Examining WELS at 175: a closer look at schools as mission fields and the called worker paradox
“The 2025 Statistical Summary & Analysis showed us one of WELS’ largest mission fields is sitting right in our classrooms,” says Jonathan Hein, director of WELS Congregational Services. “Our mission is the same, but how we do it will look different from one congregation to another.”
In these next two installments in the ongoing video series, “Examining WELS at 175,” Hein details more information presented in the 2025 statistical report. The title references the 175th anniversary of WELS celebrated in 2025.
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.
“Data never tells the whole story, but it helps us recognize trends and better understand the challenges and opportunities before us,” says Hein.
Watch the next two videos in the six-video series that previews key points to be discussed during the webinar and look for the remaining videos in future issues of Together.
Examining WELS at 175: The Mission Field at our Door
Nearly half of the students in WELS schools now come from families outside the fellowship, creating daily opportunities to share Christ’s love and truth. Although those connections do not always lead to lasting congregational involvement, they open the door to relationships that can have an eternal impact.
Explore the mission field God has placed before you and consider how you can connect more families to a church home.
Examining WELS at 175: The Called Worker Paradox
Pastor and teacher vacancies are a familiar challenge across WELS, yet more men and women are serving as called workers today than at any other time in the synod’s history. Growing schools, expanding mission fields, and changing ministry needs have created more opportunities for gospel work than the current workforce can fully meet. As WELS seeks to faithfully steward the people and resources God has provided, we need to pray boldly and think creatively about the opportunities God places before us.
Pray for future church workers, encourage someone you know to consider ministry, and share Christ’s saving love with those around you.
