The Conference of Presidents (COP) met for its spring meeting April 8-9. Here are some of the items they discussed or decided:

• Three new COP members were chosen as COP representatives on the Synodical Council (SC). Pastor Joel Heckendorf (Arizona-California), Pastor Michael Seifert (North Atlantic), and Pastor Dennis Klatt (Minnesota) will attend their first SC meeting in November.
• The COP spent time preparing for the upcoming assignment days at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, Mequon, Wis., and Martin Luther College (MLC), New Ulm, Minn., in May. They will be facing the continuing challenge of a shortage of called workers. The number of teacher candidates at MLC is smaller than in recent years. The class at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary is the largest in several years. The candidates are all blessings from God and will reduce—but not eliminate—the many vacancies in congregations and schools. The COP continues to encourage all members to help recruit future pastors, teachers, and staff ministers.
• The COP proposed a standardized interview process and supporting evaluation tools for district presidents to use in carrying out a review of someone in pastoral, teaching, or staff ministry seeking re-entry into the ministry. The process is intended to seek increased clarity, consistency, and communication in the process.
• The COP currently grants provisional minister of the gospel status to called teachers who enroll in MLC’s Teaching Ministry Certification program (a program pursued by individuals who already hold an accredited teaching degree). MLC now offers online degree programs that include both professional training and the full set of ministry certification requirements. The COP monitors these programs.
• The COP discussed the importance of maintaining a “living” procedural document for COP use entitled “Divine Call Policies—Procedures—Guidelines.”
• The COP received a number of reports from Congregational Services, highlighting record levels of adult confirmation and efforts to reduce backdoor membership losses. A complete analysis of congregational statistics, along with a summary, will be released later this spring.
• Pastor Kurt Lueneburg will be retiring this summer as the director of the Ministry of Christian Giving. The COP thanked him for his 21 years of Christian giving experience. Calling for his replacement will take place later this spring.
• Total Congregation Mission Offering subscriptions for 2026 surpassed actual giving in 2025 (although it did not keep up with inflation).
• The COP will lead training for district constitution committees in light of differing governance models being considered by congregations.

This was the last regular meeting of the COP for four district presidents as they will be completing their time of service as district presidents at the district conventions this summer. Pastor Donald Patterson (South Central) has accepted a call, Pastor Charles Westra (South Atlantic) is not seeking reelection, and Pastors Joel Zank (Northern Wisconsin) and Douglas Free (Dakota-Montana) are retiring. We pray for God’s continued blessings and thank them for their service.

With new district presidents to be elected this summer, the COP will experience significant changes in its membership. We pray for God’s blessings as those conventions elect their leaders.

Registration is open for the 2026 WELS International Youth Rally, July 14-17, at Bowling Green State University, Ohio. The cost is $450 if attendees register by April 30 and $475 from May 1-29.

The rally is open to all WELS teens heading into their freshman year of high school through seniors graduating this spring. Teens from across the country will gather to discover ways to lead and serve, worship with thousands, and attend workshops to share the saving gospel.

The theme for the 2026 rally is “Christ through us,” inspired by 2 Corinthians 5:18-20 and the synod’s ten-year plan, which calls each of us to be Christ’s ambassadors.

Two keynotes will be presented based on the theme. Luke and Rachel Beilke, who have served as missionaries in Latin America since 2022 and also lead the efforts of Academia Cristo‘s ministry, will present “Christ through ordinary you.” Their presentation will explore how Jesus isn’t just something that happens at church, on mission trips, or is limited to missionaries far away, but he uniquely positions all of us to share his love. Jonathan Hein, director of the WELS Commission on Congregational Counseling, will present “Before you were ready.” His presentation will explore that each time God’s people felt they weren’t ready to shoulder responsibility, God had equipped them for the work he gave them.

Workshops will be held for both youth leaders and youth. Topics include encouragement for Christians in today’s world such as “Why youth leaders matter more than ever” and “Illustrations that impact” for youth leaders, and “A day in the life of a home missionary,” “Who are you when nobody’s watching?,” and “Starting a spiritual conversation” for youth.

Learn more about the workshops, recreational excursions, and the rally—and register—at welsyouthrally.net.

Thirty-seven people attended the annual meeting of the Association of WELS Chaplains on Feb. 6 at the WELS Center for Mission and Ministry in Waukesha, Wis. The purpose was for those who have gone through the WELS Chaplain Certificate Program or are currently going through the program to grow and learn from one another.

The Chaplain Certificate Program is designed to equip called workers and lay members (both male and female) to bring the gospel to places outside the church, such as healthcare facilities, correctional institutions, military installations, and public safety agencies. Online courses offered through Martin Luther College apply biblical truths to issues encountered by chaplains.

The work of WELS chaplains was recently highlighted in both WELS Connection and Forward in Christ. View photos from the meeting.

Enrollment in WELS schools this school year has decreased slightly from the 2024–25 school year, according to the recently released 2025–26 school statistics. Lutheran high school enrollment continued to climb, up 2.6 percent (from 7,484 students to 7,680 students), while Lutheran elementary school enrollment remained flat. Enrollment at WELS early childhood ministries declined slightly, down 4.9 percent (from 11,338 students to 10,784 students). These statistics match a nationwide decline in school enrollment due to falling birth rates in the US.

“When we take a look at the overall enrollment picture [in WELS],” says James Rademan, director of WELS Lutheran Schools, “about a third of our schools are growing, about a third of them are staying the same, and about a third are actually reducing in enrollment.”

A shortage of called teachers has affected some schools. Rademan says that several early childhood centers have paused their work because they couldn’t get enough workers to staff the centers, and some smaller schools are struggling to get teachers for their classrooms. “The opportunities continue to far outweigh the manpower that we have,” he says.

To combat this situation, WELS Lutheran Schools is encouraging congregations and schools across the districts to recruit, retain, and renew.

• Recruit individuals who could serve well in gospel ministry, be it pastors or teachers. “Our encouragement and how we recruit can go a long way on what kind of reach we can make through our schools,” says Rademan.
• Retain current called workers. “Are we valuing the workers that we have as much as we could?” says Rademan. “Let’s not just say we need more workers, but let’s review how we are supporting the current workers we have.”
• Renew or review the mission of the children’s ministry. “We want everyone to go through this process to make sure they keep examining their ministry needs and goals,” says Rademan. “What are the blessings, the challenges, the opportunities the Lord has provided us with?” This review can help local congregations and schools adapt to changing conditions and make informed long-range ministry decisions.

WELS Congregational Services offers consulting support for congregations that want help with this process. Learn more about congregational consulting opportunities.

The Synodical Council met Nov. 7–8 for its fall meeting at the Center for Mission and Ministry, Waukesha, Wis. The Synodical Council (SC) is the group of lay leaders and called workers that oversees the synod’s operations, planning, and budget.

The following issues were addressed at this meeting:

• Mr. Kyle Egan, WELS’ chief financial officer, reported that synod finances remain healthy, with higher-than-expected Congregation Mission Offerings and gifts from individuals this year and lower expenses than forecasted. All areas of ministry reported increased levels in their special funds. The annual audit has been completed with all entities receiving an unmodified opinion—the best that can be given.
• The “Christ through us” long-range strategic plan is beginning to be implemented by all areas of ministry.
• A task force on ministry recruitment is continuing its work. Three new ministry recruitment counselors have been called and are working to define the duties and scope of the program.
• Planning for building projects at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, Mequon, Wis., (classrooms, offices, library remodeling, and a gathering center) and Luther Preparatory School, Watertown, Wis., (music classrooms and auditorium) is proceeding.
• The SC approved calling two new missionaries to begin work in Senegal, Africa; a church planting coordinator in Latin America; coordinators for women’s ministry in Europe and Africa; and a professor at Asia Lutheran Seminary. These positions do not require additional synod operating support, since the funds are available from World Missions special funds. The SC also approved additional staffing in WELS Communications to allow the team to better leverage existing and emerging digital communication tools to reach a new generation while also maintaining valued communication tools upon which older members rely.
• Synod subsidiaries (WELS Investment Funds, WELS Foundation, WELS Church Extension Fund, and Northwestern Publishing House) all reported strong financial results.
• WELS has received more than $4 million in gifts toward the 100 Missions in 10 Years initiative. With the seven recently approved new missions starts, we are slightly shy of the goal of 30 in the first three years of the effort.
• The SC discussed issues relating to WELS VEBA health insurance, the synod pension, and the synod’s compensation guidelines.

This was the first meeting of two new SC members who were elected at the 2025 synod convention: Rev. Bart Brauer (pastor at-large) and Rev. Jon Bauer (pastor at-large). Newly called administrator of the Board for Ministerial Education, Rev. Charlie Vannieuwenhoven, will join the SC after the first of the year.

The next meeting of the Synodical Council will take place in April 2026.

Learn more about the SC.

The Conference of Presidents (COP) met Oct. 7–9 at the Center for Mission and Ministry (CMM) in Waukesha, Wis., to discuss the following areas:

• Pastoral vacancies: The tally of pastoral vacancies includes 148 parish vacancies and 162 total vacancies for pastor-trained men. This represents a vacancy rate of just under 12 percent. The ideal vacancy rate is 6 to 8 percent. Larger classes from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in the coming years will provide some relief for the shortage, but recruitment of candidates for the pastoral ministry needs to be emphasized in our congregations.
• Theology curriculum: The COP provided guidance to the team that is developing the new K-12 theology curriculum (replacing Christ-Light), noting that the materials should be available in multiple translations (New International Version and Evangelical Heritage Version) like the Small Catechism is.
• Assignments: The Assignment Committee will meet via teleconference on Dec. 15 to assign mid-year graduates from Martin Luther College, New Ulm, Minn. The COP resolved that it would no longer assign tutors at the synodical schools (Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, Martin Luther College, Luther Preparatory School, and Michigan Lutheran Seminary) for a third year, unless exceptional circumstances require it.
• Retirement advice: The COP will be developing written advice for called workers who are nearing retirement. Ideally, the district president will meet with these workers to help them prepare for retirement.
• WELS 175th anniversary: The COP is encouraging all WELS congregations to celebrate the 175th anniversary of the synod this fall. Worship materials are available in The Foundation, a worship resource provided by Congregational Services.
• Calls: Michael Ewart, pastor at St. Peter, Appleton, Wis., was called to serve as a Christian giving counselor in the Northern Wisconsin District.
• Congregation Mission Offerings: Congregation Mission Offerings continue to be strong. The COP is thankful to congregations and members for their generous support.

This was the first in-person meeting of the Conference of Presidents since the synod convention this summer, where delegates elected three men to serve in the synod presidium: Joel Voss as first vice president, John Bortulin as second vice president, and Tyler Peil as recording secretary. The first and second vice president serve as voting members of the Conference of Presidents and as advisors to the Synodical Council. The recording secretary serves as an advisory member of the Conference of Presidents. All three of these synod offices are part time.

As part of the meeting, Peil was installed into his new role as recording secretary at the CMM’s weekly chapel service. Voss and Bortulin had been installed during the closing service at the synod convention.

Read more about the new synodical officers and learn more about the COP.

The delegates to the convention in July adopted a new long-range strategic plan entitled “Christ through us.” This plan outlines the priorities of what we as a synod and as congregations have adopted for the next ten years. This plan was adopted not as a “top down” directive of what the synod will do and how we will conduct our ministry. Rather, it is an outline of the prayerful priorities and goals we have as we work together to carry out the mission that God has entrusted to us.

The title of the plan, “Christ through us,” emphasizes the focus and center of this plan, which is completely on Christ and on what he has done for us and for a world of sinners. But it also emphasizes the truth that God in his grace has chosen to work through us, his people and his ambassadors. The plan, which you will hear more about in the coming months, has four basic components: culture, congregations, commission, and calling.

• When addressing culture, the plan stresses the importance of developing a culture in our congregations in which all our members recognize that they are Christ’s ambassadors, each with the personal privilege and responsibility of communicating the message of Christ to the people they know. It will guide us as we work to make our congregations places where people are welcomed and participate in the life and work of the congregation.
• When addressing congregations, we will work to engage all members in the mission and ministry of the church. We will provide support and resources for ministry enhancement efforts in congregations. We will work to expand the synod’s gospel outreach through strategic church planting. We will elevate the home as the first mission field and provide sound Lutheran resources in discipleship, worship, outreach, and planning.
• When addressing commission, we will foster international ministry partnerships to expand the gospel’s reach. We will equip a global missionary force, not only by sending WELS missionaries but also by training pastors and evangelists from global sister churches and establishing confessional Lutheran seminaries in key global locations. We will foster robust mission collaboration with church bodies in full doctrinal fellowship with WELS. We will expand multi-language mission efforts and explore mission work in high-risk and unreached areas.
• When addressing calling, we will address the shortage of called workers by carefully expanding pathways into gospel ministry. We will establish innovative recruitment efforts for future called workers. We will maintain the long-term stability of our ministerial education schools. We will adopt a strategy for the professional development of called workers and will support their spiritual, emotional, and physical well-being.

The “Christ through us” plan depends on all of us. We encourage you to read more about the plan at christthroughus.net.

Serving with you in Christ,
WELS President Mark Schroeder