LCMS Life Ministry

The following program is sponsored by Evangelical Life Ministries.

Welcome to Engaging Truth, the manifestation of God's word and the lives of people around us. Join us each week as we explore the impact of his message of spiritual renewal from the lesson of forgiveness. Forged in the crucible of divorce to the message of salvation learned by an executioner from a condemned killer to the gift of freedom found in the rescue of victims of human trafficking. This is God's truth in action.

Welcome to Engaging Truth. I'm Reverend Dr. Douglas Cringle and our guest here today as Deacon, as Doctor Tiffany Manor. Welcome in.

Oh, it's a joy to join you. Thanks for inviting me.

Deaconess. Tiffany is the Director of Life Ministry for the Lutheran Church Missouri Senate. And why beat around the bush, right, Deacons? Tiffany, let's get into the serious conversation. Right away, we notice in the title Director of Life Ministries. So what does the word life mean exactly? In the title of the Director of Life Ministries here in Houston, where we have quite a scientific community, we have nasa, we also have the Museum of Natural History. And when you go to this huge collection of dinosaur exhibits, they have a lot of rocks at the front, and they say, These are strites, and say that there's just single celled animals that were here three, 4 billion years ago, and that's how life went. And they defined life accordingly. Is that, is that what they mean by life in your title?

Oh, yeah. I mean, uh, we have a pretty different understanding of, of what life means. And, um, it's, it's fascinating to hear what, uh, is the local community in, in Houston describes as life. I actually spent, uh, summers in Houston as a child growing up, visiting my dad. Um, been to some of those places you mentioned, but, uh, no, when in the Lutheran church, Missouri Smith, when, when we were talking about life, um, really we could spend, uh, a lot of time, you know, doing it, a full study of the gospel of, of John to truly understand what is meant by life. But, you know, the gospel of John begins with, in the beginning was the word, and the word was with God, and the word was God. He was the beginning with God. All things were made through him. And without him, not anything made that was made in him was life, and the life was a light of men.

So that's really, you know, the essence of, of what life ministry is for the Christian. And, uh, you know, in my title in the program ministry for the Lutheran Church, Missouri Senate, we're focused on the sanctity of all human life. God's ongoing act of creation to make every single person, and in scripture, there's a really clear understanding that life is a gift from God given fully and abundantly in Christ Jesus, who, who died and was resurrected to redeem all people ever created. Now, in a, in a practical sense, that means, um, that we focus on, um, the things like, you know, beginning of life issues, um, abortion, adoption, uh, bioethics, um, end of life issues, euthanasia, uh, care at the end of life, suicide prevention, and of course the middle of life too, uh, uh, disabilities to ministry, the mental illness and, and mental health. There's, there's a lot of topics that are encompassed in life ministry as we understand it, but it's, it's really christologically focused what God has, has done for us in Christ, starting with making us, and then, and authoring every single one of our days.

Well, have you always believed that definition of life you just gave us from John one? And if so, why? And if not, why not explain where you stand today? Sounds like you did that a little bit already, but how you came to your current position.

Sure. I have definitely had a great movement in my life, transformation and what I understand about life and really about God, um, in Christ. Um, I, I really, uh, in my, um, younger years as a, um, a teenager and a young woman in my twenties, um, you know, this is going back, um, before the, our turn into the 21st century, you know, 30 years ago. Um, but then I would've defined life in language that would've really been, uh, focused on the autonomy of humans. Um, you know, that a mother and a father make a baby, that, that people ought to make choices about their death. Uh, so I was certainly pro-choice as a young adult. My perception and assumption was really that other people around me felt the same way. Um, you know, looking back, I, I think I absorbed what I was hearing in the culture as, you know, growing up in the seventies, um, and in my public school and in my home, we, we didn't talk about, um, life, life, uh, and, and God creating life.

Um, I really, you know, didn't necessarily engage this, these topics and, and talk about it with my friends either. Um, I mean, I certainly would've known I was, I was an advocate for euthanasia. I, you know, I, publicly speaking, um, uh, advocating for euthanasia, uh, as a, as a teen and, um, really in my college years. Um, and for me, I, I really came up against the stark contrast between, um, God's truth about life and what our culture was, was, uh, teaching about life, you know, continues to teach about life, uh, really on a, uh, a Sunday at church, at Lutheran Church misery a congregation, I I came into the church in campus ministry in, in, um, college, uh, very, very fast, uh, confirmation, um, instruction in learning the faith and probably not enough time spent on, on some areas like life. Um, and my husband and I had been married about six months, and there was, uh, a life Sunday at church, and I was really surprised by what the pastor was saying about life.

Um, it was a pastor who was, it was new to, to me that I hadn't had before. And, you know, it took, it took a long time. It, it was not an overnight kinda experience at first. I was shocked. I was angry. And, um, really it was a God giving a cloud of witnesses, um, around me from Hebrews 12 verse one. But, um, people, my, my husband, our pastor friends at church, you know, who, um, people who, you know, lovingly taught me over a period of years, um, really raised my awareness, um, even in the community by, um, seeing our community rise up and begin talking about abortion because a Planned Parenthood was coming in. So I saw a lot of people speaking up and saying that, um, abortion is breaking the fifth commitment. It's, it's murdering someone. And, um, you know, watching, listening to, to friends and people at church.

And so, um, you know, in, in time, um, I, I certainly, uh, gradually changed my understanding and, and began to embrace a, you know, a true confession of life. Uh, I was unexpectedly pregnant with our, our third child, and my doctor, my obstetrician offered me an abortion, and that was when I really knew that I was wholeheartedly pro-life. But it, you know, had taken, oh, a good eight, nine years to get there. So from there, I went on, um, later years to, to work at a pregnancy resource center at Christian Pregnancy Resource Center, counseling women and, uh, women who are considering abortions and right outside of abortion clinics offered resources to women who are abortion minded and abortion vulnerable. I've served disabilities ministry, I've concern as a volunteer and a number of pro-life organizations. So, um, a really stark difference between my advocacy for, for death, um, and, and now to serve and, um, lifting up the value of life.

I know that you have taken formal theological studies as you are a deaconess and a doctor, and in another forum I understood you to talk about law, not so much jurisprudence, but two laws. One you noted as natural law, another you noted as divine law. What do those two terms mean and how do they relate to life ministry?

Yeah. Well, that's a, another question. Um, people I, I think spend whole semesters of, of college, um, and seminary classes, uh, um, really, um, mining the, um, the theology of, but, uh, in a, in a, a quick summary, I mean, natural law is, is given by, by God. Um, you know, all, all law is given by God, natural law, divine divine law, um, by his very name is obviously given by God. Um, natural law, we, we understand, you know, Um, and that's Roman's, um, two 15, and there's other verses that describe this, um, remnant of knowledge from when man was created, um, and that that's the kind of understanding that that good and bad exists. And so we have this, this la understanding that, um, there are, are things in, in life that are, are inherently, um, not good. Um, anthropologists will will say things like, Oh, there's, uh, not a society that, um, has, uh, promoted murder as as good.

Um, we can almost argue, um, in, in contemporary society that, that that's been endorsed. But in the sense of, of murdering, um, people who are outside their mother's, there's never been a society of, so say some that have, have valued murder. So that's a natural law. Um, but because in our, um, uh, fallen nature and in the sinful corrupted nature that, that we have as, as humans, our awareness of natural law is obscured. Uh, and we see this around us every single day. Um, so in the, in the pro-life movement, the pro-life world, um, natural law can allow us to have rational arguments for the value of human life, uh, arguing from science, say, um, whereas divine law, um, you know, can really clearly given by God, um, who gave me on the 10 Commandments, he elaborated on them in scripture and divine laws used in the pro-life arena as well. I know that's the, um, the fifth commitment argument, You shall not kill. And so Christians, um, experience a response to the divine law, you know, it accuses them. It shows them, um, their sin, um, and, and of course then, um, they can respond to the need for a savior.

You've noted also in another form that you've observed three ways individuals transition from pro-choice to pro-life. You had listed by science, by faith, and by combination of those two. Would you elaborate on that comment?

Yeah. Uh, people who are formally pro-choice, including, um, myself, uh, there are a number of noted ways that they become convinced that human life is valuable and should be protected. And, um, pro-choice people are not all Christians. Um, there are are people who are, uh, convinced by science. And I I just mentioned a moment ago, there are a number of secular groups in, in the pro-life movement, um, Atheists for Life, uh, progressive anti-abortion uprising, feminists for, for life. And, and these are people who've been convinced, um, by science, you know, whether it's fetal development, um, hearing things about the, um, a child developing in the womb and, and when, um, the heart starts speeding or when they're capable of pain. Um, and, and that is what, um, convinces them that, um, life is valuable. And then there are people who receive faith and their hearts are changed.

Uh, that's, that's me, right? The, the, the person like myself who, um, the Holy Spirit, um, poured out in God's God's word. Um, sacra, you know, really changed me. I, I was, I was taught to receive faith, and my heart was changed, but for some people, it's a combination of the two. Um, you know, when it, when it's the Christian faith, uh, it's really obvious that it's gotten, you know, in the Holy Spirit transforming a person from pro-choice to pro-life. But if a person's convinced by a scientific rationale, even if they don't know, um, our God in, in, um, Christ, um, they still are convinced by God because he's revealed that scientific knowledge to us. Um, he's revealed how he designed life and how life develops and is created in the womb. And so that's natural revelation. So, you know, with all three of the ways that people are convinced, it's, it's truly God working in them. And, um, and we would pray that those who, um, don't have a knowledge of Jesus would of course come to that fullness of truth, because that, that's the true full understanding of life. It's not solely about, um, coming to an understanding of, of human development, um, but the full and true abundant life, um, found in Christ.

Oh, I'm glad you, you brought up the economic value. My first career and degrees were in business. Um, and so, uh, yeah, my, my brain is a little bit oriented towards economic systems. Um, but you know, when we're talking about human life, when we're talking about a child, it is not about the worth that each person will, will bring to society. Um, it's not about creating, uh, workers or, um, creating citizens. Um, it it's not about what a person does, um, but who a person is, and that's what make people with, of all abilities, um, and, and people with a, a variety of, um, cognition valuable. Um, so the true value of each person is, is because of God, um, that, that the tri and God, you know, values them and created them, and that he sent his son Jesus to be born as a human. And it's in, um, his baptism, his perfect life, um, Christ's death and resurrection on behalf of every sin that gives eternal life. And so that also drives Christians to love and treasure our neighbors little ones, disabled ones, everyone with the very same love that's poured out on us from our Heavenly Father.

Well, if you don't mind, I'd like to stay on the, the youngest of children for a second. Just, it's my own background. You mentioned your background in business. I work with, uh, a church, the Family Faith Lutheran Church, and we offer early childhood education, but on two ministry locations. And this starts at as young as six weeks old. Understand that foundational education is the largest branch of education in the Lutheran Church Missouri Senate. How do you see foundational education or connect education in general, a connecting with life issues?

Yeah, so foundational education is really very important. Um, one of the primary areas actually of, of work that we do in LCMS life ministry is to, um, teach people of all ages. And it's important that these, these tiny children, um, come to understand from a very young age that God is a creator of life. Um, you know, that as I described, that Jesus was sent to redeem every life created. I I've had a little granddaughter, she's not even two years old yet. Um, but she already knows that the ultrasound picture that her mom has framed and in the living room is, is her. She points to it. She points to herself, and she's learning that, you know, she was alive before she was born. Um, and so as you know, we have this opportunity to teach children that they were alive before they were born, that they were a person, uh, before they were, um, held by their, their parents, um, that, that God created them and he sustains them through all earthly life, including suffering. Um, and, um, as they, you know, come to have that understanding, then that will sustain them through all of life. That, you know, we rely on God and he's present with us through everything, and that really prepares them for all of the things that, um, this temporal early life with no shortage of challenges, you know, will hold for them in the years to come.

Thank you myself again, having grandchildren, as you noted, but also working with early child education and care now 28 years, I'm noticing a language that I don't think I'll ever quite learn. It's a social language spoken in the ministry of early child education and care, and it appears to me to be a language of mothers who have young children in their care. How can lcms life ministry help the church learn to speak modern? Mom? Another way to put that is how can LCMS Life Ministries help the church communicate and relate to modern moms who may hold pro choice beliefs, or how can LCS life ministries help communicate with modern moms as many of those mothers may be suffering from post-abortion trauma themselves?

Yeah, that's a, a really important question. There's a lot of, of women, um, and men affected, um, and, and these, um, you know, young women, as you noted, um, have, have learned a social emotional language that, that not all generations have. Um, and that's certainly being taught in, um, in schools and, and certainly in present in early childhood centers as well. And so, you know, as Christian, we do do need to be prepared to share the truth and to love our neighbors, Um, you know, above all, like having compassion and, and empathy, even, even if, um, you know, when I pastor Doug, um, you know, if we grew up in a different era, we have different language and, and, um, ways of, of talking about our experiences than than these, um, this younger generation. We can still, you know, be compassionate and empathetic and share the gospel with people and how to share Christ Mercy.

Um, you know, one out of four women in the United States statistics will tell us, um, will have an abortion by the age of 45, 20 5%. That is a lot of women out there walking around who are, um, uh, post abortive, um, you know, may have this trauma. Um, but you know, it ripples out from the woman who has an abortion to fathers of the baby, you know, friends, family members. Um, I don't, I don't think it's a stretch to say that, that every family, um, in the US may have been touched by abortion, you know, whether it's a, a cousin or a friend or someone. And so all every day people around us are making these decisions about abortion. And, and more and more people are experiencing the after effects, and they're, they're right around us in schools, activities, workplaces sitting next to us in church.

I always tell people, you know, just assume that someone with an earshot of you has experienced the trauma of abortion. Just assume that. So they may have, um, pain, um, you know, they, they certainly need compassion, um, love and, and forgiveness in Christ. And so if we speak with them, um, you know, with, with all people in our lives really with compassion, and try to have empathy for the, the pain and the grieving that may be happening, um, and pour out the gospel on them, um, that that's really the best way we can interact with folks.

We have about five minutes left, and this has just been a fascinating conversation. Thank you so much, Deacon. As Tiffany, a visit to www.lcms.org/life gives a personal a lot of information, several things they're noted, one being the Dobbs verse Jackson decision, which itself could be, uh, a book, Right? Would you like to make comment upon that part of the web pae?

Sure. Our, um, statement that we, we published from the Lutheran Church Missouri Senate on the Dossey Jackson decision was, um, really our expression that we were glad that Roe Wade has been overturned. And, um, you know, really for Christ Church, we want abortion to become unthinkable, you know, that all children created would be born into the family that God designed for them, a mother and a father. Um, and then also as I was just talking about, you know, there's, we have compassionate empathy for the many people around us suffering from an abortion decision. You know, uh, we know though that even, um, with the, uh, the legality of abortion being pushed into the state legislation and, and, um, and, uh, variety now of, of, um, statuses around the country, you know, Texas, Um, thanks to be to God, um, abortion's been restricted for over a year now. Um, but that's not the same. Um, and that's not the same as ending abortion. So while we're, we're glad for restrictions, we're glad for, um, abortion to be in the hands of, of the people in the legislative and, um, policy making decision, we're still needing to work to care for women and children, um, to make abortion unnecessary and, and unthinkable for people.

As you went, uh, mentioned earlier, the webpage has many different applications, infertility, ethics, adoption, advocacy, suicide and mental health issues, The Million Dollar Life March Lifemark, there's an actual movie review on the website, which was quite surprising. I don't usually go to a life page to get a movie review. And then there's also the Friends for Life Podcasts. If people were interested in knowing more, where would they go? What would they do? There's a, a life march of some sort, maybe many of those, uh, life conferences. How can we get connected?

Yeah, so you gave the address for the website, you know, www.lcms.org/life. Um, there's all kinds of things there. We have, um, an email folks wanna interpret each out individually and ask questions. Um, that's a great way to find out exactly what's, what's going on in the Lutheran Church, Missouri Center, and how we partner with other, um, pro-life organizations. Um, and the email address is life ministry.lcms.org. So altogether life ministry lcms.org.

Thank you so much. It's been a fascinating conversation and really appreciate it. We've covered a lot of ground from Strites all the way to, uh, the newest jurisprudence out of Washington, DC and the Supreme Court. Would you be kind enough to conclude our visit here today with a word of prayer?

Oh, absolutely. Let us try heaven. Father, we give thanks to you for the life that you've created and the mercy that you pour out on us each and every day. Um, be amongst those who, um, speak up, confess and witness for human life that they may share your word, um, fully known through Christ Jesus, to all the people that they come into contact with. Give them, um, compassion and eyes to see the people who are hurting and the ways that they can serve to further, um, your kingdom and, and the life efforts in their communities, um, above all. Um, strengthen them through the Holy Spirits so that, um, all that they do to, to love and serve their neighbor, um, can be focused on you through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever. Amen.

Amen. Thank you very much, uh, Deaconess Doctor Tiffany Manor is who we're speaking with. This is Reverend Dr. Doug Cringle. Thank you for joining us on Engaging Truth. Join

Us, us next week. Thank you for listening to this broadcast of Engaging Truth. Be sure to join us each week at this time to help support our ministry. Contact Evangelical Life Ministries, Post Office Box 5 6 8 Cyprus, Texas 77,410, or visit our website@elmhouston.org or find us on Facebook at Evangelical Life Ministries. Thank you.