The Blessings of Brotherhood

Each year a pastor from Regina organizes a rather informal "Winkel" and invites pastors from the surrounding area and not just from his circuit. This Winkel is held in June out here at Fort Qu'Appelle and at Lutherland. This event includes golf on the Monday afternoon then after the golf we head out to Camp Lutherland and there we cook our supper over the fire and then enjoy the evening together around the fire.

We discuss the most mundane things. We also discuss the most profound things. We can at times be somewhat immature. We ask questions. We confess our struggles and weaknesses. We steal good ideas from each other. We admonish one another. We encourage one another. Isn't that what a brotherhood ought to do?

I think if brothers in the ministry would take time to get together in these informal settings more often it would go a long way to helping us live together in Synod. We talk about a marriage relationship not as something that just "happens" but that it takes work. I think we ought to look at our relationships in the Synod in such a way. It takes work. Spending time with each other - regardless of theological positions - is helpful. Having discussions with each other about both the mundane and the profound allows us to trust each other when we need to discuss difficult topics.

I thank the brothers for their willingness to spend the time with me. I am glad I beat them all at golf.