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Annual Report 2007
President's message The theme of the 2007 WELS Synod Convention was "Declare His Praises." That theme was intended not only to guide decisions made during those five days last summer; it was chosen to describe the very purpose and nature of all that we do together as a synod. Through this instrument called the Wisconsin Synod, God gives us the privilege of joining our hearts and our resources in carrying out the kinds of kingdom work that we can't easily do as individual Christians or congregations. We declare his praises with our decision to expand our efforts in establishing viable confessional Lutheran mission churches throughout the world. We declare his praises with our desire to expand our efforts to share the gospel in new ways and in new places in the United States. We declare his praises in our commitment to train well-qualified pastors, teachers, and staff ministers to serve in a variety of ways in congregations, schools, and mission settings. We declare his praises with our continuing commitment to preach and teach his Word faithfully, clearly, and consistently. We all have different roles in carrying out our ministry. The reports that follow are descriptions of those different roles and how God has blessed our work. As you read through this report, let each page be a description not of our accomplishments, but of God's grace and blessing. These reports are stories of God's power and love, not of what we have done. God is the one who blesses. We have only to declare our praise for him with our lips, our hearts, and our lives. Mark Schroeder
59th biennial synod convention sets the direction for WELS Nearly 400 delegates meeting at Martin Luther College in New Ulm, Minn., July 30-Aug. 3, 2007, set a bold new direction for WELS ministry in the next biennium. In perhaps its most significant resolution, the convention made clear what it sees as the role of the synod—to carry out together work that congregations can’t easily do individually. In practical terms, that means prioritizing missions and our ministerial education system. The convention prayerfully decided to maintain and expand these areas—rather than to cut back as has been the trend. To lead the synod over the next four years, delegates elected Rev. Mark Schroeder president. The former president of Luther Preparatory School, Watertown, Wis., succeeds Rev. Karl Gurgel who retired after 14 years in office. As part of the new direction, delegates adopted a budget that eliminates $600,000 in cuts proposed for the 2008-09 budget for the Board for World Missions and adds $2 million to the 2008-09 budget for the Board for Ministerial Education. The convention-approved budget keeps Michigan Lutheran Seminary in Saginaw, Mich., open instead of closing it at the end of this school year as proposed. With inflationary factors and other spending authorized by the convention, the convention-approved budget requires $2.6 million more in support than budgeted for fiscal year 2008-09. To fund the increase, convention resolutions call for a special stewardship effort to emphasize long-term spiritual growth, and direct the Conference of Presidents to maintain and enhance current funding efforts and authorize a special offering to reduce synodical debt. If necessary, the Synodical Council is to make adjustments to the 2008-09 budget primarily from Ministry Support, internal borrowing repayment, or Parish Services, and is to make every effort to retain budgets for the Boards for Home and World Missions and the Board for Ministerial Education. For more information, visit www.wels.net/jump/convention
Conference of Presidents funds the mission One of the chief roles of the Conference of Presidents in following the direction set by the convention is to fund the synod’s ministry plan. To do so, the 12 district presidents are encouraging congregations to evaluate the offerings they give to the synod to carry out the work we do collectively. The goal is that all congregations would commit 10 percent of their total receipts. At that level of giving, the $2.6 million needed is well within reach. The Conference of Presidents has also authorized a special "Year of Jubilee" offering in 2008 to eliminate the synod’s debt of $22.4 million. If God blesses the efforts, $3.2 million in annual debt payments would be freed up to conduct other ministry. The Conference of Presidents plays a vital role in overseeing and maintaining the doctrinal unity we enjoy as a synod—a God-given blessing unique among American church bodies.
Synod President: Rev. Mark Schroeder Synod First Vice President: Rev. Wayne Mueller Synod Second Vice President: Rev. James Huebner Synod Secretary: Rev. Robert Pasbrig Arizona-California District President: Rev. Paul Janke Dakota-Montana District President: Rev. Peter Naumann Michigan District President: Rev. John Seifert Minnesota District President: Rev. Larry Cross Nebraska District President: Rev. Joel Frank North Atlantic District President: Rev. Joel Petermann Northern Wisconsin District President: Rev. Douglas Engelbrecht Pacific Northwest District President: Rev. Theodore Lambert South Atlantic District President: Rev. John Guse South Central District President: Rev. Vilas Glaeske Southeastern Wisconsin District President: Rev. David Rutschow Western Wisconsin District President: Rev. Herbert Prahl
For more information, visit www.wels.net/jump/cop
Synodical Council manages the resources The Synodical Council, the synod’s governing board made up of both laymen and called workers, is charged with managing the activities of the synod in pursuit of the mission laid out by the convention. Meeting three times a year, these God-fearing men exercise faithful stewardship in managing the offerings brought forward by God’s people. Since the convention, members have voted to consolidate the synod’s four individual debts into one. The move helps reduce confusion over the variety of interest rates—and in the process saves about $550,000 in the 2008-09 fiscal year budget.
Rev. Mark Schroeder Rev. Wayne Mueller Rev. James Huebner Mr. Dale Anderson Mr. Rodger Anderson Mr. Kurt Austad Mr. Warren Ehlke Rev. Douglas Engelbrecht Dr. John Freese Mr. Seth Hansen Mr. Philip Hempel Mr. Ron Hillman Mr. Paul Holzhueter Rev. Paul Janke Rev. Phil Koelpin Rev. Joel Leyrer Rev. Peter Naumann Mr. John Oswald Mr. Tom Schlittenhart Mr. David Steinert Rev. Donald Sutton Mr. Robert Timmerman Rev. Earle Treptow Rev. Charles Westra
For more information, visit www.wels.net/jump/sc
Ministerial Education trains the workers The Board for Ministerial Education is charged with overseeing the training of a new generation of called workers to serve God’s people, a mission reaffirmed by synod convention delegates who voted to maintain the synod’s three-tiered, four-school system of ministerial education. That system includes Luther Preparatory School, Watertown, Wis.; Michigan Lutheran Seminary, Saginaw, Mich.; Martin Luther College, New Ulm, Minn.; and Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, Mequon, Wis. Through offerings and special gifts, WELS members subsidize one-fourth to one-third of the cost of education for future called workers at these schools. As the costs of education rise, so do concerns about how to maintain and increase the number of students preparing for public ministry. Increased cost is cited as the major factor for decreasing enrollment throughout the ministerial education schools over the past five years. Peter Kruschel, Board for Ministerial Education administrator, says one of the most exciting blessings in 2007 is the increasing number of students from minority, ethnic, and immigrant groups desiring to study for the public ministry. Evidence of this was seen in May when five Hmong men and one Venezuelan graduated from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary through the Pastoral Studies Institute, which trains men from diverse ethnic backgrounds to serve as pastors. For more information, visit www.wels.net/jump/bme
Home Missions reaches out domestically The Board for Home Missions helped congregations establish 11 new ministry positions in 2007, including placing five Hmong pastors, one Latino pastor, and one West Indian pastor into the mission field. Harry Hagedorn, administrator for Home Missions, says, "We continually give thanks for the many ethnic groups that the Lord gives us as neighbors. We are privileged to work with Hispanics, Hmong, Vietnamese, Sudanese, Chinese, Japanese, and others." In 2007 Home Missions also supported the establishment of new congregations in Henry County, Ga.; Brighton, Colo.; Round Rock, Tex.; Hugo, Minn.; Clinton Township, Mich.; Palm Coast, Fla.; Billings, Mont.; and Land O’ Lakes, Fla. In response to the synod convention’s resolution to support and expand the mission counselor program, Home Missions has decided to fully man four mission counselor positions. For the last three years, one of the positions has been left unfunded. A mission counselor’s primary role is to help missionaries and mission-minded congregations plan and implement gospel outreach. The convention also encouraged Home Missions to continue helping congregations with partnering and team ministry so more souls might be gathered and equipped. "There are so many places and ways for us to praise and proclaim Christ," notes Hagedorn, "that now is an urgent time to help start as many gospel outreach congregations and ministries as possible." Did you know? For more information, visit www.wels.net/jump/bhm
World Missions reaches out abroad "Many doors are being opened," says Dan Koelpin, World Missions administrator. "Opportunities in Southeast Asia and Africa offer much potential for the future." In February 2007, the Board for World Missions excitedly took its first step toward a commitment to outreach in Mozambique, an African country that borders Malawi. It approved manpower and funding for mission work to this hurting nation, which is recovering from years of war and destruction. In October 2006, an exploratory team visited Mozambique and created a ministry plan for helping reach many souls with the gospel. This plan involves shifting existing manpower and funding from other areas in Africa to take advantage of these emerging opportunities in Mozambique. Also in 2007 more than 12,000 people were reached in Nepal and Pakistan without a resident missionary through the use of resources translated and published by WELS Multi-Language Publications. These Bible-based materials were distributed to Christians in these regions who shared them with friends and neighbors. WELS Multi-Language Publications provides Christian literature in more than 40 different languages for outreach to diverse ethnic groups. Did you know? For more information, visit www.wels.net/jump/bwm
Parish Services strengthens, equips, and encourages "Spiritually healthy individuals result in healthy congregations. Spiritually healthy congregations result in a healthy synod," says Bruce Becker, Parish Services administrator. Becker is excited by the gospel ministry that Parish Services carries out on behalf of the synod. Parish Services’ core objective is to provide congregations with resources, training, and personal assistance to strengthen, equip, and encourage God’s people. Highlights in 2007 include: Adult Discipleship—Faith Focused Finances, a personal financial course, was launched to provide congregations with training and tools to help Christians grow in their faith and life. A new Bible study, Heirs Together of God’s Gracious Gift of Life, encourages scriptural study and discussion of the relationships of men and women. Evangelism—Eleven Schools of Outreach helped 54 congregations organize and plan for evangelism programs. One hundred forty-eight congregations attended one-day district evangelism workshops. Each month more than 37,000 visitors benefit from WhatAboutJesus.com, a site designed to reach those unfamiliar with Christianity. Parish Assistance—Individual leaders and their congregations repeatedly express that these consulting services are a blessing. Congregations in a variety of circumstances continue to request Parish Assistance’s services. Parish Schools—The number of schools seeking WELS School Accreditation, a process that allows WELS schools to achieve accreditation recognized by WELS and other accrediting agencies, is growing rapidly. This accreditation process ensures that schools are based on sound scriptural and educational principles. Special Ministries—The Jail Ministry Training Team is helping WELS members begin or expand local jail ministries. Thousands of inmates continue to use WELS Bible correspondence courses. New National Civilian Chaplain Paul Ziemer serves as WELS’ liaison to the military and trains the 125 WELS civilian chaplains in the United States. Worship—Christian Worship: Supplement will be published before the July 2008 national worship conference. This hymnal supplement is aimed at congregations that are looking for more ways to enrich their worship with quality, gospel-centered hymns, songs, and worship forms. Youth Discipleship—LivingBold.net was completely redesigned so that teens have more opportunities to interact on the site. Youth Discipleship also created WELS.net University online mini-courses for Sunday school staff development and parenting education. More than 1,500 young people attended the international youth rally in Dallas. Did you know? For more information, visit www.wels.net/jump/bps
Other areas work in support of ministry
The launch of new endowment funds in 2006 is already bearing fruit. The funds are designed to provide for the long-term financial stability of WELS’ mission and ministry. Two main funds have been established—one provides financial assistance to students preparing for public ministry, the other supports WELS mission programs. $4.4 million has been collected in direct gifts and $31.4 million is committed in deferred gifts. The first annual distribution—$237,758—was given out in 2007. In 2008, the Ministry of Christian Giving will launch the "Year of Jubilee" campaign authorized by the Conference of Presidents. The goal is to eliminate the synod’s $22.4 million debt and free up $3.2 million annually for ministry—dollars that would have been spent to pay down principal and interest.
The synod convention encouraged streamlined communication between synod administration and congregations. To that end, Communication Services is publishing a bi-weekly e-newsletter, Together, that is sent directly to more than 5,000 called workers and congregations. A growing list of lay subscribers is being developed. To subscribe, visit http://together.wels.net/subscribe. In 2008, look for a more coordinated message coming from WELS’ key communication platforms: Forward in Christ magazine, WELS Connection video, Together e-newsletter, and www.wels.net. The goal is to better communicate a positive WELS identity—one that celebrates the blessings we enjoy as a church body.
WELS Technology in 2007 facilitated the Financial Services improvement project authorized by the 2005 convention, which provides reliable accounting and donor management systems and services to synod staff. In 2008, look for a reorganized and more user-friendly synod Web site. Did you know?
Our financial picture Thanks to God’s grace and the faithful stewardship of his people, operating gifts and expenses were virtually balanced for fiscal year (FY) 2006-07. Total operating financial support for the year was $32.4 million, about $600,000 more than budgeted. Operating expenses were $32.3 million, about $500,000 more than budgeted. The $100,000 will be used to restore the buffer fund, created to offset future shortfalls as needed. But the operating budget represents only a fraction of the synod’s ministry. For instance, the operating budget includes World Missions, but it does not include direct gifts to specific world missions or other ministries. Likewise, it only includes the operation subsidy for the synod’s four ministerial education schools, not the full cost of ministerial education—and it does not reflect the operations of the synod’s subsidiaries—Northwestern Publishing House, WELS Church Extension Fund, WELS Foundation, and WELS Investment Funds. Consolidated, the synod’s ministry cost $80.3 million in FY 2006-07—$48.0 million above and beyond the operating budget. The above and beyond amount includes, among other costs, $21.0 million not reflected in the operating budget to run the four ministerial education schools, plus an additional $4.2 million for missions at home and abroad. Consolidated, the synod received support of $96.2 million in FY 2006-07 or about $63.8 million above and beyond the operating budget. This above and beyond amount includes student tuition and fees of $11.6 million; sales of $9.5 million; $20.2 million in gifts from individuals, foundations, and bequests; and $20.0 million of investment income. All told, the synod’s net assets increased in FY 2006-07 by $15.9 million. About $11 million of the increase was from gifts to the endowments for ministerial education and missions or from donors for direct gifts to specific ministries for use in the future. The remaining balance represents amounts designated for future ministry programs and services. For more information, visit www.wels.net/jump/fin
WELS Mission Statement As men, women, and children united in faith and worship by the Word of God, the Wisconsin Ev. Lutheran Synod exists to make disciples throughout the world for time and for eternity, using the gospel in Word and sacrament to win the lost for Christ and to nurture believers for lives of Christian service, all to the glory of God. Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod
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