WELS enters new biennium financially strong

“WELS is blessed to enter the new biennium with strong financial footing,” said Mr. Kyle Egan, WELS’ chief financial officer and treasurer. “[This is] supported by robust reserves and a well-funded Financial Stabilization Fund, allowing for both annual stability and continued growth in mission and ministry.”

On Tuesday morning, Egan shared WELS’ recent financial information with synod convention delegates and later presented key elements of the proposed ministry financial plan for the upcoming biennium, covering fiscal years 2025–26 and 2026–27. Egan also highlighted the blessings of consistent annual increases in Congregation Mission Offerings, which fund approximately 70 percent of annual synod operating support.

Egan concluded his remarks with gratitude for the generosity of God’s people: “We give thanks to our gracious Lord for the continued, robust support through gifts, grants, and bequests, which enable the ongoing expansion of ministry [in WELS].”

Rev. Gary Pufahl, a pastor delegate from the Arizona-California District, is serving as chairman of the Financial Results and Ministry Financial Plan convention floor committee. “We praise and thank our gracious Lord for blessing WELS with financial stability,” Pufahl notes. “WELS exceeded projections and ended with an overall increase in reserves. Estimates indicate that this trend will continue in the next biennium. Thanks be to God as he continues to bring his gospel to people through WELS.”

In the coming days, convention delegates will consider adoption of the balanced ministry financial plan, which includes support for WELS ministerial education, WELS missions, congregation and district ministry, and ministry support. For details, see Egan’s full presentations, available at welsconvention.net/convention-resources.