Download LifeDate Summer 2023
by Virginia Flo, Director of Volunteer Relations
“For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them” (Matthew 18:20).
These words of comfort pertain to every church on earth that follows the teachings of Jesus. But, for now, let’s focus on all the Lutheran churches in the United States. (There are thousands.)
Why is this important? Because it is our goal at Lutherans For Life to develop a life-affirming ministry in every Lutheran congregation for the purpose of equipping their members to be Gospel-motivated voices For Life. This is all done in support of and in concert with pastors who partner with these God-loving servants to honor the sanctity of all human life. With life issues a daily topic in the media, we need to ask, “What does this mean?” LFL is not here to change laws. We are here to help change hearts by sharing what God’s love for life means as explained throughout Scripture.
So, how can this seemingly impossible goal be met? With the Lord’s help, it only takes one, or two, or three to get things going, and maybe one of those is you!
Let’s focus on three ways you can serve:
Maybe this is old news to you, but this is so very important that it bears repeating.
First, it really does only take one. Recently we developed the new role of Life Advocate (formerly Life Ministry Coordinator). This is someone with a servant’s heart who is willing to use the tools LFL provides to share the For Life message with their congregation in bulletins, newsletters, and social media. A Life Advocate is also there to assist the pastor in researching life issues. Together they can plan things like a special For Life Bible study and much more.
Once there are two or three or more willing servants in a congregation interested in developing a life ministry in their church, LFL will help you build a Life Team. This is a group of people within one church that does For Life projects and keeps members informed and equipped. Just as the Life Advocate keeps life-affirming information flowing, so does the Life Team. The big difference is that the Life Team plans events and other activities that help equip the church by actively involving the congregation. LFL has a complete training program for Life Team Leaders and Life Team Members, so they are equipped to plan and tackle sometimes difficult topics in a loving, God-pleasing manner. A Life Team can become a vital part of a church’s ministry by sharing the scriptural view of life so people will not choose death as a solution to life’s problems.
Finally, let’s talk about a Life Chapter. They’ve been around the longest. Life Chapters are a group of dedicated, God-loving people with a heart for life issues. This group works to develop an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit educational organization with a constitution, bylaws, and officers. They often work outside an individual church because they serve several congregations in their area on a broader scale. They have a pastoral advisor to keep them spiritually focused. They are financially independent. A Life Chapter implements projects that serve an entire community of churches and by their very nature take on larger life-affirming projects such as manning a fair booth or organizing a community-wide For Life event with a particular focus on specific life issues—all the way from fertilization to forever. They generally have more resources, making larger projects more feasible.
The bottom line: Whether you are one or two or three or more, if your motivation is to serve the Lord Jesus our Savior and celebrate and preserve life according to God’s plan, there is a place for you in our LFL Frontline ministry! Won’t you please consider at least one of these options? For more information, please contact me (vflo@lutheransforlife.org) or Dr. Barbara Geistfeld at bgeistfeld@lutheransforlife.org. We want to help you become an instrument For Life! To God be the glory, great things He has done!