Who are members of WELS?
Who are actual members of WELS? Is it only pastors?
Article III of the Constitution of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod addresses membership.
MEMBERSHIP
“Section 1. The synod shall consist of all congregations, pastors, and male teachers who shall have joined the synod through their respective districts.
“Section 2. New members shall be admitted by the synod in its convention upon the recommendation of the appropriate district president, or through the appropriate district convention.
“Section 3. Membership in the synod shall be restricted to congregations, pastors, and male teachers who agree in doctrine and practice with the confession referenced in Article II.”
Article IV of the Constitution for the Districts states:
“Section 1. Voting members of this district shall be a) all congregations who shall have joined the district, and b) all pastors and male teachers who shall have joined the district.
“Section 2. Membership in the district shall be restricted to congregations, pastors and male teachers who agree in doctrine and practice with the confession set forth in Article II of this Constitution.”
While these constitutions define voting membership in the synod, all individuals who are members of a WELS congregation are “actual members of WELS” through their membership in a WELS congregation.