Minnesota Family Council


Minnesota Family Council is an American Christian organization in Minneapolis, Minnesota, founded in 1983. MFC is a family policy council affiliated with Focus on the Family and Alliance Defending Freedom. It is aligned with the Christian right in the United States. After registering as a political action committee in 2011, MFC has lobbied against abortion and same-sex marriage, and in favor of single-sex school bathroom and changing facility policies.

History

Origins

Minnesota Family Council was founded in 1982 and was originally known as the Berean League. MFC has been active in politics, representing religious conservatives since at least 1994.
MFC describes itself as "a non-partisan, grassroots, Christian organization dedicated to strengthening the family – the bedrock of society – by advancing foundational biblical principles in churches, the media, government, and the public square throughout the state of Minnesota."

Lobbying

In 2011, MFC registered as a political action committee in its efforts for lobbying against same-sex marriage. MFC's CEO, John Helmberger is a registered lobbyist for the organization.

Positions

The Minnesota Family Council has been an active participant in the social values dialogue in the United States. The organization is notable for its conservative positions on prayer in public schools, LGBT rights, abortion rights and a school voucher system. MFC's stated mission is "to strengthen the families of Minnesota by advancing biblical principles in the public arena."

Abortion

MFC is opposed to abortion, stating that "human life is sacred from conception to natural death and must be protected by government". MFC has advocated for a heartbeat bill which would ban abortion after a fetal heartbeat can be detected.

Same-sex marriage

MFC is opposed to same-sex marriage and domestic partner benefits. It spent $349,857.25 on the failed 2012 effort to amend the Minnesota constitution to ban such unions.

Affiliated organizations

MFC's educational subsidiary, Minnesota Family Institute provides training, research and non-partisan voter education for their church network and grassroots constituents. MFI in turn operates the Northstar Legal Center, which provides legal education for attorneys and networks oriented toward upholding biblical principles and religious liberty in the courts.
MFC is locally affiliated with Focus on the Family, Family Policy Alliance, Alliance Defending Freedom, and Family Research Council.