In this series we are reprinting Spokesman articles by early leaders in the CLC. Pastor Emeritus James Albrecht is the curator of the series. Rev. Bertram J. Naumann (1931-2009) was involved in the formation of the CLC. He served as pastor at various CLC congregations, including Marquette, Michigan; Hales Corners, Wisconsin; and Lynnwood, Washington. He also served on various boards and committees of the CLC, notably the Board of Trustees and Board of Doctrine. This article is from the Lutheran Spokesman of August 1972. Scripture quotations are from the New King James Version.
The following is bound to be somewhat of a failure because nobody can really tell it like it is. But bear with us, for who can explain the love which the Spirit weaves at a CLC convention? He DID move the psalmist to exclaim: “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.” (Psalm 133:1) And the rest of the psalm goes on to tell how love among brethren simply covers one from head to toe as a fragrant oil and a refreshing dew. Those of you who were at the last convention know that you can get all choked up about it with just a little thought.
There’s so much phony love on every side in this cruel world; we grow almost afraid to open up to the real thing when it comes, except for John’s reminder that “perfect love casts out fear.” (1 John 4:18)
But what has such love got to do with what we’re supposed to feel for a color rinse, or a lime shave cream? Nothing, really. TV love is bathos [sentimentality or mawkishness, ed.]. Theatre love is animal. It gets harder to tell the real thing when it comes along, and even harder to open up to it for fear of burns. Yet some, if not all, of us who were there got coated right in the middle of a CLC convention with a love from outside that overwhelmed. Was it real? If you were there you know why words can’t tell the story. If you weren’t there but could have been you missed something; plan ahead for next time. If you’re on the outside of this fellowship looking in, you’ll never know unless you come take a good look. You have to work at it to cut yourself out of this weave. Who wants to?
You hear a speaker whose sounds send out threads of God’s Truth. You say so and the threads go back and forth. Floor committees weave threads of love into a fabric of mutual agreement and understanding. Committees report among 164 voters with but one purpose—to glorify God. The interweaving of Christian love in unity of purpose becomes a tapestry of beauty defying description. You can take three or four days of it this side of heaven without seeing it only if you’re fairly hard at heart. So we say, “How good and how pleasant!”
The fabric is woven tight and thick. Lord, it’s beautiful!
“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.” (Psalm 133:1)
– 1931-2009