Ministers' Fraternals 01

One might assume that there is an abundance of material on ministers' fraternals. In fact there is something of a paucity of material. Very little seems to have been written on this subject. The standard Reformed and evangelical books dealing with the Christian ministry and related subjects have nothing to say on the subject, it seems, and there do not appear to have been any articles on the topic in currently existing magazines aimed at ministers.
This seems a rather strange phenomenon as, since entering the Christian ministry, I have often been encouraged to belong to a ministers’ fraternal and have often heard older men speak of their benefits.
Over the years, I have belonged to two or three of these bodies. Among the seniors and peers I most respect it is generally accepted that fraternals are a good thing and the only people I am aware of who reject that idea have either belonged to a large church or have joined themselves to what is only an alternative form of fraternal or have sadly run into some sort of moral or doctrinal trouble.
There is a widespread acceptance, then, at least in some circles, that fraternals are or can be a good thing but no-one seems to have established a biblical case for them, traced their history or gone into print at any length advocating their beneficial nature. Despite the non-existence of such materials I here endeavour to do something along those lines, trusting it will be of some use.
1. What is a ministers’ fraternal? The word fraternal, of course, refers to brotherliness and is the most widely used word to describe what we are considering. In Scotland, I believe, the fraternals started by Willie Still are known as the Crieff Brotherhood and here in London we have the Westminster Fellowship. In America a Whitefield Ministerial Fraternal exists. It has been described as ‘a fellowship of men in gospel ministry who meet regularly for the purpose of promoting the cause of reformation and revival in the local church.’ The sessions they organise have been shaped by three basic objectives
1. To stimulate a more complete comprehension of the gospel of grace
2. To promote a clearer vision regarding the ministries of Christ’s church
3. To rekindle a fresh devotion to faithful Christian ministry
The fraternal then has educational, clarificational and devotional ends. It seeks to increase comprehension, clarify vision and rekindle devotion.
All these, a fraternal should seek to provide.
People introducing the Founders Fraternals among Southern Baptists go into a little more detail but are quite similar in many ways. They are intended to promote

Personal holiness in the lives of those who pastor the churches
Sincere prayer for the pastors and the work of God in the region
Warm fellowship and lasting friendships among like-minded spiritual leaders
Understanding of the great biblical doctrines once espoused and proclaimed freely by our forebears (ie the doctrines of grace)
Encouragement in the proclamation of the gospel in the region and around the world
Interest in the lives of our early leaders and the lessons we can learn from them
Obedience to the standards and practices of church life prescribed by the Bible (ie expositional preaching, church discipline, Scriptural leadership patterns, Word-regulated worship, biblical evangelism, regenerate church membership, etc.)

We plan to look next at who convenes a fraternal.