Tag Archive for: Together10132026

Examining WELS at 175: a video series discussing WELS’ 2025 statistical report

/in ,

ā€œThe 2025 Statistical Summary & Analysis does not tell a simple story,ā€ says Jonathan Hein, director of WELS Congregational Services. ā€œThere is good news. There is hard news. And there are several findings that may surprise you because they do not fit your first assumptions.ā€

Hein details the information presented in the 2025 statistical report in a new series of videos titled ā€œExamining WELS at 175.ā€ The title references the 175th anniversary of WELS, which was celebrated in 2025. The first two videos in the series are now available.

In addition, Hein will lead a webinar covering these statistics and answering audience-submitted questions on Wednesday, November 18, at 6:00 p.m. CST to discuss some of the realities for WELS at 175.

ā€œData never tells the whole story, but it helps us recognize trends and better understand the challenges and opportunities before us,ā€ says Hein.

Watch the first two of six videos that preview key points to be discussed during the webinar and look for the remaining videos in future issues of Together.


Examining WELS at 175: Record Gains, Record Losses

Record numbers of adults and families are finding their way into WELS through evangelism and personal invitations, even as overall membership continues to decline. Demographic shifts, member retention, and changing family patterns have created new challenges, while God continues to open doors to share the gospel with more people than ever before.


Examining WELS at 175: The Thinning Pipeline

While fewer children, teens, and young adults are a part of WELS, the synod remains on a strong demographic foundation with significant opportunities ahead to engage young adults, strengthen families, and welcome new people.

 

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Fall 2026 meeting update from WELS Conference of Presidents

/in ,

The Conference of Presidents (COP) met at the WELS Center for Mission and Ministry in Waukesha, Wis., October 6-9, for its annual fall meeting. Although the COP met virtually during the summer, this was its first in-person meeting with the five new district presidents. During its meeting, the COP heard reports from WELS ministries and took action on or approved several items. Some items of note:

  • The COP issued a provisional call to Mr. Joshua Birkholz to serve as the director of the Ministry of Christian Giving.
  • It appointed District President Jonathan Schroeder as the COP liaison to the WELS Technology Committee.
  • The COP adopted resolutions related to call request guidelines and Martin Luther College teacher certification.
  • Mark Gabb, administrator for WELS Home Missions, reported that the rising costs of opening and supporting new mission locations are causing budgetary pressures. He explained several adjustments the Board for Home Missions is considering in its program going forward.
  • Chief Financial Officer Kyle Egan reported that WELS ended the 2025ā€“2026 fiscal year in a good financial position, supported by higher-than-anticipated gifts and lower-than-planned expenses. As planning begins for the next biennium, he noted that while local ministry offerings have generally kept pace with inflation, Congregation Mission Offerings (CMO) have not. As a result, a smaller share of congregational giving is being directed toward our shared ministry as a synod, and inflation is reducing how much ministry those offerings can support.
  • Larry Schlomer, administrator for WELS World Missions, detailed the blessings of expanded ministry in Latin America through Academia Cristo and new gospel outreach in Senegal. Work in the United Kingdom has expanded to four preaching stations.
  • Congregational Services and Home Missions are identifying areas of mutual effort to consider possible future partnerships.
  • Lutheran Schools gave an update on the WELS theology curriculum project, which is now in the writing phase.

Current Conference of Presidents

WELS President Mark Schroeder
WELS First Vice President Joel Voss
WELS Second Vice President John Bortulin
Arizona-California District President Joel Heckendorf
Dakota-Montana District President Benjamin Tomczak*
Michigan District President Snowden Sims
Minnesota District President Dennis Klatt
Nebraska District President Stephen Helwig*
North Atlantic District President Michael Seifert
Northern Wisconsin District President Kevin Westra*
Pacific Northwest District President Daniel Lange
South Atlantic District President Jonathan Schroeder*
South Central District President Paul Seager*
Southeastern Wisconsin District President Daniel Leyrer
Western Wisconsin District President Michael Jensen
WELS Secretary Tyler Peil, advisory

*elected in 2026

Serving together with you in Christ,
WELS President Mark Schroeder

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Home Missions faces $2 million reduction in spending

/in ,

The work of WELS Home Missions has always involved balancing aggressive efforts to plant new churches and reach the lost with wise and diligent stewardship of the resources God provides.

Over the past several years, Home Missions has been blessed with opportunities to expand its work and support new mission starts. During that same time, however, the costs of supporting more than 100 mission congregations have increased significantly. Inflation has had a direct impact on many Home Missions expenses, including healthcare costs, interest and rental rates, construction costs, insurance premiums, and many other expenses. All of this has placed increased pressure on the Home Missions budget.

ā€œWeā€™re thankful for the opportunities God has given us to plant new churches and support existing home mission congregations across the country, and WELS members have responded generously with their gifts to support that work,ā€ says Mark Gabb, Home Missions administrator. ā€œAt the same time, the costs of supporting home mission churches have continued to rise far more rapidly than expected.ā€

As Home Missions plans for fiscal year 2027-2028, those rising expenses have made it necessary to reduce spending by approximately $2 million. This is not the result of a $2 million reduction in synodical budget support or a decrease in special gifts. Rather, expenses have grown faster than available income. Acting now will position Home Missions to continue its ministry into the future.

The Board for Home Missions and district mission boards are working together to determine how those reductions can be made thoughtfully and responsibly. As an initial step, the Board for Home Missions has paused calling home missionaries for new mission starts that are currently vacant while this work continues. The hope is that calling can resume in April.

ā€œThere are some difficult, but necessary, decisions ahead. Itā€™s not lost on us that some decisions will impact peopleā€™s lives. But diligent stewardship sometimes requires taking necessary steps today so that ministry can continue tomorrow,ā€ says Gabb. ā€œOur mission hasnā€™t changed. Weā€™re still committed to planting churches, reaching more people with the gospel, and faithfully using the resources God provides to carry out that work.”

 

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Fifty writers begin work on theology curriculum: video update

/in ,

In the fall 2026 video update, Melanie Giddings, WELS Lutheran Schools curriculum coordinator, shares progress on the theology curriculum project. Watch the video to learn more about

  • the four writing teams
  • the focus on lifelong engagement with Godā€™s Word
  • preparations for production
  • the working timeline

To learn more about the theology curriculum project, visit the website for current and archived information.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Luther Preparatory School ā€“ October 2026 update

/in ,

Luther Preparatory School in Watertown, Wis., is investing in building a new music center. Matt Crass, president, describes what the “Magnify” project entails and how it will help enhance the musical education of our future called workers.

This is the second video in a series of updates provided by Charlie Vannieuwenhoven, administrator for WELS Board for Ministerial Education, about WELS schools preparing students for full-time ministry.

 

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

WELS