Association of Free Lutheran Congregations
Introduction
The Association of Free Lutheran Congregations is a free association and not an incorporated synod. Each of the local congregations is a separate corporation. It was formed in 1962 from churches by the members of the Lutheran Free church who did not desire to join with the American Lutheran Church.
The principals for the Association of Free Lutheran Congregations include the belief that the unity of Christian spiritualism is not part of a man-made organization. They do not believe in the World Council of Churches or the National Council of Churches. They believe the congregation has no authority above that of the Word and the Spirit of God, and they recognize the Bible as the inspired and inerrant authority in all matters of faith and life. They believe that teaching and preaching the Word of God is the main task of the Church and they abide in the teachings as set forth by Martin Luther.
The Association of Free Lutheran Congregations emphasizes a living and personal Christian experience without the complexity of doctrine or organizational authority. They are against ritualism and formalism and they desire to nourish the spiritual life in simplicity upon the Word of God.
Most of the congregations are located in the Upper Midwest. Their headquarters and Bible School and Seminary are located in Plymouth Minnesota
History
The Association of Free Lutheran Congregations was formed in 1962 from churches that were members of the Lutheran Free church who did not desire to merge with the American Lutheran Church. They believed they needed a new conservative evangelical Lutheran fellowship and a Free Church heritage. They decided to keep the Fundamental Principles of the Lutheran Free Church that were committed to promoting free and living congregations.
Fundamental Principles of the Lutheran Free Church and the Association of Free Lutheran Congregations since 1897.
- According to the Word of God, the congregation is the right form of the Kingdom on earth.
- The congregation consists of believers who, by using the means of grace and the spiritual gifts as directed by the Word of God, seek salvation and eternal blessedness for themselves and for their fellow men.
- According to the New Testament, the congregation needs an external organization with membership roll, election of officers, stated times and places for its gatherings, and other similar provisions.
- Members of the organized congregation are not, in every instance believers, and such members often derive false hope from their external connection with the congregation. It is therefore the sacred obligation of the congregation to purify itself by the quickening preaching of the Word of God, by earnest admonition and exhortation, and by expelling the openly sinful and perverse.
- The congregation directs its own affairs, subject to the authority of the Word and the Spirit of God, and acknowledges no other ecclesiastical authority or government above itself.
- A free congregation esteems and cherishes all the spiritual gifts which the Lord gives for its edification, and seeks to stimulate and encourage their use.
- A free congregation gladly accepts the mutual assistance which congregations can give one another in the work for the advancement of the Kingdom of God.
- Such assistance consists partly in the mutual sharing of spiritual gifts among the congregations through conferences, exchange visits, lay activities, etc., whereby congregations are mutually edified, and partly in the voluntary and Spirit prompted cooperation of congregations for the accomplishing of such tasks as exceed the ability of the individual congregation.
- Among such tasks may be mentioned specifically the training of pastors, distribution of Bible and other Christian literature, home missions, foreign missions, Jewish missions, deaconess homes, children’s homes and other work of mercy.
- Free congregations have no right to demand that other congregations shall submit to their opinion, will, judgment, or decision; therefore, domination by a majority of congregations over a minority is to be rejected.
- Agencies found desirable for conducting the joint activities of congregations, such as conferences, committees, officers, etc., cannot in a Lutheran Free Church, impose any obligations or restrictions, exert any compulsions, or lay any burden upon the individual congregation, but have the right only to make recommendations to, and requests of, congregations and individuals.
- Every free congregation, as well as every individual believer, is constrained by the Spirit of God and by the privileges of Christian love to do good and to work for the salvation of souls and the quickening of spiritual life, as far as its abilities and power permit. Such free spiritual activity is limited neither by parish nor by synodical bounds.
They have a common purpose in seeking to join together as free congregations for Christian fellowship, mutual edification, and the salvation of souls. There are no attachments of obligation that binds them except those which the Holy Spirit lays upon them.
Belief
The Association of Free Lutheran Congregations believes the Bible is the complete written Word of God. They believe it is the authentic and infallible source of the revelation of God to all men. They hold the Bible as the Word of God under all circumstances. They reject any affiliations or any associations which do not accept the Bible alone as definitive for the life and practice of man and the church. They do not endorse one version or revision of the Bible to the exclusion of others. They recommend all as relevant and true translations.
They believe and accept the Apostles, Nicene, and the Athanasian Creeds. They use Luther’s Small Catechism and the unaltered Augsburg Confession as the true expression of the Christian faith and life.
They believe that children of God are those which believe and accept the work of Jesus Christ for his salvation and receive baptism. They believe Jesus prayed that those who believe in Him might find and accept each other in fellowship.
The Association of Free Lutheran Congregations foresees their congregations cooperating with the Protestant churches in the areas of evangelism and witness to their communities, with the understanding that they cannot compromise their Lutheran understanding of Scripture.
They believe the local congregations have the final human authority in the churches and are subject to the Word of God and the Holy Spirit. They believe that Scripture does not command or forbid any organization for fellowship of the congregations.
The conferences of the congregations do not ratify laws for the congregations. They recommend actions and then practice them.
The Association of Free Lutheran Congregations believes the Holy Christian Church consists of those who believe in their hearts that Jesus Christ is their Lord and Savior. They believe true Christians refrain from any acts, thoughts, and words that are against the stated law of God. They also believe actions and practices are neither forbidden nor are they encouraged in Scripture by name, however, the true believer will search the Scriptures for principles to guide their decisions and conduct.
They believe the Fundamental Principles of the Lutheran Free Church as the true statement of belief regarding church government. The Association of Free Lutheran Congregations selects and calls their own pastors, conducts their own worship service, fellowship, and maintains their own property.
The Association of Free Lutheran Congregations believes every Christian makes their own decisions as to life and practices in the presence of his God. They believe each Christian appreciates counsel of fellow believers. They are aware that there is a separation between Christians and the carnal people of the world. They believe Christians will avoid belonging to organizations which practice a religion without Christ as the only Savior. They believe belonging to these groups will place the believers in a hopeless position and will destroy their witness for Christ.
The Association of Free Lutheran Congregations believes in a simple worship and they make no recommendation to what liturgy or vestments to use. They believe they are following after the earliest Christian with their simple order of service. They believe the preaching of the Word of God must be the central part of the service. They believe the use of hymnals should be used to give honor to the Word of God and the Sacraments.
Cite Article Source
MLA Style Citation:
Holstein, Joanne “Association of Free Lutheran Congregations:.” Becker Bible Studies Library Jan 2006.<https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=2594,>.
APA Style Citation:
Holstein, Joanne (2006, January) “Association of Free Lutheran Congregations:.” Becker Bible Studies Library. Retrieved from https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=2594,.
Chicago Style Citation:
Holstein, Joanne (2006) “Association of Free Lutheran Congregations:.” Becker Bible Studies Library (January), https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=2594, (accessed).
