Aflc

[Good King Edward VI]

Hello all,

Any members of the Association of Free Lutheran Congregations frequent these forums?

Just like to hear your thoughts on it, if so.

Yours,
Jeff

 

[seajoy]

Hello all,

Any members of the Association of Free Lutheran Congregations frequent these forums?

Just like to hear your thoughts on it, if so.

Yours,
Jeff

Hi,

If I'm not mistaken, I don't remember ever seeing anyone here from that synod. What can you tell us about it?

And welcome!

 

[DaRev]

Technically, the AFLC isn't a 'synod' in the same sense that the LCMS or WELS is. It's basically an association of independent Lutheran congregations.

 

[seajoy]

Technically, the AFLC isn't a 'synod' in the same sense that the LCMS or WELS is. It's basically an association of independent Lutheran congregations.

I learn something new every day.

 

[Good King Edward VI]

First, seajoy, thx for the welcome. Don't know how much you'll be seeing me around here, but I guess I'm just an incorrigible forum flirt.

Right, AFLC isn't a synod/denomination. It is an association (go figure, hey) of independent congregations. It's in the pietist tradition, and I think of basically Norwegian origin. It's the fourth-largest Lutheran body in the U.S. (ELCA, LC-MS, WELS, AFLC [about 40,000 members in about 250 parishes as I recall]). Headquarters, bible school, (non-ATS) seminary in suburban Minneapolis.

Was interested in an insider's view of the denomination, though. The above are just facts I've gathered in various places, esp. their website.

Yours,
Jeff

 

[RedneckLutheran]

ok...was I the only one thinking that this thread was about insurance?...


guess so...


from thier website...

THE ASSOCIATION OF FREE LUTHERAN CONGREGATIONS FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES

• [FONT=Gill Sans MT,sans-serif][SIZE=-1]According to the Word of God, the congregation is the right form of the Kingdom of God on earth. [/SIZE][/FONT]
• [FONT=Gill Sans MT,sans-serif][SIZE=-1]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. [/SIZE][/FONT]
• [FONT=Gill Sans MT,sans-serif][SIZE=-1]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. [/SIZE][/FONT]
• [FONT=Gill Sans MT,sans-serif][SIZE=-1]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. [/SIZE][/FONT]
• [FONT=Gill Sans MT,sans-serif][SIZE=-1]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. [/SIZE][/FONT]
• [FONT=Gill Sans MT,sans-serif][SIZE=-1]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. [/SIZE][/FONT]
• [FONT=Gill Sans MT,sans-serif][SIZE=-1]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. [/SIZE][/FONT]
• [FONT=Gill Sans MT,sans-serif][SIZE=-1]Such assistance consists partly in the mutual sharings 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. [/SIZE][/FONT]
• [FONT=Gill Sans MT,sans-serif][SIZE=-1]Among such tasks may be mentioned specifically the training of pastors, distribution of Bibles and other Christian literature, home missions, foreign missions, Jewish missions, deaconess homes, children's homes and other work of mercy. [/SIZE][/FONT]
• [FONT=Gill Sans MT,sans-serif][SIZE=-1]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. [/SIZE][/FONT]
• [FONT=Gill Sans MT,sans-serif][SIZE=-1]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. [/SIZE][/FONT]
• [FONT=Gill Sans MT,sans-serif][SIZE=-1]Every free congregation, as well as every individual believer, is constrained by the Spirit of God and by the privileges of 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. [/SIZE][/FONT]

 

[RadMan]

ok...was I the only one thinking that this thread was about insurance?...


guess so...


from thier website...

THE ASSOCIATION OF FREE LUTHERAN CONGREGATIONS FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES

• [FONT=Gill Sans MT,sans-serif][SIZE=-1]According to the Word of God, the congregation is the right form of the Kingdom of God on earth. [/SIZE][/FONT]
• [FONT=Gill Sans MT,sans-serif][SIZE=-1]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. [/SIZE][/FONT]
• [FONT=Gill Sans MT,sans-serif][SIZE=-1]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. [/SIZE][/FONT]
• [FONT=Gill Sans MT,sans-serif][SIZE=-1]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. [/SIZE][/FONT]
• [FONT=Gill Sans MT,sans-serif][SIZE=-1]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. [/SIZE][/FONT]
• [FONT=Gill Sans MT,sans-serif][SIZE=-1]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. [/SIZE][/FONT]
• [FONT=Gill Sans MT,sans-serif][SIZE=-1]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. [/SIZE][/FONT]
• [FONT=Gill Sans MT,sans-serif][SIZE=-1]Such assistance consists partly in the mutual sharings 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. [/SIZE][/FONT]
• [FONT=Gill Sans MT,sans-serif][SIZE=-1]Among such tasks may be mentioned specifically the training of pastors, distribution of Bibles and other Christian literature, home missions, foreign missions, Jewish missions, deaconess homes, children's homes and other work of mercy. [/SIZE][/FONT]
• [FONT=Gill Sans MT,sans-serif][SIZE=-1]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. [/SIZE][/FONT]
• [FONT=Gill Sans MT,sans-serif][SIZE=-1]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. [/SIZE][/FONT]
• [FONT=Gill Sans MT,sans-serif][SIZE=-1]Every free congregation, as well as every individual believer, is constrained by the Spirit of God and by the privileges of 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. [/SIZE][/FONT]

LOL---Me to.

I had visions of a duck squawking and flying across the screen.

 

[Edial]

ok...was I the only one thinking that this thread was about insurance?...


...

Same here ...

 

[Anoetos]

• 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.

I guess that would be the nod to the pietist tradition?

 

[DaRev]

I guess that would be the nod to the pietist tradition?

Could you imagine what their council meetings are like?

 

[Anoetos]

Well, if they can be sure that all their boards consist of only the truly regenerate they should be just fine.

 

[RedneckLutheran]

I guess that would be the nod to the pietist tradition?

that was kinda my take on it...

 

[MarkRohfrietsch]

Could you imagine what their council meetings are like?

Mercy!