The second day of the annual fall symposium at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, Mequon, Wis., is underway today. This year's two-day symposium is themed "A Symposium on Brotherly Admonition."

The first fall symposium was held in 2000 as part of the 150th anniversary of the Wisconsin Synod. Held annually since then, the symposium attracts several hundred pastors who gather together with seminary students and faculty to hear and discuss presentations on important doctrinal and practical topics.

This year’s symposium asks the question, “What is our response when a fellow Christian falls into the trap of sin or doctrinal error?” Although the principles are clearly enunciated in Scripture, the church often struggles to apply them, sometimes confronting sin too rigorously and sometimes applying discipline too casually.

The symposium is also examining what to do if the fellow Christian is a brother in the ministry. How does the church deal with servants of the gospel who fall into the trap of false teaching or unfaithfulness? How do believers determine these errors, and who has the responsibility to correct them? The issue is critical, since the sins and sinful weaknesses of a public minister can confuse and harm the entire body of believers.

The symposium’s three essays review the biblical principles of Christian discipline, evaluate the procedures for discipline that are presently in place in our churches and synod, and encourage a consistent and evangelical practice. Rev. John M. Koelpin, Calvary, Dallas, Tex., discussed brotherly admonition in the congregation. Rev. Earle D. Treptow, Zion, Denver, Colo., president of the Nebraska District, presented his essay on brotherly admonition in the ministerium, and Rev. James R. Huebner, Grace, Milwaukee, Wis., first vice president of WELS, presented on brotherly admonition that encourages accountability.

Find out more and download the essays on the Grow in Grace Web site.

Serving in Christ,
President Mark Schroeder