Why we do what we do
Dear Friend,
WELS often communicates the “what” of our work—what we are doing for the Lord with the offerings his people provide. But even more important is the “why” of what we do. So I’d like to take this opportunity to review our motivation.
It starts with the blessings of our almighty Heavenly Father whose fingerprints are evident in the complexity at every level of his design. He created a special relationship with human beings. But pride led to our fall from this relationship. It brought on the devastating struggle with sin and death. Amazingly, as soon as we had fallen, God was there to catch us with his promise of a coming Savior.
It’s hard for us to believe that God didn’t simply crush the human race when, throughout the history of the Old Testament, the waves of our rebellion kept crashing at his feet. Still, his saving promises proclaimed through the prophets persisted and were fulfilled in the arrival of Jesus the Son of God.
Jesus has wowed audiences through the ages with his righteous life, authoritative teaching, miracles, and even spoken endorsements from God. He had to shift the thinking of his followers from earthly glory to an even greater spiritual victory. He did not come to be served but to serve—and to give his life as a ransom for many.
And that is what happened when he died on the cross. At the cross, God’s justice and love came together powerfully. Through the eternal Son of God, our sins were eternally punished, and his righteousness eternally credited to us. His resurrection from the dead loudly proclaims to all that the curse of sin is broken, that we have been declared not guilty, and that heaven is our home. It beckons us to follow Christ for safe passage through mankind’s ultimate obstacle.
Christ’s victory has a definite impact on our earthly lives. He calls us through his good news of forgiveness of sins to “go and make disciples of all nations.” WELS bases its mission statement on this Great Commission, aiming to allow “congregations and their members to extend the reach of their God-given mission of proclaiming the gospel in Word and sacrament.”
To proceed with the mission, believers faithfully—trusting in the Giver to continue to provide—donate their possessions to the Lord’s work just like Jesus’ disciples (Luke 8:1-3) and the early church (Acts 2:44-45). We do this especially through our congregational offerings, which fund nearly three-fourths of the synod’s work. Direct gifts to WELS are also factored into our church body’s ministry plan.
Since our Savior’s vision to reach lost sinners is boundless, we are committed to expanding synod ministry as support increases. Since 2023, there have been 45 new home mission starts and enhancements. World Missions is exploring outreach opportunities in 16 fields and has placed missionaries in new locations like London, Australia, and the Philippines. And we are grateful that this month’s ministerial education school graduations will increase the number of teachers, staff ministers, and pastors serving our congregations.
It’s a beautiful privilege that God allows us to work intimately with him to reach out to and disciple others. Even now—just like we’ll be doing in heaven—we can glorify his name! What better way to steward our lives and our resources during our short time on this earth?
Yours in Christ,
Kurt Lueneburg
Director, WELS Ministry of Christian Giving
Prayer: Triune God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—we praise you for mercifully fulfilling your promises to provide us undeserving sinners with a Savior. Thank you, Jesus, for giving up heaven to live with us on earth and carrying out a holy life for us amid sin and temptation. Thanks also for suffering hell for us as the deserved punishment for our sin and giving us your innocence so that, by trusting in you, we stand holy before God. May your Spirit strengthen us to live in joyful thanks to you by obeying your commands and sharing the good news of your salvation with others. Amen.
