Tag Archive for: synod convention 2025

2025 synod convention planning continues

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The 68th WELS biennial synod convention will take place July 21-24 at Martin Luther College in New Ulm, Minn. Nearly 400 voting delegates—composed of pastors, teachers, staff ministers, and laymen—will attend, along with several dozen advisory delegates.

The Book of Reports and Memorials (BORAM), which contains the information to be considered by the convention, is now available online at welsconvention.net/boram. Hard copies of BORAM have been sent to all delegates, congregations, and male called workers.

Some of the important items to be discussed or decided at the convention are:

  • The declaration of fellowship between WELS and the Africa Mission Evangelism Church (AMEC) of Tanzania. Discussions have been taking place with representatives of AMEC for several years, and those discussions have determined that WELS and AMEC are united in doctrine and practice.
  • Two proposals to change the way synod officers are elected. Both proposals involve seeking nominations prior to the convention and publicizing the final ballot in early summer before the convention convenes. This would give delegates an opportunity to learn more about the candidates and would also give nominees time to think about their decision, if elected, in advance of the actual election.
  • The synod will have the opportunity to adopt a new long-range strategic plan entitled “Christ through us,” which will serve as a guide for the synod as it carries out its mission over the next ten years.
  • Elections will be held for various positions, including first vice president and recording secretary.
  • Every area of ministry will report on its work during the past year and outline plans for the future.
  • The convention essay will be delivered by Rev. Joel Otto, professor at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, Mequon, Wis., focusing on the 175-year history of the synod. Prof. Paul Koelpin will also give an evening presentation on the history of Martin Luther College.
  • Several memorials (requests for convention action) will also be considered.

We pray that God will bless the decisions of the convention and will provide delegates with important information they will be able to share with their own congregation and congregations in their area.

Serving with you in Christ,
WELS President Mark Schroeder

 

 

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A Lutheran church body in Tanzania is recommended for fellowship with WELS

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The WELS Commission on Inter-Church Relations (CICR) has the responsibility of overseeing our synod’s relationships with other Lutheran church bodies in the United States and around the world. The vast majority of the commission’s time is spent strengthening the bonds of fellowship with our sister church bodies. But the commission also monitors what is going on in other Lutheran church bodies with which we are not in fellowship.

The CICR also communicates with Lutheran church bodies that are seeking fellowship with WELS. In recent years, discussions with such churches have led our synod to declare fellowship with Lutheran churches in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Uganda.

This beautiful trend continues as the worldwide fellowship expands. After several years of detailed doctrinal discussions between WELS representatives and the Africa Mission Evangelism Church of Tanzania, the CICR is recommending that our synod publicly and officially declare fellowship with the Africa Mission Evangelism Church at this summer’s synod convention. Such celebrations of newly established fellowship are always one of the highlights of a synod convention.

The Africa Mission Evangelism Church is a growing Lutheran church body that separated from its previous affiliation because of doctrinal reasons. It consists of 12,000 members in 78 congregations and is served by approximately 65 pastors. The head of the Africa Mission Evangelism Church is Bishop Baltazar Kaaya. Bishop Kaaya will be attending our convention this summer to tell us more about our new partner in Africa.

We thank God that he continues to build his church.

Serving with you in Christ,
WELS President Mark Schroeder

 

 

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Upcoming synod convention to look at the past and the future

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The 68th biennial convention of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod will be held at Martin Luther College, New Ulm, Minn., July 21-24, 2025. About 400 voting delegates from around the country will attend the convention.  

The theme of the 2025 synod convention is “Christ through us.” This theme highlights both God’s blessings to the synod as it celebrates its 175th anniversary in 2025 as well as God’s continued work through WELS in years to come. A new strategic plan that establishes synodical, congregational, and individual objectives and strategies will be introduced at the convention.  

“The convention provides grassroots input to the plans and priorities of the work we do together as a synod,” says WELS President Rev. Mark Schroeder. “I think that past delegates will tell you that attending a synod convention is an informative, uplifting, and memorable experience. Delegates hear reports from all areas of the synod’s ministries and gain a new appreciation for the opportunities and blessings that God provides.”  

The Book of Reports and Memorials, which will be available in May 2025, details information and items of business that will be discussed at the convention, including any memorials. A memorial is a formal request to the convention to take action on a specific matter or proposal. Synodical entities (boards, commissions, and other duly constituted groups); congregations; circuits; conferences; districts; pastors; male professors, teachers, or staff ministers; and voting members of WELS congregations may submit a memorial to be considered for inclusion in the printed Book of Reports and Memorials; the deadline is Jan. 15, 2025. Memorials submitted after Jan. 15 and approved for convention consideration will be posted on the convention website if they are received by June 15, 2025. Find more information and submission details at welsconvention.net.  

The synod in convention also will elect qualified individuals for various synod boards and commissions. A nomination alert for potential candidates for the synod Nominating Committee to consider for the ballot is currently open. All nominations must be received by Nov. 30, 2024. The list of candidates will be posted online by May 15, 2025. Keep up to date with synod convention updates at welsconvention.net. 

 

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