Board for Parish Services
414-256-3228; bruce.becker@sab.wels.net
The Board for Parish Services hosted a national leadership forum in November 2008 in which leaders from 30 congregations across the country that have been blessed with significant growth in worship attendance over the past ten years discussed ministry trends, identified opportunities and challenges, and shared ideas. “Our ultimate goal is to learn from these congregations: what they are doing and how God is blessing those efforts,” says Pastor Bruce Becker, administrator for Parish Services. Information and ideas from this forum will be reviewed for common themes and shared with synod leaders. The forum was funded by special gifts and a grant from Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.
For the first time since August 2006, WELS Parish Assistance—which offers fee-based consulting services to help congregations analyze and improve their ministries—has three full-time consultants. Pastor Paul Kelm accepted the call to be the third consultant in October 2008. Kelm, whose most recent call was serving as pastor at St. Mark, De Pere/ Green Bay, Wis., already has served as a parish consultant from 1998 to 2004. “This call is something that I think matches my gifts and my personality,” says Kelm. “And my years here at St. Mark, in a large parish, have helped to shape some of the ways in which I can help congregations as well.”

Commission on Youth Discipleship
414-256-3274; cyd@sab.wels.net
Registration information has been mailed to all congregations for the 2009 WELS International Youth Rally, which will be held July 8-11 at Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa. Actual registration begins March 2. Youth groups and individuals are also invited to enter the Rally Commercial Contest or the WELS Got Talent competition to win a cash prize for themselves and their congregation’s youth ministry. Entries must be received by March 15. You can access information about the rally and the rally competitions as well as register online at www.welsyouthrally.net.

Board for World Missions
414-256-3233; dan.koelpin@sab.wels.net