District Life

Caring for Life Together: A District Commitment from Beginning to End

In the Rocky Mountain District, care for life is not confined to a single event or emphasis—it is the shared work of Christ’s Church, lived out daily among congregations, schools, and ministries across our region.

From the unborn to the elderly, from those in crisis to those nearing the end of life, we receive life as God’s gift and seek to care for our neighbors in every stage of it. As the Psalmist declares, “For You formed my inward parts; You knitted me together in my mother’s womb” (Psalm 139:13). Because life is God’s work, it is also His gift—and therefore worthy of protection, care, and compassion.

Rooted in Christ: A Theological Foundation for Life

Our commitment to life does not begin in public discourse, but in the Word of God. Human life is created by the Father, redeemed by the Son, and sustained by the Holy Spirit. In Christ, we see both the value of life and the cost of redeeming it.

Jesus says, “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10). To be pro-life, then, is not merely to oppose death—it is to actively support, uphold, and walk alongside life in all its complexity.

Supporting Life at Every Stage

Caring for Mothers, Fathers, and Families

Across the Rocky Mountain District, congregations partner with local pregnancy resource centers and community organizations to care for families facing unplanned or difficult pregnancies. Through these partnerships, the Church becomes a place of refuge—offering both practical help and Gospel-centered care.

Congregations are encouraged to:

Provide meals, childcare support, and financial assistance

Walk alongside families beyond the moment of crisis

Build relationships rooted in Christ’s love

As St. Paul reminds us, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2).

Mental Health, Trauma, and Life Under Pressure

Supporting life also means caring for those who struggle in unseen ways. Through the Rocky Mountain District’s Counseling and Care Resource Network, individuals and congregations are connected to faithful Christian counselors and support services.

The Church does not turn away from suffering. Instead, we echo the promise of Christ: “Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).

Care for the Vulnerable and Isolated

Life advocacy includes care for those often overlooked—the elderly, the homebound, the disabled, and those experiencing deep loneliness. Across the district, congregations faithfully engage in visitation, prayer, and ongoing support.

Whether through parish life, mercy teams, or informal acts of care, these efforts reflect the heart of Christ, who says, “As you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to Me” (Matthew 25:40).

End-of-Life Care: Bearing Witness to Hope

At the end of life, the Church continues to walk alongside God’s people with compassion and hope. Pastors, deaconesses, and lay leaders provide spiritual care, prayer, and presence to those nearing death and to their families.

In a culture that often fears or avoids death, we confess with St. Paul: “Whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s” (Romans 14:8). Life remains sacred, even in its final moments, because it belongs to Him.

Public Witness: Standing for Life Together

Each year, the Rocky Mountain District gathers for events such as the Utah March for Life, Colorado March for Life, and New Mexico Right to Life Gala, where congregations, schools, and families stand together in joyful, peaceful witness to the sanctity of life.

These moments are not merely about public visibility—they are acts of confession. Together, we proclaim what we believe: that life is God’s gift, and that every person is worthy of care.

Equipping Congregations Through District Life

District Life exists to support and strengthen this work across the Rocky Mountain District. Through conferences, communication, and collaboration, we seek to ensure that congregations are not alone in their efforts.

Current district initiatives include:

The Rocky Mountain District Counseling Directory, connecting individuals to trusted Christian care

Disaster Response efforts, equipping congregations to respond to crisis and care for affected communities

Ongoing support and networking for pastors, deaconesses, and lay leaders engaged in mercy work

As the writer to the Hebrews encourages, “Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works” (Hebrews 10:24).

Why This Work Matters

To be pro-life is to love our neighbor—not only in principle, but in practice. It is found in both visible acts of advocacy and quiet, faithful care:

A visit to someone who is alone

A meal for a struggling family

A conversation marked by compassion

A presence that reflects Christ’s love

These are the places where the Church becomes visible in the world.

An Invitation to Participate

Every member of the Church has a role in supporting life.

We invite you to:

Join district-wide efforts like the Utah and Colorado March for Life, and New Mexico Right to Life Galas.

Utilize and share the Counseling and Care Resource Network

Engage in mercy work within your congregation and community - consider becoming a LERT Volunteer through a District or Synod Disaster Response Training Event.  

Pray for those facing difficult circumstances

You do not need to do everything—but each of us is called to do something.

Closing: The Lord of Life

In all these things, we remember that we are not the authors of life, but its recipients. And as those who have been given life in Christ, we are sent to care for others with the same mercy we have received.

As Jesus declares, “I am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25).

Together, as the Rocky Mountain District, we walk in that promise—supporting life, bearing burdens, and pointing always to the One who is the Lord of Life.

Greetings in the name of Jesus, the Author of Creation and the Lord of Life!

Life is a gift, a gift given by God.  It, along with everything else in all of creation, has not been earned or credited to us through any worth or merit of our own.  As the catechism teaches us:  “I believe that God has made me and all creatures; that He has given me my body and soul, eyes, ears, and all my members, my reason and all my senses, and still takes care of them.  …  He defends me against all danger and guards and protects me from all evil.  All this He does only out of fatherly, divine goodness and mercy, without any merit or worthiness in me.  For all this it is my duty to thank and praise, serve and obey Him.”

Living in a fallen world in fallen flesh where sin corrupts, shame covers, and death destroys, the Church is in a unique position to proclaim the gift of life and salvation in Christ and Christ alone.  It is given to us to help and support our neighbor in every physical need.  This wonderful responsibility is no more apparent than when we are called to speak for and defend the life and well-being of the least of these among us; to those too young to speak for themselves, too sick to lift their voice, too weak to be deemed worthy of care and respect and love.

Our Gospel witness about the love of God in Christ for a broken world, for a broken Church, for broken sinners, includes proclaiming these truths in regard to the things of life.  Death is and always will be an enemy (I Cor. 15:26).  It should never be championed as a choice, a loving option, or a respectful alternative.  The Church proclaims the truth of Christ into the darkness of a sin-filled world that has been deceived to embrace death and shun life.  The Church is called to speak forgiveness over sin, life over death, mercy over condemnation.  She is a beacon of light on a hill so that the light of Christ might be seen and so that His Word might be heard.

The LCMS has designated District Life Coordinators in order to support congregations and schools as they proclaim the Gospel of Christ crucified to the life issues of today.  They serve as a resource to professional church workers and lay leaders to assist them in developing life-affirming outreach and ministry that is specific to the situation and needs of each congregation.

It is an honor to serve the Rocky Mountain District as her Life Coordinator.  Throughout my ten years in the ministry I have had the privilege to march for the sanctity of life in New Mexico, Colorado, and Washington DC.  I have spoken in the Roundhouse of New Mexico’s legislative body for the sanctity of life and the protection of the unborn and the infirm.  I look forward to serving you and your congregations in any way that is helpful and needed in regard to our Lord’s gift of life.

In Christ,
Rev. Eli Lietzau