Evangelical Lutheran Synod meets
Filed Under: CELC, Confessional Evangelical Lutheran Church, Convention, Evangelical Lutheran Synod
The Evangelical Lutheran Synod (ELS), WELS' sister synod in the U.S., met for its annual convention June 21-25 at Bethany Lutheran College, Mankato, Minn. WELS President Rev. Mark Schroeder addressed the convention delegates, stressing the doctrinal unity the two synods share.
"The opportunity to visit the ELS convention reminded me of the special bond of fellowship that our two synods share," says Schroeder. "Our unity in doctrine and practice is a special blessing from God that we cherish and will strive to maintain."
Also attending the convention from WELS were Prof. Thomas Nass, a member of the Commission on Inter-Church Relations, and Pres. Paul Wendland from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary.
The theme for the convention, "All we have—a trust from Thee," highlighted stewardship, a topic also covered in the convention essay.
The synod passed a balanced budget for 2010. According to ELS President Rev. John Moldstad, the synod will be working with less foundation grant money this year but will be able to make up the difference with contingency funds. He notes that if grant money continues to decrease, cuts in ministry will need to be made in 2011.
At the convention, the ELS's mission board was reorganized to assume organizational control over Thoughts of Faith, a once independent mission society that supports and works with church bodies in Latvia, Czech Republic, and Ukraine. The name Thoughts of Faith will continue, but the work will now fall under the ELS's new Board for World Outreach, along with mission work in Peru, Chile, India, and South Korea.
"We appreciate the past working relationship with the members of WELS in the mission fields of Thoughts of Faith," says Moldstad. "Our hope and prayer is that we continue to have individuals from our sister synod interested in the support of those fields."
To learn more about the Evangelical Lutheran Synod, visit www.evangelicallutheransynod.org.
