About Congregational Counseling

“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another” (Hebrews 10:25,26).

Our Philosophy

If a congregation is doing all it can to share the gospel, then numbers don’t matter.

That is one of the mottos of the CCC.  We believe that firmly.

Our calling is not to make God’s Church grow.

Our calling is not to increase the number of members who are in worship or Bible study.

Our calling is not to make members give more generously to the Lord’s work.

Only the Holy Spirit, working through the Word and sacrament, can accomplish such supernatural things.

We simply respond to Christ’s love by heeding his call to do all we can to share the gospel with our members and with the lost.

It is vital we understand what our calling is… and isn’t.   For “health” in a church is not measured like health in a business. The spiritual reality is that a congregation can be growing but still be unhealthy.   Conversely, a healthy congregation may be in decline.   What determines health?    Not numbers, but the presence and faithful use of the life-saving, eternity-changing gospel.

Therefore, we believe that a “healthy congregation” is simply one that is regularly asking itself, “What else can we do to help all people know Jesus?”

May God grant that among us all.

OUR PURPOSE

The 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.

CCC RESOURCES

Find resources from the Commission on Congregational Counseling on the WELS Resource Center.

Demographic study

Download and read “A Demographic Study of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod” from the Commission on Congregational Counseling.

Rev. Jonathan Hein – Demographic Study Video

What We Do

 

Self Assessment and Adjustment

The SAA program is used to evaluate a congregation’s ministry and community.   The congregation does self-analysis to determine health in key areas of ministry.

Ministry Organization and Staffing

The MOSE program examines how a congregation intends to implement their ministry plan.   It does this by evaluating the amount and type of human resources the plan requires and comparing that to the resources available in the congregation.

School of Strategic Planning

The School of Strategic Planning is a day and a half event that enables participants to examine and analyze the tools used for strategic planning within the church.

SUPPORT THESE MINISTRIES

You can help WELS provide support to congregations and ministries with your prayer and with your gifts.

CONTACT US

Contact WELS Congregational Counseling for more information.