship, my answer must definitively be no. I've thought a lot about that answer, practically and theologically.

I believe that worship should be a place and time where we can come as we are. If I change who I am (and a visible piercing or tattoo definitely says something about who I am) in order to lead worship, then I'm saying there's something wrong with the way I am. That somehow, I'm not acceptable to talk to and about God in front of people unless I look more like them; that I have to change in order to become suitable.

One argument against this could be the same one used to prevent me from wearing my cap backwards when I played softball in sixth grade. When you do a certain job, or perform a certain function, there's a certain outfit you wear. For softball, it was a uniform, and everyone was supposed to look the same. Some may argue that leading worship is like any other job - there's certain clothing and apparel that are appropriate, and others that are not. I don't have a problem wearing a skirt to worship, although the heels can be a bit much. As much as I'd like to wear jeans, I don't have a problem wearing slacks instead; I understand that for many people, Sunday morning is still a time to "bring your best", and if I wore jeans it would distract them so much I wouldn't be able to lead well. I totally hear that argument, and think it has validity.

But my point is that for me, at least, body modification isn't something that I do casually, like I choose my clothing. While piercings are less permanent than tattoos, both are at least semi-permanent outward expressions of inward truths. While I do appreciate the aesthetics of the lip ring and of my tats, they also do a whole lot more than look good. They start conversations, identify me with a number of cultural groups, and serve as outward reminders of certain places on my journey that have transformed me. The process of choosing and getting a piercing or tattoo serves as a significant spiritual ritual for me.

I know I'm not the only one who feels this way, and I also know a lot of people don't feel this way. Let me hear from you either way.

~peace&blessings~