Association of Free Lutheran Congregations
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AFLC logo is the open Bible that is symbolic of God's word as the foundation of faith and life. The Ascending Dove is symbolic of the freedom of congregation and the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit. The Green Vine is symbolic of the living congregation bearing fruit for God.
Association of Free Lutheran Congregations is the 4th largest Lutheran church body in the United States. The AFLC includes congregations in 27 different states as well as 4 Canadian provinces. The AFLC is not an incorporated synod, but a free association. Each local congregation is a separate corporation.
The AFLC was formed by 40 congregations in 1962. The churches that formed the AFLC were members of the Lutheran Free Church who did not wish to join The American Lutheran Church. The AFLC has more than 230 congregations currently. The AFLC headquarters are at 3110 East Medicine Lake Blvd Plymouth, Minnesota 55441 along with the Association Free Lutheran Bible School and Seminary.
Five principal reasons for the formation of the AFLC:
- Recognizes the Bible as the inspired and inerrant authority in all matters of faith and life.
- Recognizes that the teaching and preaching of God's Word is the main task of the Church, to be conducted in such a way that the saints are built up and unbelievers see their need for salvation.
- Believes that the congregation is the right form of the Kingdom of God on earth, with no authority above it but the Word and the Spirit of God;
- Believes that Christian unity is a spiritual concept, not a man-made organization such as the World Council of Churches or the National Council of Churches .
- Believes that Christians are called to be a salt and light, separated from the ways of the world, and that this difference is to be reflected in the life of the congregation as well as in the institutions of the church body.
The AFLC has five corporations that are sponsored by the AFLC to direct their common endeavors. The Coordinating Committee, the Schools Corporation, the Missions Corporation, the AFLC Foundation and the Association Retreat Center (ARC), located near Osceola, Wisconsin.
There are two auxiliary corporations in the AFLC. The Women's Missionary Federation (WMF) and Free Lutheran Youth (FLY), formerly the Luther League Federation.
The official publication of the AFLC is The Lutheran Ambassador, with twelve issues per year devoted to Bible centered articles and news of the churches.
Presidents of the AFLC
- John P. Strand 1962 - 1978
- Richard Snipstead 1978 - 1992
- Robert L. Lee 1992 -
External link
- Association of Free Lutheran Congregations Website (http://www.aflc.org/)