Dear friends in Christ,

In case you’re not already familiar with them, ADF (Alliance Defending Freedom) is the world’s largest legal organization dedicated to protecting religious freedom, free speech, marriage and the family, parental rights, and the sanctity of human life—and, I’m happy to say, they’re “in our corner”! That’s good news, not just because of their size but also because of their legal competence (they win 80 percent of their cases) and, most especially, because of their deeply Christian motivation for engaging in increasingly intense legal battles. In fact, it’s for all these reasons that ADF has long enjoyed a close and trusted relationship with the LCMS, both at the District and Synod level.

As important as ADF’s efforts in defending churches and other ministries have been in the courtroom, their latest initiative may prove to be of even greater value to the Church. ADF has launched two programs designed to help individual congregations and schools protect their religious freedom: ADF Church Alliance and ADF Ministry Alliance.

Before I give a preview of each alliance membership type, I want to point out that ADF is committed to providing these benefits for a modest annual fee, which helps ensure that ADF will have the financial resources to be there when you need them. In my estimate, that’s not only a good value for services rendered, but it also provides congregations, schools, and ministries with practical means to play their part in resisting the current culture’s anti-religious agenda. Acting in concert with the broader church, ADF helps ensure the continuation of a legal and cultural environment that will allow the proclamation of the Gospel to go on unhindered, as it has since our nation’s founding.

ADF Church Alliance

The ADF Church Alliance aims to provide religious liberty help that is tailored to the needs of each congregation and the latest challenges to religious freedom. The direct benefits for churches are document review, attorney access, legal resources, and pro bono representation.

The annual fee for being an ADF Church Alliance member is based on average weekly attendance. For the vast majority of congregations—with up to 150 members—the cost will be $200 per year. This reflects a 20 percent discount because our MN South and North Districts are themselves members of the alliance.  

ADF Ministry Alliance

The ADF Ministry Alliance serves a variety of ministries, including schools, camps, daycares, and counseling ministries. The benefits for members of the ministry alliance include document review, access to attorneys, and legal representation. Their goal is to provide religious liberty legal help for Christian ministries so that those ministries are free to live out their faith. This helpful document outlines more of the reasoning and benefits of the ministry alliance.

The annual fee for being an ADF Ministry Alliance member is based on the annual revenue of each organization. So an organization with a budget up to $500K will pay $400 per year. This reflects a 20 percent discount because the MN South and North Districts are themselves members of the alliance.

Conclusion

As has become abundantly clear, the Church can no longer assume that religion will be seen by a majority of Americans as a public good that needs to be protected, nor that religious freedom will be seen as valuable by elected leaders and other influential people. This could lead to negative implications for the preaching and teaching of the Christian message and for the living out of our Christian faith. More than any time in memory, this is a time to be alert to the many cultural and political changes taking place around us and for us, together with other Christians, to take prudent steps to safeguard our communities so that they remain fertile ground in which the Gospel seed can be freely sewn.

And so, I’d encourage you and your congregation or school leadership to consult the ADF website for more details. Then, consider whether this might be the right time to make an investment for the sake of the Gospel. As usual, I’m happy to field any questions you or your members might have.

In Christ,

Rev. Fred Hinz

fred.hinz@mnsdistrict.org | 507-317-9634
LCMS Public Policy Advocate
Minnesota South and North Districts
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod