Conference of Presidentsā winter 2025 meeting
The Conference of Presidents (COP) met for its winter meeting Jan. 7ā10, 2025. The COP is composed of the 12 district presidents, the synod president, and the two synod vice presidents. The synod secretary serves as a non-voting advisory member of the COP.Ā
My presidentās report included these items:Ā
- Reaction to the COPās pastoral letter on man-woman roles has been positive with few questions or concerns raised.Ā
- Reaction to the COPās pastoral brief on critical theory has also been generally positive. The few questions or concerns that have been raised have usually centered on the fact that there were aspects of this topic that the brief did not specifically address. The purpose of the brief was not to provide an exhaustive study of critical theory but to underline the scriptural principles involved and to enable WELS members to approach this subject from a biblical and evangelical perspective.Ā
- WELS is pursuing plans to declare fellowship with the Africa Mission Evangelism Church in Tanzania. This is a Lutheran church body with whom WELS has had extensive discussions to determine that our two church bodies are in doctrinal agreement.Ā
- The new long-range plan, entitled āChrist through us,ā is still under development and will be ready for presentation to the synod convention in July.Ā
There are 140 parish pastor vacancies as well as 6 non-parish pastoral vacancies.Ā
The COP authorized a special synodwide offering related to the synodās 175th anniversary. The offering will be directed to the synod in general, world missions, home missions, and ministerial education. More specific uses for the offering by each area of ministry will be announced prior to the start of the offering. Congregations and individuals will be invited to participate.Ā
Congregational Services will be releasing samples of alternative governance structures for congregations in the coming months. District constitution committees will be equipped to answer questions that may arise when it comes to congregational governance and related bylaws.Ā
The COP authorized Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary to begin a generosity campaign in support of its planned building project. If all parts of the project can be done, it will provide classrooms, remodeling of current space for faculty offices, remodeling of portions of the library, and a gathering space attached to the gymnasium.Ā
The Doctrine Committee of the COP will hold its annual meeting with the Doctrine Committee of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod in January.Ā
The deadline for congregations to submit their 2024 statistics and their 2025 Congregation Mission Offering (CMO) subscriptions is February 7. Looking ahead to CMO encouragement for 2026, āJoyful Generosityā and other stewardship materials will be made available by September 2025, including a CMO video presentation.Ā
Serving with you in Christ,
WELS President Mark SchroederĀ
We thank God for sparing Hope Lutheran Church, in Los Angeles, which was within 10 miles of the fires. Additionally, there have been no reports of significant loss or damage from members.
WELS Christian Aid and Relief provided a $6,000 grant to Hope to help with local efforts and to provide gift cards for people who lost their homes or were displaced. In addition, Christian Aid and Relief gave $5,000 to Direct Relief, an organization that specializes in medical assistance in disaster situations.
The Commission on Worship is part of WELS Congregational Services, which exists to encourage and equip congregations for faithful and fruitful gospel ministry. Part of Prangeās new role as director will be supporting congregations in worship and worship planning. This includes helping congregations and worship planners understand what resources are available from the 2021 WELS Hymnal Project and how to use them as well as discovering what resources may still need to be developed. āI think I can be helpful to any willing participant in the church who asks how to improve worship, no matter what their circumstance,ā he says.Ā 
