Tag Archive for: Called to Serve 2017

WELS visitor center

In fall 2016, a WELS visitor center opened at the WELS Center for Mission and Ministry in Waukesha, Wis. The visitor center includes a visual timeline of WELS’ history as well as informational kiosks on areas of ministry. Materials from the archives are also on display. Guests are shown a video highlighting WELS’ ministry and receive a tour of the synod’s headquarters. To schedule your visit to the WELS Center for Mission and Ministry, e-mail [email protected] or call 414-256-3200.

CAR in Baton Rouge, La.

In August 2016, Baton Rouge, La., received torrential downpours that resulted in flooding that left almost 150,000 homes damaged and thousands of families displaced. After initial assessments and meetings with pastors and members at Crown of Life, New Orleans, and Cross of Glory, Baton Rouge, WELS Christian Aid and Relief put together a plan to rebuild eight homes, only one of which was a home of a WELS member. The other homes are owned by friends of members, like Gloria Ray (pictured here with volunteer Dennis Tennier). In October and November, 26 volunteers helped by hanging drywall, taping, and finishing the spaces. To learn more, visit wels.net/relief.

WELS Mobile

WELS Mobile, available for Apple, Android, and Amazon users, lets users listen to or read daily devotions and Bible readings as well as access WELS news, videos, and radio stations.

MCG coordinates One in Christ effort

  • WELS Ministry of Christian Giving coordinated the “One in Christ” effort that, by God’s blessing, successfully eliminated the synod’s $4.7 million debt 18 months ahead of schedule.
  • The Ministry of Christian Giving mailed a series of postcards informing eligible WELS members about a new law that allows them to make qualified charitable distributions from an individual retirement account to their church, synod, and other WELS organizations without counting the distributions as income for federal tax purposes.

CLS better equips WELS teachers for their important work

Lutheran Schools is seeking to address the need for principals and early childhood directors. In 2016, 15 men and women completed a one-year Leadership Candidate Training cohort, which identifies teachers with leadership characteristics and begins to train them for a school leadership role. Three men from the cohort have already transitioned to principal positions in WELS schools. The Principal Training Program and Principal and Director Apprentice Mentoring are two other programs led by Lutheran Schools that focus on the training of new school leaders.

Did you know? In 2016, more than 41,000 students throughout more than 500 congregations were daily fed with the gospel message by attending a Lutheran high school, elementary school, or early childhood center.

Women’s Ministry focuses on mentoring

On July 21–23, 2016, the WELS Women’s Ministry Conference was held at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, Mequon, Wis. With a focus on mentoring, women left the conference driven by the gospel to share the love of Jesus with others through the relationships and opportunities that God has given them.

Telling the Next Generation

  • WhatAboutJesus.com, WELS’ outreach website, was redesigned and updated. New articles are posted regularly as well the Commission on Evangelism’s popular daily devotions.
  • Telling the Next Generation: Utilizing Our Schools for Outreach is a new workshop developed by the Commissions on Evangelism and Lutheran Schools. The program serves congregations with planning, assistance, and resources for implementation of outreach strategies in Lutheran elementary schools and early childhood ministries. Learn more at welscongregationalservices.net/telling-the-next-generation.

Commission launches its School of Strategic Planning

In the past two years, the Commission on Congregational Counseling has helped 40 congregations assess and adjust their ministry to achieve more zealous gospel proclamation.

In 2016, the commission launched its School of Strategic Planning.

CYFM debuts new downloadable resource

WELS Youth and Family Ministry debuted a new downloadable resource for church leaders to help them develop youth ministry programs. Titled Transformed: Equipping Youth Leaders, the resource includes videos, which focus on the importance of the different aspects of youth ministry as well as a collection of Bible studies, recommended readings, and “how-to” resources for youth ministries. Visit nph.net to purchase.

Two series of studies held in 2016

Two series of Interactive Faith Bible studies were held in 2016. Rev. Gary Pufahl led a study in January entitled Who is your God? Rev. John Braun led a study in October on the continuing importance of Luther’s Small Catechism.

A new referral link

  • A new referral link, wels.net/refer, has made it easier to submit names of people who often have a hard time receiving personal gospel ministry. This includes WELS members in the military, those incarcerated, or people with intellectual or developmental disabilities.
  • A new civilian chaplain, Rev. Don Stuppy, has arrived in Germany to serve WELS military personnel and civilians living in western Europe.

Mike Novotny

Rev. Mike Novotny presented at the Men of His Word Conference in Oshkosh, Wis., about the work of Conquerors through Christ, a Special Ministries team that provides resources to help people avoid or stop using pornography. In 2016, Conquerors through Christ developed resources for parents who want to protect their children from the corrupting impact of pornography.
Visit conquerorsthroughchrist.net for more information.

Worship resources for Reformation 500

  • The Commission on Worship has developed resources to assist congregations with plans to celebrate the 500th anniversary of the Reformation in 2017. These resources will premiere at the June 13–16, 2017, national worship conference and include five Reformation-themed services and several newly commissioned hymns and musical resources.
  • More than 60 people are immersed in the many details of researching and planning for the next WELS hymnal. Field testing of some materials began in select congregations in 2016. More information is available at welshymnal.com.

2016 WELS International Youth Rally

More than 2,500 WELS teens and their adult leaders gathered for the 2016 WELS International Youth Rally held June 28–July 1 at Colorado State University, Fort Collins. Organized by WELS Commission on Youth and Family Ministry, the rally included Bible-focused worship, education, and fellowship opportunities. Attendees raved about their experiences:

Duke Backhaus, 18, from St. Paul’s, Tomah, Wis.: “The workshops were amazing; I really loved them. They all pointed me towards Christ and taught me a lot. I know now I’m going to be a pastor.”

Grant Kloosterman, 16, from Living Word, Gray, Tenn.: “WELS really is like a big family. It seems everyone knows someone, and nobody here at the rally feels like a stranger.”

Emily Gage, 18, from Good Shepherd, Woodlands, Tex.: “It was awesome to praise God with so many fellow Christians my age.”

Rev. John Boggs, chairman of the Commission on Youth and Family Ministry, says, “The young people of our synod are not just the future of our synod; they are the here and now of our synod. They need to be in worship and Bible study, and they need our prayers, support, and attention now. The focus of the WELS International Youth Rally is to share God’s precious Word that speaks as much to them now at the ages of 14-18 as it will as they grow older.”