At LFL we seek to serve the Lord of Life by equipping His people to be Gospel-motivated voices For Life through a variety of media and people resources. Like other ministries, we do not seek to serve ourselves. But an occasional, “well done, good and faithful servant,” helps reinforce the Holy Spirit’s work through us.
The Association of Free Lutheran Congregations (AFLC) provided that “well done” during its 2013 Annual Conference in Osceola, Wisconsin, June 11-14. Outgoing president Rev. Eldon Nelson affirmed the AFLC’s positive relationship with LFL in his report to the conference. Pastors and laypeople who came by our display affirmed the great need for LFL’s ministry, the value of our resources, and the extent to which these resources are being used in the AFLC.
LFL is grateful for the conference passing a resolution affirming the sacredness of life and of the rights of parents in response to the Obama administration’s change of course in refusing to challenge the ruling allowing the morning after pill to be purchased by girls of all ages without prescription or parental consent. This resolution passed with many positive comments and without dissent.
On Thursday evening, I was privileged to speak to the pastors and their wives at their annual banquet. We had a crowded and rather “warm” room. We had people who had been sitting in conference all day. We had just finished a grand and filling meal. Yet, these kind folks were attentive and responsive to LFL’s message to them.
My message theme was “Matters of the Heart” and I encouraged them to speak the Gospel of Jesus to the hearts of their people and to include the life issues as “matters of the heart” to which the Gospel speaks so powerfully. I thanked them for all they do as pastors and for their support of Lutherans For Life. I promised them we would continue to provide the resources they needed to address these particular “Matters of the Heart.”
LFL expresses its best wishes and prayers for outgoing president, Rev. Eldon Nelson. He has been a faithful supporter of LFL in word and deed. He and his wife, Faith, regularly attended our annual conference. We know the Lord will continue to use this humble servant to His glory.
We also welcome Rev. Lyndon C. Korhonen, pastor of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Cokato, Minnesota, as the new AFLC president. We pray the Spirit’s presence and power with him as he assumes this important service to Christ and His Church.
My personal thanks to the AFLC for their hospitality and the “well done.” But now we, and they, need to get back to serving Christ and equipping His people!