COP addresses important issues
From the office of President Mark Schroeder
The Conference of Presidents (COP) held its quarterly face-to-face meeting last week. Here's a recap of the most important matters discussed.
Doctrine and practice
One of the most important roles of the COP is to oversee doctrine (what we believe and teach) and practice (what we do in applying our beliefs). When it met, the COP had a lengthy discussion about the importance of retaining our unity in both areas.
Some congregations, in a desire to reach as many people as possible with the gospel, have been considering some new and different approaches and methods, especially in the areas of worship and outreach. Cautions and concerns have been voiced about some of these trends. Expressing the commitment to maintain our synod's faithfulness to the Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions, the COP concluded that "the underpinnings of 'non-traditional' type of worship cannot be ignored" and that we need to be careful to "walk the 'narrow Lutheran road' between legalism—and ignoring and failing to admonish where practices are contrary to or dangerous to the principles of gospel proclamation and the efficacy of the means of grace."
As a result of this concern, the COP resolved that "an ad hoc committee be convened in consultation with the [COP] doctrine committee that can . . . address this issue and produce a study document that can be shared with circuits and also congregations for study and careful evaluation of practices in worship, sacraments, outreach, organization, music selection, etc."
Convention essays
The theme of the 2009 synod convention will be "Christ's Love, Our Calling." The COP directed that two essays be presented to the convention expanding on this theme. The first essay dealing with Christ's love will focus on the efficacy of the means of grace, in which God conveys his grace to us through Word and sacrament. The second essay, dealing with our calling, will have an emphasis on the many aspects of the Christian's calling, including a focus on the call to faith, the call to proclaim the gospel, the call into the public ministry, and the Christian's vocation. These essays, in keeping with the recommendations of the Ad Hoc Commission, will form the basis for two years of synodwide Bible studies in circuits, conferences, and congregations.
Budget planning for 2009-10
Last November, we received word that financial support from two major sources would be drastically reduced. This required the areas of ministry to revisit their plans for the next two years and to identify areas in which reductions can be made. This also required a delay in the plans of the Synodical Council to adopt a budget at its February meeting. The budget will now be adopted at the April meeting of the Synodical Council. The proposed budget will be built around the priorities established by the 2007 synod convention, but the level of funding available will also mean program cuts in the priority areas of Missions and Ministerial Education. Every effort will be made to make reductions in ways that do not cause long-term harm to the mission and ministry of the synod. We will also be looking at available sources of one-time funding to provide a well-planned transition to the new level of funding.
The Conference of Presidents has the responsibility of funding the mission of the synod. They will continue to encourage congregations to support the work of the synod through Congregation Mission Offerings and by means of participation in an annual Walking Together Sunday. Materials for a 2009 Walking Together service will be mailed to all congregations in early February.
Circuit pastor system
The COP is anticipating the recommendation of the Ad Hoc Commission to find ways to improve and enhance the effectiveness of the circuit pastor system. The COP has already begun to discuss practical ways in which the system can be improved and will continue those discussions in future meetings.
Early childhood education
The COP recognizes the growing need for qualified early childhood education teachers and encouraged Martin Luther College to continue its efforts to increase the number of qualified early childhood education candidates.
Please continue to remember the members of the Conference of Presidents in your prayers. They are God-given leaders who have been entrusted with weighty responsibilities in helping our synod to carry out its mission and to remain faithful to God's Word and the Lutheran Confessions.
Serving in Christ,
Mark Schroeder
Filed Under: Ad Hoc Commission, Budget, Conference of Presidents, COP, Finance, gift, Synod Convention, Worship, Year of Jubilee
Top Stories
Compiled by WELS Communication Services
New BME administrator called
WELS Board for Ministerial Education called Rev. Thomas Westra Jan. 13 to be its new administrator after Rev. David Wenzel declined the call Dec. 27. This is the third call issued to replace previous administrator Rev. Peter Kruschel, who accepted a mission counselor call last June.
"Anytime one receives a call to serve with the gospel in a role that represents others, it is humbling experience," says Westra, who has served at Beautiful Savior, Cincinnati, Ohio, for the past 24 years. He is also a member of the Board for Ministerial Education and serves on the Governing Board of Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary.
"I think my years of service on those boards give me some insight into the challenges and opportunities before worker training and our synod at the present time," says Westra. "However, my perspective and understanding of WELS Ministerial Education comes primarily from being a product of the system myself. I think pastors and teachers who serve in WELS have a deep appreciation for what God has given them through our worker training system. I think we all work hard and pray fervently that God would continue to bless our church body through it."
Westra says he'll now be doing some soul searching to see where God can best use him. "I have tremendous respect for those who are serving our church body in positions of leadership and those who are serving at our four ministerial education schools," he says. "The opportunity to work alongside them would be a great privilege. At the same time, to serve God's people here with the message of our Savior's love is also an awesome privilege."
Filed Under: BME, Ministerial Education
Two new visiting professors for ALS
One pastor and one professor will be traveling to Hong Kong Jan. 20 to teach semester courses at Asia Lutheran Seminary (ALS), which was started by WELS in 2005. Rev. Jim Krause, pastor at Gethsemane, Corpus Christi, Tex., will be teaching Christian Counseling and the Epistles of Paul, and Rev. Keith Wessel, professor of Latin and Greek at Martin Luther College, New Ulm, Minn., will be teaching the gospel of Matthew and Intertestamental History. In addition, both men will preach and teach in WELS' Chinese sister congregations in Hong Kong.
"We're excited and yet a bit nervous," says Wessel, whose family will be joining him for the semester. "But that's when it's comforting to remember that wherever God calls you to serve, he promises to be with you there, and to help and bless our efforts in his name."
The two assignments are part of Asia Lutheran Seminary's visiting professor program, in which WELS pastors and professors primarily from Martin Luther College, Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, and Wisconsin Lutheran College teach courses to supplement the regular curriculum and support the small, full-time ALS faculty. Since 2005, thirteen visiting professors have taught in residence, including former WELS president, Rev. Karl Gurgel.
"Our stream of visiting professors gives a warm, evangelical, firm, and consistent witness, even though they are not Chinese," says Dr. John Lawrenz, president of Asia Lutheran Seminary. He says a future goal is to have Asia Lutheran Seminary staffed by Chinese professors; in the meantime, however, the visiting professors are a welcome addition to the current resident staff of a full-time teaching president, a first-year Greek instructor, and a professor who serves outreach and a congregation in Hong Kong.
It's also a unique opportunity for the visiting professors. "I know the experience will help my entire family to better understand the power of the gospel and how the Lord continually answers the prayer he taught us by making his kingdom come to us and others," says Wessel. "I pray that I may be a blessing to those I've been asked to help grow in their understanding of God's grace in Christ."
Filed Under: ALS, Asia Lutheran Seminary, Hong Kong
2009 WELS youth rally
Online registration is approaching for the 2009 WELS International Youth Rally, to be held July 8-11 at Iowa State University in Ames. Approximately 2,600 spots will be available on a first-come, first-served basis when registration opens Mar. 2. Dr. Joel Nelson, administrator of Youth Discipleship, is encouraging groups to plan ahead and register early. "Historically the rally has filled up," he says. "So if groups procrastinate, they run the risk of not getting in."
This summer's rally will welcome guests from around the globe. Teens of missionary families in Taiwan, Malawi, Zambia, and Brazil will be attending thanks to a partnership between WELS World Missions and Youth Discipleship. "In my e-mailing back and forth, the missionary parents and teens seem really excited to have this opportunity," says Nelson. Hannah Stellick, daughter of Missionary Kevin Stellick in Taiwan, writes, "Thanks for all your work on the youth rally, I can't wait! Thanks also for making it international. It will be cool to meet other missionary kids!"
Youth Discipleship is also working to get several service opportunities lined up for teens at the rally. "We're hoping to have some really meaningful service projects that will involve doing things in the community, at the university, and maybe traveling to WELS or Evangelical Lutheran Synod (ELS) churches nearby," says Nelson. In addition to service opportunities, the 2009 rally will also include a "WELS Got Talent" competition and rally commercial contest.
Nelson says the overall goal of the rally is to help teens personalize the rally theme, "Follow the Path, Lead the Way," and with God's help, carry it out in their everyday lives. "We're emphasizing that teens need to follow Jesus and lead others to him," he says. "And as the rally Bible passage 1 Tim. 4:12 suggests, they should not feel that because they are young they are less qualified. Young people are a vital part of our church body, and of the Lord's work, and we don't want them to think otherwise."
For more information, visit the rally Web site: www.welsyouthrally.net
Filed Under: CYD, rally, youth, Youth Discipleship
New milestone for Year of Jubilee
Total gifts given toward the synod's Year of Jubilee debt-elimination offering today surpassed the $2 million mark. The gifts given to date total $2,028,757—about half was given by about 400 congregations and organizations; about half was given directly by about 2,250 individuals.
While the Year of Jubilee celebration was designed to be observed by congregations in November and December of 2008, many congregations have chosen to delay participation until after the first of the year. "May all of us go to God's throne with thankful hearts," says Rev. Dave Liggett, director of WELS' Ministry of Christian Giving.
Gifts will be collected through July and then presented to the 2009 synod convention in Saginaw, Mich. Individuals can still give online. The offering, authorized by the 2007 synod convention, is designed to eliminate or reduce the synod's $22.4 million dollar debt and free up as much as $2.7 million each year in debt payments for other ministry.
Filed Under: Christian Giving, donation, Finance, gift, jubilee, Year of Jubilee
Quarterly financial report
Financial numbers for the synod's operating budget are in for the second quarter of the 2008-09 fiscal year—from all indications it appears the synod's operating budget remains headed for a $3.7 million deficit by the end of the fiscal year. That's $300,000 more than the $3.4 million buffer fund created by a surplus the prior year. Under spending will be used to make up the difference.
While support of $10.7 million from October through December exceeded expenses of $9.9 million by $800,000, congregations tend to submit a higher percentage of their annual subscriptions in this quarter than any other. Compared to the second quarter of the prior year, support is $700,000 less due to lower Congregation Mission Offerings (CMO) and reduced gifts from individuals.
For the calendar year ending Dec. 31, 2008, CMO of $21.6 million reflects an increase of $260,000 (1.2 %) over the prior year; but if a one-time gift of $200,000 is not included, the increase drops to 0.3%. At the beginning of 2008, congregations had committed to give 2.7% over the prior year.
The forecast deficit—due in large part to the downturn in global financial markets and its impact on key individual and foundation donors—may require ministry reductions of $8 million next fiscal year. The Synodical Council will consider both the support forecast for the current year and the next biennium when it meets in February.
To read the entire financial summary prepared by WELS' chief financial officer for the Conference of Presidents and the Synodical Council, go to: www.wels.net/jump/finance
One other note: the 2008 Annual Report is now online. It provides a brief snapshot of the activities of all areas of ministry and a synopsis of the synod's finances as of June 30, 2008, the end of the last fiscal year.
WELS in the news
Beth Vertz, second-grade teacher at St. John, Baraboo, Wis., was featured in Baraboo’s News Republic after receiving Wal-Mart’s Teacher of the Year award.
Rev. Roger Knepprath, pastor at St. Paul, Mankato, Minn., was quoted in The Free Press following the church’s Christmas for Kids event, which drew a crowd of about 80 children.
Rev. Daniel Witte of Risen Savior, Bradenton, Fla., was interviewed by the Bradenton Herald about the church’s new facility and the weekly services Witte preaches at the local assisted living facility.
Spotlight on Streams: WELS Connection
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If you didn't catch the December edition of WELS Connection, you have another chance. Each edition is posted on Streams the month after it is shown in congregations. December’s edition focuses on the mission work being done around the world through synods that are part of our confessional fellowship. Watch it online.
Filed Under: Streams, WELS Connection
