Delegate blogs—or online journals—will give five delegates to the 2007 synod convention the opportunity to describe an insider’s view of the convention. These blogs will also allow you to ask questions and make comments on the delegates’ journal entries. Here is the list of bloggers and a portion from each delegate’s biographical profile. To read more about these delegates, visit archive.wels.net/convention and click on the Imprint—WELS Web log logo in the center of the page.

Robert Brander, member of St. Paul, Calgary, Alberta, Canada:
“This will be my first synod convention but I have attended a district convention and three WELS-Canada conventions. . . . [These conventions put] the seemingly big problems/concerns of our local congregation in perspective when examined in context with what is going on elsewhere in the synod, showing the true needs of our church body.”

Donovan Kemerley, member of Immanuel, Findlay, Ohio:
“After prayer, [delegates must] ‘sift and discern’ the issues and keep to the point of what’s best for the future work of God’s kingdom. This requires people to look past the present and see to the future welfare of coming generations in our church body.”

Wayne Laitinen, pastor at St. John, New Ulm, Minn.:
“[I] see our synod at a defining moment in its history. It is time for wholesome introspection. Have we, who claim to have ‘the gospel in its truth and purity,’ subtly succumbed to a market paradigm?”

Paul Patterson, teacher at Peace, Sun Prairie, Wis.:
“This will be a convention filled with passion. . . . We are at a crossroads. With the election of a new president we will be selecting a man who, God willing, will lead us through these troubled times.”

Daniel Witte, pastor at Risen Savior, Bradenton, Fla.:
“I’m concerned about the priorities of our synod, our congregations, and of us all, individually. Are we seeking first the kingdom of God and his righteousness? Are we honoring God with our firstfruits?”