Happy new year!

Word from the Center
Written By Dr. Gregory Seltz

At this time of year, it’s good to be reminded of what God blessed us to do in 2019 for our culture and for our Church through the work of the LCRL.

Year in Review—Together with you:

 The Lutheran Center for Religious Liberty (LCRL) is actively growing its presence in Washington, D.C., through engagement with those organizations that uphold and defend the principles of religious liberty, the sanctity of life, traditional marriage, and educational freedom. The LCRL produces informational pieces that inform our Church, our people, and our partners about challenges to our religious liberty and opportunities to defend it. The LCRL:

  • Participates in the Value Action Teams (VAT) of the U.S. House and Senate,

  • Attends the Heritage Foundation (Liberty Meetings) and the Weyrich Luncheon at the Hillsdale College Kirby Center, and

  • Brings a Lutheran perspective into meetings with U.S. senators and congressional representatives.

The LCRL is also creating educational materials and processes that expand two-kingdom knowledge and practice, engaging the culture for the sake of the culture and the Church. The LCRL is doing the following:

  • Laying the foundation for the “Liberty Center Educational Initiative” in partnership with Concordia University—Nebraska to provide university-level education in two-kingdom citizenship for all vocations culminating in an internship in Washington, D.C.;

  • Offering and conducting “Champions for Religious Liberty” events around the country that provide instruction and inspiration to laypeople to exercise their temporal, religious liberties to proclaim the eternal liberty of Jesus;

  • Providing position papers on numerous topics that offer an engaging framework of language and experiences in the defense and promotion of religious liberty for all; and

  • Representing at gatherings, conferences, convocations, and meetings of the districts, circuits, and congregations of the LCMS, as well as other organizations who cherish religious liberty, life, marriage, and education, in order to provide information and education about the work of the LCRL.

The LCRL also supports and partners with others who are working hard to advocate for the principles of liberty, life, marriage, and educational freedom. The LCRL is active in:

  • Engaging various pro-life organizations on Capitol Hill, participating in Walk for Life Events;

  • Hosting a two-kingdom roundtable for Lutheran senators, representatives, staffers, and others;

  • Engaging with religious liberty groups such as the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, Heritage Foundation, Alliance Defending Freedom, Beckett Fund, Catholic Bishops, Susan B. Anthony Group, Family Research Council, and others; and

  • Conducting and participating in various Bible studies on Capitol Hill.

We’re in Washington, D.C., with you and for you. Please give God thanks for the work of this past year, and pray for our capacity and courage with you to engage what lies ahead! God bless you. Happy new year!

The Rev. Dr. Gregory Seltz is the executive director of the Lutheran Center for Religious Liberty.

See Also
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The dates identifying the LCRL bulletin blurbs are only suggestions. Please feel free to use any and all of the bulletin blurbs as your ministry needs allow.

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October Bulletin Insert

The Bulletin Insert is designed to be printed and cut in half to fit conveniently inside a Sunday worship bulletin. Each month an insert will offer insight, encouragement, and information from the LCRL on the topics of Religious Liberty, Life, Marriage, or Education.

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Dr. Gregory Seltz
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