BWM responds to opportunities
From the office of President Mark Schroeder
The Board for World Missions (BWM) continually discusses and plans how best to use the resources available for foreign mission work. The BWM has often stated that these decisions should be made for "strategic" rather than for financial reasons. In other words, the board is always looking for ways to get the gospel to as many people as possible. It also strives to plant mission churches that will be able to flourish independently after WELS missionaries leave. Sometimes this approach requires shifting missionary manpower and funding from one field to another—not because the funding for World Missions has been reduced, but because the opportunities in one field may appear to be more abundant than in another. Certainly, all of these decisions involve the prayerful use of sanctified human judgment.
In its recent meeting, the BWM considered new opportunities such as those in Asia, as well as factors "on the ground" in several existing mission fields. The board made a decision to reallocate some of their resources. Support for mission work in Bulgaria and Albania will be reduced; two missionary positions in Latin America (a missionary in the Dominican Republic and one of the positions in the Latin American Traveling Theological Educators team) will also be vacated. The financial resources that had been allocated for these areas have been reallocated to other promising mission efforts in eastern and southern Asia. In addition, the BWM will continue to work with people in the reduced fields to help them adjust to the new circumstances and to make sure that the spiritual needs of our fellow Christians continue to be met.
If you have any questions about the plans and decisions of the Board for World Missions, please contact BWM Administrator Dan Koelpin at dan.koelpin@sab.wels.net or 414-256-3233.
Election day encouragement
Unless you have been living in a cave somewhere, you might have noticed that we are about to hold an election in our country. Across the United States on Tuesday, citizens will be choosing people to represent them at all levels of government.
We recognize the special blessings that we have in this country, highest among them the freedom to worship God and proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ without restriction or limitation. As Christians, we also recognize the responsibilities we have to exercise our citizenship and to participate in the process of choosing those who will lead and represent us.
We often pray for godly leaders and good government. We recognize how a society benefits when the government faithfully carries out its responsibilities to protect the lives and promote the well-being of its citizens. As we recognize and pray for those blessings, it's important for all of us to participate in choosing those leaders by voting. This Tuesday, please take the time to cast your vote.
Serving in Christ,
Mark Schroeder
Filed Under: , BWM, election, vote, World Missions
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Compiled by WELS Communication Services
Members step up to support Year of Jubilee
Individual members of WELS congregations are stepping up to support the Year of Jubilee, a special offering authorized by the 2007 synod convention to eliminate the synod's $22.4 million debt and free up as much as $2.7 million each year for other ministry.
WELS Ministry of Christian Giving reports that in at least two churches, financially blessed laypeople have committed to match whatever the rest of the congregation gives. In one congregation of about 160 members, an individual is committing up to $10,000; in another of about 260 members, two members together are committing up to an $8,000 match.
None of the donors wished to be identified, but each is expressing enthusiasm for the offering. "We experience the love and joy of giving to the Lord together with hundreds of thousands of others who share the same love for their risen Lord," says one. "The reduction or elimination of the debt will mean that WELS will have greater resources to share our love of Christ with countless people who do not yet know him and the eternal joy that comes from being a child of God."
Congregations will be celebrating Year of Jubilee throughout the months of November and December. Worship resources for pastors are available online. Individuals can also give offerings online.
Filed Under: Christian Giving, donation, Finance, gift, jubilee, Year of Jubilee
Expanding women's ministry
After gathering ideas and input from people across the synod, the Women's Ministry Committee, part of WELS Commission on Adult Discipleship, met Oct. 22 to begin coordinating projects that encourage and equip women to use their God-given talents for service. Nineteen new women joined the existing five committee members to help carry out these initiatives.
"We've expanded so we can have more people to help us learn, grow, and to get the message out there that there are so many things that God has gifted women to do inside and outside of our churches," says Nicole Balza, member of the executive committee. "It's just a blessing to see so many talented women that the Lord has blessed come together to do his work."
The committee first formed in 2003. Its most notable project to date is the "Heirs Together" Bible study to educate and encourage both men and women about serving together. Published in 2007, the study was a joint effort between Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary Professor Richard Gurgel and Kathie Wendland, both members of the Women's Ministry Committee. Future projects include planning a second national women's leadership conference, developing a women's magazine, and creating a Web site that acts as an online community for women.
Linda Buxa, new committee member from Sacramento, Calif., says she appreciates women of all ages and from all parts of the country getting involved in this expanding ministry. "These women are amazing," she says. "They really love Jesus and are so devoted to serving him and reaching out to others. They see how God has called men and women to serve him together. With more people on the committee we can encourage each other and keep the ministry moving forward."
The committee is looking for more interested women to help. For service opportunities, or to learn more about the Women's Ministry Committee, visit www.wels.net/jump/women
Filed Under: adult discipleship, CAD, Womens Ministry Committee
Online resources strengthen ministry
In an effort to increase awareness about online learning opportunities for called workers, congregational leaders, and laypeople, WELS is celebrating National Distance Learning Week Nov. 10-14. Congregations are encouraged to discover and take advantage of resources and courses covering a variety of topics from parenting to technology.
"We live in a world where continuing education, both formal and informal, is necessary to keep abreast of a rapidly changing educational paradigm," says Dr. Jim Grunwald, WELS director of distance learning. "Online learning can bring quality educational opportunities and doctrinally sound resources directly into schools, congregations, and homes, and allows WELS to be of greater service to [people] that simply could not be served with traditional face-to-face methods of education due to location and local responsibilities."
Resources include tutorials and support for congregations utilizing the church management software, Shepherd's Staff, and the synod's Web hosting solution, FinalWeb. Called workers and lay people can explore online learning opportunities—including graduate studies—at Martin Luther College. WELS also offers several online Bible study courses including "Explore the Bible," a sixteen-lesson Bible information class; a study of the book of John; and a topical Q&A.
Parents and Sunday school teachers will benefit from mini-courses designed for them. Says one user, "Just yesterday I discovered the WELS.net University courses for Sunday School teachers. What an amazing and complete resource! Kudos to all who put that together. Keep up the great work!"
To view available online resources and learning opportunities, visit www.wels.net/jump/ndlw
Filed Under: distance learning, Techology, Training
WELS in the news
"WELS in the news" is a new feature that will periodically highlight WELS congregations, schools, or individuals featured in local or national media for positive reasons.
If you hear of congregations making local or national news in your area, please let us know.
This issue: a story about the 175th anniversary of Salem, Ann Arbor, Mich., featured in the Oct. 25 issue of The Ann Arbor News.
Spotlight on Streams: watch choral festivals live
For the first time WELS will be live streaming concerts at two regional high school choral festivals. Almost 500 students from more than 20 Lutheran high schools across the country will be performing.
Illinois Lutheran High School, Crete: Nov. 9 at 2 p.m., CST
Minnesota Valley Lutheran High School, New Ulm: Nov. 16 at 2 p.m., CST
Watch the concerts live on Streams.
Filed Under: choral fest, high school, Lutheran, Streams
