Annual Lutheran Advance

The Annual Lutheran Men’s Advance at El Camino Pines was held the last weekend in September, with Pastor Glen Egertson and Dr. Bill Bersley from CLU leading talks and discussions about “Hunting for Connection.” The emphasis was on hunting specifically for spiritual connection and the importance of mentors and role models in that process. Particularly impressive were some statistics coming out of Switzerland, showing the huge importance of fathers in particular, on influencing their children’s spirituality for both Sons and daughters. One of the theories behind it is that children tend strongly to look to their mothers to help them relate to their “inner selves”, and to their fathers on how to relate to the world around them, and particularly to spirituality in that world. So it is extremely important that we men realize that it makes a huge difference to the next generation whether we attend church regularly and are active in our church communities. We should not abdicate that responsibility, and we should take it very seriously.

There was also a lot of discussion about issues of “ritual space” and rites of passage and initiation and the importance of the “father’s blessing.” All quite interesting and inspiring. I’ve told my kids that I’ve decided to take each of them on a “Vision Quest” that I hope will become a tradition in our family, and that they will later do with their children. They get to choose what we do, but I’ve suggested they think of something pretty big, like climb Mt. Whitney together, or go rafting through the Grand Canyon, or maybe a canoe trip in Alaska. And I plan to come up with a ceremony during this trip where I let them know very clearly how precious they are to me, where I see their strengths and the kinds of things I hope their futures will hold, and a very strong sense of my blessing.

So what about you? Is there something you are already doing, or can think of to do, to bless and honor and mentor your children and our “village children?” For women, are there things you can do to support your husbands and others in their unique role in this? To encourage it, yet let them take the initiative and leadership in what they choose to do? I hope you will all be inspired by these ideas, as I have been.

And may God Bless you and all those you love, as well.

In Christ,
Fred Lindberg