Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod

The Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS), also

Wisconsin Evangelical
referred to simply as the Wisconsin Synod, is an American
Confessional Lutheran denomination of Christianity. Lutheran Synod
Characterized as theologically conservative, it was founded in
1850 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

As of 2022, it had a baptized membership of 340,511 in 1,250

congregations, with churches in 47 US states and 4 provinces of Classification Lutheran
Canada.[1] The WELS also does gospel outreach in 40 countries
Orientation Confessional
around the world.[2] It is the third largest Lutheran denomination
in the United States. The WELS school system is the fourth Lutheran
largest private school system in the United States.[3] Scripture Bible
Polity Congregational
The WELS is in fellowship with the Evangelical Lutheran
Synod (ELS) and is a member of the Confessional Evangelical Associations Confessional
Lutheran Conference (CELC), a worldwide organization of Evangelical
Lutheran church bodies of the same beliefs. Lutheran
Conference,
Belief and practice Formerly
Synodical
Conference
Doctrinal standards (1869–1963)
and General
The WELS subscribes to the Lutheran Reformation teaching of Council (1867–
Sola scriptura—"by Scripture alone." It holds that the Bible is 1869)
the final authority by which church teachings can be judged.
Region United States
WELS pastors have a quia subscription to the 16th century
Lutheran Confessions. As such, pastors and congregations within and 24 other
the WELS agree to teach in accordance with it. countries.
Headquarters Waukesha,
The WELS also agrees with the doctrine of Biblical inerrancy,
Wisconsin
the doctrine that the Bible is inspired by God and is without error
(2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Peter 1:20-21, 1 Corinthians 2:13, John Origin 1850
17:17, Psalm 12:6, Titus 1:2). For this reason, they reject much Milwaukee,
of modern liberal theology. Wisconsin,
U.S.

Differences from Lutheran Church–Missouri Separated from German

mission
Synod
societies
(1868)
The main facets of doctrinal difference between the WELS and
the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod (LCMS) include: Merger of Wisconsin,
Minnesota,
Fellowship – The WELS teaches that all forms of Michigan, and
Christian fellowship require a complete unity in
 matters of doctrine (Romans 16:17, Ephesians 4:3- Nebraska
6).[4] The LCMS, meanwhile, teaches that there are synods
different levels of fellowship among Christians, so that
Separations Protes'tant
altar fellowship (sharing in the Eucharist together),
pulpit fellowship (exchange of preaching privileges Conference
among ministers of various congregations), and other (1927)
manifestations of Christian fellowship (such as
Church of the
fellowship in prayer), are distinct. Thus, according to
LCMS doctrine, members of different church bodies Lutheran
can engage in greater or lesser degrees of fellowship Confession
depending on the extent of their doctrinal (1960)
disagreement.
Congregations 1,250[1]
Doctrine of the ministry – The WELS believes that
there are many different forms of one, divinely Members 340,511
established Ministry. These forms of the Ministry baptized[1]
include pastor, Christian day-school teacher, and 272,555
others (1 Corinthians 12:28, Ephesians 4:11).[5] The communicant[1]
LCMS teaches that only the pastoral office is divinely
Primary schools 284[1]
established, while all other church offices are human
institutions. Secondary schools 29[1]
Role of women in the church – The LCMS and WELS Official website www.wels.net
agree that Scriptures reserve the pastoral office for (https://www.w
men. In "This We Believe," published in 1999, WELS
els.net)
states that "women may participate in offices and
activities of the public ministry except where that work
involves authority over men (1 Timothy 2:11,12). This
means that women may not serve as pastors nor
participate in assemblies of the church in ways that
exercise authority over men (1 Corinthians 11:3; 14:33–
35)."[6] WELS does not allow women suffrage in
congregational matters that would exercise authority
over men. LCMS teaches that women may take on roles
of lay authority in the church, such as voting in church
The WELS holds to the belief of
elections and serving in "humanly established offices"
such as congregation president, reader, or member of “Sola scriptura” (“by Scripture alone”)
church councils, including elected executive roles in the
church.

Differences from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

Scriptural interpretation – The WELS confesses that the Bible is the inspired, inerrant and
infallible Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Peter 1:20-21, 1 Corinthians 2:13, John 17:17,
Psalm 12:6, Titus 1:2) and follows a historical-grammatical approach to interpretation. The
meaning of a portion of Scripture is discerned by paying careful attention to grammar, syntax,
vocabulary and context. In this regard, the historical setting forms part of the context of
Scripture, the text itself indicating how important a part. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America (ELCA), on the other hand, has been open to historical-critical methods of Biblical
interpretation which seek to understand the scriptures with primary reference to historical
and social context. Most other specific doctrinal differences between the two churches stem
from this overarching disagreement.
Creation – The WELS teaches that the account of creation given in Genesis 1–3 is a factual,
historical account,[7] while the ELCA has not enforced an official position, allowing members
to embrace positions ranging from strict creationism to theistic evolution.
 Sexuality – The WELS teaches that extramarital sex (1 Corinthians 7:2, Hebrews 13:4) and
homosexual relations (Romans 1:18-32, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, 1 Timothy 8-11) are sins,
while the ELCA and its predecessor churches are open to multiple viewpoints on these
matters.
Fellowship – The WELS teaches that churches must agree on all doctrines of Scripture
before they can enjoy any form of fellowship with each other (Romans 16:17, Ephesians 4:3-
6), while the ELCA teaches that agreement on all aspects of doctrine is not necessarily
required as a prerequisite for fellowship. It thus practices fellowship with a handful of other
mainline Protestant denominations.
Role of women in the church – The WELS holds that, according to Scripture, women may
not serve as clergy nor vote within their congregations where authority is exercised over
men (see above), while the ELCA's three predecessor churches began ordaining women
into the ministry in the 1970s, according to their interpretation of Scripture.
Communion – The WELS practices closed communion (1 Corinthians 10:16-17, 1
Corinthians 1:10, 1 Corinthians 11:26-32); it holds that the Eucharist is reserved for
confirmed members of the WELS, any sister church in fellowship with WELS, and other
individuals found upon examination to be in doctrinal agreement with the WELS.[8]

History

Beginning

The WELS's direct predecessor, known as The German Evangelical Ministerium of Wisconsin was
founded in 1850 by several churches in and around Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Many of the early pastors were
educated and trained by mission societies in Germany. The early churches in the Wisconsin Synod had a
strong German background; services and church business were conducted in German. Many of the pastors
and congregations brought with them a tolerance towards forming joint congregations with the Reformed,
similar to the Union Churches they left behind in Germany.[9] In 1864, the German Evangelical Lutheran
synod of Wisconsin was incorporated by an act of the state legislature.[10]

General Council

In the 1860s, the Wisconsin Synod became increasingly conservative along the Lutheran viewpoint and
against the Reformed. In the synod convention of 1867, the synod joined the General Council, a group of
Neo-Lutheran synods that left the General Synod because the latter body sought to compromise Lutheran
doctrine in order to join with non-Lutheran American Protestantism. However, some pastors in the
Wisconsin Synod agreed with the "open questions" position of the Iowa Synod that some doctrines could
be left unresolved and good Lutherans could agree to disagree about them.[11]

The 1868 convention witnessed a meaningful discussion on the topic of pulpit and altar fellowship, one of
the Four Points in American Lutheranism. Although there were several dissenting opinions, most of the
pastors and lay delegates realized that they could not in good conscience exchange pastors with non-
Lutherans or invite them to commune at their altar. They felt that the position the General Council took on
this subject was inadequate. They resolved that, unless it changed course, they would withdraw from the
General Council.[11]

Synodical Conference
Following the 1868 convention, representatives of the Wisconsin and
Missouri Synods held a meeting in Milwaukee during October 21–22,
1868.[11] They discussed various points of doctrine, writing an
agreement recognizing the Missouri and Wisconsin synods as
orthodox Lutheran church bodies and that they have fellowship. The
agreement noted that in the event a doctrinal error arose in one of the
two synods, they would not question each other's orthodoxy as long as
they both used all Christian means at their disposal to resolve the
problem. This agreement was later adopted by each of the synods in
The Synodical Conference was
convention.[12] founded in St. John's Evangelical
Lutheran Church in Milwaukee,
The Ohio Synod invited the Wisconsin Synod, Illinois Synod,
WI.
Missouri Synod, and Norwegian Synod, to Chicago on January 11–
13, 1871. There the synods drew up a document of association for the
synods to vote on at their next convention. They also invited the entire membership, both teachers and
pastors, of all the synods to attend a general convention the next year. This first meeting of the Evangelical
Lutheran Synodical Conference of North America, commonly called the "Synodical Conference", was held
in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on July 10–16, 1872. They wrote the constitution to the Synodical Conference,
which arranged the synods together as a federation and did not vest any real authority with the Synodical
Conference, either at the convention or board level.[13] The fellowship union included full communion
among members, the sharing of educational facilities, joint mission and benevolence work, and open pulpit
between pastors of the different synods.

Reorganization

The first convention of the Synodical Conference also endeavored to reduce the severe competition
between synods. The delegates planned to reorganize all Synodical Conference Lutherans into separate
state synods, although allowing for separate organization along the lines of the three languages—German,
Norwegian, and English.[14] The 1876 and 1877 conventions also took up this cause, and added to it the
goal of providing centrally located ministerial and teacher education campuses. The Minnesota Synod
favored the approach of organizing state synods, but only if they would be independent of the larger Ohio
and Missouri Synods.[15] Likewise, the Wisconsin Synod desired organization along state lines, but only on
the condition that they would be prohibited from joining any larger synodical body, that is, the already
existing Ohio and Missouri Synods. The Wisconsin Synod also did not think that it could derive any benefit
out of a centrally run seminary. In response to this strained relation between the Wisconsin Synod and the
other synods, the Synodical Conference elected a committee made up of Wisconsin Synod delegates and
other synods' representatives to repair relations with the Wisconsin Synod in time for the next convention in
1878.[16]

In 1878, the Wisconsin Synod withdrew its demand that the state synods had to be independent of the
Missouri or Ohio Synods.[16] The Missouri Synod needed to build a new seminary, since location at its
current campus was strained. Although there was considerable plans to build a new joint Synodical
Conference seminary near Chicago, because of the hesitance of the Wisconsin Synod on this subject and
the inability of any of the other members besides Missouri to contribute financially to the new project, it
was tabled, and ultimately never happened.[17]

The 1878 convention voted in favor of establishing state synods. These state synods were to organize into
two or three larger synods, one for the east (corresponding to the Ohio Synod), one for the southwest
(corresponding to the Missouri Synod), and one for the northwest (which would include all congregations
in Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, the Dakotas and all parts west). This formed three larger synods,
which solved the longstanding concern that if either the Missouri or Ohio synods were allowed to keep
their identity, they would dominate the rest of the Synodical Conference, or, even worse, the Minnesota or
Wisconsin Synods would be forced to join one of them. This new organization did not apply to
congregations speaking Norwegian, and English speaking congregations were to organize as separate
district synods within one of the larger synods.[18]

Schism

The Synodical Conference split when the Ohio Synod left the Synodical Conference in 1881 over the issue
of whether God predestined people according to his foreknowledge of whether they would come to faith.
The Ohio Synod had some pastors that allowed for this position, while the Missouri Synod declared it to be
false doctrine. This Election Controversy had been introduced by a German professor in the Norwegian
Synod, Friedrich A. Schmidt. The Norwegian Synod left the Synodical Conference in 1883, attempting to
keep the disunity they experienced within their synod from creeping into the Synodical Conference.
Meanwhile, the Wisconsin and Missouri synods stood together in cooperation and harmony during this
period of fierce debate.[19]

Bennett Law

Along with other ethnically German denominations, the Wisconsin Synod successfully spoke out in
opposition to the Wisconsin Bennett Law, a compulsory education law that also required certain subjects be
taught in English and put public authorities in charge of enforcing compliance in both public and private
schools. Wisconsin's German-American Lutherans and Catholics saw the law as an attack on their
parochial schools and parental rights. They also believed the law was a nativist attack on their German
culture. The law was enacted in 1889 and repealed in 1891.

Apache mission

In 1893, two Wisconsin Synod missionaries began work in

Arizona at Peridot and Old San Carlos in the San Carlos
Apache Indian Reservation among the Apache people.[20]
Congregations were soon established. Currently there are nine
Wisconsin Synod congregations on the reservation.[21]

1917 merger
Rev. Paul Mayerhoff lived in this tent for
six months in 1896 at the beginning of his
In 1892, the Wisconsin Synod had federated with the
Call as a Wisconsin Synod missionary to
Michigan and Minnesota synods to form the General
the Apache. He catechized children,
Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Wisconsin, Minnesota,
learned their language, and translated
Michigan and Other States. The Nebraska Synod joined the
parts of Luther's Small Catechism into
federation in 1904. In 1917 the synods voted to turn their Apache.
federation into a formal union, known as the Evangelical
Lutheran Joint Synod of Wisconsin and Other States. By
1930, the merger and other factors had pushed the Wisconsin Synod to become a primarily English-
speaking synod. The present name was adopted in 1959.

Protes'tant controversy
From 1926 to 1929, a small group of persons and congregations
were expelled or voluntarily left the WELS in an incident known as
the "Protes'tant Controversy." They formed the Protes'tant
Conference.

Breakup of the Synodical Conference

Doctrinal differences among the synods of the Synodical

Conference, especially concerning the doctrine and practice of
Winnebago Lutheran Academy, a
church fellowship, surfaced during the 1940s and '50s. Problems
WELS high school in Fond du Lac,
began when the LCMS began exploratory talks with leaders of the
Wisconsin, was founded in 1926.
American Lutheran Church (ALC). The ALC differed on its
doctrine of Predestination and therefore did not share doctrinal
fellowship with the Synodical Conference. Since there had been no recent change on the ALC's doctrinal
position, the LCMS was then charged by some within the Synodical Conference of changing its position
on church fellowship. After years of continued talks, the ELS severed its fellowship relations with the
LCMS in 1955 and withdrew from the Synodical Conference. Two years later the WELS publicly
recognized the same doctrinal disagreements with the LCMS, but rather than break fellowship, decided to
admonish the LCMS to return to its former practice.

Dissatisfaction over this decision led about 70 pastors and a similar number of congregations to leave the
WELS, ELS, and LCMS to form the Church of the Lutheran Confession (CLC). Their chief complaint
was that the WELS misapplied the principles of Christian fellowship by not breaking immediately with the
Synodical Conference and the LCMS after it had publicly recognized doctrinal disagreements. While the
WELS broke fellowship with the LCMS in 1961, the CLC and the WELS remain at odds regarding this
issue to this day. Recently, the WELS and ELS have been in formal discussions with the CLC over
doctrinal issues. The goal of these discussions is to restore fellowship with each other.[22][23][24]

Confessional Evangelical Lutheran Conference

In 1993, the ELS and WELS, working with a number of other Lutheran synods around the world—some
of which had been founded through mission work by both synods—founded a new international fellowship
organization which is the theological successor of the Synodical Conference: the Confessional Evangelical
Lutheran Conference (CELC).

Martin Luther College

Martin Luther College (MLC) was established in 1995 when

Northwestern College (NWC) in Watertown, Wisconsin combined
with Dr. Martin Luther College (DMLC) in New Ulm, Minnesota
at the New Ulm campus. MLC is a private liberal arts college that
is owned and operated by the WELS.[25] MLC offers several
undergraduate and graduate degree programs, all of which train
students for service in the Wisconsin Synod. Men who graduate
from the college's pre-seminary program may enroll at Wisconsin
Lutheran Seminary. Men and women who graduate from its
Martin Luther College in New Ulm,
education programs may be assigned by the Wisconsin Synod as
Minnesota
teachers and staff ministers to synod churches, schools, and
missions.[26]
The Chapel of the Christ was dedicated in 2010 at Martin Luther
College to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the WELS.[27]

New Latin American synod

In 2021, WELS sister churches in Bolivia, Colombia, Dominican

Republic, Haiti, and Venezuela came together with the WELS to
form a new synod: Iglesia Cristo WELS Internacional.[28]
The Chapel of the Christ at Martin
Luther College
Presidents

The following is a list of presidents of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod from 1850 to the present.

Years of Service President

1850–1860 Johannes Muehlhaeuser

1860–1864 John Bading

1864–1865 Gottlieb Reim

1865–1867 William Streissguth

1867–1887 John Bading

1887–1908 Phillip von Rohr

1908–1933 G.E. Bergemann

1933–1953 John Brenner

1953–1979 Oscar J. Naumann

1979–1993 Carl Mischke

1993–2007 Karl R. Gurgel

2007–present Mark G. Schroeder

Organization

Synodical government

The WELS is headed by a president and is supported by two vice presidents elected during its synod
convention for terms of four years. The president oversees the administration of the synod. The current
synod president is the Rev. Mark G. Schroeder.

Beneath the president are numerous administrative divisions addressing various areas of ministry. Among
these are ministerial education, world missions, home missions, parish services, and fiscal services.

Synod conventions are held biennially in odd-numbered years and consist of elected male lay members
from individual congregations from within the synod, ordained pastors and certified male teachers. Half of
all delegates are to be lay members while the remaining half is divided between pastors and teachers. Synod
conventions elect synodical leaders, and discuss and vote on synodical business. The WELS Synodical
Council governs the church when the church is not in convention. The council is made up of twenty-three
WELS members including eleven clergy and thirteen laymen. These men "act as a corporate board to plan
and direct WELS worldwide ministry",[29] but their decisions may be overruled by a synod convention.[30]

The WELS is divided into 12 geographical districts in the United States and Canada, each headed by a
district president elected in district conventions held during even-numbered years. District presidents serve
terms of two years.

Missions

WELS Missions consists of all of the mission efforts of the WELS. These missions are made up of Home,
World, and Joint Missions. Multi-Language Productions is an arm of WELS World Missions.

“Home Missions supports 126 congregations in the United States, Canada, and English-speaking West
Indies, and assists hundreds of other congregations with their campus ministry programs. World Missions
conducts gospel outreach in 40 foreign countries and is exploring outreach opportunities in 14 prospective
new mission fields. Joint Missions oversees any mission opportunity that is a combination of Home
Missions, World Missions, and Ministerial Education.“[31]

WELS Mission Journeys is the official WELS program for short-term mission trips for WELS members.
“Through church- or school-based volunteer trips to WELS mission fields at home and abroad, members
have the opportunity to engage in Christian service. Pre-trip training led by a Mission Journeys team leader
equips volunteers to have significant impact during their trip. While volunteering, the learning and sharing
of outreach ideas will allow teams to explore how they can use their God-given abilities to lead an outreach
event upon their return home.”[32]

Home Missions Asia

New Missions and Enhancements[33] Asia Lutheran Seminary[51]

Campus Ministry East Asia[52]
Antigua[34] India[53]
Canada[35] Indonesia[54]
St. Lucia[36] Pakistan[55]
Philippines[56]
Joint Missions
Thailand[57]
Hispanic Ministry[37] Vietnam - Hmong Outreach[58]
Pastoral Studies Institute (PSI)[38]
Europe
WELS Mission Journeys
Hmong Ministry[39] Albania[59]
South Asian Ministry[40] Bulgaria[60]
Sudanese Ministry[41] Russia[61]
Vietnamese Ministry[42] Ukraine[62]
Africa Latin America

Cameroon[43] Online teaching and training through

Ethiopia[44] Academia Cristo reaches people
 Kenya[45] throughout Latin America.[63]
Malawi[46] Bolivia[64]
Nigeria[47] Brazil[65]
Zambia[48] Columbia[66]
Central Africa Medical Mission[49] Ecuador[67]
Dominican Republic[68]
Apache Reservations
Haiti[69]
San Carlos Apache Reservation[50] Mexico[70]
Fort Apache Reservation Paraguay[71]
Puerto Rico[72]

Multi-Language Productions

Education

The WELS school system is one of the largest private school

system in the United States. As of 2021, WELS churches and
associations operate 362 early childhood centers, 284 elementary
schools, 29 high schools, 2 colleges, and 1 seminary across the
nation.[1]

The WELS maintains four schools of ministerial education: two

college preparatory schools, Michigan Lutheran Seminary and
Luther Preparatory School; a pre-seminary and teacher training
Resurrection Lutheran School, a
college, Martin Luther College in New Ulm, Minnesota; and a
WELS elementary school (Pre-K-8),
seminary for training pastors, Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary,
in Rochester, Minnesota
located in Mequon, Wisconsin.

Wisconsin Lutheran College, a liberal arts college in Milwaukee, is

affiliated with the WELS and "is owned and operated by a
corporation whose members consist of WELS congregations from
across the country."[73]

Campus ministry

The WELS has an extensive campus ministry system. The WELS

provides financial support for 30 campus ministry programs and Wisconsin Lutheran College in
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
assistance for 550 campus ministries in the United States and
Canada. The WELS also supports full and part-time campus
pastors.[74][75]
The first campus ministry program started in 1920 at the University
of Wisconsin—Madison. Today, Wisconsin Lutheran Chapel is a
campus ministry of the WELS that serves students of UW—
Madison and other colleges in Madison, WI.[76]

Christian Aid & Relief

Christian Aid & Relief (CAR) is a WELS organization that

provides disaster relief and humanitarian aid to people and WELS
Wisconsin Lutheran Chapel in
churches and missions in need.[77] Madison, Wisconsin

“The mission of Christian Aid and Relief is to reflect Christ’s love

and compassion to souls suffering from disasters and hardships.
Because of what Christ has freely done for us, we eagerly show we care by offering our time, talents, and
treasures to those in need.”[78]

CAR is made up mostly of volunteers who help in various ways. CAR also works with WELS missions
and churches for various efforts. CAR also partners with various organizations to help carry out their efforts
including Central Africa Medical Mission, Kingdom Workers, WELS Nurses Association, and Christian
Family Solutions.[79]

Discipleship

The WELS Commission on Discipleship is an organization that “... provides resources, encouragement,
and training to assist congregations as they seek to strengthen individuals and families in their connection to
Christ and their ongoing walk of faith.”[80] The focus of the WELS Commission on Discipleship is in the
following areas:

Youth related Congregation related

Apologetics Closing the Backdoor (member loss

Confirmation prevention)
Early Childhood Ministry Elder training
International Youth Rally Family Faith
Sunday School Member Integration
Youth Retention

Adult related

Interactive Faith Bible Studies

Marriage Enrichment
Small/Growth Group Ministries
WELS Men & Women’s Ministry

Military services
The WELS Military Services Committee provides spiritual services through full and part-time chaplains to
WELS members and other people in the United States Armed Forces. The WELS has a full-time civilian
chaplain in Europe and a national civilian chaplain and liaison to the military. The WELS also has 122
pastors who serve as part-time chaplains throughout the United States and around the world.[81]

Deaf and hard of hearing

The WELS Mission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing helps congregations to serve the deaf and hard of
hearing. “The Mission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing offers resources to aid ministry to people who are
deaf or have any degree of hearing loss.”[82]

Visually impaired

The WELS Mission for the Visually Impaired helps congregations serve those who cannot see or who
because of visual impairment or a print impairment cannot read a book or other printed material. The
WELS Mission for the Visually Impaired is able to provide a wide variety of Christian resources for free to
anyone who qualifies because of copyright law.

“Volunteers at the Mission for the Visually Impaired Workshop in South St Paul, Minn. and across the US
produce Christian materials in audio formats, braille and large print. These materials are distributed free of
charge throughout the world to WELS and non-WELS people who need them.”[83]

Evangelism

The WELS Commission on Evangelism “... assists congregations to seize opportunities the Lord provides
to evangelize lost souls by developing and promoting evangelism resources and by promoting evangelism
attitudes, structures, and programs consistent with Christian doctrine.”[84]

What About Jesus is “... a website that presents basic belief topics in an easy-to-understand format for those
who aren’t familiar with God’s Word.“

The WELS Commission on Evangelism also has made a series of Christian movies to be used as
evangelism tools. These movies include Road to Emmaus,[85] Come Follow Me,[86] My Son, My
Savior,[87] and To the Ends of the Earth.[88]

The WELS Commission on Evangelism also offers the School of Outreach for WELS congregations. “The
School of Outreach serves WELS congregations with planning, assistance, and resources for
congregational evangelism programming and implementation of outreach strategies.”[89]

The WELS Commission on Evangelism also offers evangelism courses through the Martin Luther College
continuing education program.[90]

Multi-Language Productions
The WELS Multi-Language Productions (MLP) has made more than 2.9 million audio, video, and print
materials. MLP has also made online training resources in over 54 languages. “Through these resources
MLP can assist and enhance outreach for all churches, especially in places where WELS does not have
resident missionaries. The majority of MLP products are evangelism and Bible Study resources to be used
by anyone who sees a need for ministering to others in Christ.”[91]

Congregational counseling

The WELS Commission on Congregational Counseling “assists WELS congregations to assess and
evaluate ministry, review biblical teachings and principles that impact ministry, develop plans to adjust and
expand ministry in appropriate ways, and carry out their plans over a period of time.”[92]

Publishing

Northwestern Publishing House (NPH)[93] is the official publishing house for the Wisconsin Evangelical
Lutheran Synod. Located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, it produces a wide variety of materials including
curriculum, periodicals, books, and worship resources. The publications are mainly for use of churches,
schools, pastors, and members of the WELS. Its retail store, NPH Christian Books and Gifts, was also
located in Milwaukee, but closed in September 2018. NPH has since moved to the synod's headquarters,
the WELS Center for Mission and Ministry.[94]

Since June 23, 1891, Northwestern Publishing House has served the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran
Synod and its members with a variety of products and programs. The mission of NPH is to publish and
provide biblically sound material that communicates, fosters, and supports the Christian faith and life.

Main WELS periodicals include Forward in Christ: A Lutheran Voice, the WELS's monthly family
magazine, and Wisconsin Lutheran Quarterly, a quarterly theological magazine.

Most WELS churches use Christian Worship: A Lutheran Hymnal, with some using the 1941 Lutheran
Hymnal[95] or no hymnal at all. In 1911, the Wisconsin Synod published Church Hymnal for Lutheran
Services.[96] Christian Worship: Hymnal is a new hymnal published by Northwestern Publishing
House.[97] It was released during the Advent season, 2021.

Membership
The WELS experienced significant growth during much of the
twentieth century. In 1925, there were 139,226 members in 662
churches.[98] By 1950 there were over 300,000 members.[98]
Membership peaked in the early 1990s at just over 400,000 and has
declined slightly since that time.[98] In 2006 the denomination
reported 395,497 members in 1,276 congregations.[98] In 2022, the
denomination reported 340,511 baptized members.[1] Wisconsin
remains the geographic center of the denomination, with over 400
A WELS church in Jenera, Ohio
churches and over 200,000 members.[99] Other than Wisconsin, the
states with the highest rates of adherents are South Dakota,
Minnesota, Michigan, and Nebraska.[99]
Before the late 1960s, the denomination was almost entirely found
in the states of the Great Lakes and Great Plains, but with the
migration of WELS people to Southern and Western states and the
influx of former LCMS conservatives to the WELS, membership
outside the region grew strongly in the 1970s and 1980s.

Church fellowship
Fellowship between the WELS and other church groups is
established only upon investigation and confirmation that both A modern WELS church in West St.
church groups hold complete unity in doctrine. The WELS is in Paul, Minnesota
fellowship with the members of the Confessional Evangelical
Lutheran Conference, which meets this requirement.

See also
Christian Family Solutions
Evangelical Heritage Version

References
1. "Annual Report" (https://wels.net/about-wels/official-reports/annualreport/). Wisconsin
Evangelical Lutheran Synod. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
2. "WHERE WE ARE" (https://wels.net/serving-others/missions/). August 3, 2023.
3. Hunt, T.; Carper, J. (2012). The Praeger Handbook of Faith-Based Schools in the United
States, K-12, Volume 1. ABC-CLIO. p. 177. ISBN 978-0313391392.
4. "Church Fellowship" (https://wels.net/about-wels/what-we-believe/doctrinal-statements/chur
ch-fellowship/). Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20170409210236/https://wels.net/abo
ut-wels/what-we-believe/doctrinal-statements/church-fellowship/) from the original on April 9,
2017.
5. "Church and Ministry" (https://wels.net/about-wels/what-we-believe/doctrinal-statements/chu
rch-and-ministry/). Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20170312091737/https://wels.net/a
bout-wels/what-we-believe/doctrinal-statements/church-and-ministry/) from the original on
March 12, 2017.
6. WELS beliefs (https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20080102192641/http://www.wels.net/cgi-bi
n/site.pl?2617&collectionID=783&contentID=4433&shortcutID=4869)
7. "Statement of Beliefs - II. Creation, Man, and Sin" (http://www.wels.net/what-we-believe/state
ments-beliefs/this-we-believe/creation-man-and-sin). Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/
20110720144535/http://www.wels.net/what-we-believe/statements-beliefs/this-we-believe/cr
eation-man-and-sin) from the original on July 20, 2011. Retrieved June 13, 2011.
8. "Close communion and membership" (http://wels.net/faq/close-communion-and-membershi
p/). May 14, 2015. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20161023220234/http://wels.net/fa
q/close-communion-and-membership/) from the original on October 23, 2016.
9. Roy A Suelflow.Walking With Wise Men. Milwaukee: South Wisconsin District (LCMS),
1967, p.72.
10. See this list of Private and local laws passed by the Legislature of Wisconsin (https://books.g
oogle.com/books?id=7gIrAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA119) Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/201
60427094119/https://books.google.com/books?id=7gIrAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA119) April 27,
2016, at the Wayback Machine for the text of the Act.
11. Roy A Suelflow.Walking With Wise Men. Milwaukee: South Wisconsin District of the
Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod, 1967, p.107.
12. Roy A Suelflow.Walking With Wise Men. Milwaukee: South Wisconsin District (LCMS),
1967, p.108.
13. Roy A Suelflow.Walking With Wise Men. Milwaukee: South Wisconsin District (LCMS),
1967, p.109.
14. Roy A Suelflow.Walking With Wise Men. Milwaukee: South Wisconsin District (LCMS),
1967, p.110.
15. Roy A Suelflow.Walking With Wise Men. Milwaukee: South Wisconsin District (LCMS),
1967, p.112.
16. Roy A Suelflow.Walking With Wise Men. Milwaukee: South Wisconsin District (LCMS),
1967, p.113.
17. Roy A Suelflow.Walking With Wise Men. Milwaukee: South Wisconsin District (LCMS),
1967, p.114.
18. Roy A Suelflow.Walking With Wise Men. Milwaukee: South Wisconsin District (LCMS),
1967, p.115.
19. Roy A Suelflow.Walking With Wise Men. Milwaukee: South Wisconsin District (LCMS),
1967, p.120.
20. "Apacheland Mission History" (https://web.archive.org/web/20120328025653/http://archive.
wels.net/cgi-bin/site.pl?2617&collectionID=733&contentID=101624&shortcutID=32538).
archive.wels.net. Archived from the original (http://archive.wels.net/cgi-bin/site.pl?2617&coll
ectionID=733&contentID=101624&shortcutID=32538) on March 28, 2012. Retrieved July 23,
2011.
21. "Apacheland: Mission Statistics" (https://web.archive.org/web/20120328025701/http://archiv
e.wels.net/cgi-bin/site.pl?2617&collectionID=733&contentID=1085&shortcutID=2948).
archive.wels.net. Archived from the original (http://archive.wels.net/cgi-bin/site.pl?2617&coll
ectionID=733&contentID=1085&shortcutID=2948) on March 28, 2012. Retrieved July 23,
2011.
22. "Progress in doctrinal discussions" (https://web.archive.org/web/20161223184730/https://we
ls.net/progress-in-doctrinal-discussions/). Archived from the original (https://wels.net/progres
s-in-doctrinal-discussions/) on December 23, 2016. Retrieved December 9, 2016.
23. "Doctrinal discussions continue between the CLC, the ELS, and WELS" (https://web.archiv
e.org/web/20161223175647/https://wels.net/doctrinal-discussions-continue-between-the-clc
-the-els-and-wels/). Archived from the original (https://wels.net/doctrinal-discussions-continu
e-between-the-clc-the-els-and-wels/) on December 23, 2016. Retrieved December 9, 2016.
24. "Summary of the September meeting of the COP" (https://wels.net/summary-of-the-septembe
r-meeting-of-the-cop/). Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20161223182218/https://wels.n
et/summary-of-the-september-meeting-of-the-cop/) from the original on December 23, 2016.
25. Martin Luther College 2018-19 Undergraduate Catalog (https://mlc-wels.edu/undergraduate-
catalog/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2018/03/2018-19-Catalog-3.15.2018.pdf) (PDF). New
Ulm, Minnesota. 2018. pp. 3, 5, 42, 62, 65. Retrieved May 16, 2018.
26. "Mission Statement – About" (https://mlc-wels.edu/about/mission-statement/). Martin Luther
College. Retrieved May 16, 2018.
27. "Chapel of the Christ – History" (https://mlc-wels.edu/history/chapel-of-the-christ/). mlc-
wels.edu. Retrieved July 12, 2018.
28. "New synod in Latin America forms" (https://wels.net/new-synod-in-latin-america-forms/).
December 7, 2021. Retrieved January 3, 2022.
29. "WELS Synodical Council (SC)" (https://web.archive.org/web/20090626221531/http://www.
wels.net/cgi-bin/site.pl?2601&collectionID=1581). Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod.
Archived from the original (http://www.wels.net/cgi-bin/site.pl?2601&collectionID=1581) on
June 26, 2009.
30. "Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod, "Proceedings of the Fifty-ninth Biennial
Convention" Report of Floor Committee No. 7, Resolution No. 5, Subpoint 'a' " (https://wayba
ck.archive-it.org/all/20080102093040/http://www.wels.net/cgi-bin/site.pl?2617&collectionID=
1161&contentID=79339&shortcutID=26870). Milwaukee, Wisconsin: Northwestern
Publishing House. 2007. p. 40. Archived from the original (http://www.wels.net/cgi-bin/site.p
l?2617&collectionID=1161&contentID=79339&shortcutID=26870) on January 2, 2008.
Retrieved May 11, 2008.
31. "Missions" (https://wels.net/serving-others/missions/). Retrieved March 28, 2020.
32. "Mission Journeys" (https://wels.net/missionjourneys/). Retrieved March 28, 2020.
33. "Home Missions New Starts and Enhancements" (https://wels.net/serving-others/missions/h
omemissions/newstarts/). Retrieved March 28, 2020.
34. "Antigua" (https://wels.net/serving-others/missions/homemissions/antigua/). Retrieved
March 28, 2020.
35. "Canada" (https://wels.net/serving-others/missions/homemissions/canada/). Retrieved
March 28, 2020.
36. "St. Lucia" (https://wels.net/serving-others/missions/homemissions/st-lucia/). Retrieved
March 28, 2020.
37. "Hispanic Ministry" (https://wels.net/serving-others/missions/jointmissions/hispanic/).
Retrieved March 28, 2020.
38. "Pastoral Studies Institute (PSI)" (https://wels.net/serving-others/missions/jointmissions/psi/).
Retrieved March 28, 2020.
39. "Hmong Ministry" (https://wels.net/serving-others/missions/jointmissions/hmong/). Retrieved
March 28, 2020.
40. "South Asian Ministry" (https://wels.net/serving-others/missions/jointmissions/south-asian/).
Retrieved March 28, 2020.
41. "Sudanese Ministry" (https://wels.net/serving-others/missions/jointmissions/sudanese/).
October 31, 2019. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
42. "Vietnamese Ministry" (https://wels.net/serving-others/missions/jointmissions/vietnamese/).
Retrieved March 28, 2020.
43. "Cameroon" (https://wels.net/serving-others/missions/africa/cameroon/). Retrieved March 28,
2020.
44. "Ethiopia" (https://wels.net/serving-others/missions/africa/ethiopia/). Retrieved March 28,
2020.
45. "Kenya" (https://wels.net/serving-others/missions/africa/kenya/). Retrieved March 28, 2020.
46. "Malawi" (https://wels.net/serving-others/missions/africa/malawi/). Retrieved March 28, 2020.
47. "Nigeria" (https://wels.net/serving-others/missions/africa/nigeria/). Retrieved March 28, 2020.
48. "Zambia" (https://wels.net/serving-others/missions/africa/zambia/). Retrieved March 28,
2020.
49. "Medical Mission" (https://wels.net/serving-others/missions/africa/medical-mission/).
Retrieved March 28, 2020.
50. "Apache Mission" (https://wels.net/serving-others/missions/apache-mission/). Retrieved
March 28, 2020.
51. "Asia Lutheran Seminary" (https://wels.net/serving-others/missions/asia/asia-lutheran-semin
ary/). Retrieved March 28, 2020.
52. "East Asia" (https://wels.net/serving-others/missions/asia/east-asia/). Retrieved March 28,
2020.
53. "India" (https://wels.net/serving-others/missions/asia/india/). Retrieved March 28, 2020.
54. "Indonesia" (https://wels.net/serving-others/missions/asia/indonesia/). Retrieved March 28,
2020.
55. "Pakistan" (https://wels.net/serving-others/missions/asia/pakistan/). September 6, 2018.
Retrieved March 28, 2020.
56. "Philippines" (https://wels.net/serving-others/missions/asia/philippines/). January 16, 2020.
Retrieved March 28, 2020.
57. "Thailand" (https://wels.net/serving-others/missions/asia/thailand/). Retrieved March 28,
2020.
58. "Vietnam – Hmong Outreach" (https://wels.net/serving-others/missions/asia/vietnam/).
Retrieved March 28, 2020.
59. "Albania" (https://wels.net/serving-others/missions/europe/albania/). Retrieved March 28,
2020.
60. "Bulgaria – Outreach to Roma" (https://wels.net/serving-others/missions/europe/bulgaria/).
Retrieved March 28, 2020.
61. "Russia" (https://wels.net/serving-others/missions/europe/russia/). Retrieved March 28,
2020.
62. "Ukraine" (https://wels.net/serving-others/missions/europe/ukraine/). Retrieved March 28,
2020.
63. "Academia Cristo brings new opportunities to share the gospel" (https://forwardinchrist.net/a
cademia-cristo-brings-new-opportunities-to-share-the-gospel/). September 2019. Retrieved
January 29, 2021.
64. "Bolivia" (https://wels.net/serving-others/missions/latin-america/bolivia/). Retrieved
March 28, 2020.
65. "Brazil" (https://wels.net/serving-others/missions/latin-america/brazil/). Retrieved March 28,
2020.
66. "Colombia" (https://wels.net/serving-others/missions/latin-america/colombia/). Retrieved
March 28, 2020.
67. "Ecuador" (https://wels.net/serving-others/missions/latin-america/ecuador/). Retrieved
March 28, 2020.
68. "Dominican Republic" (https://wels.net/serving-others/missions/latin-america/dominican-rep
ublic/). Retrieved March 28, 2020.
69. "Haiti" (https://wels.net/serving-others/missions/latin-america/haiti/). Retrieved March 28,
2020.
70. "Mexico" (https://wels.net/serving-others/missions/latin-america/mexico/). Retrieved
March 28, 2020.
71. "New missionaries commissioned" (https://wels.net/annual-report-newmissionaries-2020/).
December 30, 2019. Retrieved August 30, 2020.
72. "Puerto Rico" (https://wels.net/serving-others/missions/latin-america/puertorico/). Retrieved
March 28, 2020.
73. "About WLC" (https://www.wlc.edu/About-WLC/#Accordion-1-6). Retrieved August 4, 2021.
74. "CONNECTING CAMPUS TO CHRIST" (https://wels.net/serving-you/christian-life/campus-
ministry/). Retrieved March 3, 2020.
75. "Wisconsin Lutheran Chapel, Madison, Wis" (https://wels.net/wisconsin-lutheran-chapel-ma
dison-wis/). January 3, 2019. Retrieved March 3, 2020.
76. "Welcome to Chapel" (https://www.wlchapel.org/im-new/welcome/). Retrieved March 3,
2020.
77. "Christian Aid & Relief" (https://wels.net/serving-others/christian-aid-relief/). Retrieved
March 13, 2020.
78. "About CAR" (https://wels.net/serving-others/christian-aid-relief/about-car/). Retrieved
March 13, 2020.
79. "Partnering Ministries" (https://wels.net/serving-others/christian-aid-relief/partnering-ministrie
s/). Retrieved March 13, 2020.
80. "Discipleship" (https://wels.net/serving-you/christian-life/discipleship/). WELS.net. Retrieved
April 19, 2021.
81. "Military Services" (https://wels.net/serving-you/christian-life/special-ministries/military-servic
es/). Retrieved March 3, 2020.
82. "Deaf and Hard of Hearing" (https://wels.net/serving-you/christian-life/special-ministries/deaf
-and-hard-of-hearing/). WELS.net. July 12, 2023.
83. "Visually Impaired" (https://wels.net/serving-you/christian-life/special-ministries/visually-imp
aired/). WELS.net. April 4, 2023.
84. "Evangelism" (https://wels.net/serving-you/christian-life/evangelism/). Retrieved March 27,
2020.
85. "Road to Emmaus" (https://wels.net/serving-you/christian-life/evangelism/road-to-emmaus/).
Retrieved March 27, 2020.
86. "Come Follow Me" (https://wels.net/serving-you/christian-life/evangelism/come-follow-me-m
ovie/). Retrieved March 27, 2020.
87. "My Son, My Savior" (https://wels.net/serving-you/christian-life/evangelism/my-son-my-savio
r/). Retrieved March 27, 2020.
88. "To the Ends of the Earth" (https://wels.net/serving-you/christian-life/evangelism/totheendsoft
heearth/). Retrieved March 27, 2020.
89. "School of Outreach" (https://wels.net/serving-you/christian-life/evangelism/school-of-outrea
ch/). Retrieved March 27, 2020.
90. "Online Evangelism Certificate Program" (https://wels.net/serving-you/christian-life/evangeli
sm/online-evangelism-certificate-program/). Retrieved March 27, 2020.
91. "Multi-Language Productions" (https://wels.net/serving-others/multilanguageproductions/).
Retrieved March 13, 2020.
92. "Congregational Counseling" (https://wels.net/serving-you/christian-life/congregational-coun
seling/). Retrieved March 12, 2020.
93. http://www.nph.net Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20020603200639/http://www.nph.n
et/) June 3, 2002, at the Wayback Machine
94. "New location for Northwestern Publishing House" (https://wels.net/new-location-for-northwe
stern-publishing-house/). July 2, 2019.
95. The Lutheran Hymnal (http://www.projectwittenberg.org/etext/hymnals/tlh/) Archived (https://
web.archive.org/web/20130609032247/http://www.projectwittenberg.org/etext/hymnals/tlh/)
June 9, 2013, at the Wayback Machine on Project Wittenburg
96. Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Wisconsin. Church Hymnal for Lutheran Services.
Milwaukee: Northwestern Publishing House, 1911.
97. "Christian Worship" (https://www.christianworship.com/). Retrieved April 6, 2020.
98. "Historic Archive CD and Yearbook of American & Canadian Churches" (http://www.thearda.
com/Denoms/D_986.asp). The National Council of Churches. Archived (https://web.archive.
org/web/20100411123939/http://www.thearda.com/Denoms/D_986.asp) from the original on
April 11, 2010. Retrieved December 7, 2009.
99. For a county by county map, see Wisconsin Synod Adherents as a percentage of all
Residents (http://www.valpo.edu/geomet/pics/geo200/religion/wels.gif) Archived (https://web.
archive.org/web/20090121212845/http://www.valpo.edu/geomet/pics/geo200/religion/wels.g
if) January 21, 2009, at the Wayback Machine, or for a state by state map, see "2000
Religious Congregations and Membership Study" (http://www.thearda.com/Denoms/D_896_
d.asp). Glenmary Research Center. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20100411115259/
http://www.thearda.com/Denoms/D_896_d.asp) from the original on April 11, 2010.
Retrieved December 7, 2009.

Further reading
Wolf, Edmund Jacob. The Lutherans in America: A Story of Struggle, Progress, Influence
and Marvelous Growth (https://archive.org/details/thelutheransinam00wolfuoft). New York: J.
A. Hill. 1889.

External links
Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod website (http://wels.net/)
Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary website (http://www.wls.wels.net/)
Northwestern Publishing House website (http://www.nph.net/)
Profile of WELS on the Association of Religion Data Archives website (http://www.thearda.co
m/Denoms/D_896.asp)

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?

title=Wisconsin_Evangelical_Lutheran_Synod&oldid=1177590747"