Photo Credit: LCMS Communications/Erik M. Lunsford
(St. Louis, MO) The Rev. Dr. Gregory P. Seltz, speaker for “The Lutheran Hour” radio program since 2011, has accepted the call to be the first executive director of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod’s new Lutheran Center for Religious Liberty (LCRL).
The LCRL provides input, education, advice and resources in the areas of marriage, life issues and religious liberty, and it seeks to actively engage in discussions and establish partnerships, as appropriate, with individuals and groups in Washington, D.C.
“What a joy to have served our Church being ‘The Lutheran Hour’ speaker, sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ on the radio each week,” Seltz said. “But what a privilege now to accept the call to lead the Lutheran Center for Religious Liberty, to serve all of our churches, schools and universities by ensuring that their voices continue to be heard, serving the cause of religious liberty for all of our people so that God’s Word will indeed not be bound, but go forth and bear much fruit.”
The LCRL board of directors received a letter from Seltz informing the board that he officially accepted the call to the position June 20. After a transition and orientation period, Seltz will relocate from St. Louis to head the LCRL office. It has been 17 years since the Synod last had an office and staff in the nation’s capital.
“Greg Seltz is an extraordinary, very gifted individual,” said Synod President Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison, who also is president of the four-member LCRL board.
Harrison noted that the Synod’s interests “on [Capitol] Hill continue to be advocated by others such as the Becket Fund, Alliance Defending Freedom, The Heritage Foundation and LCMS congressional representatives,” and that “we look forward to networking with many more who share our concerns.”
“We are excited to work with Greg and have every confidence in his ability to speak boldly into this cultural moment in the public arena of our beloved country,” said Timothy Goeglein, vice-president for External Relations at Focus on the Family and LCRL board member. “Marriage, human life, and religious liberty and conscience comprise a dynamic, central and fundamental core of issues that are hotly contested. We know the grace, mercy and goodness of Jesus Christ will lead Greg as he navigates the shoals of our culture and our era.”
Before joining LHM in 2011, Seltz served as director of the Cross-Cultural Ministry Center and held other positions at Concordia University Irvine, Irvine, Calif. Prior to that, he was executive director of Life’s Journey Ministries in Manhattan, N.Y., and the founding pastor of Church for All Nations in New York City. He also started a mission congregation in Dallas and served as pastor of a church in Tampa, Fla.