of the fifty-sixth biennial convention · in jesus’ name the 56th biennial convention of the...

PROCEEDINGSof the Fifty-sixth

Biennial Convention

WISCONSIN EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN SYNOD Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Northwestern Publishing House1250 N 113th St, Milwaukee WI 53226-3284© 2001 by Northwestern Publishing House

Published 2001Printed in the United States of America

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Officers of the Synod .......................................................................................................................................... 1

Preface ................................................................................................................................................................... 1

Voting Delegates ................................................................................................................................................. 3

Advisory Delegates ............................................................................................................................................ 9

Floor Committees ................................................................................................................................................ 10

Credentials and Excuses (Floor Committee No. 7) ........................................................................................ 14

Election Results (Floor Committee No. 1) ....................................................................................................... 15

CONFERENCE OF PRESIDENTS

The President’s Report ....................................................................................................................................... 16

Appointments ...................................................................................................................................................... 19

Installations .......................................................................................................................................................... 19

Membership ......................................................................................................................................................... 20

2001 Memorials ................................................................................................................................................... 23

Report of Floor Committee No. 4 ..................................................................................................................... 25


1—Membership .......................................................................................................................................... 28

2—Membership .......................................................................................................................................... 28

MINISTERIAL EDUCATION ......................................................................................................................... 31


HOME MISSIONS ............................................................................................................................................ 34


WORLD MISSIONS ......................................................................................................................................... 36

Report of Floor Committee No. 10 ................................................................................................................... 36

PARISH SERVICES ........................................................................................................................................... 39


ADMINISTRATION ......................................................................................................................................... 42






Report of Floor Committee No. 13 .................................................................................................................... 58

Appendix A—Synodical Compensation Plan (Effective July 1, 2003)......................................................... 60

Appendix B—Summary Financial Report ....................................................................................................... 71

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ESSAY ................................................................................................................................................................... 114

SERMONS ........................................................................................................................................................... 126

Opening Worship Service: .................................................................................................................................. 126

Closing Worship Service: .................................................................................................................................... 128

MINUTES ............................................................................................................................................................ 130

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IN JESUS’ NAME

The 56th biennial convention of the WisconsinEvangelical Lutheran Synod was held July30th–August 2nd, 2001, at Michigan LutheranSeminary. There were 353 voting delegates,along with 55 advisory delegates, who wereregistered and in attendance at the convention.

Ten sessions were held, beginning at 11:03 a.m. onMonday, July 30th, (after the presentation of theLWMS flags by members of the LWMS as narratedby Mrs. Lanita Nolte) and adjourning at 9:48 p.mon Thursday evening August 2nd. The theme ofthe convention was “Work While It Is Day.”

The opening communion service was held at St.Paul’s Ev. Lutheran Church, Saginaw, MI. Servingas worship leader was Rev. Carl Otto, with Rev.Roger Sprain delivering the sermon based on John9:1-5 under the theme ”We Must Do The Work ofOur Father.” The festival service was enhancedwith the assistance of Teacher Brent Nolte at theorgan, a choir under the direction of Mrs. BeckyBerg, a handbell choir directed by Mrs. PatJohnson, and the Wisconsin Lutheran CollegeBrass Ensemble under the director of PatriciaBackhaus. Assisting with the distribution of theLord’s Supper were members of the MichiganLutheran Seminary faculty. The chapel at MLSwas the site for the closing service of the

convention. Rev. John Seifert, President of theMichigan District, preached. Rev. Paul Prange,MLS President, was the presiding minister. Rev.Wayne Mueller, 1st Vice President and andTeacher Steven Lemke, Synod Secretary, wereinstalled during the closing service.

The daily devotions were conducted by thefollowing chaplains:

The following missionaries from the synod’sworld mission fields addressed the convention,bringing greetings from their respective churches:

Missionary Lawrence Retberg read a letter ofgreeting to the convention from the LutheranChurch of Cuba.

A letter of greeting from Japan Missionary KermitHabben, Chairman of the Lutheran EvangelicalChristian Church was read to the convention,

Brazil —Russia —Africa —Dominican Republic—Bulgaria —

Guy MarquardtWayne OblenderMark RiekeLarry SchlomerArno Wolfgramm

Thomas HaarGuy MarquardtWayne OblenderLarry SchlomerKarl R. Gurgel

Joel JaegerDouglas PriestapMark RiekeArno Wolfgramm

PROCEEDINGS /1

PRESIDENT

Rev. Karl R. Gurgel2929 North Mayfair RoadMilwaukee, Wisconsin 53222

FIRST VICE PRESIDENT

Rev. Richard E. Lauersdorf2929 North Mayfair RoadMilwaukee, Wisconsin 53222

SECOND VICE PRESIDENT

Rev. Jon M. Mahnke5828 Santa Theresa BlvdSan Jose, CA 95123-4035

SECRETARY

Rev. Douglas L. BodeBox 423Aurora, CO 80040

OFFICERS

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PROCEEDINGS /2 Voting Delegates

The assembly was also addressed by PresidentGeorge Orvick of the Evangelical Lutheran Synodas well as President Gundars Bakulis of theConfessional Lutheran Church in Latvia andRev. Yuri Fizer of the Ukranian Lutheran Church.

Rev. Fizer also read a letter of acknowledgementand thanks from the bishop of the UkranianLutheran Church. Mr. Kermit Traska, Director ofThoughts of Faith, also addressed the conventionon behalf of his organization.


PastorsJeff CarterDoug PriestapWilliam RussowWinfried Schroeder

TeachersJeff Roloff

LaymenBrad Bartz—Prince of Peace, Yankton, SD Leon Begalka—Trinity, Clear Lake, SD David Bertch—Trinity, Carson ND Neil Doerr—Apostles, Billings, MT Norman Frey—Zion, Mobridge, SD Tom Hansen—Faith, Huron, SD Wayne Hauschildt—Shepherd of the Hills, Custer, SD Tom Kuegler—Shining Mountain, Bozeman, MT Larry Lindemann—Bethel, Sioux Falls, SD Ron Smallfield—Good Shepherd, Sioux Falls, SD Keith Stensvad—Faith, Melstone, MT William Stewart—Trinity, Aberdeen, SD Delbert Wells—St. John, Carson, ND

Dakota-Montana District

(Full Representation)

VOTING DELEGATES IN ATTENDANCE

Arizona-California District


Pastors LaymenJohn Berg Randy Baker—Shepherd of the Hills, La Mesa, CAMark Hallemeyer James Becker—St. Andrew, Sacramento,CADennis Halvarson Steven Burk—Prince of Peace, Yucaipa, CAKerry Kronebusch Ron Clegg—Heritage, Gilbert, AZRichard Kugler Roger Harmann—St. Thomas, Phoenix, AZH. Curtis Lyon Brian Heinitz—St. Mark, Citrus Heights, AZPaul Mueller Ken Jamka—Trinity, Sierra Vista, AZMartin Spaude Joseph Junk—Trinity, Ridgecrest, CAJohn Sprain Herman Koester—Shepherd, Albuquerque, NM

Jack Marten—St. John, Victorville, CATeachers Jesse Meloling—Christ/Prescott Valley, AZJames Brandt Franklin Quintero—East Fork, Whiteriver, AZStephen Granberg Al Rousseau—Shepherd of the Mountains, Reno NVAlan Mindock Phil Scheuer—Mt. Olive, Las Vegas, NVSteven Rosenbaum Gilbert Sechrist—Peace, Cottonwood, AZPaul Schultz Sherman Unkefer—Paradise Valley, Phoenix, AZ

Gene Waldkoetter—Peace, Tucson, AZ

Voting Delegates PROCEEDINGS /3

PastorsAndrew BackusPatrick BellMarcus BodeDaniel BuskePaul FetzerDavid Furno

Terry Baker—Grace, Flint, MI George Bock—St. Luke, Jackson, MI Roger Bosenschutz—Faith, Harrison, MI Terry Brenke—St. John, Riga, MI Thomas Conzelmann—St. John, Frankenmuth, MI George Doebler—Zion, Warren, MI Ken Draheim—St. Paul, Mayville, MI

Michigan District

(1 Layman Absent)



Pastors (continued)Daniel GawrischRobert HoepnerWalter OelhafenRichard SchiebePaul SchmiegeMark SchulzDennis Smith

TeachersJon BiedenbenderRonald BirneyDavid BrohnWillard EngelBrian FuerstenauSteven GrosinskeTimothy PlathWilliam Zeiger

Laymen (continued)Robert Goddard—Mt. Sinai, Montrose, MI Mike Grimes—Amazing Grace, Florence, KYTim Hanson—King of Kings, Willoughby, OH James Hass—Grace, Eau Claire, MI Arnold Heyer—St. Paul, Monroe, MI Jim Hobley—Good Shepherd, Novi, MILawrence Hollenbeck—Grace, Alma, MI Robert Janes—Immanuel, South Lyon, MI Carl Miller—Emanuel, Tawas City, MI Richard Miller—St. Paul, South Haven, MI Harold Pietz—Beautiful Savior, Cinncinnati, OH Robert Schafer—Trinity, Wayland, MI Richard Screptock—St. Andrew, Toledo, OH Ron Weber—St. Luke, Saginaw, MI Charles Withey—Memorial, Williamston, MI Edgar Zobel—Holy Trinity, Wyoming, MT

PastorsDaniel BalgeMark CordesMichael DietzMichael HatzungDavid HuebnerRoger KnepprathFreddy KriegerRichard KuckhahnRandall KuznickiJames LiggettDonald MainNile MersethLawrence OlsonPaul SchmelingCarl Ziemer

TeachersGary DallmannJohn FesterlingPaul FritzeRichard GibsonJonathon HarleyPeter LemkeFrederick LohmillerStephen MertenJohn MicheelJohn NolteRobert PotratzMark Renner

LaymenJim Atkinson—Trinity, Lake City, MN Wilmar Bechtold—Salem, Loretto, MN Jerome Bentz—St. Paul, New Ulm, MN Bernard Christianson—St. Peter, Monticello, MNJames Dyrud—Salem, Stillwater, MN Gerald Foss—Salem, Woodbury, MN Vernon Gieseke—Mt. Zion, New Ulm, MN Marvin Howatt—St. John, Lake City, MN Louis Marzinske—St. John, Janesville, MN Lester Mortenson—Trinity, Osceola, WIAndy Nygaard—Peace, Marshfield, MOThomas Patterson—St. Paul, Prescott, WI Norman Riediger—St. John, Renville, MN Walter Ring—Grace, Hutchinson, MN Lewis Rosenbaum—Martin Luther, St. Louis, MO Ronald Sather—St, Paul, Cannon Falls, MN Allan Schmidt—St. Paul, Litchfield, MN Brian Schulz—Trinity, Janesville, MN Carrol Tammen—St. John, Hastings, MN Bruce Tolzmann—St. John, Redwood Falls, MN J. Zenke—St. John, Dakota, MN

Minnesota District

(5 Laymen Absent/Excused)

Michigan District (continued)



PastorsRay BeckmannBrian GoensJames PlitzuweitThomas SpiegelbergMichael TraudtPeter Unnasch

TeachersGuy GastMark Kaiser

Robert Duvall—Gethsemane, Lee’s Summit, MO Michael Friesenegger—Trinity, McCook, NEMike Haney—St. Paul, Naper. NE Paul Herzfeldt—Shepherd of the Hills, Greeley, CO Donald Morrell—Garden of Gethsemane, Omaha, NEDon Niemann—St. Mark, Lincoln, NE Dallas Oestreich—Immanuel, Hadar, NE Robert Roske—Rock of Ages, Kansas City, MO, David Stuht—Lord of Life, Thornton, CO Gil Thomas—St. Peter, Ft. Collins, CO Larry Todd—Our Savior, Harrisonville, MO

Nebraska District

(1 Layman Excused, 2 Laymen Absent)

PastorsThomas HaarJonathan KehrenJon Kuske

TeacherJonathan Roux

LaymenDonald Barg—Cross of Christ, Liverpool, NYJerry Dretsch—Resurrection, Virginia Beach, VAMark Fostervold—Atonement, Baltimore, MDThomas Hohler—St. John, Newark, DEWilliam Iverson—Our Savior, East Brunswick, NJHarold Kluender—Christ Redeemer, Trumball, CT

North Atlantic District


PastorsDavid BeckmanThomas BehnkeMark GassPhilip GeigerVictor HeadrickRoss HenziDavid HussmanStephen PopeDavid PutzRoger QuandtBrad RagnerGregory StahleckerStuart Zak

TeachersSteve BirchJames CurtisFredric HeiderichJeffery InnigerDonald KerrMichael KieckerDavid Koepsell

Eugene Anderson—Peace, Green Lake, WI Roger Belongia—Zion, Park Falls, WIDavid Bender—St John, Enterprise, WIDon Brandt—St. Martin, Rapid River, MI John Deschane—Grace, Crivitz, WIEd Duellman—St. John/St. Peter, Cleveland, WI Dennis Fabian—Christ, Denmark, WI David Falck—St. Paul, Appleton, WI Alan Geisthardt—St. Paul, N. Fond du Lac, WI Robert Goggins—St. John, Sturgeon Bay, WI Delmar Herstman—Immanuel, Manitowoc, WI Ernest Kandler—St. Paul, Winneconne, WI Ellsworth Katzur—Grace, Pickett, WI Daniel Kemnitz—Faith, Fond du Lac, WI Fritz Perlwitz—Trinity, Minocqua, WI David Peserik—Messiah, Green Bay, WI Howard Rauch—Grace, Manitowoc, WIKevin Raucholz—Mt. Calvary, Kimberly, WI LeRoy Ruppel—St. Paul, Dale, WIBruce Seemann—St. Paul, Fond du Lac, WI Wayne Springstroh—St. Matthew, Appleton, WI David Werth—St. Peter, Weyauwega, WI

Northern Wisconsin District

(1 Pastor Excused Part-Time, 1 Pastor Absent, 1 Teacher Excused Part-Time, 1 Teacher Excused Full-Time, 3 Teachers Absent, 3 Laymen Absent)



Teachers (continued)Mark KoelpinSteve LemkeTimothy Zellmer

PastorsJames HumannJoel NitzJohn Ruege, Jr.Melvin Teske

TeacherWilliam Hartwig

LaymenKeith Detro—Messiah, Nampa, ID Milton Gibbs—Divine Savior, Pullman, WAGary Gray—Peace, Vancouver, WARobert Gronlund—Immanuel, OR Charles Mills—Messiah, Olympia, WAWalter Sheppard—Our Savior, East Wenatchee, WAEugene Stemmann—Beautiful Savior, Corvallis, OR

Pacific Northwest District

(1 Layman Absent)

PastorJoel JaegerKeith KruckChristopher KruschelPaul LemkePaul Workentine

TeacherRussell Hurst

LaymenWilliam Ekwere—St. John, Antigua, West IndiesHarold Hunziker—Good Shepherd, Deltona, FLDale Jensens—Crown of Life, New Orleans, LARobert Kappen—Peace, Holiday, FLRalph Kunz—Sola Scriptura, Decatur, GACarl Lange—Crown of Life, Fort Myers, FLCurtis Miller—Hope, West Palm Beach, FLTom Poelman—Lamb of God, Madison, AL

South Atlantic District


PastorsTimothy SoukupJohn ViethsRoger Zehms

TeacherBrad Nommensen

LaymenRobert Boyd—Cross of Christ, Universal City, TX Terry Eischen—Holy Cross, Oklahoma City, OK Brad Engel—Beautiful Savior, College Station, TX Robert Hintz—Trinity, Temple, TX Ryan Mahoney—King of Kings, Little Rock, AR Roger Wilkins—Grace, Lowell, AR Paul Wirth—Christ the Lord, Houston, TX

South Central District


Northern Wisconsin District (continued)



PastorsDavid AdermanTimothy BauerJohn BeckBruce BeckerWilliam CarterRobert DickDuane ErstadRobert GurgelJohn KellyJames KorthalsKenneth KratzRichard KrauseKurt LoescherWayne MeierPhilip MertenPaul ReedeMartin SchoellJohn StelickRaymond Ziebell

TeachersThomas BanaszakEdward BeckerRobert BuschkopfDavid Dahlberg Jeffery DornMark EisenmannMel FriskeGary HeimanDonald HelwigDonald KolanderMichael MaasHenry MeyerJohn MeyerCarl NolteMark ProbstKenneth ProeberDarwin SchrammPaul ScriverJames SievertRichard SievertScott WagnerSteven Zellmer

LaymenCarroll Beguhn—Our Savior, Zion ILTony Branda—St. Matthew, Cedar Grove, WI Jan Buelo—Faith, Kokoma, INTom Hall—St. Marcus, Milwaukee, WI Terrance Hebron—Zion, Bristol, ILMerten Hess—Peace, Hartford, WI Timothy Jacobson—St. Jacobi, Greenfield, WI Glen Jacoby—Grace, Waukesha, WI Duane Keller—Faith, Antioch, ILMerlen Koepke—Bethany, Kenosha, WI Mark Krueger—Risen Savior, Milwaukee, WI Lansing Leitzke—Bethany, Hustisford, WI Steve Miller—Salem 107th St., Milwaukee, WI Kevin Moon—St. John, Oak Creek, WI Lloyd Morison—Calvary, Milwaukee, WI Erwin Passow—St. Paul, Muskego, WI John Peterman—St. John, Wauwatosa, WI Dennis Schendel—Hope, West Chicago, ILFred Schuettke—Salem (Cramer Street),

Milwaukee, WI Donald Timmermann—Bethlehem,

Menomonee Falls, WI Glenn Volkmann—St. John, Mukwonago, WI Barry Washburn—David’s Star, Jackson, WI

Southeastern Wisconsin District

(1 Teacher Excused, 2 Laymen Absent)

PastorsKenneth ArndtDonald BuchDavid EckertJerry EwingsThomas FrickeKevin HankeEdward LindemannKurtis Mau

LaymenLuther Barclay—Christ, Mindoro, WI Robert Bartz—St. John, Waterloo, WI Michael Bennett—St Stephen, Fall River, WI Jonathan Blum—St. Paul, Wisconsin Rapids, WI William Banbury—St. Paul, Lake Mills, WI Gary Dunsmoor—Beautiful Savior, Spooner, WI Gary Evans—Trinity, Goodview, MN Joe Knepper—Redeemer, Rice Lake, WI

Western Wisconsin District

(1 Pastor Absent, 2 Teachers Absent, 2 Laymen Absent)



Pastors (continued)Marcus NeumanDavid NottlingNathan RadtkeMark SchlennerSteven StaudeMark Toepel

TeachersAndrew AsmusJoel BabinecRonald BrownTodd HackbarthPaul JacobsKenneth LehmanKevin LoerschMichael J. RaabePeter SchaewePeter WentzelRobert WiegmanAndrew Willems

Laymen (continued)Fritz Luethe—St Jacob, Norwalk, WI Albert Meier—Zion, Ogema, WIRichard Meske—Mt. Olive, Monroe, WI LeRoy Millelstedter—Our Savior, Burlington, IADuane Nelson—Our Redeemer, Madison, WIDale Opperman—St. John, Jefferson, WI Herb Peter—St Matthew, Winona, MN Charles Pieper— Zion, Arlington, WIDale Roenneburg—St. Peter, Brodhead, WI Leland Schmidt—St. Mark, Watertown, WI Willie Schult—Zion, Marathon, WI David Schumann—St. Mark, Watertown, WI Paul Scwartz;—St Peter, Chaseburg, WIJoel Scott—St. Stephen, Beaver Dam, WI Rodney Seefeld—St John, Rock Springs, WI Dennis Staude—Immanuel, Johnson Creek, WI Paul Stieber—St. John, Baraboo, WI John Tappe—St. Peter, Schofield, WI

Guy Marquardt Wayne Oblender Mark Rieke Larry M. Schlomer Arno Wolfgramm.

Brazil MissionRussia MissionMalawi MissionDominican Republic MissionBulgaria Mission

World Missionaries


Western Wisconsin (continued


ADVISORY DELEGATES

Advisory Delegates in Attendance

(* Also a voting delegate)

Officers

Rev. Karl Gurgel, PresidentRev. Richard Lauersdorf, First Vice President

Rev. Jon Mahnke, Second Vice PresidentRev. Douglas Bode, Secretary

Advisory Delegates PROCEEDINGS /9

District Presidents

Rev. Paul Janke, Arizona-CaliforniaRev. Peter Naumann, Dakota-MontanaRev. John Seifert, MichiganRev. Larry Cross, MinnesotaRev. Joel Frank, NebraskaRev. Walter Beckmann, North Atlantic

Rev. Douglas Engelbrecht, Northern WisconsinRev. Warren Widmann, Pacific NorthwestRev. John Guse, South AtlanticRev. Vilas Glaeske, South CentralRev. David Rutschow, Southeastern WisconsinRev. Herbert Prahl, Western Wisconsin

Synodical Council

Mr. Keith Moore, Arizona-CaliforniaMr Seth Hansen, Dakota-MontanaMr. David Toepel, MichiganMr. Arvid Schwartz, MinnesotaMr. Kurt Austad, NebraskaMr. Don Richards, North Atlantic

Mr. Ron Rathke, Northern WisconsinMr. Peter Dorn, Pacific NorthwestMr. Marc Frey, South CentralMr. David Steinert, Western WisconsinRev. William Gabb, At Large Pastor DelegateMr. John Freese, At Large Teacher Delegate

Rev. Donald Sutton, ChairmanRev. Peter Kruschel, AdministratorTeacher Merlyn Kruse, ALHS ReprsentativeRev. Theodore Olsen, MLC President

Rev. Paul Prange, MLS PresidentRev. Mark Schroeder, LPS PresidentRev. David Valleskey, WLS President

(Excused—Mr. Dale Anderson, Mr. John Oswald)

Board for Ministerial Education

Rev. Kenneth Gast, Chairman, Board for Home Missions Rev. Harold Hagedorn, Administrator, Board for Home Missions Rev. Daniel Koelpin, Administrator, Board for World Missions Rev. Philip Koelpin, Chairman, Board for World Missions

Parish Services

Rev.Thomas Zarling, Chairman, Board for Parish ServicesRev.Wayne Mueller, Administrator, Board for Parish Services Teacher Daniel Schmeling, Administrator Commission on Parish Schools

Fiscal Services

Mr. Eugene Ludwick, Executive Director of Support Services Mr. Mark Meissner, Director of Finance Mr. James Huska, Treasurer

Miscellaneous

Rev. Gary Baumler, Forward/NWL Editor/Director of Communications Rev. Wayne Borgwardt, Director, Tel-Tech Task Force

Home and World Missions


PROCEEDINGS /10 Floor Committees

Rev. John Braun, Publication Coordinating Committee/NPH Rev. Robert Pasbrig, Chairman, Constitutional Matters Committee Mr. Jon Flanagan, Human Resource Director Rev. Ronald Muetzel, Chairman Floor Committee #11, 1999 Convention Rev. Ronald Roth, Administrator for CCFS

Convention Related

Rev. Roger Sprain, Convention PreacherRev. John Seifert, Convention PreacherProf. Mark Goeglein, Essayist

*Rev. Bruce Becker, Convention Bible Study LeaderRev. Thomas Zarling, Parliamentarian

*Also a voting delegate.

FLOOR COMMITTEES

No. 1—Elections

Rev. John Sprain, ChairmanRev. Paul Mueller, SecretaryRev. Daniel GawrischRev. Paul SchmelingTeacher Ronald BrineyTeacher Jonathan HarleyTeacher Gary Heiman

Teacher David KoepsellLayman Don BrandtLayman Ken DraheimLayman Wayne HauschildtLayman Marvin KoepkeLayman Ronald SatherLayman Roger Wilkens

No. 2—Inter-Church Relations

Rev. Martin Spaude, Chairman Rev. Kurt Loescher, Secretary Rev. Patrick Bell Rev. Jonathan Kehren Rev. James Korthals Rev. Richard Kuckhahn Rev. David Nottling Rev. Stephen Pope

Rev. Dennis SmithTeacher David BrohnTeacher Mark KoelpinTeacher Paul SchultzLayman Richard MillerLayman Mark Schlenner Layman Keith StensvadLayman William Steward

No. 3—Membership

Teacher John Micheel, ChairmanLayman Bruce Seemann, Secretary

No. 4—Conference of Presidents

Rev. Mark Rieke, ChairmanLayman Barry Washburn, SecretaryRev. John BeckRev. Jeff CarterRev. Mark HallemeyerRev. Ross HenziRev. Christopher KruschelRev. Jon KuskeRev. Roger QuandtRev. John Ruege, Jr.Rev. Paul Schmiege

Rev. Timothy SoukupRev. John StellickRev. Mark ToepelRev. Michael TraudtRev. Carl ZiemerTeacher Jon BiedenbenderTeacher Ronald BrownTeacher Paul FritzeTeacher Guy GastTeacher Mark ProbstTeacher Paul Scriver


Floor Committees PROCEEDINGS /11

Teacher Andrew WillemsLayman David BenderLayman Robert BoydLayman Jan BueloLayman Gary EvansLayman David FalckLayman Michael FrieseneggerLayman Gary GrayLayman Paul HerzfeldtLayman Delmar HorstmanLayman Robert JanesLayman Daniel Kemnitz

Layman Tom KueglerLayman Ralph KunzLayman Larry LindemannLayman Jack MartenLayman LeRoy MillelstedterLayman Andy NygaardLayman Dale OppermannLayman Kevin RaucholzLayman Gilbert SechristLayman Brian SchulzLayman Donald TimmermannLayman J. Zenke

No. 5—Ministerial Education

Rev. Kenneth Kratz, ChairmanTeacher William Hartwig, SecretaryRev. Bruce BeckerRev. Donald BuchRev. William CarterRev. Mark CordesRev. Thomas FrickeRev. Thomas HaarRev. Joel W. JaegerRev. Kerry KronebuschRev. James PlitzuweitRev. Larry M. SchlomerRev. Martin SchoellRev. Mark SchulzRev. Stuart ZakTeacher Mel FriskeTeacher Steve GranbergTeacher Paul JacobsTeacher Frederick LohmillerTeacher Brad NommensenTeacher Timothy Plath

Teacher Jonathan RouxTeacher Peter SchaeweLayman Terry BakerLayman James BeckerLayman Terry BrenkeLayman Keith DetroLayman Terry EischenLayman Terrance HebronLayman Arnold K. HeyerLayman Dale JensenLayman Thomas HohlerLayman Harold KluenderLayman Carl F. LangeLayman Ryan MahoneyLayman Jesse MelolingLayman Richard MeskeLayman Thomas PattersonLayman Charles PieperLayman Dennis SchendelLayman Joel ScottLayman Eugene Stemman

No. 6—Administrative Services

Teacher James Sievert, ChairmanRev. Victor Headrick, SecretaryRev. David EckertRev. Robert HoepnerRev. James HumannRev. Guy MarquardtRev. Lawrence OlsonRev. Paul WorkentineTeacher, Kenneth LehmanTeacher, Peter Lemke

Layman Eugene AndersonLayman Jonathan BlumLayman Neil DoerrLayman Gerald FossLayman Duane KellorLayman Mark KruegerLayman Charles MillsLayman William SebrightLayman Dennis Staude

No. 7—Credentials and Excuses

Rev. Paul Reede, ChairmanLayman, R. Belongia, SecretaryTeacher S. MertenTeacher S. ZellmerLayman E. Duellman

Layman R.GoddardLayman L. MarzinskeLayman L. MorisonLayman L. Schmidt


No. 9—Home Missions

Teacher Steven Lemke, ChairmanLayman Joseph Knepper, SecretaryRev. Andrew BackusRev. Paul FetzerRev. Kevin HankeRev. David HussmanRev. John KellyRev. Nile MersethRev. Marcus NeumannTeacher Robert BuschkopfTeacher James CurtisTeacher John FesterlingTeacher Michael RaabeTeacher Robert PotratzLayman William BanburyLayman Doanld BargLayman Leon BegalkaLayman George Bock

Layman Tony BrandaLayman Ron CleggLayman Jerry DretschLayman Murten HessLayman Glen JacobyLayman Herman KoesterLayman Fred LuetheLayman Lester MortensonLayman Fritz PerlwitzLayman Harold PietzLayman LeRoy RuppelLayman David SchumannLayman Paul SchwartzLayman David StuhtLayman Willie SchultLayman Gil ThomasLayman Bruce TolzmannLayman Delbert Wells

PROCEEDINGS /12 Floor Committees

No. 8—Parish Services

Layman Mr. Jerome Bentz, ChairmanRev. David Beckman, SecretaryRev. David AdermanRev. Kenneth ArndtRev. Timothy BauerRev. Randall KuznickiRev. Philip MertenRev. Wayne OblenderRev. Brad RagnerRev. Richard ScheibeRev. Raymond ZiebellTeacher Richard GibsonTeacher Donald KerrTeacher John Meyer

Layman Jim AtkinsonLayman Carroll BeguhnLayman Steven BurkLayman Milton GibbsLayman Robert GogginsLayman James HassLayman Lawrence HollenbeckLayman William IversonLayman Ken JamkaLayman Joseph JunkLayman Ellsworth KatzurLayman Walter RingLayman Carroll TammenLayman Glenn Volkmann

No. 10—World Missions

Layman Thomas Hansen, ChairmanTeacher James Brandt, SecretaryRev. John BergRev. Robert DickRev. Jerry EwingsRev. David FuroRev. Mark GassRev. Brian GoensRev. Dennis HalvarsonRev. Freddy KriegerRev. Joel NitzRev. Douglas PriestapRev. Melvin TeskeTeacher Edward BeckerTeacher Steve BirchTeacher Gary DallmannTeacher Jeffery DornTeacher Willard EngelTeacher Fredric Heiderich

Teacher Jeff InnigerTeacher Donald KolanderTeacher Michael MaasTeacher Carl NolteTeacher Kenneth ProeberTeacher Richard SievertTeacher Peter WentzelLayman Wilmar BechtoldLayman Michael BennettLayman Bernard ChristiansonLayman George DoeblerLayman Robert DuvallLayman James DyrudLayman William EkwereLayman Norman FreyLayman Tom HallLayman Roger HarmannLayman Roger HintzLayman Timothy Jacobson


Floor Committees PROCEEDINGS /13

Layman Ernest KandlerLayman Robert KappenLayman Lansing LeitzkeLayman Carl MillerLayman Curtis Miller

Layman Donald MorrellLayman Don NiemannLayman Erwin PassowLayman Dale Roenneburg

No. 12—Synodical Council

Rev. Keith Kruck, ChairmanRev. Steven Staude, SecretaryRev. Thomas BehnkeRev. Daniel BuskeRev. Philip GeigerRev. Robert GurgelRev. Michael HatzungRev. Richard KuglerRev. Nathan RadtkeRev. Winfried SchroederRev. John ViethsRev. Arno WolfgrammTeacher Steven EnterTeacher Todd HackbarthTeacher Russell HurstTeacher Michael KieckerTeacher Alan MindockTeacher John NolteTeacher Jeff RoloffLayman Robert Bartz

Layman David BertchLayman Mark FostervoldLayman Alan GeisthardtLayman Vernon GiesekeLayman Mike GrimesLayman James HobleyLayman Steven MillerLayman Kevin MoonLayman Herb PeterLayman Franklin QuinteroLayman Howard RauchLayman Lewis RosenbaumLayman Robert RoskeLayman Allan SchmidtLayman Fred SchuettkeLayman Walter SheppardLayman Ron SmallfieldLayman Wayne SpringstrohLayman Gene WaldkoetterLayman Ron Weber

No. 13—Resolutions

Teacher William Zeiger, ChairmanRev. Daniel BalgeRev. David Huebner

No. 14—Convention Travel

Teacher Henry Meyer, ChairmanRev. Donald MainRev. Wayne Meier

No. 11—Special Reports

Layman, Mr. Jon Peterman, ChairmanRev. Roger R. Zehms, SecretaryRev. Ray BeckmannRev. Roger KnepprathRev. Richard KrauseRev. Paul LemkeRev. James LiggettRev. Edward LindemannRev. H. Curtis LyonRev. Walter OelhafenRev. William RussowRev. Peter UnnaschTeacher Andrew AsmusTeacher Thomas BanaszakTeacher Mark EisenmannTeacher Steven GrosinskeTeacher Mark KaiserTeacher Mark RennerTeacher Steven RosenbaumTeacher Darwin SchrammTeacher Robert Wiegman

Teacher Timothy ZellmerLayman Brad BartzLayman Roger BogenschutzLayman Thomas ConzelmannLayman John DeschaneLayman Gary DunsmoorLayman Robert GronlundLayman Tim HansonLayman Brian HeinitzLayman Harold HunzikerLayman Duane NelsonLayman Dallas OestreichLayman David PeserikLayman Tom PoelmanLayman Norman RiedigerLayman Al RousseauLayman Phil ScheuerLayman John TappeLayman Sherman UnkeferLayman Paul WirthLayman Charles Withey


PROCEEDINGS /14 Credentials and Excuses

No. 15—Constitutional Matters

Teacher Donald Helwig, ChairmanLayman Brad Engel, SecretaryRev. Marcus BodeRev. Michael DietzRev. Kenneth FreyRev. Kurtis MauRev. Thomas SpiegelbergTeacher Joel BabinecTeacher Brian Fuerstenau

Teacher Kevin LoerschTeacher Scott WagnerLayman Randy BakerLayman Albert MeierLayman Oscar MillerLayman Richard ScreptockLayman Rod SeefeldLayman Paul StieberLayman David Werth

No. 16—Steering

Rev. Warren Widmann, Chairman Rev. Vilas GlaeskeRev. John Guse

REPORT OF FLOOR COMMITTEE NO. 7

Reference: List of Delegates

Subject: Attendance and Excuses

412 were in attendance at our convention. There were 353 votingdelegates, 55 advisory delegates and 4 special guests. Of the 353 votingdelegates 111 were pastors, 76 were teachers, and 166 were lay delegates.

Ten delegates excused themselves part-time and 8 were excused full-timefor various reasons.

Eleven delegates were absent and unexcused.

Rev. Paul Reede, ChairmanMr. R. Belongia, SecretaryTeacher S. MertenTeacher S. ZellmerMr. E. DuellmanMr. R. GoddardMr. L. MarzinskeMr. L. MorisonMr. L. Schmidt


Election Results PROCEEDINGS /15

REPORT OF FLOOR COMMITTEE NO. I

ELECTIONS

I. Officers of the Synod

Synod First Vice President (4 yr) Rev. Wayne D. MuellerSynod Secretary (4 yr) Teacher Steven Lemke

II. Board/Committee Members Nominated by the Synod

Board for Parish Services, Chairman Rev. Thomas ZarlingCommission on Evangelism, Chairman Rev. James HuebnerCommission on Parish Schools, Chairman Teacher Daniel SchmalBoard For Ministerial Education, Chairman Rev. Donald SuttonBoard of Appeals Rev. John BrugLPS Board of Control, Chairman Rev. Dennis HayesMLS Board of Control, Chairman Rev. George Ferch

Board for World Missions, at large Member (Layman) Glenn WilsonAdministrative Committee—Latin American Missions—Pastor Jon BucholzAdministrative Committee—Latin American Missions—Teacher Ray DusseauAdministrative Committee—Native American Missions—Pastor Snowden SimsAdministrative Committee—Native American Missions—Layman Roy SchneiderAdministrative Committee—African Missions—Pastor David SternhagenAdministrative Committee—African Missions—Layman Donald NiemannAdministrative Committee—Japan, Europe, Asia—Pastor David BeckmanAdministrative Committee—Japan, Europe, Asia—Teacher Scott UeckerAdministrative Committee—Southeast Asia—Pastor David Priebe

Board of Appeals—Pastor (6 years) David RosenowBoard of Appeals—Pastor (4 years) Robert GurgelBoard of Appeals—Pastor (2 years) Edwin FredrichBoard of Appeals—Teacher (6 years) Philip LeyrerBoard of Appeals—Teacher (4 years) Karl GrebeBoard of Appeals—Teacher (2 years) Alan DraegerBoard of Appeals—Layman (6 years) Kurt AustadBoard of Appeals—Layman (4 years) David NommensonBoard of Appeals—Layman (2 years) Dale Wierschke

Synodical Council, Member at Large—Teacher John FreeseBoard for Ministerial Education, Area Lutheran High School Rep. Merlyn KruseBoard for Ministerial Education, Layman R. Bowin LoftinNorthwestern Publishing House, Board of Directors—Pastor Kenneth GawrischNorthwestern Publishing House, Board of Directors—MLC Professor Joel FredrichNorthwestern Publishing House, Board of Directors—Layman William StrutzBoard for Parish Services, Member at Large—Teacher Thomas Koepsell

Rev. Jon Sprain, ChairmanRev. Paul Mueller, Secretary


“WORK WHILE IT IS DAY”

Remember seeing the June issue of Forward inChrist/ Northwestern Lutheran? What was yourreaction to the headline: “Financial ChallengeLooms for the WELS”? The article went on to say,“WELS hits budget bumps now with forecasted $8to $10 million shortfalls in sight. Program cuts in2001-2003 and the need to increase offerings by $8to $10 million per year to avoid cutbacks willcreate challenges for WELS and its members.”

“Just like the federal government,” might be onereaction. “Spend, spend, spend other people’smoney.” Or, “Just like the Church, asking,begging, demanding other people’s money.”

This much is true, I believe, we all agree—it issomeone else’s money. It all belongs to the Lord.However, this is also true—he entrusts it tohuman managers, you and me, for example, themen, women, and children of the WELS. Andthat is why, at a Synod Convention, we need togive an account of what we have done with themonetary resources people have entrusted to theWELS for the Lord.

But even as we account for what we have donewith the monetary resources entrusted to us byour brothers and sisters in the WELS, it’s equallyimportant that we consult with them about whatwe together will do with any future resourcesthey may, for the Lord, entrust to our care. And,since what the Lord would have us do with hisresources is his work, ministry, the headline mightwell have read “MINISTRY CHALLENGELOOMS FOR THE WELS.”

What is the ministry the Lord would have us, asthe WELS, carry out for him? How much will hemake it possible for us to do with his resources?

We know well the commission he gave to hischurch, to go into all the world, proclaiming theGospel. The qualifications he gave us for calledworkers and the directives to train them are alsofamiliar. What he does not spell out for us in greatdetail is the where and the how. He often leaves itup to our sanctified Christian judgment as towhere we will go for him and how we willprepare those who will represent him through us.

Since the sanctified judgment of Christianbrothers may well differ in these areas,where God has not spelled it all out for us,we call them adiaphoron. As Christianbrothers we need to meet in assemblies suchas a synod convention, listening to each

other’s concerns and agreeing to carry outthe will of the body. And, all the while, wewant to be concerned about carrying out theLord’s ministry challenge.

The first Ministry Challenge: the task theSavior gives us, is defined by our conventiontheme: “Work While It Is Day.” The wordsare those of Jesus in John 9:4: “As long as itis day, we must do the work of him who sentme. Night is coming, when no one canwork.” And the work we are to do, as PastorSprain pointed out to us in the openingservice, is to put the spotlight on Jesus,revealing him as the Light of the world

To carry out this Ministry Challenge, theLord provides us with all the talents we needas Jesus indicated to us in a parable in Luke19:13: “ So he called ten of his servants andgave them ten minas. ‘Put this money towork,’ he said, ‘until I come back.’”

In several parables Jesus told, he talkedabout the various talents he bestows uponthe members of his church. These talentscan be anything and everything the Lord ofthe church gives to his followers, time,talents, monetary treasures, anything andeverything to be used in the interest ofcarrying out his ministry.

The question isn’t how many talents havewe received or even what they are. The onlyquestion is, “Are we using them?” Put thismonetary treasure, your talents or time towork until I come back,” the Savior says to us.

Again, the challenge is to Work While It IsDay. The night will come soon enough. Thetime for Gospel ministry one day,will end asJesus reminded his followers in Mark 13:32:“No one knows about that day or hour, noteven the angels in heaven, nor the Son, butonly the Father.”

Of course Jesus was talking about the finalday of this world’s existence, judgment dayas we usually call it. It ends all time to beactive in the Lord’s service as the time ofgrace ends for the world. All we can safelysay about it now is, quite obviously, it hasnot yet come. The time of grace stillcontinues and so for us the challenge ofministry is to use the time that yet remainsprofitably, proclaiming the saving Gospel ofour Lord Jesus Christ.

Recognizing this challenge together, weshould work while it is day, together. The

PROCEEDINGS /16 Conference of Presidents

The President’s Report


Conference of Presidents PROCEEDINGS /17

words are from Hebrews 10:25: “Let us notgive up meeting together, as some are in thehabit of doing, but let us encourage oneanother—and all the more as you see theDay approaching. “

As church elders, we may often have used thisverse as an encouragement to church attendance.Appropriately so, but it is broader than that.Right before this verse, the sacred writer remindsus all that we have had our hearts sprinkled,cleansing us from the accusing voice of a guiltyconscience. We can cling to the hope our Saviorbrings us, pardon and eternal peace. And we canspur each other on to love and do good deedsas we encourage each other in the ministrychallenges that are before us, sharing thatsaving Gospel with others.

Let’s be specific about these ministry challenges.The first of the challenging opportunities theSynodical Council identified for the WELS is to“Lead people to a passion for ALL the lost andequip them to reach these people.”

The founding fathers of our Synod succeededremarkably during difficult times, gathering 125congregations from our Synod’s founding in l850to 1865. We will recall this was during a difficulttime in American history when the Civil War wasraging and just after they had left equally divisivetimes in Europe.

From 1973 to 1983 the WELS opened 165 newmission congregations and entered new worldmission fields. Remember this was just after ourbreak with the Missouri Synod. Some religiousobservers had left us for dead along the religioushighway, thinking we could not survive withoutour former partners. God had other plans,permitting us to share the Gospel worldwide.

But we do not have to go back nearly that far tosee evidence of the Lord’s hand of blessing andguidance. From 1997 to 1999, by God’s gracealone, we were enabled to open 70 new homemissions. During the decade of the 90’s, again byGod’s grace, we entered new world mission fieldsin Russia, Bulgaria, Thailand, the DominicanRepublic, and new areas in India and Albania. Ina more mundane way of viewing it, a largeportion of our recent mission offerings as wellas the drawing down of the Gift Trust Fund wasexpended in moving forward in Christ with themessage of salvation throughout the world.

What will we, under God, be able to do in theyears to come in this regard? Will our missionzeal allow us to reach out to all the lost living nearto us and far away? The opportunities God isgranting us, seemingly, are still almost limitless.In their report, the Board for World Missions will

inform us about world mission work all over theworld. But for a moment, let’s concentrate on theworld mission fields at home.

I believe that all of us realize how multi-ethnic theUS is becoming. It has always been a melting potfor immigrants from around the world. Newquantities of immigrants every day are beingpoured, seemingly in ever increasing numbers, intothe pot. And it is no longer only the coastal cities,New York, Miami, Houston, Los Angeles, Seattlewhich are increasingly multi-ethnic in nature.

Recently I heard the following statistics for placesmuch closer to us geographically. Two out of everyfive people who move to Nebraska are Hispanic.More than half of the elementary schoolpopulation in Wausau, WI is Southeast Asian.

People from almost every nation under heaven areall around us. This shift, at first glance, could giveus some anxious moments, as things won’t becomfortably the same as they always were. But,looking closer with the eyes of faith, it affords usan excellent opportunity to do world missionwork right here at home. For example, manycongregations have found offering English asSecond Language classes an excellent way ofproviding for the immediate temporal needs ofthese newcomers to America. And, much moreimportantly, it may often provide opportunity toanswer their eternal, spiritual needs.

Together as a Synod, to raise up called workersto serve them in their own, native cultures, wehave begun a Multi-Ethnic Pre-seminaryProgram.. Recent graduates from this programinclude several Hmong pastors. More are intraining among our brothers and sisters inChrist on the Apache Reservation and in theinner cities of America.

As long as we are talking about training calledworkers, a second ministry challenge to whichthe Synodical Council points us all to is to focusministerial education on outreach. We ought tobe extremely grateful for the solid foundationinherited from our fathers and grandfathers forpreparing future, full-time church workers. Ibelieve, it can safely be said without boasting,for these blessings, too, have come to us fromthe gracious hand of God—our ministerialeducation system is top of the line. The challengeis to pass along this legacy to our descendants,maintaining this strong foundation while buildingon it whatever is needed to meet the newchallenges we face today.

The Ministerial Education’s CurriculumCommittee’s report (MECC) seeks to do that verything, making us more agile in the multi-ethnicworld we talked about before. Several resolutions



regarding this report may be before you for yourserious, prayerful consideration.

As long as we are talking about our full-time,called workers, there are two other matters thatwill come before this convention: the Memorialregarding Ordination and the CompensationProposal. Here, once again, we will be dealing inan area where God has not laid down specificrequirements. Christian brothers may differ intheir opinions as to what should be done.

In our use of the term ordination, ordinationconveys no special powers or privileges. Itelevates no one to a higher position in the church.Scripture plainly teaches and our doctrinalstatements reflect those Biblical teachings thatall forms of ministry lie on the same plane, allare part of the one public ministry (Gospelministry). Ordination traditionally has been usedto recognize the first installation of a pastor. But itis his call into the public ministry that determinesthe full scope of his duties and responsibilities.

More recently, since 1991, we have also used theword ordination in regard to male teachers,recognizing their first call into that same, onepublic ministry of the Gospel. Once again, theirduties and responsibilities are conveyed not bythe church rite called ordination but by their callinto the public ministry. It was to indicate thatthey were also part of this one Gospel ministry. Itwas not a statement regarding their variousministry duties and responsibilities.

With these matters understood by all, asChristian brothers we can conclude the debateregarding what this church rite will be calledwhen it is applied to male teachers. And whenthe discussion ends and a resolution is passed,we can all support it.

The same will be true of the compensationproposal. The Lord is very clear that those whoshare the Gospel with others should share in theirearthly things, be compensated for what they do.He also clearly indicates that we show respect forthe Lord and the eternal worth of what is offeredto us in his Word by the way we provide for thetemporal needs of those who proclaim it amongus. Yet the Lord has not specifically said whatthose compensation amounts ought to be. Here,again, Christian judgment will come into play andChristian brothers, legitimately, may disagree.However, once a resolution has been passed, weneed to strive for unity of action, still allowing forindividual differences between calling bodies.

I would like to direct your attention to the finalopportunity the Synodical Council saw for us inthe immediate future. It was to IndividualizeSpiritual Growth and Personal Witnessing.

It’s wonderful that as men, women and childrenof the WELS we can walk together, doing so manythings together, things which would be nearlyimpossible to do alone like worker training andmission work throughout the world. There is adownside to this, however. In a group we caneasily lose our individual identify and sense ofresponsibility, thinking that someone will alwaysspeak and act for us.

One thing, though, dare never be institutionalized—our own spiritual growth. Our faith is anindividual thing. No one can believe for anotherperson. The spiritual growth of our faith, too, isa personal thing, taking place in the hearts andlives of each of us as the Lord, by His Spirit,through his Word, works upon our naturallycold and indifferent hearts, warming them by theGospel, breathing new life into lives of Christianfaith and dedication.

It is for this reason the Synodical Council hascommissioned a Spiritual Growth Project Team.This is not, surely, to institutionalize spiritualgrowth, to legislate how spiritual growth is tooccur among us. Rather, it recognizes the blessingsof spiritual growth among us, thanks alone to thepower of God’s Spirit, working in and through theWord. It also takes notice of areas where furtherspiritual growth might be desirable. And, in acooperative process, as all of us work individuallywith that powerful Word, it lays out a course ofaction which we may choose to follow in seeking,individually and corporately, to arrive at thesespiritual goals together.

One of the areas for growth we might all benefitfrom is in the area of the understanding andapplication of Christian stewardship. I praythat each of us, individually, and together, ascongregations and a synod, would look closelyat this aspect of spiritual growth. It may indeedbe one of the reasons the Lord is permitting thisaspect of our walk together to be challenging atthe present time.

In the very last book of the Old Testament,Malachi, God has some very pointed things tosay about a Christian’s stewardship. He asks inChapter 3:8, “Will a man rob God? Yet you robme. But you ask, how do we rob you? In tithesand offerings.”

It would seem unthinkable that anyone wouldbe so bold to attempt to rob God. And yet ithappens every day. It happens whenever wemisappropriate God’s wealth, denying him theownership of all that we possess. An owner ofanything does not like to see his name scratchedout and ours written over the top, claiming forourselves what rightfully belongs to him. Goddoesn’t either.



Graciously in loaning his possessions to us, Goddoes permit us to use a portion of what he hasgiven us to meet the personal obligation to familyand society he has also laid upon us. He does,however, want to be still recognized as the ownerby the return to him of a respectful portion ofwhat he has loaned to us.

The fear of being caught robbing God, however, isnot to be the motivating force in determining whatportion of what is his we are going to return to him.Just listen to this positive motivation, againsupplied to us by God through the pen of Malachi.It’s also found in chapter 3, verse 10: “ Bring thewhole tithe into the storehouse, that there may befood in mv house. Test me in this, says the LORD

Almighty, and see if I will not throw open thefloodgates of heaven and pour out so muchblessing that you will not have room enough for it.”

What a promise, what an ever gracious God! It’sall his to start with. But, he promises, when wereturn a respectful portion of it to him, returningto him what is his already, as we often sing in theoffertory hymn, he returns even more of what ishis to us, enabling us to do even more with whathe entrusts to us.

It is my prayer that our spiritual growth instewardship will lead to the realization of theever-giving nature of God’s grace. As so manyChristians have experienced, “it is impossible toout-give God!” The gift to us of His Son, ourSavior Jesus, should be proof enough of that. Andyet, as a further example of his never endinggrace, he continues to bless all our efforts to servehim with more and more blessings, leading us totrust him more and more.

It’s on this note of trust that I would like toconclude my remarks. The verse is Isaiah 43:2: “When you pass through the waters, I will be withyou; and when you pass through the rivers, theywill not sweep over you. When you walk throughthe fire, you will not be burned; the flames willnot set you ablaze.”

I would like to relate to you two stories from thediary of Edgar Hoenecke, a 98 year old veteran ofWELS world mission work. Just about 50 years ago,as he and Art Wacker investigated the potential formission work in Africa, they came with their 5 toncaravan to a river ford in Africa. There was only asmall, hand-propelled ferry. Looking at the heavycaravan, the African, who spoke little English,replied in perfect German, “ Es geht nicht; es kipptueber.” “It won’t work; it will tip over.”

He was persuaded, though, to try it, using fivepole men to steady the unloaded caravan, sayingto them, all the while, “ Sachte, Sachte, GentlyGently”. And they made it over, recalling inPastor Hoenecke’s mind the truth of what Isaiah

had written, “When you pass through the rivers,they will not sweep over you.”

But there was more. Two weeks later they metanother peril, FIRE! The whole horizon ofelephant grass seemed ablaze! This time “Sachte,”gently, won’t do. Wacker concluded, “Our onlychance is to drive through it as fast as we can.Pastor Hoenecke, said he reminded Art of thesmall leak in their spare gas tank. But it was toolate for caution; they were already speedingthrough the burning grass. And when theyemerged safely on the other side, with the gastank still leaking, with soot covering the trunk,Pastor Hoenecke recalled the rest of that Isaiahpassage: “When you walk through the fire, it willnot set you ablaze.”

I submit to you, at this convention, as we face thechallenge of the future, we are at just the samepoint, with the same promises of God to supportus. There are some times where we must gogently, carefully, so that the boat does not capsizeand there are some things we must do boldly,without fear, with faith alone moving us ahead.Let us with confidence and the full assurance offaith, work while it is day since the one who willbring the night is the Son of Righteousness withhealing in his powerful wings. While it is the day,let us bring his saving truth to light.

Appointments

I. BY THE CONFERENCE OF PRESIDENTS

Contributing Editors to Forward in Christ/Northwestern Lutheran

Rev Kenneth Cherney (2006)Rev Douglas Engelbrecht (2007)Rev Philip Kieselhorst (2007)Rev Paul Zell (2005)

WELS Transition Assistance TeamRev Martin Schulz, ChairmanProf Alan Siggelkow

II. BY THE PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENTS

To the Administrative Committee for LatinAmerican Missions

Rev Jon Buchholz (2001)

To The Commission for Communication onFinancial Support

Mr John C Ladner (2007)Mr Mark Neumann (2005)Mr David Voss (2006)

To The Communications Services CommissionRev William F Bernhardt (2005)Mr Joel Hochmuth (2005)Rev Douglas Engelbrecht (2007)Mr. Gary Stechmesser (2007)



To The Commission on Constitutional MattersRev Robert Pasbrig, Chairman (2006)

To The Commission on Inter-Church RelationsProf Forrest Bivens (2007)Rev Jonathan Balge (2007)Rev Tom Jeske (2007)Prof Daniel Leyrer (2007)Prof Paul O Wendland (2007)Prof James Pope (2005)Rev Keith Wessel (2005)

To The Committee on ReliefRev Philip Schupmann, Chairman (2003)Mr Sam Izzat (2005)Rev Mark Lindner (2003)

To The LPS Board of ControlRev Joel Luetke (2000)Mr David Brohn (2004)

To The MLC Board of ControlRev Roy Beyer (2006)Mr Scott Huebner (2004)

To The NPH Board of DirectorsProf John Schuetze (2003)

To The NPH Review BoardRev Richard Strobel (2006)

To The Synodical CouncilMr Kurt Austad (2004)Mr John Oswald (2004)

To The Synod Support CommitteeRev David Fischer, Chairman (2002)Rev Doug Free (2002)Rev Paul Zell (2002)

To TheWLS Board of ControlProf John Schuetze (2000)Rev Eugene Kock (2004)

III. BY THE PRESIDENT IN CONSULTATIONWITH OTHERS

Third Millennium Mission Partners Task ForceMr Dale AndersonMr Paul BeitlichRev David DolanRev Douglas EngelbrechtMr Marc FreyRev Paul JankeMr Anthony KubekMr John LadnerRev James MattekMr Dan SchmalMr Allen StueckDr Carl ToepelMr John WempnerRev Larry Zahn

Mission Opportunity Task Force IIMr Gary EckhardtRev John GawrischMr Kenneth HullMr Mark NeumannMr David Steinert

TEL-TECH Task Force IIRev Wayne Borgwardt, DirectorRev Gary Baumler, ChairmanDr Bowen LoftinMr Brent NemmersProf John PaulsenProf Kenric PetersonRev Elton Stroh

TEL-TECH II—Distance Learning SubcommitteeMr Daniel Schmeling, ChairmanProf James GrunwaldProf John LawrenzProf Lawrence OlsonPrincipal Kurt Troge

TEL-TECH II—Infrastructure SubcommitteeProf Steven Thiesfeldt, ChairmanMr Douglas ArndtMr John DobersteinMr Eric PaulsenMr Dan RebersMr Keith Wendt

Membership

I. The following congregations are recommendedby their respective district president for votingmembership in the Wisconsin EvangelicalLutheran Synod. Their constitutions have beenexamined and approved by their respectivedistrict constitution and legislation committees:

A. MICHIGAN DISTRICT

Beautiful Savior Evangelical LutheranChurch in Petoskey, MI

B. NORTH ATLANTIC DISTRICT

Tree of Life Evangelical Lutheran Church,Cary, SC

C. PACIFIC NORTHWEST DISTRICT

Beautiful Savior Evangelical LutheranChurch in Beaverton, OR

Amazing Grace Evangelical LutheranChurch in Boise, ID

D. SOUTH ATLANTIC DISTRICT

Risen Savior Evangelical Lutheran Churchin Orlando, FL

Risen Savior Evangelical Lutheran Churchin Savannah, GA



E. SOUTHEASTERN WISCONSIN DISTRICT

Loving Shepherd Evangelical LutheranChurch in Milwaukee, WI

II. The following pastors, professors, graduatetutors, male teachers, and staff ministers havebeen recommended by their respective districtpresident for voting membership in theWisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod

A. ARIZONA CALIFORNIA DISTRICT

1. Rev. Brian Doebler, Hispanic Outreach,Pomona, CA, from WLS

2. Rev. Jonathan Hackbarth, King of Kings,Garden Grove, CA, from WLS

3. Rev. Christopher Schroeder, HispanicOutreach, Pomona, CA, from WLS

4. Rev. Johnold Strey, Gloria Dei, Belmont,CA, from WLS

5. Teacher Michael Berge, East Fork,Whiteriver, AZ, from MLC

6. Teacher Nathan Buch, Mt. Calvary,Redding, CA, from MLC

7. Teacher Jayson Diersen, California LHS,Wildomar, CA, from MLC

8. Teacher Michael Homan, East Fork ,Whiteriver, AZ, from MLC

B. DAKOTA MONTANA DISTRICT

1. Teacher Brian Schwanz, St. Martin,Watertown, SD, from MLC

2. Teacher Nathan Smith, St. Paul, RapidCity, SD, from MLC

C. MICHIGAN DISTRICT

1. Rev. Timothy Dolan, Saginaw, MI fromWLS

2. Rev. Michael Sheppard, Trinity,Lincoln/St John, Mio, MI from WLS

3. Rev. Russell Wilke, Amazing Grace,Florence, KY, from WLS

4. Teacher Justin Foxen, St. Paul,Columbus, OH, from MLC

5. Teacher Justin Gut, Peace, Otsego, MI,from MLC

6. Teacher Daniel Nolte, Martin Luther,Madison Heights, MI, from MLC

7. Teacher Ryan Stangl, St. John,Dowagiac, MI, from MLC

D. MINNESOTA DISTRICT

1. Rev. Jamie Brei, Our Redeemer,Wabasha, MN/Grace, Nelson, WIfrom WLS

2. Rev. Jeffrey Duquaine, Shepherd of theHills, Duluth, MN, from WLS

3. Rev. David Fleischmann, St Paul,Morris, MN, from WLS

4. Rev. Joel Gawrisch, Christ, (Associate)N. Saint Paul, Morris, MN, from WLS

5. Rev. Stephen Mueller, Missionary,Domincan Republic, from WLS

6. Rev. Luke Myslik, Trinity, (Associate)Nicollet, MN, from WLS

7. Rev. William Ritchie, Zion, Sanborn,MN, from WLS

8. Rev. Jonathan Scharf, MLC, New Ulm,MN, from WLS

9. Rev. James Werner, MLC, New Ulm,MN, from WLS

10. Rev. Gary Wong, St Paul, N. Mankato,MN, from WLS

11. Teacher Jared Christensen, Resurrection,Rochester, MN, from MLC

12. Teacher Ethan Hutchinson, St. Croix, W.St Paul, MN, from MLC

13. Teacher Christopher Luebke, St. Paul,Saint James, MN, from MLC

14. Teacher Casey Pufahl, St. Croix LHS,Saint Paul, MN, from MLC

15. Teacher Timothy Schultz, Christ, N. StPaul, MN, from MLC

16. Teacher Jason Snodie, Salem, Stillwater,MN, from MLC

E. NEBRASKA DISTRICT

1. Rev. Stephen Helwig, Gethsemane,Lee’s Summit, MO, from WLS

2. Rev. Scott Miller, Grace, Burke/Peace,Carlock/St John, Herrick, SD, from WLS

3. Teacher Philip Cloute, Zion, Valentine,NE, from MLC

4. Teacher Matthew Foley, Shepherd of theValley, Westminster, CO, from MLC

5. Teacher Joshua Gregovich, St. Paul,Norfolk, NE from MLC

6. Teacher Kevin Hahm, Nebraska LHS,Waco, NE, from MLC

7. Teacher Timothy Hemling, Trinity,Hoskins, NE, from MLC

8. Teacher Matthew Willems, NebraskaLHS, Waco, NE, from MLC

F. NORTH ATLANTIC DISTRICT

1. Rev. Arthur Faught, Exploratory,Winchester, VA, from WLS

2. Rev. Harland Goetzinger, St Paul,(Associate) Ottawa, ON from WLS

3. Rev. Lic Canot by colloquy

G. NORTHERN WISCONSIN DISTRICT

1. Rev. Christopher Johnson, St Paul,(Associate) Algoma, WI, from WLS

2. Rev. Andrew Schwartz, St John,Florence, WI, from WLS

3. Teacher Clark Dittnebber, Bethany,Manitowoc, WI, from MLC

4. Teacher Mark Ehlke, Manitowoc LHS,Manitowoc, WI, from MLC



5. Teacher Michael Peek, Trinity, Neenah,WI, from MLC

6. Teacher Benjamin Rank, Trinity, Kiel,WI, from MLC

H. PACIFIC NORTHWEST DISTRICT

No recommendations.

I. SOUTH ATLANTIC DISTRICT

1. Rev. Joshua Kesting, Trinity,Englewood, FL, from WLS

2. Rev. Michael Weigand, Peace, Holiday,FL, from WLS

3. Teacher Christopher Fischer, Sola Fide,Lawrenceville, GA, from MLC

J. SOUTH CENTRAL DISTRICT

1. Rev. Joshua Martin, Abiding Savior,Killeen, TX, from WLS

2. Rev. Mark Rohrback, Missionary,Russia, from WLS

3. Teacher Joshua Bauer, Abiding Word,Houston, TX, from MLC

K. SOUTHEASTERN WISCONSIN DISTRICT

1. Rev. Matthew Krenke, St Peter,Milwaukee, WI, from WLS

2. Rev. John Nieminen from colloquy fromCLS

3. Rev. Michael Sullivan, Zebaoth,Milwaukee, WI, from WLS

4. Teacher Aaron Bauer, Siloah,Milwaukee, WI, from MLC

5. Teacher Daniel Kasten, Garden Homes,Milwaukee, WI, from MLC

6. Teacher Anthony Natalie, St. Paul,Muskego, WI, from MLC

7. Teacher Justin Walz, Beautiful Savior,Milwaukee, WI, from MLC

L. WESTERN WISCONSIN DISTRICT

1. Rev. Joel Heckendorf, St. Peter,(Associate) Schofield, WI, from WLS

2. Rev. Matthew Holtz, Grace, Prairie duChien, WI, from WLS

3. Rev. Kurt Schaser, LPS, Watertown fromWLS

4. Rev. Paul Schulz, LPS, Watertown fromWLS

5. Staff Minister Thad Jahns, St. Paul,Wisconsin Rapids, WI from WLCFS

6. Teacher Brian Mensching, LPS,Watertown, WI, from MLC

7. Teacher John Ristow, St. Mark,Watertown, WI, from MLC

Memorials

The Bylaws of the synod stipulate that “allmatters to come before the convention shallbe presented in writing to the president by a

deadline determined by the president and vice-president. They shall also decide which of thesematters are to be included in the Book of Reportsand Memorials to the convention.” The printedmemorials have been directed to the appropriateFloor Committees. If a floor committee feels that agiven communication has exerted considerableinfluence on one of its resolutions, it may requestthat it be shared with all the delegates. We wouldalso respectfully request that if anyone still has anunprinted memorial they wish to present that itwould be given to me for submission to theappropriate floor committee for consideration.

2003 Convention

The normal convention rotation would haveLuther Preparatory School host the 2003 SynodConvention. Should a chapel be built at MartinLuther College and be completed by the summerof 2003, it might be advisable to have thedelegates participate in some way in itsdedication. We would ask Floor Committee #7to consider the Constitution’s alternate methodof deciding convention location, allowing theSynod Praesidium to decide, notifying theconstituents early in 2002.

Floor Committees

All voting delegates have been assigned to serveon a floor committee. This makes some of ourcommittees rather large, but also enables themto divide into subcommittees to facilitate theirpreliminary work. As much as humanly possible,floor committee work should be done when theconvention is not in session. Additional time,especially in the early days of the convention,is being set aside for floor committee activities.Unless informed otherwise, all alternatedelegates are expected to serve on the floorcommittees to which the delegate they arereplacing has been assigned.

Recognition of Speakers

During the course of the convention the chairmay not always be able to recognize by namethe delegates who wish to speak. Rather thanrecognize some by name and not others, thechair will simply call the microphone numberand each speaker is asked to identify himselfbefore addressing the convention.

In Gratitude

I want to sincerely thank the members of thesynod for their counsel and cooperation thispast biennium. A special thanks to our vicepresidents and secretary, the district presidents,the chairmen, administrators and members of ourvarious boards, commissions, and committees as



well as to all the dedicated staff members at theSynod Administration Building. You have allbeen most encouraging and helpful.

In Conclusion

Finally, brothers, we all have come here, desiringto “Work While It Is Day.” We will worship, pray,study our Bibles together and be about ourHeavenly Father’s business. And may Godgraciously grant, when these days together aredone, we may continue to “Work While It Is Day”accomplishing his work along our way until,together, we are with him forever.

2001 MEMORIALS

(Printed in the 2001 BORAM, pages 153-167)with one added from the Convention Floor.)

Memorial (2001-01) Assigned to Floor Committee 6, 12

Subject: New pension benefit formula

Submitted by: Marcus C. Nitz, Placentia, California


Subject: Synodical district alignment

Submitted by: The Nebraska District inConvention

Rev. Joel Frank

Memorial (2001-03) Assigned to Floor Committee 12

Subject: Church body name change

Submitted by: Rev. David Schultz, Rising City,Nebraska


Subject: BME implement curriculum revisionfor MLC

Rev. Spencer Biga, Bruce Crossing, MichiganRev. Kevin Cortez, Pardeeville, WisconsinRev. Ross Else, Farmington, New MexicoRev. James Fleming, Farmington, New MexicoRev. Kermit Habben, Tokyo, JapanRev. Michael Quandt, Salt Lake City, UtahRev. Nathan Seiltz, Casper, WyomingRev. James Tauscher, Boulder, Colorado


Subject: MLC cross-teaching memorial

Rev. Spencer Biga, Bruce Crossing, MichiganRev. Kevin Cortez, Pardeeville, WisconsinRev. Ross Else, Farmington, New MexicoRev. James Fleming, Farmington, New Mexico

Rev. Kermit Habben, Tokyo, JapanRev. Michael Quandt, Salt Lake City, UtahRev. Nathan Seiltz, Casper, WyomingRev. James Tauscher, Boulder, Colorado


Subject: Curricular review at Martin LutherCollege

Prof. Jerald PlitzuweitMartin Luther College


Subject: Ordination of male teachers and staffministers

Teacher Shannon Bohme, Stevensville,Michigan

Teacher David Brohn, South Haven, MichiganRev. Joel Frank, Plymoth, NebraskaRev. Marc Frey, Seward, NebraskaRev. Vilas Glaeske, Scroggins, TexasStaff minister James Holman, Citrus Heights,

CaliforniaRev. Charles Huebner, Springdale, ArkansasRev. Geoffrey Kieta, Muskegon, MichiganRev. Wayne Laitinen, Oklahoma City,

OklahomaRev. Charles Learman, Peshtigo, WisconsinRev. Edwin Lehmann, Nixa, MissouriRev. James W. Naumann, Vassar, MichiganRev. Paul Naumann, Benton Harbor, MichiganStaff minister Kenneth Nolte, Saint Joseph,

MichiganProf. Lawrence Olson, New Ulm, MinnesotaRev. Carl Otto, Saginaw, MichiganRev. Nathan Pope, Racine, WisconsinProf. Paul Prange, Saginaw, MichiganRev. Peter M. Prange, Orange Park, FloridaRev. Victor Prange, Tucson, ArizonaRev. William Schaefer II, Minneapolis,

MinnesotaProf. em. Armin Schuetze, Watertown,

WisconsinTeacher Stephen L. Schultz, Juneau, WisconsinRev. James Seelow, Saginaw, MichiganRev. Donald Seifert, Los Angeles, CaliforniaRev. John Seifert, Midland, MichiganProf. James Tiefel, Mequon, WisconsinRev. Stephen Valleskey, Houston, TexasRev. Jonathan Voss, Remus, MichiganTeacher Carl Weihrauch, Stevensville, MichiganRev. Frederick Zimmerman, Kawkalin,

Michigan


Subject: MECC memorial

Submitted by:Rev. Matthew Arnold, Oconto Falls, Wisconsin



Rev. Terry Balogh, Mayville, MichiganRev. Michael Bater, Lansing, MichiganRev. Benjamin Berger, Waco, NebraskaRev. William Brassow, Saginaw, MichiganRev. John Brenner, Saginaw, MichiganRev. Gerhardt Cares, Columbus, WisconsinRev. Aaron Christie, Trevor, WisconsinProf. Em. Paul Eickmann, Watertown,

WisconsinRev. Marc Frey, Seward, NebraskaRev. Loren Fritz, Harrisonville, MissouriRev. Daniel Garbow, Saginaw, MichiganDr. Vernon Gerlach, Tempe, ArizonaRev. Gregory Gibbons, Livonia, MichiganRev. James Gorsegner Pigeon, MichiganRev. Cary Grant, Battle Creek, MichiganRev. Darren Green, Geneva, NebraskaRev. Michael Helwig, Grand Island, NebraskaRev. Dennis Himm, Grand Blanc, MichiganRev. Paul Hirsch, Hastings, NebraskaRev. Charles Huebner, Springdale, ArkansasRev. Joel Jenswold, Powell, OhioRev. Steven Kahrs, Clatonia, NebraskaRev. Geoffrey Kieta, Muskegon, MichiganRev. Steven Korth, Bay City, MichiganRev. Wayne Laitinen, Oklahoma City,

OklahomaRev. James Langebartels, Imlay City, MichiganRev. Charles Learman, Peshtigo, WisconsinRev. Edwin Lehmann, Nixa, MissouriMr. Gary Leopold, Warrenton, VirginiaRev. Edward Lindemann, Pardeeville,

WisconsinRev. Kurt Loescher, Burlington, WisconsinProf. Marcus Manthey, Saginaw, MichiganRev. Stephen Melso, Nepean, Ontario, CanadaRev. James Naumann, Vassar, MichiganRev. Paul Naumann, Benton Harbor, MichiganRev. Carl Otto, Saginaw, MichiganRev. Joel Otto, Manitowoc, WisconsinRev. Timothy Otto, Phoenix, ArizonaRev. Bradley Pearson, Lincoln, NebraskaRev. Gary Pieper, Grove City, OhioRev. James Plitzuweit, Kansas City, MissouriRev. James Plocher, Vassar, MichiganRev. Nathan Pope, Racine, WisconsinRev. Stephen Raddatz, Lincoln, NebraskaRev. Richard Scheibe, Wayland, MichiganRev. Thomas Schroeder, Novi, MichiganRev. Melvin Schwark, Cornell, WisconsinRev. James Seelow, Saginaw, MichiganRev. Robert Strawn, Broken Bow, NebraskaRev. Ross Urich, Denver, ColoradoRev. Jonathan Voss, Remus, MichiganRev. Douglas Westenberg, Juneau, WisconsinProf. em. Martin Westerhaus, Milwaukee,

WisconsinRev. Robert Wilke, Columbus, Wisconsin

Prof. em. William Zell, Mishicot, WisconsinRev. Frederick Zimmerman, Kawkawlin,

MichiganRev. Michael Zuberbier, Tawas City, Michigan


Subject: Curriculum changes

Submitted by:

Rev. Kenneth Brokmeier, Brookings, SouthDakota

Professor Daniel Deutschlander, New Ulm,Minnesota

Rev. Paul Doletzky, Fairfax, MinnesotaMissionary Timothy Flunker, Mexico City,

MexicoRev. Tony Hansen, Winona, MinnesotaRev. Michael Jensen, Ixonia, WisconsinRev. Thomas Kock, Johnson City, TennesseeRev. Michael Lindemann, Lewiston, MinnesotaRev. Guy Purdue, Freeland, MichiganRev. Jeffrey Schallert, Cambridge, WisconsinRev. David Schleusener, Raleigh,

North CarolinaProf. em. Armin Schuetze, Watertown,

WisconsinRev. Karl Schultz, Hardar, NebraskaRev. David Silfies, Morgan, MinnesotaRev. Daniel Sims, McFraland, WisconsinRev. Timothy Spaude, Greenfield, WisconsinRev. em. Carl Voss, Watertown, WisconsinRev. Jonathan Werre, Red Deer, Alberta,

CanadaRev. Luke Werre, Sun Prairie, WisconsinRev. John Willitz, Alexandria, Minnesota


Subject: Regarding confessional languages atMLC

Submitted by:

Prof. Daniel Deutschlander, New Ulm,Minnesota

Prof. James Danell, New Ulm, MinnesotaProf. Earle Treptow, New Ulm, Minnesota

Memorial (2001-11)

Subject: Proposed changes to the bylawsgoverning ministerial education:Increase in size of the Martin LutherCollege Board of Control and provisionfor all boards of control members tosucceed themselves once

Submitted by:

Board for Ministerial EducationRev. Peter Kruschel



Subject: Bylaw change for CommunicationServices Commission (CSC)

Submitted by:

Communication Services CommissionRev. Gary Baumler


Subject: Vacancies in district elected offices onthe Synodical Council and thegoverning board of the ministerialeducation schools

Submitted by: The Michigan District inConvention


Subject: Nominating procedure for election ofdistrict members of the SynodicalCouncil and governing boards ofministerial education schools

Submitted by: The Michigan District inConvention


Subject: To establish fellowship with theConfessional Lutheran Church inLatvia

Submitted by: Commission on Inter-ChurchRelations


Subject: Borrowed money limits

Submitted by: Synodical Council


Reference: BORAM—pp. 118-119

Subject: Report of the Conference ofPresidents Forward in Christ

Resolution No. 1

WHEREAS 1) the 56th biennial convention of theWisconsin Evangelical LutheranSynod marks the plannedconclusion of the two-year ForwardIn Christ celebration during whichwe expressed our gratitude to Godfor his blessings to our synod forthe past 150 years and to the

Christian Church for the 2,000 yearssince Christ was born; and

WHEREAS 2) there are still gifts committed to theForward In Christ Thankofferingwhich have not yet been received;and

WHEREAS 3) there is still much work to becompleted that was begun with giftsfrom the Forward in ChristThankoffering; therefore be it

Resolved, a) That the 2001 convention of theWisconsin Evangelical LutheranSynod officially conclude theForward In Christ celebration; andbe it further

Resolved, b) That the Wisconsin EvangelicalLutheran Synod extend its heartfeltthanks to the Forward In ChristCelebration Committee, theCommission for Communication onFinancial Support, and all thoseinvolved in this celebration of God’sgoodness; and be it finally

Resolved, c) That the Commission forCommunication on FinancialSupport continue to receive the giftspreviously committed to theForward in Christ Thankofferingand to seek gifts which will supportunfunded projects begun with theForward In Christ Thankoffering.

ADOPTED

Reference: BoRaM—pp. 113-116

Subject: Report of the Conference ofPresidents Christian Stewardship

Resolution No 2

WHEREAS 1) Good stewardship is a gift of God,a fruit of faith, and an essentialcomponent to support and furtherthe work of Christ’s Church onearth through the WisconsinEvangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS)and its individual congregations;and

WHEREAS 2) the Commission for Communicationon Financial Support (CCFS) is thearm of the Conference of Presidents(COP) that carries out all fundingactivities on behalf of the synod;and

WHEREAS 3) the CCFS has conducted listeningand learning sessions with




congregation leaders in all twelvedistricts to evaluate currentstewardship programs; and

WHEREAS 4) one conclusion of these discussionswas that levels of stewardshipeducation and understanding aregenerally low; and

WHEREAS 5) these discussions also revealed thatmany congregations could currentlybe considered “at-risk” financially,struggling to support a bare-bonesministry; and

WHEREAS 6) there is a projected shortfall insynod mission offerings beginningin the year 2003; and

WHEREAS 7) this disturbing trend is furtherevidenced by the fact thatcongregational mission offerings in2000 for the first time in four yearsdid not exceed the rate of inflationand surpass subscriptions; and

WHEREAS 8) congregational leaders need toaddress forthrightly the subject ofstewardship; and

WHEREAS 9) God wants his people to excel in thegrace of giving; therefore be it

Resolved, a) That the COP continue toemphasize stewardship education;and be it further

Resolved, b) That the WELS encouragecongregations to train theirmembers in Christian stewardshipby utilizing the materials andsupport services of the CCFS; andbe it finally

Resolved, c) That within the next two years theCCFS and its agencies visit eachcongregation, providing educationalmaterials and training in Christianstewardship.

ADOPTED


Subject: Report of the Conference ofPresidents Ordination of Male Teachers and StaffMinisters

Resolution No. 3

WHEREAS 1) Scripture teaches that the Lord hasgiven his church on earth the publicministry, i.e. that the Lord wantsgroups of believers to call qualifiedindividuals to use the means ofgrace both for their benefit and intheir place; and

WHEREAS 2) Scripture teaches that a call ratherthan ordination places an individualinto the public ministry; and

WHEREAS 3) the church rite of ordination isneither commanded nor forbiddenin Scripture; and

WHEREAS 4) the historic church rite of ordinationas practiced in Lutheran churches(including the WELS until 1991)recognized the longer and moreintensive training required to beeligible for the pastoral ministry,which generally includes thebroadest scope of responsibilities inthe public ministry; and

WHEREAS 5) the 1991 convention of the WELSresolved to introduce the practice ofordaining men into the teachingministry and thereby altered thehistorical meaning of the termordination; and

WHEREAS 6) this change in terminology andpractice has caused confusionwithin our synod and has raisedquestions both inside and outsideour synodical fellowship regardingour doctrine of the call and practiceof ordination; and

WHEREAS 7) this 1991 resolution has beenimplemented inconsistently; and

WHEREAS 8) some have suggested the WELSbroaden its practice to furtherinclude the ordination of othercalled workers; and

WHEREAS 9) the tax status of male teachers as“ministers of the gospel” wasestablished by an IRS private letterruling in 1955 and was not affectedby the 1991 resolution; and

WHEREAS 10) the WELS would be wise toestablish consistent terminologyand practice regarding ordinationprior to the development of thepublication Christian Worship:Occasional Services, which willcontain the rites to be used for theinstallation of called workers intovarious forms of the publicministry; therefore be it

Resolved, a) That the WELS reaffirm its long-held confession that there is butone public gospel ministry as weconfess in our church’s doctrinalstatement Doctrinal Statements of theWELS (1997) Part D, Point 6, Page


50, “The one public ministry of theGospel may assume various forms,as circumstances demand. . . In spiteof the great diversity in the externalforms of the ministerial work, theministry is essentially one. Thevarious offices for the publicpreaching of the Gospel . . . are allgifts of the exalted Christ to HisChurch.” . . . ; and be it further

Resolved, b) That WELS rescind the resolution ofits 1991 convention to ordain meninto the teaching ministry and thatit return to the common and historicLutheran practice of ordaining onlythose men who have been trained tohold the most comprehensive formof the Gospel ministry, namely, thepastoral office; and be it further

Resolved, c) That, we urge the Conference ofPresidents to communicate ourterminology and practice regardingchurch and ministry to callingbodies within the WELS; and beit finally

Resolved, d) That Commission on Worship uselanguage that reflects this change asit develops rites for the installationof called workers for inclusion intothe publication Christian Worship:Occasional Services.

ADOPTED AS AMENDED


Subject: Report of the Conference of PresidentsCommissioning of Male Teachers,Female Teachers, Male Staff Ministersand Female Staff Ministers

Resolution No. 4

WHEREAS 1) the WELS in its Convention 2001has resolved to return to the historicpractice of ordaining only pastors;and

WHEREAS 2) there may still be confusion as toterminology used in regard to theinstallation of male teachers, femaleteachers, male staff ministers, andfemale staff ministers; and

WHEREAS 3) consistent terminology is necessaryfor good order; and

WHEREAS 4) we believe and teach that the onepublic ministry of the Gospel mayassume various forms, all of themunder the general commission(Matthew 28:16-20) to preach theGospel; and

WHEREAS 5) the IRS recognizes the term“commissioned” along with theterms “duly ordained” and“licensed minister” to identify“ministers of the gospel” for taxpurposes; and

WHEREAS 6) the WELS would be wise toestablish consistent terminologyprior to the development of thepublication Christian Worship:Occasional Services which willcontain the rites to be used for theinstallation of called workers intovarious forms of the publicministry; therefore be it

Resolved, a) That all male teachers, femaleteachers, male staff ministers,and female staff ministers becommissioned at the time theybegin their public ministry; andbe it finally

Resolved, b) That the Commission on Worshipuses language which reflects thischange as it develops rites forinclusion in the publicationChristian Worship: OccasionalServices.

ADOPTED

Rev. Mark Rieke,Chairman

Mr. Barry Washburn,Secretary

Rev. John BeckRev. Jeff CarterRev. Mark HallemeyerRev. Ross HenziRev. Christopher

KruschelRev. Jon KuskeRev. Roger QuandtRev. John Ruege, Jr.Rev. Paul SchmiegeRev. Timothy SoukupRev. John StellickRev. Mark ToepelRev. Michael TraudtRev. Carl ZiemerTeacher Jon

BiedenbenderTeacher Ronald

BrownTeacher Paul FritzeTeacher Guy GastTeacher Mark ProbstTeacher Paul Scriver

Teacher AndrewWillems

Mr. David BenderMr. Robert BoydMr. Jan BueloMr. Gary EvansMr. David FalckMr. Michael

FrieseneggerMr. Gary GrayMr. Paul HerzfeldtMr. Delmar HorstmanMr. Robert JanesMr. Daniel KemnitzMrm. Tom KueglerMr. Ralph KunzMr. Larry LindemannMr. Jack MartenMr. LeRoy

MillelstedterMr. Andy NygaardMr. Dale OppermannMr. Kevin RaucholzDr. Gilbert SechristMr. Brian SchulzMr. Donald

TimmermannMr. J. Zenke





Reference: President’s Report

Subject: Membership

Resolution No. 1

WHEREAS 1) the following congregations arerecommended by the respectivedistrict presidents for votingmembership in the WisconsinEvangelical Lutheran Synod; and

WHEREAS 2) their constitutions have beenexamined and approved by theirrespective district constitutionand legislation committees ;therefore be it

Resolved, That the following congregations begraciously welcomed into votingmembership in the WisconsinEvangelical Lutheran Synod:

From the MICHIGAN DISTRICT

Beautiful Savior EvangelicalLutheran Church in Petoskey, MI

From the NORTH ATLANTICDISTRICT

Tree of Life Lutheran Church inCary, NC

From the PACIFIC NORTHWESTDISTRICT

Beautiful Savior EvangelicalLutheran Church in Beaverton, OR

Amazing Grace EvangelicalLutheran Church in Boise, ID

From the SOUTH ATLANTICDISTRICT

Risen Savior Evangelical LutheranChurch in Orlando, FL

Risen Savior Evangelical LutheranChurch in Savannah, GA

From the SOUTHEASTERNWISCONSIN DISTRICT

Loving Shepherd EvangelicalLutheran Church in Milwaukee, WI

ADOPTED

Reference : President’s Report

Subject: Membership

Resolution No. 2

WHEREAS the following pastors, professors,graduate tutors, male teachers,and staff ministers have been

recommended by their respectivedistrict presidents for votingmembership in the WisconsinEvangelical Lutheran Synod;therefore be it

Resolved, That the following be graciouslywelcomed into voting membershipin the Wisconsin EvangelicalLutheran Synod:

From the ARIZONA-CALIFORNIADISTRICT

Rev. Brian Doebler, HispanicOutreach, Pomona, CA, from WLSRev. Jonathan Hackbarth, King ofKings, Garden Grove, CA, fromWLSRev. Christopher Schroeder,Hispanic Outreach, Pomona, CA,from WLSRev. Johnold Strey, Gloria Dei,Belmont, CA, from WLSTeacher Michael Berge, East Fork,Whiteriver, AZ, from MLCTeacher Nathan Buch, Mt.Calvary, Redding, CA, from MLCTeacher Jayson Diersen, CaliforniaLHS, Wildomar, CA, from MLCTeacher Michael Homan, EastFork, Whiteriver, AZ, from MLC

From the DAKOTA-MONTANADISTRICT

Teacher Brian Schwanz, St. Martin,Watertown, SD, from MLCTeacher Nathan Smith, St. Paul,Rapid City, SD, from MLC

From the MICHIGAN DISTRICT

Rev. Timothy Dolan, MLS,Saginaw, MI, from WLSRev. Michael Sheppard, Trinity,Lincoln/St John’s, Mio, MI, fromWLSRev. Russell Wilke, AmazingGrace, Florence, KY, from WLSTeacher Justin Foxen, St. Paul,Columbus, OH, from MLCTeacher Justin Gut, Peace, Ostego,MI, from MLCTeacher Daniel Nolte, MartinLuther, Madison Heights, MI,from MLCTeacher Ryan Stangl, St. John,Dowagiac, MI, from MLC



From the MINNESOTA DISTRICT

Rev. Jamie Brei, Our Redeemer,Wabasha, MN/Grace, Nelson, WI,from WLSRev. Jeffrey Duquaine, Shepherd ofthe Hills, Duluth, MN, from WLSRev. David Fleischmann, St. Paul,Morris, MN, from WLSRev. Joel Gawrisch, Christ,(Associate) N. St. Paul, Morris,MN, from WLSRev. Stephen Mueller, Missionary,Dominican Republic, from WLSRev. Luke Myslik, Trinity,(Associate) Nicollet, MN, fromWLSRev. William Ritchie, Zion,Sanborn, MN, from WLSRev. Jonathan Scharf, MLC, NewUlm, MN, from WLSRev. James Werner, MLC, NewUlm, MN, from WLSRev. Gary Wong, St. Paul,N. Mankato, MN, from WLSTeacher Jared Christensen,Resurrection, Rochester, MN, fromMLCTeacher Ethan Hutchinson,St. Croix LHS, W. St. Paul, MN,from MLCTeacher Christopher Luebke,St. Paul, St. James, MN, from MLCTeacher Casey Pufahl, St. CroixLHS, St. Paul, MN, from MLCTeacher Timothy Schultz, Christ,N. St. Paul, MN from MLCTeacher Jason Snodie, Salem,Stillwater, MN, from MLC

From the NEBRASKA DISTRICT

Rev. Stephen Helwig,Gethsemane, Lee’s Summit, MO,from WLSRev. Scott Miller, Grace,Burke/Peace, Carlock/St. John’s,Herrick, SD, from WLSTeacher Philip Cloute, Zion,Valentine, NE, from MLCTeacher Matthew Foley, Shepherdof the Valley, Westminister, CO,from MLCTeacher Joshua Gregovich, St.Paul, Norfolk, NE, from MLCTeacher Kevin Hahm, NebraskaLHS, Waco, NE, from MLC

Teacher Timothy Hemling, Trinity,Hoskins, NE, from MLCTeacher Matthew Willems,Nebraska LHS, Waco, NE, fromMLC

From the NORTH ATLANTICDISTRICT

Rev. Arthur Faught, Exploratory,Winchester, VA, from WLSRev. Harland Goetzinger, St. Paul,(Associate) Ottawa, ON, from WLSRev. Lic Canot by colloquy

From the NORTHERN WISCONSINDISTRICT

Rev. Christopher Johnson,St. Paul, (Associate) Algoma, WI,from WLSRev. Andrew Schwartz, St. John,Florence, WI, from WLSTeacher Clark Dittbenner, Bethany,Manitowoc, WI, from MLCTeacher Michael Peek, Trinity,Neenah, WI, from MLCTeacher Benjamin Rank, Trinity,Kiel, WI, from MLC

From the PACIFIC NORTHWESTDISTRICT

No recommendations

From the SOUTH ATLANTICDISTRICT

Rev. Joshua Kesting, Trinity,Englewood, FL, from WLSRev. Michael Weigand, Peace,Holiday, FL, from WLSTeacher Christopher Fischer, SolaFide, Lawrenceville, GA, fromMLC

From the SOUTH CENTRALDISTRICT

Rev. Joshua Martin, AbidingSavior, Killeen, TX, from WLSRev. Mark Rohrback, Missionary,Russia, from WLSTeacher Joshua Bauer, AbidingWord, Houston, TX, from MLC

From the SOUTHEASTERNWISCONSIN DISTRICT

Rev. Matthew Krenke, St. Peter,Milwaukee, WI, from WLSRev. John Nieminen from colloquyRev. Michael Sullivan, Zebaoth,Milwaukee, WI, from WLS



Teacher Aaron Bauer, Siloah,Milwaukee, WI, from MLCTeacher Daniel Kasten, GardenHomes, Milwaukee, WI, from MLCTeacher Anthony Natalie, St. Paul,Muskego, WI, from MLCTeacher Justin Walz, BeautifulSavior, Milwaukee, WI, from MLC

From the WESTERN WISCONSINDISTRICT

Rev. Joel Heckendorf, St. Peter,(Associate) Schofield, WI, fromWLSRev. Matthew Holtz, Grace,Prairie du Chien, WI, from WLS

Rev. Kurt Schaser, LPS,Watertown, WI, from WLSRev. Paul Schulz, LPS, Watertown,WI, from WLSStaff Minister Thad Jahns, St.Paul, Wisconsin Rapids, WI, fromWLCFS Teacher Brian Mensching, LPS,Watertown, WI, from MLCTeacher John Ristow, St. Mark,Watertown, WI, from MLC

ADOPTED AS AMENDED

Teacher John Micheel, ChairmanMr. Bruce Seemann, Secretary


Ministerial Education PROCEEDINGS /31



Subject: Thanksgiving

Resolution No.1

WHEREAS 1) this year’s graduating class fromMLC had the largest number ofpastoral ministry students that ourministerial education system hasproduced since 1985; and

WHEREAS 2) the enrollment in our synodicalschools is increasing; and

WHEREAS 3) the Lord continues to bless ourministerial education system withstudents of high quality; and

WHEREAS 4) the Lord has blessed our ministerialeducation schools with faithful,gifted, and dedicated teachers; and

WHEREAS 5) Professors Daniel Kirk, ArnoldKoelpin, Armin Panning, DarvinRaddatz, and Robert Stoltz haveretired; and

WHEREAS 6) Dr. John Lawrenz has taken a call toWisconsin Lutheran Seminary afterserving as Administrator of theBoard for Ministerial Education;therefore be it

Resolved, a) That we thank the Lord for hiscontinued blessings on ourministerial education system; and beit finally

Resolved, b) That we thank the Lord for thededicated service of these men whohave served well in theireducational positions for manyyears.

ADOPTED


Subject: Ministerial Education

Resolution No.2

WHEREAS 1) there is an ongoing need in oursynod for ministers in all forms ofministry; and

WHEREAS 2) the Sabbatical-in-Ministry Programkeeps ministerial education workersin tune with current realities in theparish; and

WHEREAS 3) both the Congregational EvangelistProgram and the Multi-EthnicPreseminary Program have showngreat promise for the training ofworkers to share the gospel of JesusChrist; and

WHEREAS 4) there is a need for improved andexpanded facilities at Martin LutherCollege; and

WHEREAS 5) current synod-mandated educationprograms are in jeopardy because ofa lack of funding; therefore be it

Resolved, a) That we encourage the BME tocontinue its efforts at recruitmentand retention of ministerialstudents; and be it further

Resolved, b) That we encourage the ministerialeducation faculties to take fulladvantage of the Sabbatical-in-Ministry Program; and be it further

Resolved, c) That we wholeheartedly support theCongregational Evangelist Programand the Multi-Ethnic PreseminaryProgram as tools for trainingworkers; and be it further

Resolved, d) That we support the expansion ofour educational facilities to meet theneeds of our ministerial studentstoday and in the future; and be itfinally

Resolved, e) That in a spirit of thankfulness weencourage the members of theWELS joyfully and generously toincrease their offerings to meet theopportunities the Lord has placedbefore us.

ADOPTED

Reference: BORAM Memorial 2001-05,pp.154,155, and Memorial 2001-09,p.161

Subject: Cross-Teaching at MLC

Resolution No. 3

WHEREAS 1) the Lord has blessed our synod withMartin Luther College (MLC), theWELS College of Ministry, whichprepares future pastors, teachers,and staff ministers for work in hiskingdom; and

WHEREAS 2) the practice of cross-teaching(teaching courses designed to enroll

Ministerial Education


PROCEEDINGS /32 Ministerial Education

both Studies in Pastoral Ministry(SPaM) students and Studies inEducational Ministry (SEM)students) was initiated andimplemented by the MLC facultyand Board of Control in 1995 inkeeping with the stated intentionthat “ . . . while the two trackswould start out separate,opportunities for blending would belooked for and considered.” (1993BoRaM, p. 66); and

WHEREAS 3) the MLC faculty and board, after athorough curriculum reviewcompleted in 2000 (the first since1986 for the pastor track, and thefirst since the 1960s for the teachertrack), have approved curriculumrevisions that increase the numberof required cross-taught generaleducation courses; and

WHEREAS 4) courses specific either to Studies inPastoral Ministry (SPaM) or toStudies in Educational Ministry(SEM) are not included amongthose that are to be cross-taught atMLC; and

WHEREAS 5) it has been demonstrated, andthe MLC Board of Control hasrecognized, that the appropriate useof cross-teaching can help studentsin both tracks learn more from eachother and appreciate each other’sfuture ministries and makes betteruse of limited resources of financesand manpower; therefore be it

Resolved, a) That we thank the Lord for guidingthe important work that MLCcontinues to do to prepare faithfulworkers for his church; and be itfurther

Resolved, b) That we commend the MLC facultyand Board of Control for theirfaithful work in studying andpreparing these timely andnecessary revisions to the MLCcurriculum; and be it further

Resolved, c) That we express our support forthese current, carefully consideredrevisions which both incorporatecross-teaching and maintain adistinction in the courses that arespecific to each of the two tracks;and be it finally

Resolved, d) That we encourage regular andthorough curriculum study and

review by those entrusted withthat responsibility, as defined inSections 6.32 and 6.44 of the Bylawsof the Wisconsin EvangelicalLutheran Synod.

ADOPTED

Reference: BoRaM—pp. 14-39; Memorials4,6,8,9,10 pp. 153-162

Subject: Ministerial Education CurriculumCommittee Report

Resolution No. 4

WHEREAS 1) God graciously has provided theresources, direction, and servantswithin his church to ensureScripture-based confessionaltheology and to approach diverseministry needs with gospel-motivated outreach; and

WHEREAS 2) in a changing world, review andcoordination of curriculum at ourWELS ministerial education schoolsare essential for the continuedpreservation of its mission and thesolid preparation of its workers; and

WHEREAS 3) in WELS ministerial educationschools the process of curriculumreview, guided by synod bylaws(see: WELS Constitution andBylaws Section 6.44; 2001 BoRaMp. 31), coordinated by the Board forMinisterial Education (BME) andproperly conducted by theMinisterial Education CurriculumCommittee (MECC; see 2001 BoRaMpp. 12 and 176) together with inputfrom our ministerial educationfaculties and boards, has resulted ina timely, overwhelminglysupported, system-wide curriculumreview and subsequent plan readyfor implementation; and

WHEREAS 4) God-fearing brothers expressedconcerns which helped ourcommittee examine all sides of theissue; and

WHEREAS 5) the WELS ministerial educationsystem and its curriculum willrequire continued evaluation,coordination, and support toprovide the best means of preparingfuture called workers; and

WHEREAS 6) in WELS ministerial educationschools there needs to remain aconcerted effort to provide a


curriculum strong in teaching thebiblical, confessional, and livinglanguages while preserving ourconfessional Lutheranism andproducing ministerial candidatesbetter equipped for future gospeloutreach by addressing the needs ofan ever-changing world; thereforebe it

Resolved, a) That we thank God for pastblessings upon our synod,especially upon its ministerialeducation programs and personnel,trusting him for continuedprovidence and guidance to help usdo his work; and be it further

Resolved, b) That we commend the BME and allthose who assisted with thedevelopment, coordination andimplementation of a system-widecurriculum for our WELSministerial education schools; andbe it further

Resolved, c) That, asking for God’s blessing, weendorse the MECC report whichprovides a plan to teach the biblical,confessional, and living languageswhile preserving our confessionalLutheranism, and so better preparefuture ministerial candidates tocarry out the Great Commission inthe 21st century; and be it further

Resolved, d) That we thank our brothers inChrist for expressing their concerns;and be it further

Resolved, e) That we encourage all entrustedwith the responsibility forcoordinating, reviewing andestablishing curriculum within ourWELS ministerial education systemto continue to work together within

established guidelines to ensure thatour ministerial education schoolswill increasingly provide God’schurch with candidates who arewell grounded and well prepared tocommunicate the Word faithfully;and be it finally

Resolved, f) That we urge continued prayers forGod’s grace and blessing on ourentire program of ministerialeducation.

ADOPTED

Rev. Kenneth Kratz,chairman

Teacher WilliamHartwig, secre-tary

Rev. Bruce BeckerRev. Donald BuchRev. William CarterRev. Mark CordesRev. Thomas FrickeRev. Thomas HaarRev. Joel W. JaegerRev. Kerry

KronebuschRev. James PlitzuweitRev. Larry M.

SchlomerRev. Martin SchoellRev. Mark SchulzRev. Stuart ZakTeacher Mel FriskeTeacher Steve

GranbergTeacher Paul JacobsTeacher Frederick

LohmillerTeacher Brad

Nommensen

Teacher TimothyPlath

Teacher JonathanRoux

Teacher PeterSchaewe

Mr. Terry BakerMr. James BeckerMr. Terry BrenkeMr. Keith DetroMr. Terry EischenMr. Terrance HebronMr. Arnold K. HeyerMr. Dale JensenMr. Thomas HohlerMr. Harold KluenderMr. Carl F. LangeMr. Ryan MahoneyMr. Jesse MelolingMr. Richard MeskeMr. Thomas PattersonMr. Charles PieperMr. Dennis SchendelMr. Joel ScottMr. Eugene Stemman

Ministerial Education PROCEEDINGS /33


PROCEEDINGS /34 Home Missions


Reference: BoRaM—pp.51-55

Subject: Board for Home Missions

I. Additional information

Our committee felt it important toshare information not presented inBoRaM. As of July 23, 2001, thesetotals represent the work of homemissions in all 14 home missiondistricts.

• Preaching stations— 6• Exploratory areas— 57• Operating Subsidized— 76• Operating Subsidized

(Campus Ministries)— 5• Loan Subsidized— 123• Total Home Missions— 256

We also wish to report that HomeMissions was granted only 97% oflast year’s budget during the recentbudgetary process.

II. Special words of thanks

We give thanks to our Lord and tothe members of our synod formaking all of the work that ishappening in Home Missions areality. We recognize that all of thiscomes from his gracious mercy.

We extend our thanks to Rev. PeterKruschel for 12 years of service asAssociate Administrator of theBoard for Home Missions. We thankthe Lord for giving him the giftsnecessary to complete his work.May the Lord continue to bless himin his new position as theadministrator of the BME.

We also thank the many men whoserve on the 14 district missionboards for their faithful service tothe Lord on behalf of ourmissionaries and their families.

III. Commendations

We commend the board fororganizing and facilitating theMobilizing Missions for MillenniumThree (3M3) Missionaries’Conference, held in Chicago in Julyof 2000. The effort to bring

missionaries and their wivestogether in a national conferencewas uplifting, inspiring, andencouraging.

We commend the BHM fordeveloping and working towardapplying the updated Philosophy ofMinistry. The six key features of thisphilosophy are:

1. New openings mean newoutreach ministries at newand/or existing locations.

2. Team ministry is a neededemphasis (“team“ carefullydefined)

3. There is a criterion to emphasizequality of effort versus quantityof effort.

4. We will seek to help cross-cultural efforts to the next step,especially those presentlyexisting.

5. We will emphasize, encourage,teach, and help facilitate “true”mother-daughter establishing ofnew ministries.

6. In working with a “wholechurch” mindset, the BHM willseek to engage as many helpersas possible in establishing anynew ministries.

We commend and encourage theBHM to use more broadly theChurch Extension Fund (CEF) tomake loans in keeping with the newphilosophies. Such loans could begiven to established congregationsfor purposes of outreach.

We commend the BHM for callingMr. Mel Schuler as its new associateadministrator. This is a goodexample of the team ministryconcept stated earlier in the report.We wish him the Lord’s blessings incarrying out the duties of his call.

Finally we commend the BHM andthe Kingdom Workers for theircontinued joint efforts to work whileit is day.

IV. Exhortations

Our committee urges all delegatesto make use of Mission Connection, avery useful and interesting way to

Home Missions


Home Missions PROCEEDINGS /35

publicize the work of homemissions among the members of oursynod. If your congregation doesnot receive and pass out copies ofMission Connection, please contactthe Northwestern Publishing Housesubscription services.

Our committee also urges thedelegates to encourage the membersof their congregations to be aware ofthe changing demographics of ourcountry and their hometown. Thecommittee further urges them tolook for the opportunities the Lordhas given to extend the gospelacross cultures.

We urge each congregation to meet100 percent or more of itsCongregational Mission Offerings(CMO) with this in view: there arecurrently 15 areas potentiallyqualified for manpower whenfunding becomes available. Thefields are ripe for the harvest.

Our committee expressed concernabout the brevity and lack of detailin the BHM report in the BORAM.We encourage future editions of theBORAM to allow all synodicaldivisions the room to list ampledetails to give the synod a fullpicture of each division’s work.

We encourage all members tocontinue to pray for, to encourage,and to support all of ourmissionaries present and future.

Let us joyfully work while it is day!

DISCUSSION FOLLOWED THIS REPORT

Teacher StevenLemke,Chairman

Layman JosephKnepper,Secretary

Rev. Andrew BackusRev. Paul FetzerRev. Kevin HankeRev. David HussmanRev. John KellyRev. Nile MersethRev. Marcus

NeumannTeacher Robert

BuschkopfTeacher James CurtisTeacher John

FesterlingTeacher Michael

RaabeTeacher Robert

PotratzLayman William

BanburyLayman Donald Barg

Layman Leon BegalkaLayman George BockLayman Tony BrandaLayman Ron CleggLayman Jerry DretschLayman Murten HessLayman Glen JacobyLayman Herman

KoesterLayman Fred LuetheLayman Lester

MortensonLayman Fritz PerlwitzLayman Harold PietzLayman LeRoy

RuppelLayman David

SchumannLayman Paul

SchwartzLayman David StuhtLayman Willis SchultLayman Gil ThomasLayman Bruce

TolzmannLayman Delbert Wells


PROCEEDINGS /36 World Missions

World Missions



Subject: East Fork Lutheran High School

Among the many nations seeking tobecome indigenous in gospelministry is the Apache nation ofArizona. The “shining jewel” ofApache work is East Fork LutheranHigh School. We draw the attentionof our synod to the vital importanceof this work.

Since ongoing funding to supportthis work is a concern, weencourage the Board for WorldMissions to continue its caring andcareful supervision of this field.While the opening of the schoolyear is now a certainty, the future isnot entirely secure. Until thefinancial future of East ForkLutheran High School is stabilized,the primary funding will still needto come from gifts of members ofWELS, even as the Apache nationseeks to take more responsibility forthe support of our “shining jewel.”

DISCUSSION FOLLOWED THIS REPORT.

Reference: BoRaM—pp. 57, 65, 69, 70, 74

Subject: World Mission Blessings

Resolution No. 1

WHEREAS 1) the Lord of the Church has richlyblessed the world mission effortsthat our synod has made during thepast one hundred-plus years; and

WHEREAS 2) the Lord of the Church hasprotected and guided our missionworkers at all times and especiallyin the past biennium during periodsof political upheaval and naturaldisaster; and

WHEREAS 3) the rich harvest resulting fromthis effort blessed by the Lord isevidenced in part by the fact thatthere are nearly 61,000 souls inour 22 mission fields being servedby 90 national pastors and 244evangelists, along with 110 Bibleinstitute students and 104 seminary

students who are being trained toserve in those fields; and

WHEREAS 4) the Lord has used the faithfulefforts of many individuals toproduce this harvest, includingformer missionary Rev. Roger Falk,who has retired after faithfullyserving in Japan for 26 years; formermissionary Rev. Roger Sprain, whohas retired after faithfully servingLatin America Missions for nearly21 years; Rev. Ronald Freier, whowith this convention is steppingdown after 24 years ofuninterrupted service in worldmissions through the Japan EuropeAsia Administrative Committee ofthe Board for World Missions; andmissionary Rev. Gary Schroeder,who has recently celebrated 25years of faithful service to the Lordand the church in Hong Kong;therefore be it

Resolved, a) That we give heartfelt thanks to ourgracious Lord for the blessings andprotection he has bestowed on oursynod’s mission efforts in the pastand for using those efforts to bringmany souls to faith in their Saviorthrough the spread of his Word; andbe it further

Resolved, b) That we give heartfelt thanks to theLord for the faithful service of thosewho have served in the past and forthose who continue to serve hereand abroad on behalf of our synod;and be it further

Resolved, c) That we express our thanks at thisparticular time to Rev. Roger Falk,Rev. Roger Sprain, and Rev. RonaldFreier for nearly a quarter centuryof service each in world missions;and be it further

Resolved, d) That we express our congratulationsto Rev. Gary Schroeder for 25 yearsof service in Hong Kong to the Lordof the Church; and be it finally

Resolved, e) That we ask the Lord of the Churchto bless and protect all who work inour synod’s world mission effortsnow and in the future.

ADOPTED


World Missions PROCEEDINGS /37

Reference: BORAM—p. 72

Subject: Cameroon Mission

Resolution No. 2

WHEREAS 1) the Lord of the Church has richlyblessed the WELS support of thementoring ministry to the LutheranChurch of Cameroon; and

WHEREAS 2) through a special gift to the WELSwe have been able to continue ourwork in Cameroon by supportingone missionary and one lay couple;and

WHEREAS 3) the funding for this work inCameroon will run out in 2002;therefore be it

Resolved, a) That the WELS supportedmentoring of the Lutheran Churchof Cameroon continue past 2002;and be it finally

Resolved, b) That the BWM be encouraged toexplore ways that this importantministry may continue.

ADOPTED


Subject: Central Africa Medical MissionCommittee (CAMMC)

Resolution No. 3

WHEREAS 1) the Central African Medical MissionCommittee (CAMMC) has dutifully“served as the supportive branch tothe gospel mission and affords anopportunity to reflect Christ’s loveand concern to the physical needs ofour fellow man” since 1961; and

WHEREAS 2) the CAMMC provides workers andfunding to carry out its mission;therefore be it

Resolved, a) That the CAMMC be encouraged tocontinue its efforts; and be it finally

Resolved, b) That the CAMMC and all those whosupport its work to accomplish ourgoals of reaching souls throughoutthe countries of central Africa bethanked for their efforts.

ADOPTED

Reference : BoRaM—pp. 60-61

Subject: Progressing Toward Indigeneity

Resolution No. 4

WHEREAS 1) the Board for World Missions hasworked diligently to craft

indigenation programs in nationalchurches; and

WHEREAS 2) a gradual phase-out of missionariesis desired as those national churchesbecome more independent; and

WHEREAS 3) the best possible use of manpowerand funds dictates that ourmissionaries would be freed tocontinue extending the Lord’s GreatCommission into other lands;therefore be it

Resolved, That the Board for World Missionsbe commended for its prayerful anddeliberate work of indigenation andurged to continue its efforts.

ADOPTED


Subject: Restructuring of Administration

Resolution No. 5

WHEREAS 1) there are increasing opportunities inall areas of our ministry tocooperate in efforts to reach the lost;and

WHEREAS 2) the Synodical Council hasauthorized creation of the MissionOpportunity Task Force that wouldcreate a structure to develop andimplement cooperative plans toreach out with the Gospel; thereforebe it

Resolved, That we encourage the synod tocontinue to reorganize its outreachefforts in any way necessary toreach people of all cultures andnationalities.

ADOPTED

Mr. Thomas Hansen,Chairman

Teacher James Brandt,Secretary

Rev. John BergRev. Robert DickRev. Jerry EwingsRev. David FurnoRev. Mark GassRev. Brian GoensRev. Dennis

HalvarsonRev. Freddy KriegerRev. Joel Nitz

Rev. Doug PriestapRev. Melvin TeskeTeacher Edward

BeckerTeacher Steve BrichTeacher Gary DallmanTeacher Jeffery DornTeacher Willard EngelTeacher Fredric

HeiderichTeacher Jeff InnigerTeacher Donald

KolanderTeacher Michael Maas


PROCEEDINGS /38 World Missions

Teacher Carl NolteTeacher Kenneth

ProeberTeacher Richard

SievertTeacher Peter WentzelLayman Wilmar

BechtoldLayman Michael

BennettLayman Bernard

ChristiansonLayman George

DoeblerLayman Robert

DuvallLayman James DyrudLayman William

EkwereLayman Norman FreyLayman Tom HallLayman Roger

Harmann

Layman Robert HintzLayman Timothy

JacobsonLayman Ernest

KandlerLayman Robert

KappenLayman Derwood

LaVallaLayman Lansing

LeitzkeLayman Carl MillerLayman Curtis MillerLayman Donald

MorrellLayman Don

NiemannLayman Erwin

PassowLayman Dale

Roenneburg




Subject: Thanksgiving for Faithful Service to theBoard for Parish Services

With gratitude for the grace of Godthat has moved the Board for ParishServices to carry out their gospelministry with dedication, FloorCommittee No. 8 wishes tohighlight the following points oftheir report, as well as to makeseveral recommendations:

Commission on Evangelism

We thank the Lord for the 18 yearsof faithful service given by Mr. andMrs. John and Lynne Barber to theMass Media Ministry, as well as 30years of faithful service given byPastor David Witte to theCommission on Evangelism.

We encourage congregations toexpand their outreach potentialby making use of the School ofOutreach, noting that grants areavailable to assist in its funding,as well as other materials andprograms that are available to assistpeople in the sharing of the gospel.WELS members are urged inparticular to take note of the media-assisted witness opportunities thatare now available, and the web-based outreach material as itbecomes available.

Commission on Worship

We note the assistance theCommission on Worship is givingto congregations through itspublished materials and software.We also note the benefits of theNational Conference on Worship,Music, and the Arts, and weencourage congregations to makeit possible for their musicians toattend (July 21-24, 2002, CarthageCollege).

We commend the commission forrecognizing the problem of ashrinking source of churchmusicians, and we encourage the

commission to continue in itsattempts to resolve this problemthrough new and creative solutions.

Commission on YouthDiscipleship

We thank the Lord for the 10 yearsof faithful service given by Mr.Gerald Kastens in youth ministryand in the preparation of youthinstructional materials.

We note with gratitude thedevelopment of the materials for thespiritual instruction of our youth,particularly the Christ-Lightcurriculum, and we urgecongregations to make use of them.

Our committee also notes that onlysix percent of our teenagers attendBible classes, and only 36 percent ofour congregations offer a teen Bibleclass. We urge our congregations towork aggressively in teen ministry,seeking the assistance of the CYD.

Commission on Parish Schools

We note that early childhoodministries are growing beyond theCPS’s capability of monitoring andassisting the programs, and beyondour ability to produce trainedworkers to serve in that ministry.We urge the CPS to address therecruitment of future earlychildhood educators, and we urgethe congregations of our synod tomake use of the CPS’s guidelines forearly childhood programs.

We note that the number ofLutheran Elementary Schools isat an all-time high, yet the totalenrollment has decreased. We notealso that enrollment in areaLutheran high schools has steadilyincreased. We encourage the CPSto continue to offer its importantservice to these vital ministries.

We urge congregations with schoolsto become involved in the TeamMinistry Process. (93 percent ofour congregations with schoolscurrently make use of the program.)We also urge congregations toprovide the time and resourcesnecessary for their called workers

Parish Services PROCEEDINGS /39

Parish Services


PROCEEDINGS /40 Parish Services

to continue their education. Wenote also that a listserve has beenestablished on wels.net to enableWELS homeschoolers tocommunicate with each other.

Commission on Adult Discipleship

We note with gratitude that theCAD has made materials availablein the areas of adult Bible study,senior ministry, family ministry,and stewardship. We urge ourcongregations to make use of thesematerials.

We note that the CAD is planninga program on stewardship ofspiritual gifts for the year 2002entitled “Work While It Is Day.”It has been pointed out that theCCFS is planning a program onstewardship of financial gifts forthe same year by the same name.We urge our congregations to takenote of this, and we urge thecommissions to avoid the use ofduplicate titles as they preparematerials for our spiritual growth.

Commission on Special Ministries

We urge our congregations tonote that special assistance isavailable in ministry to militarypersonnel, the developmentallydisabled, those who areincarcerated, the aging, thedeaf and hard of hearing, thevisually impaired, those withmental health needs, and calledworkers. Congregations are urgedto take note of the fact that thehearing and visual impairments ofmany members often go unnoticedand are not effectively addressed.

Reference: BoRaM—p. 88

Subject: Mentoring Program for New Principals

Resolution No. 1

WHEREAS 1) many first-year teacher-principalshave found difficulty in this type ofministry; and

WHEREAS 2) the MLC curriculum is designedprimarily to train classroomteachers; and

WHEREAS 3) the Assignment Committeecontinues to find it necessary toassign first-year teachers asprincipals; and

WHEREAS 4) the Board for Parish Services andthe Synodical Council have initiateda three-year pilot program formentoring new principals and, aftercareful evaluation, have found thisprogram to be valuable; and

WHEREAS 5) the Commission for Parish Schoolsand the Board for Parish Serviceshave recommended that this projectbe established as a permanentservice to congregations and theirnew principals; therefore be it

Resolved, That we endorse thisrecommendation.

ADOPTED AS AMENDED


Subject: Military Services Committee

Resolution No. 2

WHEREAS 1) the number of American civiliansliving and working overseas hasincreased in recent years; and

WHEREAS 2) there exists a potential for outreachto unchurched Americans in Europe;and

WHEREAS 3) our current ministry to Americans inEurope is confined to our militarychaplaincy program; and

WHEREAS 4) the Commission on SpecialMinistries has suggested a three-year pilot program in which aWELS pastor would work withthe full-time chaplain to developan outreach program to Americancivilians living in Europe; thereforebe it

Resolved, That we endorse this suggestion,subject to prioritization and fundingby the Synodical Council.

ADOPTED AS AMENDED

Mr. Jerome Bentz,Chairman

Rev. David Beckman,Secretary

Rev. Kenneth ArndtRev. Timothy BauerRev. Randall KuznickiRev. Philip MertenRev. Wayne OblenderRev. Brad RagnerRev. Richard Scheibe

Rev. David AdermanRev. Raymond ZiebellTeacher Richard

GibsonTeacher Donald KerrTeacher John MeyerMr. Jim AtkinsonMr. Carroll Beguhn Mr. Steven BurkMr. Milton GibbsMr. Robert Goggins


Mr. James HassMr. Lawrence

HollenbeckMr. Bill Iverson Mr. Ken JamkaMr. Joseph Junk

Mr. Ellsworth KatzurMr. Walter RingMr. Robert Sakkinin Mr. Carrol TammenMr. Glenn VolkmannMr. Edgar Zobel

Parish Services PROCEEDINGS /41


PROCEEDINGS /42 Administration

Administration


Reference: BoRaM—P. 123

Subject: Commission Personnel

Resolution No. 1

WHEREAS 1) we recognize the important work ofthe Commission on Inter-ChurchRelations; and

WHEREAS 2) the following have faithfully servedon the commission and have left forvarious reasons: Professor ArminPanning, Professor Lyle Lange,Reverend John Vogt, and ReverendJames Pope; and

WHEREAS 3) seven of the ten members are newin the last three years; therefore be it

Resolved, a) That we thank God for those whohave served faithfully; and be itfinally

Resolved, b) That we ask God’s blessings as newpeople take up the work of thecommission.

ADOPTED


Subject: Formal Fellowship with theConfessional Lutheran Church inLatvia

Resolution No. 2

WHEREAS 1) the Lord has gathered a group ofChristians in the ConfessionalLutheran Church in Latvia (CLCL)who are faithful to the teachings ofGod’s Word and the LutheranConfessions; and

WHEREAS 2) the Commission on Inter-ChurchRelations has examined thedoctrinal statement of the CLCL andfound it to be in agreement with theteachings of Scripture; and

WHEREAS 3) the CLCL has reviewed This WeBelieve and other doctrinalstatements of the WELS and foundnothing objectionable in them; and

WHEREAS 4) personal contact between WELS andCLCL representatives has reinforcedthe understanding that we are indoctrinal agreement; and

WHEREAS 5) our sister synod, the EvangelicalLutheran Synod, has alreadydeclared fellowship with theCLCL; therefore be it

Resolved, a) That WELS officially declarefellowship with the ConfessionalLutheran Church in Latvia; and beit further

Resolved, b) That we give thanks to God for theunity of faith we enjoy with theCLCL and pray that it may becontinued; and be it finally

Resolved, c) That we make use of everyopportunity to practice ourfellowship with the CLCL for themutual strengthening of our churchbodies.

ADOPTED (WITH A RISING AND RESOUNDING“YES!”)

Reference: Unprinted memorial submitted bythe Commission on Inter-ChurchRelations

Subject: Formal Fellowship with the UkrainianLutheran Church

Resolution No. 3

WHEREAS 1) the Ukrainian Lutheran Church(ULC) has been formed and existsas an independent confessionalchurch; and

WHEREAS 2) representatives of WELS and ELShave for some time enjoyedinformal contacts and have haddoctrinal discussions with therepresentatives of the ULC; and

WHEREAS 3) the CICR at its April 2001 meetingstudied the doctrinal statement ofthe ULC and found it to bescripturally sound in its variousdeclarations; and

WHEREAS 4) WELS representatives in the pastfew months discussed additionaldoctrinal issues with leaders of theULC and recognized a unity indoctrine and spirit; and

WHEREAS 5) the ULC has stated its desire toestablish formal fellowship ties withWELS and ELS and hopes tobecome a member of the CELC in2002; and


Administration PROCEEDINGS /43

WHEREAS 6) the ELS at its June 2001 conventionhas declared formal fellowship withthe ULC; therefore be it

Resolved, a) That we thank God for allowing theUkrainian Lutheran Church to beformed as a confessional Lutheranchurch and for allowing us to enjoyunity in faith and doctrine with theULC; and be it further

Resolved, b) That WELS officially declarefellowship with the UkrainianLutheran Church; and be it finally

Resolved, c) That we ask the Lord to bless thisfellowship with continuing benefitsfor both church bodies.

ADOPTED (WITH ANOTHER RISING ANDRESOUNDING “YES!”)

Reference : Unprinted memorial submitted bythe Commission on Inter-ChurchRelations

Subject: Formal Fellowship with the All SaintsLutheran Church of Nigeria

Resolution No. 4

WHEREAS 1) All Saints Lutheran Church ofNigeria (ASLCN) had its origin inthe Evangelical Lutheran Church ofNigeria, formerly a mission of theSynodical Conference, and has beenpermitted to carry on thisconfessional heritage; and

WHEREAS 2) God has graciously permittedASLCN to exist as an independentchurch body since 1995; and

WHEREAS 3) contacts between ASLCN andrepresentatives of Christ the KingLutheran Church of Nigeria, a sistersynod of WELS, have revealed aunity in doctrine and spirit; and

WHEREAS 4) more recent contacts betweenASLCN and representatives ofWELS have revealed the same kindof God-given unity and disclosedthe desire of ASLCN to establishformal fellowship ties with WELS;and

WHEREAS 5) the CICR at its January 2001meeting studied various doctrinalstatements of ASLCN and foundthem to be biblically sound in theirdeclarations; therefore be it

Resolved, a) That we thank God for allowing theAll Saints Lutheran Church ofNigeria to be formed as aconfessional Lutheran church andfor allowing us to enjoy unity infaith and doctrine with it; and be itfurther

Resolved, b) That WELS formally declare itself tobe in fellowship with the All SaintsLutheran Church of Nigeria; and beit finally

Resolved, c) That we ask the Lord to bless thisfellowship with continuing benefitsfor both church bodies.

ADOPTED (WITH A FINAL RISING ANDRESOUNDING “YES!”)


Subject: Rejoicing in Fellowship

Resolution No. 5

WHEREAS 1) God has enabled us to declarefellowship with three sister churchbodies (The Confessional LutheranChurch in Latvia, the UkrainianLutheran Church, and All SaintsLutheran Church of Nigeria); and

WHEREAS 2) God continues to bless ourfellowship with the ELS; and

WHEREAS 3) God is also blessing us withfellowship through the ConfessionalEvangelical Lutheran Conference;therefore be it

Resolved, a) That we pray God to keep us allfaithful to him through his Word;and be it finally

Resolved, b) That we pray God to bless this bondof fellowship.

ADOPTED

Rev. Martin Spaude,Chairman

Rev. Kurt Loescher,Secretary

Rev. Patrick BellRev. Jonathan KehrenRev. James KorthalsRev. Richard

KuckhahnRev. David NottlingRev. Stephen Pope

Rev. Mark SchlennerRev. Dennis SmithTeacher David BrohnTeacher Mark KoelpinTeacher Paul SchultzLayman Richard

MillerLayman Keith

StensvadLayman William

Stewart





Subject: Communication Services Commission

Resolution No. 1

WHEREAS 1)“the calling of the CommunicationServices Commission is to assistthe Conference of Presidents incommunicating the synod’s missionto the members of the synod, haveresponsibility for a clear andconsistent communication of thesynod’s mission from the synod’snational offices, and serve as acommunications resource forsynodical personnel” (BORAM 111);and

WHEREAS 2)“the calling of the CommunicationServices Commission is also tocoordinate all communications; toevaluate parallel communications,seeking economy of resources; toexplore innovative media usage,shared communication, and similarimprovements; and to serve as acentral clearinghouse for synodicalinformation” (BORAM 111); and

WHEREAS 3)the current structure of our synod’scommunication tends to befragmented among differententities; and

WHEREAS 4)the Second Level RestructuringCommittee is currently lookingat the possibility of level IIrestructuring of synod organization;therefore be it

Resolved, That the synod in conventionencourage the Second LevelRestructuring Committee toconsider consolidatingcommunications responsibilityunder one entity.

ADOPTED

Reference: BoRaM—pp. 119—120

Subject: Report of the Publication CoordinatingCommission

Resolution No. 2

WHEREAS 1) the Wisconsin Evangelical LutheranSynod needs educational,professional, and musical materialswhich reflect sound Lutherantheology ; and

WHEREAS 2) such materials are often notavailable from sources outside theWELS ; and

WHEREAS 3) production of such materials oftendo not “turn a profit”; and

WHEREAS 4) the Publication CoordinatingCommission’s fund makesproducing these materials possible;therefore be it

Resolved, a) That we direct the PCC to continueto subsidize the production andrevision of such materials; and be itfurther

Resolved, b) That we strongly recommend thatthe Synodical Council preserveadequate funding of the PCC forthese productions; and be it finally

Resolved, c) That we encourage the marketing ofthese materials inside and outsidethe WELS for wider distribution, aseconomically feasible.

ADOPTED


Subject: Report of the Committee on Relief

Resolution No. 3

WHEREAS 1) the Committee on Relief continuesto be an avenue for WELS membersto “do good to all people, especiallyto those who belong to the family ofbelievers.” (Gal. 6:10); and

WHEREAS 2) there, nevertheless, seems to be asignificant number of our memberswho are unaware of its existenceand purpose ; therefore be it

Resolved, a) That we thank our Lord for the giftsHis people have given for thischaritable work; and be it further

Resolved, b) That we encourage congregations tomake use of the annualinformational bulletin provided;and be it finally

Resolved, c) That we encourage greaterdissemination of information aboutthe COR by means of synod anddistrict publications.

ADOPTED


Subject: Report of the Support Committee

Resolution No. 4

WHEREAS 1) the Support Committee continuesto provide financial assistance to



retired pastors, professors, teachers,and their families that will enablethem to live with dignity and inreasonable comfort based on themission of the committee accordingto 1 Corinthians 9:11 andPhilippians 4:14-18; and

WHEREAS 2) with the rising cost of housing,utilities, insurance, and medicalcare, it is expected that the numberof applicants requesting supportwill increase in the years ahead; and

WHEREAS 3) the Support Committee will not turna deaf ear to their requests; thereforebe it

Resolved, a) That we urge our called workersto take great care in providing fortheir own retirement needs; and beit further

Resolved, b) That we encourage our calledworkers to have financial resourcesin place for spouse and familyshould the Lord suddenly call theworker home; and be it finally

Resolved, c) That we inform the congregations ofour synod of the help available totheir called workers through theSupport Committee so that no calledworker’s family who needs our helpis overlooked.

ADOPTED

Reference : BoRaM—P. 153 (Cf. P. 110)

Subject: Memorial 2001-01 New PensionBenefit Formula

Resolution No. #5

WHEREAS 1) a new pension formula wasimplemented in January 2000 thatprovides a benefit increase, for thoseworkers with 20 or more years ofservice, of approximately 17% overthe previous formula that wasimplemented in January 1994; and

WHEREAS 2) this new formula does not apply tothose who retired before January 1,2000 (following the precedent of theJanuary 1994 formula, which alsodid not apply to those who retiredprior to 1994); and

WHEREAS 3) there have been requests for the newformula to be applied, either fully orin part, to all those who retiredbefore January 1, 2000; and

WHEREAS 4) the WELS is concerned that itsretirees receive a fair and equitable

pension benefit, and the WELSPension Commission did provide aminimum increase of 5% for allretirees on January 1, 2000; and

WHEREAS 5) providing the new formula to the900+ individuals who retired beforeJanuary 1, 2000, would requireadditional funding of perhaps 3—4million dollars; therefore be it

Resolved, a) That we direct the WELS PensionCommission to examine the varyingpension formulas that are applied toretired workers, taking intoconsideration actuarial factors suchas unfunded liability for years ofservice credit provided to someretirees and potential costs to theprogram based on life-spanprojections; and be it further

Resolved, b) That the WELS Pension Commissioninvestigate ways to provide pensionincreases, possibly partial or phased,to those who retired before January1, 2000; and be it finally

Resolved, c) That the WELS Pension Commissionimplement increases for thoseretirees where those increases wouldbe fiscally sound.

ADOPTED



Subject: Election of the President, VicePresidents, and Recording Secretary

Resolution No. 1

WHEREAS 1) the District Bylaws do not limit thedistrict office of recording secretaryto parish pastors; and

Teacher James Sievert,Chairman

Rev. Victor Headrick,Secretary

Rev. David EckertRev. Duane ErstadRev. Robert HoepnerRev. James HumannRev. Guy MarquardtRev. Lawrence OlsonRev. Paul WorkentineTeacher Kenneth

Lehman

Teacher Peter LemkeMr. Eugene AndersonMr. Jonathan BlumMr. Neil DoerrMr. Gerald FossMr. Duane KellorMr. Mark KruegerMr. Charles MillsMr. William SebrightMr. Larry SchalaakMr. Dennis Staude



WHEREAS 2) we have many male called workerswho are highly qualified for theposition of recording secretary; and

WHEREAS 3) there is no reason to limit that officeto parish pastors; therefore be it

Resolved, That Section 2.80(b) be amended asfollows:

Current: . . . For the office ofpresident or first vice president,anyone listed on the roster of“pastors-active” in the currentSynodical Yearbook shall be eligible.For the office of second vicepresident or recording secretary,only parish pastors on the sameroster shall be eligible.

Proposed: . . . For the office ofpresident or first vice president,anyone listed on the roster of“pastors-active” in the currentSynodical Yearbook shall be eligible.For the office of second vicepresident, only parish pastors onthe same roster shall be eligible. Forthe office of recording secretary, allmale called workers listed as activein the current Synodical Yearbookshall be eligible.

ADOPTED


Subject: Memorial 2001-12, CommunicationsServices Commission

Resolution No. 2

WHEREAS 1) a vacancy in the position of theDirector of Mass Media led to anevaluation of how best to addressmedia communications in WELSfor the future; and

WHEREAS 2) the CSC already had theconstitutional charge to “exploreinnovative media usage”(Bylaws4.30); and

WHEREAS 3) the natural way for providingmedia communication servicesfor all areas of ministry and theWELS constituency is through thecommunications commission; and

WHEREAS 4) the anticipated restructuring ofthe second tier of WELSadministration will address amore comprehensive role forcommunication services; and

WHEREAS 5) with the approval of the president’soffice, the CSC has hired a media

communications director to set anew direction for WELS in mediacommunications; therefore be it

Resolved, That Section 4.30(c) be amendedas follows:

Current: . . . The commission shall beresponsible for a clear and consistentcommunication of the synod’smission from the synod’s nationaloffices; explore innovative mediausage, shared communications,and similar improvements on acontinuing basis; review andauthorize all new communicationsoriginating in the synod’s nationaloffices; and evaluate parallelcommunication functions andefforts to seek economy of cost andtime in communication from thenational offices.

Proposed: . . . The commission shallbe responsible for a clear andconsistent communication of thesynod’s mission from the synod’snational offices; explore, support,and expedite innovative mediausage, shared communications,and similar improvements on acontinuing basis for WELSministries and congregations;review and authorize all newcommunications originating inthe synod’s national offices; andevaluate parallel communicationfunctions and efforts to seekeconomy of cost and time incommunication from the nationaloffices.

ADOPTED AS AMENDED


Subject: Section 3.40(f), Nominating Committee

Resolution No. 3

WHEREAS the Board of Appeals should belisted in Section 3.40(f); thereforebe it

Resolved, That Section 3.40(f) be amendedas follows:

Current: . . . In January of theconvention year, the NominatingCommittee shall nominate by ballotthree candidates for each position onthe following boards as termsexpire: the Board for WorldMissions; the Board for Parish



Services; the board of directors ofNorthwestern Publishing House; theBoard for Ministerial Education;and the chairmen of the Boards ofControl of Wisconsin LutheranSeminary, Martin Luther College,Luther Preparatory School andMichigan Lutheran Seminary; allof whom shall be parish pastors.It shall nominate the pastor andteacher at large members of theSynodical Council as their termsexpire.

Proposed: . . . In January of theconvention year, the NominatingCommittee shall nominate by ballotthree candidates for each positionon the following boards as termsexpire: the Board for WorldMissions; the Board for ParishServices; the board of directors ofNorthwestern Publishing House;the Board for Ministerial Education;the Board of Appeals; and thechairmen of the Boards of Controlof Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary,Martin Luther College, LutherPreparatory School and MichiganLutheran Seminary; all of whomshall be parish pastors. It shallnominate the pastor and teacher atlarge members of the SynodicalCouncil as their terms expire.

ADOPTED


Subject: Section 4.70, Committee on Relief

Resolution No. 4

WHEREAS section 7.60, Committee on Relief, isincorrectly placed in the Bylaws;therefore be it

Resolved, That Section 7.60 be renumbered asSection 6.92.

ADOPTED

Reference : BoRaM—p. 128

Subject: Section 6.64(d), Commission onEvangelism

Resolution No. 5

WHEREAS responsibility for supervision ofthe Mass Media Ministry hasshifted from the Commission onEvangelism to the CommunicationServices Commission by thepresident under his authority

as listed in Section 5.10, SynodOperations, section (a); thereforebe it

Resolved, That Section 6.64(d) be struck andthe current “(e)” and “(f)” become“(d)” and “(e)”.

ADOPTED


Subject: Section 6.20, World Missionaries

Resolution No. 6

WHEREAS we concur with therecommendation of the Conferenceof Presidents; therefore be it

Resolved, That Section 6.20 be amended asfollows:

Current: . . . World missionariesand male teachers in overseasworld mission fields shall bemembers of the district in whichthey held their previous callunless they request transfer toanother district. Graduates ofWisconsin Lutheran Seminarywho enter a world mission fieldimmediately shall be membersof their home districts. Indisciplinary actions, however,jurisdiction shall be exercised asoutlined in Section 8.20(d).

Proposed: . . . World missionariesand male teachers in overseas worldmission fields shall be members ofthe district in which they held theirprevious call unless they requesttransfer to another district.Graduates of Wisconsin LutheranSeminary who enter an overseasmission field immediately shallbe members of their home districtsunless they request transfer toanother district. In disciplinaryactions, however, jurisdictionshall be exercised as outlined inSection 8.20(d).

ADOPTED

Reference: BoRaM—pp. 128, 166

Subject: Constitution for the Districts, ArticleXVIII, Nominating Committee

Resolution No. 7

WHEREAS 1) the second sentence of Article XVIII,Section 3, is no longer needed; and



WHEREAS 2) it would be beneficial to haveconsistency among the twelvedistricts regarding the numbernominated for offices of the synodelected by the district; and

WHEREAS 3) the Synod Constitutionrecommends three nominees formost boards; therefore be it

Resolved, That the second sentence of ArticleXVIII, Section 3, be changed to:

Current: . . . The committee shallnominate at least two candidates foreach elective office of the district,except as otherwise provided for inthis constitution. It shall nominateat least six names for offices of thesynod for which the district servesas a nominating committee.

Proposed: . . . The committee shallnominate at least two candidates foreach elective office of the district,except as otherwise provided for inthis constitution. It shall nominateat least three names for offices ofthe synod elected by the district.

ADOPTED


Subject: Section 6.44(d), Governing Board

Resolution No. 8

WHEREAS there are inconsistencies in thename of the governing boards of thefour synodical schools in the SynodBylaws (i.e. Board of Control);therefore be it

Resolved, That the synod in convention directthe Committee on ConstitutionalMatters to replace “Board” and“Board of Control” when it refers togoverning boards of the synodicalschools with the term “governingboard.”

ADOPTED


Subject: Committee on Constitutional Matters

Resolution No. 9

WHEREAS Pastor Gerhardt Cares faithfullyserved the Committee onConstitutional Matters for 24 years,19 of those years as chairman;therefore be it

Resolved, That the synod in conventionextend a sincere thank you to Pastor

Gerhardt Cares for his faithfulservice.

ADOPTED


Subject: Section 4.70 (a) (4-6), Committee onConstitutional Matters, ExecutiveCommittee Responsibilities

Resolution No. 10

WHEREAS 1) section 4.70(a) (4-6) of the WELSBylaws requires the Committee onConstitutional Matters to meet andto make decisions on many smalland insignificant matters; and

WHEREAS 2) there is an executive committee ofthe Committee on ConstitutionalMatters that can more efficientlyand appropriately handle matterssuch as publishing the Constitutionand Bylaws as amended by theconvention; and

WHEREAS 3) the executive committee can moreefficiently evaluate changes to theConstitution and Bylaws that maybe proposed to the convention; and

WHEREAS 4) any proposed changes to theConstitution or Bylaws of majorsignificance would be considered bythe entire committee before anyrecommendation is made; and

WHEREAS 5) the executive committee may needaccess to legal counsel to properlyevaluate proposed changes to theConstitution and Bylaws; thereforebe it

Resolved, That section 4.70(a) of the WELSBylaws be amended to insert theword “executive” into the Bylawsahead of the word “committee” asfollows:

A. Section 4.70(a)(4) The executivecommittee shall examine allproposed changes to theConstitution and Bylaws andsubmit its recommendations onall proposed changes to thesynod convention.

B. Section 4.70(a)(5) After eachconvention of the synod, theexecutive committee shallpublish the Constitution andBylaws as amended by theconvention.



C. Section 4.70(a)(6) The executivecommittee shall have access tothe synod’s legal counselthrough the executive director ofsupport services.

ADOPTED


Subject: Section 4.70 (a) (4), CommitteeAuthority

Resolution No. 11

WHEREAS 1) section 4.70(a)(4) of the WELSBylaws prohibits the Committee onConstitutional Matters frommaking a recommendation to theconvention about changes to theConstitution or Bylaws affecting theCommittee on ConstitutionalMatters; and

WHEREAS 2) all other committees are authorizedto make recommendations aboutamendments to the Bylaws affectingtheir own committee; and

WHEREAS 3) the Committee on ConstitutionalMatters is in the best position tomake recommendations abouthow this committee should functionand about amendments to theConstitution or Bylaws; thereforebe it

Resolved, a) That section 4.70(a) (4) of theWELS bylaws be amended to strikelanguage at the end of the firstsentence (Strike: except thoseaffecting the committee); and beit further

Resolved, b) That section 4.70(a) (4) of theWELS bylaws be amended tostrike language at the end of thelast sentence. (Strike: On changesaffecting the committee, thecommittee shall make norecommendation to the convention.)

ADOPTED


Subject: Increase in Size of the Martin LutherCollege Governing Board

Resolution No. 12

WHEREAS 1) the current Bylaw (Section 6.36 (f))allows governing boards’ membersfrom the upper Midwest districts(Michigan, Minnesota, NorthernWisconsin, Southeastern Wisconsin,

and Western Wisconsin Districts)to succeed themselves once;however, members from outlyingdistricts are not allowed to succeedthemselves; and

WHEREAS 2) the governing boards at all of ourministerial schools have found itdifficult to conduct matters ofbusiness that require and assumea working knowledge of schoolprograms, activities, services andpolicies—knowledge that can onlybe gained through a longer term ofoffice than allowed by the currentBylaws; and

WHEREAS 3) at its January 2000 meeting, theMartin Luther College (MLC)Governing Board, with the supportof Pres. Theodore Olsen, resolved torequest an increase in its size fromeight members (seven elected bydistricts and a chairman elected bythe synod) to thirteen; and

WHEREAS 4) the MLC board has adopted acomprehensive plan adjustingthe structure of the college’sadministration through theappointment of four vice presidentswho will each be given significantadministrative responsibility at thecollege under the college’spresident; and

WHEREAS 5) the MLC board at its spring 2000meeting approved theimplementation of the restructuringof the college administration,effective at the beginning of the2000-2001 school year; and

WHEREAS 6) the current board, numbering eightmembers, has found itself unable tohandle the volume and complexityof its work, in part because MartinLuther College is nearly twice thesize of the next largest ministerialeducation school; and

WHEREAS 7) an MLC board of twelve members,plus a chairman, will enable theMLC board to organize itself intofour working committees of threepersons each who will work withthe four college vice presidentsto prepare agenda items andrecommendations for considerationby the plenary board, therebymaking better use of time and abroader interface with the college’sadministration; and



WHEREAS 8) the majority of our MLC studentscome from the upper Midwest; and

WHEREAS 9) it is felt that effective functioning ofthe board could be enhanced bydrawing more heavily on the upperMidwest districts; and

WHEREAS 10) representation on the board shouldreflect the insights and concerns ofall the districts to a greater or lesserdegree; and

WHEREAS 11) a change in the composition of theMLC board and a change in thepolicy regarding boards of controlmembers succession require anamendment to Section 6.36 of theSynod’s Bylaws; and

WHEREAS 12) “Bylaws may be amended at anyregular convention of the synod bythe affirmative vote of two-thirds ofthe votes cast, provided that noticeof such amendments shall havebeen sent to all voting and advisorydelegates at least 60 days prior tothe convention, or may be includedin the Book of Reports and Memorialsto the convention if the book is sentmore than 60 days prior to theconvention” (WELS Constitution,Article XI, section 4); and

WHEREAS 13) the proposed change at MLCwould not affect the currentbiennial budget, and is included indecision packages prepared for the2001-03 budget; therefore be it

Resolved, a) That an amendment to the sectionof the Bylaws of the Synod’sConstitution which regulate theministerial education area ofministry be adopted to allow themembership of the Martin LutherCollege Governing Board toincrease from eight to thirteen;and be it further

Resolved, b) That Section 6.36 “GoverningBoards of the Ministerial Schools”which presently covers allministerial schools, be changedso that a separate Section (6.34)covers Wisconsin LutheranSeminary, a Section (6.36) coversMartin Luther College, anda Section (6.38) covers bothpreparatory schools; and beit finally

Resolved, c) That the rewording of this sectionof the Bylaws (as amended in July1999 and printed May 2000) be asfollows:

1) Introductory paragraph: nochange

2) Section 6.32 “Board forMinisterial Education”: nochange

3) New Section 6.34 “GoverningBoard of Wisconsin LutheranSeminary”:

(a) For the government andadministration of WisconsinLutheran Seminary,Mequon, Wisconsin, thereshall be a board of eightmembers, composed of thechairman who shall be aparish pastor, three parishpastors, one teacher, andthree laymen.

(b) The terms for all membersof the governing board shallbe six years. The presidentof the synod shall appointa man to fill a vacancy thatoccurs in the office of thegoverning board chairmanbetween elections. Theappropriate districtpresident shall appoint mento fill vacancies that occuramong the governing boardmembers between elections.

(c) The chairman of thegoverning board shall beelected by the synod inconvention from a slate ofcandidates prepared by theNominating Committeeof the synod. The electionof the chairmen of thegoverning boards of thesynod’s theologicalseminary, its college, andits preparatory schools shallbe staggered at two-yearintervals.

(d) The districts shall elect theseven remaining membersof the governing boardfrom a slate of candidatesprepared by the districts inaccord with the pastor /



teacher / lay distribution asdetermined by the synod’sNominating Committee.Board members maysucceed themselves once.

(e) Five members of thegoverning board shallbe elected by the upperMidwest districts (oneeach from Michigan,Minnesota, NorthernWisconsin, SoutheasternWisconsin, and WesternWisconsin Districts).

(f) The election of governingboard members shall bestaggered at two-yearintervals with all electionsfor members from non-upper Midwest districts heldin the same year. Followingthe regular conventions ofthe districts, three,respectively two members,members shall retire fromthe governing board aftertheir successors have beenelected.

(g) The district president of theSoutheastern WisconsinDistrict, within whosejurisdiction WisconsinLutheran Seminary issituated, shall be anadvisory member of thegoverning board. Theadministrator of the Boardfor Ministerial Educationshall be an advisory memberof the governing board.

4) Revised Section 6.36 “GoverningBoard of Martin Luther College”:

(a) For the government andadministration of MartinLuther College, New Ulm,Minnesota, there shall be agoverning board of thirteenmembers, composed of thechairman who shall be aparish pastor, and twelveothers who shall be amixture of pastors, teachers,and laymen. The aggregatenumber of governing boardmembers shall include asbalanced as possible a

mixture of pastors, teachers,and laymen.

(b) The terms for all members ofthe governing board shall besix years. The president ofthe synod shall appoint aman to fill a vacancy thatoccurs in the office of thegoverning board chairmanbetween elections. Theappropriate districtpresident shall appoint mento fill vacancies that occuramong the governing boardmembers between elections.

(c) The chairman of thegoverning board shall beelected by the synod inconvention from a slate ofcandidates prepared by theNominating Committee ofthe synod. The electionfor the chairmen of thegoverning boards of thesynod’s theologicalseminary, its college, andits preparatory schools shallbe staggered at two-yearintervals.

(d) Nine members of thegoverning board shall beelected by the upperMidwest districts (two eachfrom Minnesota, NorthernWisconsin, SoutheasternWisconsin, and WesternWisconsin Districts and onefrom the Michigan District).The three remainingmembers of the governingboard shall be elected fromthree of the seven non-upperMidwest districts in accordwith the pastor / teacher /lay distribution asdetermined by theNominating Committee.Board members may succeedthemselves once.

(e) The election of governingboard members shall bestaggered at two-yearintervals. Following theregular conventions of thedistricts, four members shallretire from the governing



board after their successorshave been elected.

(f) The district president of theMinnesota District, withinwhose jurisdiction MartinLuther College is situated,shall be an advisory memberof the governing board. Theadministrator of the Boardfor Ministerial Educationshall be an advisory memberof the governing board.

5) New Section 6.38 “GoverningBoards of the PreparatorySchools”:

(a) For the government andadministration of LutherPreparatory School,Watertown, Wisconsin,and Michigan LutheranSeminary, Saginaw,Michigan, there shall beboards of eight members,composed of the chairmanwho shall be a parish pastor,three parish pastors, twoteachers, and two laymen.

(b) The terms for all members ofthe governing boards shallbe six years. The presidentof the synod shall appoint aman to fill a vacancy thatoccurs in the office of thegoverning board chairmanbetween elections. Theappropriate districtpresident shall appoint mento fill vacancies that occuramong the governing boardmembers between elections.

(c) The chairmen of thegoverning boards shall beelected by the synod inconvention from a slate ofcandidates prepared by theNominating Committee ofthe synod. The election forthe chairmen of thegoverning boards of thesynod’s theologicalseminary, its college, and itspreparatory schools shall bestaggered at two-yearintervals.

(d) The districts shall elect theseven remaining members ofthe governing boards from aslate of candidates preparedby the districts in accordwith the pastor / teacher /lay distribution asdetermined by the synod’sNominating Committee.Board members maysucceed themselves once.

(e) Five members of thegoverning boards shallbe elected by the upperMidwest districts (one eachfrom Michigan, Minnesota,Northern Wisconsin,Southeastern Wisconsin,and Western WisconsinDistricts).

(f) The election of governingboard members shall bestaggered at two-yearintervals with all electionsfor members from non-upper Midwest districts heldin the same year. Followingthe regular conventionsof the districts, three,respectively two, membersshall retire from eachgoverning board after theirsuccessors have been elected.

(g) District presidents withinwhose jurisdiction thepreparatory schools of thesynod are situated shall beadvisory members of thegoverning board. Theadministrator of the Boardfor Ministerial Educationshall be an advisory memberof the governing boards.

6) Sections 6.40 “Authority of theGoverning Boards,” 6.44 “Dutiesof Presidents of MinisterialSchools,” and 6.48 “CallingProcedure”: no changes.

After careful consideration anddiscussion of Memorial (2001-13),Committee #15 voted not torecommend this memorial to thesynod in convention. Nevertheless,Memorial 2001-13 was adopted asamended, as noted in the minutes.




Reference: Memorial (2001-2) BoRaM—p. 153

Subject: Synodical District Alignment

Resolution No. 1

WHEREAS 1) the purpose of structure in thechurch is to support the gospelministry; and

WHEREAS 2) many demographic changes haveoccurred since the district lines weredrawn in 1983; and

WHEREAS 3) some commonalties and synergiesmay cross present district lines;therefore, be it

Resolved, a) That the Conference of Presidentsstudy the district boundaries; and beit further

Resolved, b) That the Conference of Presidentsbring its recommendations to the2003 Synod Convention.

ADOPTED


Subject: Borrowed Money Limits

Resolution No. 2

WHEREAS 1) the Wisconsin Evangelical LutheranSynod in its 1993 conventionestablished a borrowing limit of$70,000,000 of which a maximumof $60,000,000 may be borrowedfor the Church Extension Fund; and

WHEREAS 2) the need exists for increasedamounts of borrowed money forother than CEF purposes to allowfor ministry work and the initial

funding of capital projects; thereforebe it

Resolved, a) That the total synod borrowinglimits from all sources, includinglong term loans, be established at amaximum of $80,000,000, of which amaximum of $60,000,000 may beborrowed for the Church ExtensionFund; and be it finally

Resolved, b) That these new limits remain ineffect until changed by a futuresynod convention.

ADOPTED

Subject: Capital Funding Prioritized List

We praise the Lord that hehas provided many specialopportunities for us to expressour love for him through capitalprojects, which the SynodicalCouncil has prioritized in keepingwith the Mission Objectives Visionstatement as follows:

1. Martin Luther CollegeStudent Residence

2. Michigan Lutheran SeminaryScience Wing

3. Madison, WI, Campus Center4. Michigan Lutheran Seminary

Cafeteria5. Martin Luther College

Cafeteria6. Luther Prep School Science

Floor7. Martin Luther College

Activity Center8. Campus Ministry Facility—

University of Minnesota—Minneapolis, MN

9. St. Lucia, West Indies, Land &Worship Facility

10. Vietnamese Center, Boise, ID11. Synod Administration

Building12. New York City Worship

FacilityNote: Martin Luther College Chapeland Heritage Achives projects havealready been approved by the synodin convention and are awaitingfunding through the Forward inChrist thank offering.

We pray that God will multiply thegrace of giving among us so that

Teacher DonaldHelwig,Chairman

Rev. Robert Pasbrig,Advisor

Mr. Brad Engel,Secretary

Rev. Marcus BodeRev. Michael DietzRev. Kenneth FreyRev. Kurtis MauRev. Thomas

SpiegelbergTeacher Joel Babinec

Teacher BrianFuerstenau

Teacher KevinLoersch

Teacher Scott WagnerMr. Randy BakerMr. Albert MeierMr. Oscar MillerMr. Richard ScreptockMr. Rod SeefeldMr. Paul StieberMr. David WerthMr. John Moor



these projects rapidly become areality.

REPORT

Subject: Seek & Keep Grants

Resolution No. 3

WHEREAS 1) our beloved Wisconsin Synodcontinues to experience “back-doorlosses”; and

WHEREAS 2) our Savior Jesus has given usthe Great Commission to seek thelost; and

WHEREAS 3) these endeavors require funding; and

WHEREAS 4) the Synodical Council has resolvedto allocate the last $2.4 million inthe WELS Gift Trust Fund to anexpanded “Outreach OpportunityFund”; and

WHEREAS 5) the purpose of Seek and Keepgrants is intended to assist andencourage WELS congregations,groups of individuals, and otherWELS organizations in reaching outto the lost and addressing at thecongregational level the problem of“back door losses”; and

WHEREAS 6) the Statement of Purpose of theproposed Seek and Keep Grantsstates that “The Seek and KeepGrants financially assist the WELSin outreach and retention ministriesin accord with our Savior’s greatcommission”; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synodical Council bedirected to proceed with theimplementation of the plan whichit outlined.

ADOPTED


Subject: Church Body Name Change

Resolution No. 4

WHEREAS 1) the name “Wisconsin” is usedprimarily to identify a certaingeographic area; and

WHEREAS 2) the name “Evangelical” isfrequently misused by Protestantsand is often misunderstood byothers; and

WHEREAS 3) the name “Lutheran” has beenmisrepresented by the EvangelicalLutheran Church in America and

others who call themselvesLutherans; and

WHEREAS 4) the name “Synod” is notunderstood by most people andneeds frequent clarification evenwithin our own circles; and

WHEREAS 5) benefits of a name change willoutweigh the monetary cost ofmaking the change; and

WHEREAS 6) a name change will facilitate thework of the Home Missions, WorldMissions, and other WisconsinEvangelical Lutheran Synodcongregations; therefore be it

Resolved, a) That the Synodical Council studythe appropriateness and feasibilityof a change of name for theWisconsin Evangelical LutheranSynod; and be it further

Resolved, b) That the Synodical Council presentsuch findings, including the namechange, if appropriate, to the 57thBiennial Synod Convention in theform of a resolution.

DEFEATED

Reference: Report of Task Force to SynodicalCouncil regarding MissionOpportunity program

Reference: BoRaM-pp. 7, 137-140

Subject: 2001-2003 Recommended Budget

Resolution No. 5

WHEREAS 1) God’s people of the WELS haveresponded in love through theirofferings in the last biennium; and

WHEREAS 2) we acknowledge, appreciate, andaffirm the diligent work of the areasof ministry and the SynodicalCouncil to create a budget thateffectively and efficiently carries outour Lord’s Great Commission; and

WHEREAS 3) the recommended budgets reflectour synod’s efforts to carry out itsMission Objectives Visionstatement; and

WHEREAS 4) the Synodical Council anticipates anincrease in revenues for the nextbiennium of 2.7 percent (from$53,965,100 to $55,431,800 in fiscal2001-2002) and an increase of 3.0percent (from $55,431,800 to$57,099,200 in fiscal 2002-2003); and

WHEREAS 5) the WELS bylaws (Section 5.30 [c] )require a balanced budget; and


WHEREAS 6) increases of 1.4 percent and 3.0percent are planned in expendituresduring the next biennium (from$54,676,900 to $55,431,800 in fiscal2001-2002 and $57,099,200 in fiscal2002-2003); therefore be it

Resolved, a) That we thank the Lord for ourchurch body which continues to bededicated to carrying out our Lord’sGreat Commission; and be it further

Resolved, b) That we thank the Lord for hispeople who love him and cheerfullybring their firstfruits to him; and beit further

Resolved, c) That the Synodical Council continueits efforts to use wisely our gifts forthe Lord and operate within theframework of a balanced budget;and be it finally

Resolved, d) That we approve the recommendedbudgets of $55,431,800 and$57,099,200 over the next biennium,subject to the overall review andadjustments as necessary by theSynodical Council.

ADOPTED

Reference: Budget BoRaM—p. 153

Subject: Impact of Tuition on Synodical Budget

Resolution No. 6

WHEREAS our current tuition policy has notbeen reviewed recently by theSynodical Council; therefore be it

Resolved, a) That the Synodical Council reviewcurrent tuition and fee structure atour synod schools; and be it finally

Resolved, b) That the Synodical Council reportits findings to the 57th synodconvention.

ADOPTED

Reference: Appendix 2, BoRaM p. 7

Subject: Requests Prioritized, but Not Funded

Resolution No. 7

WHEREAS 1) there are still unfunded areas ofministry; and

WHEREAS 2) the requested items reflect ourefforts to carry out the WELSMission Objectives Visionstatement; and

WHEREAS 3) many WELS members have themeans to raise their overall givinglevel by at least 1 percent of theirannual income; therefore be it

Resolved, a) that we pray for God’s continuousblessing on his people that theirresponse to his great love in Christmight mean far greater gifts thanthe proposed budgets so that wemight further increase our effortsto nurture the saints and reach outto the billions who are lost; and beit finally

Resolved, b) that we encourage our WELScongregations to increase theirCongregation Mission Offering.

ADOPTED

Reference: Appendix 1 BoRaM—p. 7

Subject: 2001-2003 Budgetary Dollars

Resolution No. 8

WHEREAS a corrected version of Appendix 1has been submitted by the Directorof Finance; therefore, be it

Resolved, That we accept the revised versionAppendix 1 description of the 2001-2003 budgetary dollars.

ADOPTED

Rev. Keith Kruck,Chairman

Dr. Steven Staude,Secretary

Mr. Robert BartzRev. Thomas BehnkeMr. David BertchRev. Daniel BuskeMr. Steven EnterMr. Mark FostervoldRev. Philip GeigerMr. Alan GeisthardtMr. Vernon GiesekeMr. Mike GrimesRev. Robert GurgelMr. Todd HackbarthRev. Michael HatzungMr. James HobleyMr. Russell HurstMr. Michael KieckerRev. Richard KuglerMr. Steven Miller

Mr. Alan MindockMr. Kevin MoonMr. John NolteMr. Herbert PeterMr. Franklin Quintero Rev. Nathan RadtkeMr. Howard RauchMr. Jeffrey RoloffMr. Lewis RosenbaumMr. Robert RoskeMr. Allan SchmidtRev. Winfried

SchroederMr. Fred SchuettkeMr. Walter SheppardMr. Ron SmallfieldMr. Wayne

SpringstrohRev. John ViethsMr. Gene WaldkoetterMr. Ron WeberRev. Arno Wolfgramm





Reference: BoRaM—pp. 97-100, top p. 101.Bottom of 102-106.(Note: Intentionally omittedgoal four and all references toaccountability and performancein regard to salary structure.)

Subject: Compensation Proposal from the WELSSynodical Council—Goals One, Twoand Three

Resolution No. 1

WHEREAS 1) the WELS Synodical Council hasproposed a compensation packagethat reflects the scriptural principlesthat pertain to the financial supportof called workers; and

1.1 the Bible teaches that theoffice of the ministry is a mostnoble calling and is to be heldin honor by God’s people;and

1.2 we desire to recognize andconcur with this teaching; and

WHEREAS 2) the basic formula of synodicalcompensation has not changed since1975, nor has the unfulfilleddesire of the synod to increasecompensation for called workerschanged since that time; and

WHEREAS 3) the WELS Synodical Council hasproposed for this convention acompensation package that providesthe opportunity for those who areserved by the gospel to providefinancial support to those who servethem with the gospel; and

3.1 it is desirable for thecalling body to define theresponsibilities of the call;and

3.2 those “who direct the affairsof the church well are worthyof double honor, especiallythose whose work ispreaching and teaching.For the Scripture says, ‘Donot muzzle the ox while itis treading out the grain,’and ‘The worker deserveshis wages’” (1 Timothy 5:17-18); and

3.3 it is the responsibility of thecalling body to provide forthe financial support of those

who serve them with theGospel (Matthew 10:10, Luke10:7); and

3.4 housing or a housingallowance shall be providedfor all called workers; and

3.5 the income of the calledworkers should be shelteredto the fullest extent of the taxlaws by the calling body; and

3.6 the calling body benefits fromfurther education of its calledworkers; and

3.7 the Human ResourcesCommittee will assemblematerials to assist callingbodies with compensationplanning; and

WHEREAS 4) the WELS Synodical Council hasproposed a compensation packagethat enables called workers toprovide for the material well-beingof their families so they may devotetheir energies, time and attention tothe full-time work of the publicministry; and

4.1 wise stewardship of moneywill provide appropriateincome to give generously toGod’s church, to provide for aworker’s family, as well asallow for savings and forretirement; and

4.2 there are many types ofinvestments for supplementalretirement income; and

4.3 many called workers wouldappreciate advice andassistance in wise moneymanagement; and

4.4 called workers incur manyposition/business-relatedexpenses; and

4.5 ministers of the gospel areconsidered self-employed forSocial Security purposes andemployees for other tax andfringe benefit purposes;therefore be it

Resolved, a) That we give those who serve ascalled workers the high honor Godrequires; and be it further

Resolved, b) That we no longer require ourcalled workers to continue to bearthe consequences of any further



delay(s) for increased compensation;and be it further

Resolved, c) That we approve the compensationpackage as outlined in the examplein BoRaM, pages 105-106 (withthe exception of any reference toaccountability or performance inregard to salary structure) with thisunderstanding:

c.1 the calling body clearlydefines the parameters ofthe call; and

c.2 the calling body annuallyreviews the responsibilitiesof the called worker andthe calling body considersadditional compensation foradditional responsibilities; and

c.3 the base salary for an entry-level teacher (range A) will bederived from the nationalaverage of the most currentyear of the ConsumerExpenditure Survey/U.S.Bureau of Labor Statistics(BLS) and the national PerCapita Income average BLSrounded to the nearestthousand dollars of salary.The current figure of $26,000is based on the latest statisticsavailable (1999); and

c.4 the cost of living adjustment(COLA), using 100 percentComposite Index, will beadded to or subtracted fromthe entry level teacher’s salary(range A) and will be takenfrom the ACCRA Index orother appropriate indices; and

c.5 if housing is provided by thecalling body the COLA maybe adjusted by the housingcomponent of the Index forthat area; and

c.6 the calling body, together withits called workers, formulatesa plan of continuingeducation and providesfunding for that plan; and

c.7 the Human ResourcesCommittee, under thedirection of the Conferenceof Presidents, is responsible tocoordinate materials and toprovide training for theimplementation of this

compensation package for thecalled workers as well as forthe calling bodies; and

c.8 the effective date forimplementation of thiscompensation package shallbe July 1, 2003; and be itfurther

Resolved, d) That we separate and reimburse allnon-taxable expenses incurred bythe called worker:

d.1 the calling body provideshousing or housingallowance. If a housingallowance is provided, itshould be based on fairmarket value for the area,using appropriate indexsource(s) such as the U.S.Department of Housing andUrban Development; and

d.2 if housing is provided forcalled workers, the callingbody contributes a minimumof 2 percent of the annualbase salary of an entry-levelteacher (range A) as asupplemental retirement planto provide housing equity andthis amount is to be placedinto an IRC 403(b) plan of theworkers’ choice; and

d.3 the calling body beencouraged to contribute2 percent based on the COLAadjustment of the area foradditional housing equity;and

d.4 the calling body shallreimburse allposition/business-relatedexpenses includingautomobile mileage at theallowable IRC rate; and

d.5 the calling body isencouraged to establish aflexible spending (cafeteria)plan if it is found to benefitthe called worker (under IRC125); and

d.6 the calling body at the requestof the called worker isencouraged to establish anIRC 403(b) plan; and

d.7 the calling body at the requestof the called worker recordsthe Parsonage and



Furnishings Allowance asallowed by IRC 107; and

d.8 the calling body remuneratesone-half of the SelfEmployment CompensationAct (SECA) (i.e. SocialSecurity) tax for ministers ofthe gospel; and

d.9 the calling body will set anappropriate paid vacationschedule such as the oneestablished by the Board forHome Missions; and

d.10the ministerial educationschools (MLC & WLS) willoffer instruction in personalmoney management and willprovide current taxinformation that will assistfuture called workers; and beit further

Resolved, e) While the compensation packageapplies directly to workers called bythe WELS, other calling bodies inour synod are encouraged to use atleast these amounts as a guidelinefor compensating their calledworkers; and be it finally

Resolved, f) That any references herein toagencies or companies providingstatistics or indices may be changedif more accurate information anddata become available that reflectthe vision and intent of thiscompensation proposal.

ADOPTED AS AMENDED


Subject: Offerings of the Convention

Resolution No. 1

WHEREAS 1) we have gathered here inconvention under the theme, “WorkWhile It Is Day”; and

WHEREAS 2) reports and individuals at thisconvention have provided usinformation about three churchbodies with which this conventionhas declared the WisconsinEvangelical Lutheran Synod to be indoctrinal fellowship: All SaintsLutheran Church of Nigeria, theConfessional Lutheran Church inLatvia, and the Ukrainian LutheranChurch; and

WHEREAS 3) each of these church bodies hasgreat temporal needs; and

WHEREAS 4) an offering in the amount of$3,579.10 has been received at theconvention’s opening worshipservice; therefore be it

Resolved, That the 2001 WELS BiennialConvention designate the offeringfrom the opening worship service beequally divided among All SaintsLutheran Church of Nigeria, theConfessional Lutheran Church inLatvia, and the Ukrainian LutheranChurch.

ADOPTED

Subject: Expressions of Gratitude

Resolution No. 2

WHEREAS: 1) the successful accomplishment ofthe convention’s work required theefforts of many people; and

WHEREAS 2) the work of the synod depends onthe consecrated labor of manypersons within its membership;therefore be it

Rev. Peter UnnaschTeacher Steven

GrosinskeTeacher Mark RennerMr. John TappeMr. Brian HeinitzMr. Norman Riediger

Mr. Tim HansenMr. John DeschaneMr. Tom PoehlmanRev. William RussowMr. Duane NelsonMr. Larry ToddRev. Ray Beckmann

Mr. John W. Peterman,Chairman

Rev. Roger R. Zehms,Secretary

Rev. James LiggettMr. Rodger

BogenschutzMr. Gary DunsmoorMr. Dallas OestreichMr. Al RousseauMr. Paul WirthRev. H Curtis LyonTeacher Andrew

AsmusTeacher Mark

EisenmannMr. Robert GromlundMr. Harold HunzikerRev. Edward

LindemannRev. Paul Lemke

Teacher ThomasBanaszak

Teacher DavidDahlberg

Teacher StevenRosenbaum

Mr. Brad BartzMr. Charles WitheyRev. Richard KrauseRev. Roger KnepprathTeacher Mark KaiserTeacher Robert

WiegmanTeacher Timothy

ZellmerRev. Walter OelhafenMr. David PeserikMr. Phil ScheuerMr. Thomas

ConzelmannMr. Sherman Unkefer



Resolved, That the synod in conventionexpress its gratitude to

a) the faculty and staff ofMichigan Lutheran Seminaryfor hosting this convention;and

b) the officers of the synod forarranging and conducting thebusiness of this convention;and

c) those who delivered thesermons, prepared andpresented Bible studies and theconvention’s essay, conductedthe services, served asorganists or instrumentalists,sang in the choirs, and in otherways led us in worship; andthe delegates and floorcommittees of the conventionfor their concentrated efforts;and all who served on boards,commissions and committeesof the synod; andNorthwestern PublishingHouse and others who haveprovided materials for theconvention; and the secretaries,printing staff, pages, and staffand volunteers who worked inthe kitchen, dining areas, anddormitories; and all others whohave contributed their timeand talent to make theconvention flow smoothly toa successful completion.

ADOPTED

Subject: 2003 Wisconsin Evangelical LutheranSynod Convention

Resolution No. 3

WHEREAS 1) according to the rotation previouslyadopted by the WisconsinEvangelicalLutheran Synod, the2003 convention of the synod is tobe held on the campus of LutherPreparatory School, Watertown,Wisconsin; and

WHEREAS 2) an invitation has been received fromthe Board of Control and faculty of

Luther Preparatory School to hostthe 2003 synod convention; and

WHEREAS 3) the construction of the new chapelat Martin Luther College may becompleted just before the time ofthe 2003 synod convention; and

WHEREAS 4) it would be appropriate to dedicatethe new MLC chapel during the2003 synod convention; and

WHEREAS 5) the Board of Control and faculty ofMartin Luther College are willing tohost the 2003 synod convention;therefore be it

Resolved, a) That the 2003 synod convention beheld on the campus of LutherPreparatory School in Watertown,Wisconsin; and be it further

Resolved, b) That the site of the 2003 synodconvention may be changed toMartin Luther College, New Ulm,Minnesota, at the discretion of thesynod’s praesidium.

ADOPTED

Subject: Recognition of Service to the Synod

Resolution No. 4

WHEREAS 1) the synod’s first vice president,Rev. Richard E. Lauersdorf, haschosen not to stand for re-electionand is retiring after 42 years ofministry, including 34 years offaithful service to our synod invarious positions; and

WHEREAS 2) the synod’s secretary, Rev. DouglasL. Bode, has chosen not to stand forre-election and is therefore leavingoffice after eight years of faithfulservice to our synod; therefore be it

Resolved, That our synod in conventionexpress our heartfelt gratitude forRev. Richard Lauersdorf’s and Rev.Douglas Bode’s years of untiringservice.

ADOPTED

Teacher William Zeiger, ChairmanRev. Daniel BalgeRev. David Huebner



SYNODICAL COMPENSATION PLANEFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2003

Goals1] Provide a compensation package that reflects

the Scriptural principles that pertain to thefinancial support of called workers

2] Provide a compensation package that providesthe opportunity for those who are served bythe gospel to provide financial support tothose who serve them with that gospel

3] Provide a compensation package that enablescalled workers to provide for the material wellbeing of their families and devote theirenergies, time and attention to the work of thepublic ministry

Goal #1Provide a compensation package that reflectsthe scriptural principles that pertain to thefinancial support of called workers

The basic format of synodical compensation hasnot changed since at least 1975. Nor has theunfulfilled desire of the synod to increasecompensation for called workers changed sincethat time. Synodical resolution after synodicalresolution repeated the biblical truth that theworker is worthy of his wage but then found itpainfully necessary to add that because offinancial constraints it was not possible tocompensate the worker at a worthy wage level.All calling bodies in the WELS were encouragedto keep studying compensation issues. The“Philosophy of Compensation” was adopted bythe 1991 synod convention and has been reprintedor referenced in almost every Proceedings sincethat time. In the 1999 Proceedings (Committee 12,WHEREAS #4, Resolution No. 6) it was noted thatunder the new structure of administration theHuman Resource Committee (HRC) rather thanthe Compensation Review Committee (CRC) “ . . .has been working diligently to improve calledworker compensation.”

What follows is a litany of compensation concernsfrom past Proceedings, BoRaM and Report to theTwelve Districts:

• 1975—A larger increase in salary “could notbe granted at this time due tonecessary fiscal restraints” (p.131)

• 1977—the need was expressed to keep upwith “cost of living increases” (p.143)

• 1979 —there was “financial hardship (becauseof) excessive mileage costs for theirpastors” (p.171)

• 1979 (p.170), 1983 (p.153) and 1985 (p.142)—“eighteen months will pass withoutsalary increases” and “The salaries ofour workers have been frozen due tocurrent budgetary stringencies and theincrease planned and approved at the1985 WELS convention was modest atbest”

• 1981 (p. 139)—“the compensation differentialbetween all categories of calledsynodical workers has narrowed,despite the fact that there are distinctdifferences in the duties andresponsibilities of each category . . . ”and “that the Coordinating Counciland the Board of Trustees throughtheir Salary Review Committee reviewand modify the compensationprogram for future years to rectify anyinequities that may be apparent in the1982-83 salary schedule.”

• 1987—“There is need for an increase in salary. . . yet it must be modest . . . due tothe present period of financialconstraint” (p.199)

• 1989—“We wish to increase the salary of ourcalled synodical workers” (p.168)

• 1991—“Our called workers are at a relativelylow level, when compared to similarlyeducated persons in our world,especially as they gain experience andlow salary levels in all congregationscan have a negative affect on therecruitment of individuals for thepublic ministry and the public salaryschedules reflect an attempt to raisethe salary levels even in a time ofserious financial struggle” (P.188)

• 1993—“Levels of total compensation higherthan presently incorporated aredesired for our workers. However thetotal compensation levelsincorporated herein are constrained bycurrent and past inabilities to fund allsynod needs” (p.197)

• 1995—“There appear to be inequities in thesuggested pay scales,” therefore we“direct the HR Committee to preparea distinct and realistic rationale for thevarious salary schedules and to reportto the 1997 synod convention” (p.106)

• 1997—“Divergent views also exist in the needto recognize levels of accountabilityand compensating individualsaccordingly” (BoRaM, p.77)

• 1997—Proceedings, p.119, 1998 RTTTD (p.136)and 1999 Proceedings (p.47) all refer



to the “Study and review (that is) on-going to develop comprehensiveand balanced total compensationprograms.”

In the past, WELS compensation was to bedetermined by using the public school teachersalary as a benchmark. Sometimes our salary levelmet that benchmark at entry level, at other times itdid not. In the “Philosophy of Compensation,”which was adopted at the 1991 synod convention,a number of criteria are mentioned which are to befollowed when determining called workercompensation. One of those criteria is thecompensation being offered by other churchbodies. This, too, has not been followed. Otherchurch bodies, it was discovered, compensatedtheir called workers at a higher level and, it wassaid, our synod’s budget was not in the position tofollow suit.

What we learn from this is that we, as a synod,have allowed budgetary needs to restrictnecessary salary increases for called workers yearafter year after year. This must change for the sakeof the worker and for other reasons that follow.We also learn that even though benchmarks wereestablished, the only real purpose they served wasto demonstrate how far our WELS workers werebehind in compensation. We have not done whatwe said we wanted to do and what the synod toldus to do and what God’s Word encourages us todo because we said that we could not afford topay our workers . . . and we allowed that tohappen again and again.

What are the Scriptural principles that govern us inmatters pertaining to compensation? In Matthew10:10 and Luke 10:7 we are told that the worker isworthy of being provided for. The New TestamentGreek word ‘worthy’ means “of like value, worth,in a manner worthy of, deserving.” That sameword is used in Romans 1:32 where we are told thatpeople who are sinful are unworthy, and thereforethey deserve to die, while at the same time Paul’senemies could find nothing in him for which hedeserved or was worthy of death. The same wordis used to describe the attitude of Jesus’ enemieswho claimed that he was worthy or deserving ofdeath (Matthew 26:66), but he is also acclaimed inHebrews 3:3 as being worthy of greater honor thanMoses. And, again, the same word is used by Paulin his first epistle to the Corinthians (11:27) toexplain that anyone who does not believe that thebody and blood of Jesus are received together withthe bread and wine of the Lord’s Supper isunworthy to receive it; he is unfit and undeservingbecause of a lack of faith.

The same Greek word occurs in 1 Timothy 5:17where the Apostle says that the elders who direct

the work of the church well are worthy, deservingof compensation because of what they do, namely,proclaim the saving gospel of Jesus to win soulsfor heaven. This worth or worthiness is notinherent in the worker; rather it is inherent in theiroffice, in the ministry. Preachers and teachers ofthe gospel are worthy because they handle theprecious truth of sins forgiven through the shedblood of Jesus.

The full text is this: 1Timothy 5:17 “The elderswho direct the affairs of the church well areworthy of double honor, especially those whosework is preaching and teaching. For the Scripturesays, ‘Do not muzzle the ox while it is treadingout the grain,’ and ‘The worker deserves hiswages’” (1 Timothy 5:17,18). The elders whoserved in the church directed and managed(administered) its gospel ministry and were worthor deserving of double honor for the work theydid. The word translated here as ‘honor’ is alsoused to mean “worship, esteem or honor (ofpeople), value, the price of a thing; money.” Heuses the same word elsewhere: we were bought ata price and that price was Jesus’ life (1 Corinthians6:20); greater honor is given to certain body parts(1 Corinthians 12:24); a high value is given tothose who do the work of the ministry; they arehonored because of their work, and they arecompensated accordingly by those who are servedwith the gospel. “Put into today’s terms, by thesalary it pays and the benefits it provides, acongregation shows honor and respect for itscalled workers. It hardly shows ‘double honor’ iftheir support is kept at the poverty or minimumsubsistence level. Neither should the pastorexpect, however, that ‘double honor’ requires thatthose he serves make him a man of wealth” (1Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus, The People’s Bible,Armin Schuetze. p. 82).

Paul’s point is, then, that a high value is placed onthose who direct the affairs of the church and theydeserve and are worthy of compensation. Thishigh value, and even a double portion of it, isplaced on those who serve in the office of theministry, preaching and teaching, and serve“well.” How was it to be determined if the elderswere directing the affairs of the church “well,”thereby making them worthy of “double honor?”In secular Greek, the word translated ‘well’referred to people of high position who had toearn that honor by meeting “high and inexorabledemands” (Dictionary of New TestamentTheology). To Socrates and Plato, ‘well’ applied tosomeone who was respectful and fair, thoughtfuland discreet, moderate and capable in the way heconducted his life, a man for whom everythingwas in order (Ibid. II. p.103). ‘Well’ is translated asthe right thing (1 Corinthians 7:37), the



management of one’s family in a good way; well(1 Timothy 3:4), a desire to live honorably(Hebrews 13.18).

Once again it is Paul who describes what thequalifications are if someone is to be recognized asserving ‘well.’ These qualifications, which soundsimilar to those of secular Greek cited above, havebeen given a ‘Christianized’ application for thosewho serve in the public ministry.

Listen:

Here is a trustworthy saying: “If anyone setshis heart on being an overseer, he desires anoble task. Now the overseer must be abovereproach, the husband of but one wife,temperate, self-controlled, respectable,hospitable, able to teach, not given todrunkenness, not violent but gentle, notquarrelsome, not a lover of money. He mustmanage his own family well and see that hischildren obey him with proper respect. (Ifanyone does not know how to manage hisown family, how can he take care of God’schurch?) He must not be a recent convert, orhe may become conceited and fall under thesame judgment as the devil. He must alsohave a good reputation with outsiders, sothat he will not fall into disgrace and into thedevil’s trap” (1 Timothy 3:1-7).

And again:

“The reason I left you in Crete was that youmight straighten out what was leftunfinished and appoint elders in everytown, as I directed you. An elder must beblameless, the husband of but one wife, aman whose children believe and are notopen to the charge of being wild anddisobedient. Since an overseer is entrustedwith God’s work, he must be blameless—notoverbearing, not quick-tempered, not givento drunkenness, not violent, not pursuingdishonest gain. Rather he must behospitable, one who loves what is good, whois self controlled, upright, holy anddisciplined. He must hold firmly to thetrustworthy message as it has been taught,so that he can encourage others by sounddoctrine and refute those who oppose it”(Titus 1:5-9).

Serving ‘well’ has nothing to do with measurableresults but it does have everything to do with thefaithful use of one’s abilities, the faithfuladministration of one’s time, and living asanctified way of life in carrying out this high-value calling known as the public ministry of thegospel. Other passages to be studied are Galatians6:6, Ephesians 4:11,12 and 1 Corinthians 9:4,7-14.

Goal #2Provide a compensation package thatprovides the opportunity for those whoare served by the Gospel to provide financialsupport to those who serve them with thatGospel

Providing compensation for called workers is notto be based on need or merit. God’s people loveGod’s word and will make provision for beingserved by that word through the ministry of thegospel which he himself established. Thereforeproviding compensation for called workers issimply something that faith wants to do so that itcan be admonished and corrected and rebuked,fed and nourished, comforted and equipped,encouraged and strengthened. It is not anobligation to provide compensation; it is a joy,the fruit of faith.

How much compensation is to be provided inkeeping with the high value and double honorthat the office holder deserves for doing the workof the ministry? In a telephone survey conductedin 1999 (59 pastors and male teachers who arein mission settings and being compensatedaccording to synodical schedule), severalcalled workers stated that their members wereembarrassed by the low salary being paid totheir pastor or teacher. That sentiment has beenexpressed for a long time, as indicated above.

When WELS members refer to low compensation,they are not using as a benchmark the salary of apublic school teacher or called workers of otherdenominations. They are thinking of their ownpersonal salary. They are comparing in theirmind their job description to that of their calledworker(s), their duties and responsibilitiescompared to those of their called worker(s), theireducational level versus that of their calledworker(s). And when they make that comparison,they determine that the worker salaries are notwhat they wish them to be.

It is not showing high honor to our called workersif they are made to struggle to make ends meet intoday’s world. Our society and our members arecompensated on the basis of what they do andwhat their peers do and earn. The called workerin the WELS has no exact peer other than otherpastors and teachers who serve in other Christiandenominations. If WELS salary levels were thesame as those of some other church bodies, theywould indeed be much, much higher. If WELSsalary levels were based on the job descriptions ofthose who teach and administer and counsel andorganize and plan and design and manage, thetypes of things that WELS members do, thosesalaries would be much, much higher. And our



members wish that it would be possible to do that;they are of the opinion that the called worker isworthy of high value and deserves to becompensated in the same measure as they are andmore, because of the office of administering God’sWord of salvation.

It surely is and must be the case that our calledworkers are not to be compensated at such a levelthat they struggle to exist to make ends meet. Suchsituations are unacceptable and not in keepingwith the high honor they deserve. We want to finda level of compensation that provides ourmembers the opportunity to give high honor totheir pastors and teachers in both respect andtangible income.

Goal #3Provide a compensation package that enablescalled workers to provide for the materialwell being of their families and devote theirenergies, time and attention to the work ofthe public ministry

Time is needed to study and prepare for teachingand preaching, visiting and planning, counselingand administering, and being a husband/wife/parent/child with family obligations and a privatelife. We are blessed in the WELS that our memberswant to provide income so that our workers areable to devote their attention to these thingswithout having a “tent ministry” to supplementthe salary. That there are volunteer or paidindividuals who do secretarial work, serve onboards and committees so that the called workerdoes not have to do it all, is also a tremendousblessing (Acts 6: 1,2) and that is how it should andneeds to be.

Nonetheless, it is assumed by many that twoincomes are needed in order to provide for one’sfamily. If a mother decides not to work in order tobe with the children while they are young, that isa good decision but it will also mean that lifestyleadjustments will have to be made. This is true inthe homes of our pastors and teachers as well as itis in many of our lay member homes. Our calledworkers should not feel that they are martyrs formaking this decision; other families choose thisroute also.

But it does mean that willing sacrifices need to bemade along with the confidence and trust that theLord keeps his promises in providing for all one’sneeds. And he will do that because he says he willdo that! Contentment with whatever the Lordprovides and the trust that he will continue to

provide is the called worker’s, as it is everyChristian’s attitude of faith (1 Timothy 6:6-8).

Having said that, it must also be borne in mindthat called worker families also, as good stewardsof God’s material gifts, need to provide for theirfamily at every stage of life until they becomeindependent. Clothes and doctors, education feesand incidentals, demand more resources aschildren grow older. There are emergencies thatneed to be met, automobiles and appliances thatneed to be maintained and replaced, SocialSecurity payments to be paid, plus layingsomething aside for future retirement.

The survey found that some called workers aregood money managers and others need advice onhow to manage their income. It is expected thatwise stewardship will, in today’s economy,provide sufficient income to:

• provide for one’s family, • set aside a savings (investments) for

retirement• have Social Security and the Synod’s

pension available also for retirement years

In order to assist our called workers in wise moneymanagement, we have asked Pastor Ronald Rothand the CCFS to set up a financial moneymanagement program for all current workersin every district of the synod. We also haveencouraged our worker training schools to offer apersonal money management course that willaddress credit card use, student loans, planning forthe future and other financial matters. We also willprovide to each congregation tax law documentsand other financial management information thatwill enable called workers to take advantage of taxsavings (i.e. flexible spending accounts, et al.).

Once again, in keeping with the high value placedon those who serve in the public ministry, ourmembers want called workers to be able to live inthe neighborhoods where they are called to serveand be an active part of their community, alongwith their children. Within reason, finances, whenproperly managed, should be sufficient to enablecalled workers to mingle with their neighbors inchildren’s sports activities and other socialopportunities where contacts for Christ can bemade and the called worker and his family canbecome known. Our WELS members also desirethat called workers are able to provide for theirfamily now and provide for themselves in possibleretirement. Good money management skills, plusan adequate income, will make that possible.



APPENDIX AELEMENTS OF COMPENSATION PLANNING

EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2003

Bible Study on Compensation

It is strongly encouraged that each calling bodywork through this Bible study, among others,before discussing and establishing compensationpolicies for its workers. Turning first to God’sword sets the direction he would have us go

Base Salary

Starting point for all called workers. Entry-levelteacher salary of $26,000 derived from nationalaverage of 1999 Consumer ExpenditureSurvey/U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) of$24, 970 and the 1999 national Per Capita Incomeaverage/BLS of $28,500. Salary matrix inAppendix B allows calling bodies to establishsalary ranges for each position. Synodical salaryranges are outlined in Appendix B.

Cost of Living Adjustment

A percentage of entry-level teacher salary(currently $26,000) taken from the ACCRA Costof Living Index. Percentage utilized is thecomposite index number minus 100 for variousregions of the country. Regions with compositeindexes below 100 could consider adjustingAppendix B salaries accordingly.

Education

This element is considered as Appendix B rangesare established; as additional educational levelsare attained and utilized in an individual’s call,consideration should be given to moving salarycomponent to higher level within range.

Levels of Responsibility

There are two aspects of this element; broaderresponsibility is recognized through classificationof positions to range assignments (see AppendixB). Secondarily, narrower responsibilities such asincreased duties or accepting special assignmentsare recognized through higher salary level withinthe assigned range.

Social Security

Congregations/calling bodies are encouraged toremunerate up to one half of the self-employedsocial security tax for Ministers of the Gospel.Current self-employment tax factor is 15.3%.

Housing

Cash allowance for worker owned or rentedhousing based upon regional informationavailable through realtors or Chambers ofCommerce. Synod positions will generallyutilize Fair Market Rental Value data availablefrom U.S Department of Housing & UrbanDevelopment. Synodical bodies may developlocal data sources for individual fields wherehousing costs are higher.

HousingEquity

2% of entry level salary contributed annually to asupplemental retirement plan on behalf of workerwho lives in provided housing (e.g. $520/yearinvested over 40 years @ 8% rate of return equals$135,000). Calling body may consider adjustingthis amount to account for regionally higherhousing costs.

Utilities

These costs are reflected in the higher base salaryand cost of living adjustment compensationelements.

Benefits

• WELS Pension Plan (required for all workers)• VEBA Group Health Plan or similar health

care coverage (VEBA provided for allsynodical workers)

• Dental Insurance coverage – voluntary plan available through WELS

VEBA• Short-term and Long term disability coverage

– short-term disability is generally coveredthrough salary continuation policy

– long-term disability included with VEBAPlan

• Life Insurance & Accidental death anddismemberment (AD&D)– group term life insurance coverage is

available through VEBA Plan– AD&D included in VEBA Plan

• Supplemental retirement income contribution(optional)– Includes investments in tax-sheltered

annuities (403b plans), 401k plans andindividual retirement accounts

Calling bodies may consider providing someof these benefits on a cost-sharing basis with theworker. When the worker is asked to contributetoward these costs, consideration should begiven to funding worker contributions on a



1. Teacher/Grand Rapids, Mich. (0 years)

Base salary $26,000COLA (cost of living adjustment) (4.9% of base) 1,222Housing (provided) 8,640*Housing equity 520Social security 2,725TOTAL SALARY $30,467

2. Principal, Minneapolis, MN (25 years w/ MA degree)

Base salary 41,500COLA (9.2% of $26k) 2,392Housing (provided) 11,400*Housing equity 520Social security 4,270TOTAL SALARY $48,682

3. Home missionary/New York City (5 years, Mdiv)

Base salary $32,000COLA (141% of $26k) 36,660Housing (provided) 14,280*Housing equity 520Social security 6,385TOTAL SALARY $75,505

4. Prep school professor/Watertown, Wis. (15 years w/ MA)

Base salary $36,000COLA (3% of $26k) 780Housing (provided) 8,400*Housing equity 520Social security 3,496TOTAL SALARY $40,796

5. Area of ministry administrator, Milwaukee, Wis. (25 years w/ Mdiv)

Base salary $44,000COLA (3% of $26k) 780Housing (provided) 9,600*Housing equity 520Social security 4,200TOTAL SALARY $49,500

* Housing amount is utilized for calculatingSocial Security adjustment but is not includedin Total Salary amount.

Salary compensation examplespre-tax basis. Establishing such plans has costsand legal implications; professional counsel ishighly recommended in setting up such pre-taxfunding plans.

Business expenses

Certain business expenses are incurred byworkers in carrying out ministry work; callingbodies are urged to recognize such costs andprovide for non-taxable reimbursement of suchexpenses to the fullest extent allowed by law.Such expenses may include the following:

• Car Allowance—IRS per mile rate• Conference Expenses• Book Expense• Communications: Phone, cellular, e-mail

access, Internet, pager

Desired expectations

1. Reinforces the scriptural truth that adequatecompensation is the responsibility of thechurch for its called workers.

2. Provides the opportunity to recognize thosewho serve well.

3. Encourages continuing education.4. Offers flexibility in determining

compensation.5. Addresses the present concern of inadequate

compensation for many workers.6. Anticipates the increase of entry level

compensation.

Desired Benefits

1. Provides for a spiritual exercise for the callingbody and called worker.

2. Pushes compensation decisions to the lowestpossible level (congregations, boards, areas ofministry, etc.).

3. Recognizes the wide diversity ofresponsibilities in our church body.

4. Recognizes those who “serve well.”5. Requires annual review of compensation.



Range Spread 13,000 13,650 14,300 14,950 15,600 16,250 16,900 17,550

Service Increment 433 455 477 498 520 542 563 585

Ranges A B C D E F G H

Experience

0 26,000 27,300 28,600 29,900 31,200 32,500 33,800 35,100

1 26,433 27,755 29,077 30,398 31,720 33,042 34,363 35,685

2 26,867 28,210 29,553 30,896 32,240 33,584 34,926 36,270

3 27,300 28,665 30,029 31,394 32,760 34,126 35,489 36,855

4 27,733 29,120 30,505 31,892 33,280 34,668 36,052 37,440

5 28,166 29,575 30,981 32,390 33,800 35,210 36,615 38,025

6 28,599 30,030 31,457 32,888 34,320 35,752 37,178 38,610

7 29,032 30,485 31,933 33,386 34,840 36,294 37,741 39,195

8 29,465 30,940 32,409 33,884 35,360 36,836 38,304 39,780

9 29,898 31,395 32,885 34,382 35,880 37,378 38,867 40,365

10 30,331 31,850 33,361 34,880 36,400 37,920 39,430 40,950

11 30,764 32,305 33,837 35,378 36,920 38,462 39,993 41,535

12 31,197 32,760 34,313 35,876 37,440 39,004 40,556 42,120

13 31,630 33,215 34,789 36,374 37,960 39,546 41,119 42,705

14 32,063 33,670 35,265 36,872 38,480 40,088 41,682 43,290

15 32,496 34,125 35,741 37,370 39,000 40,630 42,245 43,875

16 32,929 34,580 36,217 37,868 39,520 41,172 42,808 44,460

17 33,362 35,035 36,693 38,366 40,040 41,714 43,371 45,045

18 33,795 35,490 37,169 38,864 40,560 42,256 43,934 45,630

19 34,228 35,945 37,645 39,362 41,080 42,798 44,497 46,215

20 34,661 36,400 38,121 39,860 41,600 43,340 45,060 46,800

21 35,094 36,855 38,597 40,358 42,120 43,882 45,623 47,385

22 35,527 37,310 39,073 40,856 42,640 44,424 46,186 47,970

23 35,960 37,765 39,549 41,354 43,160 44,966 46,749 48,555

24 36,393 38,220 40,025 41,852 43,680 45,508 47,312 49,140

25 36,826 38,675 40,501 42,350 44,200 46,050 47,875 49,725

26 37,259 39,130 40,977 42,848 44,720 46,592 48,438 50,310

27 37,692 39,585 41,453 43,346 45,240 47,134 49,001 50,895

28 38,125 40,040 41,929 43,844 45,760 47,676 49,564 51,480

29 38,558 40,495 42,405 44,342 46,280 48,218 50,127 52,065

30 39,000 40,950 42,900 44,850 46,800 48,750 50,700 52,650

APPENDIX BNEW SALARY RANGES



APPENDIX C—CALLED WORKER SALARY SCHEDULES

July 1, 2001–June 30, 2003

IMPORTANT NOTICE

1. The tables in Appendix C are intended forthe specific determination ofcompensation for synodically supportedcalled workers. The salary table data mustbe read in conjunction with the footnotesoutlining other benefits and allowancesfor housing and other expenses to fullyunderstand the total compensation of anindividual worker. Although this

information specifically applies tosynodically supported workers, localboards may use this data as a guidelinefor determining compensation levels forcalled workers.

2. Each responsible local board shoulddetermine its own workers’ compensationlevels in keeping with the principles setforth in the Philosophy of Compensationguidelines as adopted by the 1991 synodconvention. Many factors, including localeconomic conditions, may be consideredwhen establishing such levels. TheScriptures clearly direct our thinking,stating that “the worker deserves his

Notes: 1) Each rate range has a 50% spread between 0-30 years. (The maximum is always 1.50 ofthe minimum.)

2) Each rate range is progressively 5% from range A (for example, Range C is 10% greaterthan Range A).

3) Each point within a range is determined by dividing the difference between themaximum and the minimum of the range by 30 as shown on the top of each range’scolumn.

4) Each called worker’s actual salary would be determined by finding the applicableexperience row and determining the appropriate rate range. (For example, a teacherwith 10 years experience, should receive a salary between $30,330 and $33,361.Salaries greater than $30,330 would recognize additional educational credentials andresponsibility Ievels.)

5) The salary matrix would be reviewed annually and adjusted to reflect changes occurringin the economy.

6) The basis for cost of living adjustments would be the entry-level teacher salary.

7) SECA tax reimbursement, housing allowances, and housing equity are provided outsideof the salary matrix.

8) It is possible that when the concept of accountability or performance measurementbecomes possible that additional ranges would be included in each job’s rangeassignment so that outstanding performance is rewarded with additional salary. Forexample, the rate range assignment for a teacher could expand from A-B to A-C or D.

9) Plan implementation: July 2003

Teacher A-CPrincipal B-DPrep professor B-DStaff minister B-DPrep vice president C-EPrep dean C-ECollege professor C-EHome missionary C-EWorld missionary C-E

Associate SAB administrator C-ECounselor C-EPrep president D-FCollege vice president D-FCollege dean D-FSeminary professor D-FSeminary vice president D-FSAB administrator D-FCollege president E-GSeminary president E-G

APPENDIX BRANGE ASSIGNMENTS



wages” and that those who laborfaithfully in the Word and doctrineshould receive compensationcommensurate with their high calling.

3. Study and review is on-going to developcomprehensive and balanced totalcompensation programs. This search foralternatives is done within the context ofthe resources granted to us.

4. The 2001 salary schedules were approvedby the 1999 synod convention. Theschedules reflect increase rangesdepending upon years of service asfollows (average increase percentage inbrackets based on current staffing levels):

July 1, 2001 2.0% to 4.9% (3.2%)July 1, 2002 3.8% % 4.8% (4.0%)

Years ofService 7/1/01 7/1/02

1 to 5 $348 $3846 to 10 492 468

11 to 15 660 66016 to 20 660 68421 to 25 660 69626 to 30 504 576

Benefits applying to all of the schedules areas follows:

1. Housing or cash allowance providedaccording to family need. Cash allowancewill be determined on a regional basisutilizing fair market rental value survey ofU.S. Department of Housing and UrbanDevelopment. Allowance based upon a 3-bedroom dwelling.

2. Medical benefits under the WELS VEBAgroup medical plan at $250 annualdeductible.

3. Pension under the WELS Pension Plan.

4. Reimbursement for utility costs and publicservice charges based on the formula thatthe called worker covers a base amounteach calendar year and that all costs abovethis base are reimbursed at 100%. The baseamount is $1200 with 100% reimbursementabove the base. Utilities include all publicutilities such as water, sewer, gas,electricity, garbage collection or other fuelsupply charges needed to operate andmaintain property.

5. A per mile reimbursement of $.345effective January 1, 2001 for all businessmiles driven. Mileage reimbursement is setat IRS limit and changes per IRS directive.

6. Active workers reaching age 55 and olderprior to October 1, 1995 receive a fixedannual salary supplement ranging from $5per year of synodical service at age 55 to$75 per year of service at age 64 and older.This supplement is subject to per workermaximums of $3,000 annually and $10,000lifetime. The plan provides a minimumannual benefit of $300 per eligible worker.This supplemental pay is in lieu of retireehealth care cost reimbursement which waseliminated by synodical resolution forfuture retirees effective October 1, 1995.Retirees leaving service prior to October 1,1995 continue to receive suchreimbursement depending upon years ofsynodical service and age at retirement.Synodical service is defined as eacheligible worker’s years of WELS servicecredit maintained in Pension Commissionrecords as of September 30, 1995.


0 21,168 21,6361 21,516 22,0202 21,864 22,4043 22,212 22,7884 22,560 23,1725 22,908 23,556

6 23,400 24,0247 23,892 24,4928 24,384 24,9609 24,876 25,428

10 25,368 25,896

11 26,028 26,55612 26,688 27,21613 27,348 27,87614 28,008 28,53615 28,668 29,196

16 29,328 29,88017 29,988 30,564

Table A. Mission teacher/Mission principal/Staff minister

Before reading this table, please refer to the important notice at the

beginning of Appendix C on p. 67.

Annual amount per year of servicein each bracket



A. Mission teacher/Mission principalStaff minister (continued)

18 30,648 31,24819 31,308 31,93220 31,968 32,616

21 32,628 33,31222 33,288 34,00823 33,948 34,70424 34,608 35,40025 35,268 36,096

26 35,772 36,67227 36,276 37,24828 36,780 37,82429 37,284 38,40030 & over 37,788 38,976

Common benefits listed at the beginning of thisappendix on page 68.

NOTE: Mission principals and staff ministersreceive a 4% differential above the MissionTeacher base salary for equivalent years of service.


0 22,680 23,2201 23,028 23,6042 23,376 23,9883 23,724 24,3724 24,072 24,7565 24,420 25,140

6 24,912 25,6087 25,404 26,0768 25,896 26,5449 26,388 27,012

10 26,880 27,480

11 27,540 28,14012 28,200 28,80013 28,860 29,46014 29,520 30,12015 30,180 30,780

16 30,840 31,46417 31,500 32,148

B. Home missionary/World missionary/Prep school professor (continued)

18 32,160 32,83219 32,820 33,51620 33,480 34,200

21 34,140 34,89622 34,800 35,59223 35,460 36,28824 36,120 36,98425 36,780 37,680

26 37,284 38,25627 37,788 38,83228 38,292 39,40829 38,796 39,98430 & over 39,300 40,560

Common benefits listed at the beginning of thisappendix on page 68 plus:

For Home Missionaries:

A social security tax allowance for the SECA(Self-Employed Contribution Act) tax paid bythe worker on housing (either allowance paidor housing provided/owned) that exceeds $500per month.

For World Missionaries:

1. Furnished home and all utilities

2. All travel expenses (car and expenses)

3. Automatic cost of living adjustment basedon ORC index tables due to currencyfluctuations

4. $25 per month per year for the first 20 yearsserved in the foreign field

5. Tax equalization

6. Approved educational allowance forchildren

7. Approved furlough expenses

8. A social security tax allowance for the SECAtax paid by the worker on housing (eitherallowance paid or housingprovided/owned) that exceeds $500 permonth.

9. One time $5,000 relocation allowance forpermanently called new missionaries

For Preparatory Professors:

Presidents receive an 8% differential above basesalary for equivalent years of service.

Table B. Home missionary/World missionary/

Prep school professor




1. Home Missions 4. Parish planner2. World Missions 5. Mission counselor3. Parish Schools 6. Gift planning

counselor


0 24,408 24,9481 24,756 25,3322 25,104 25,7163 25,452 26,1004 25,800 26,4845 26,148 26,868

6 26,640 27,3367 27,132 27,8048 27,624 28,2729 28,116 28,740

10 28,608 29,208

11 29,268 29,86812 29,928 30,52813 30,588 31,18814 31,248 31,84815 31,908 32,508

16 32,568 33,19217 33,228 33,87618 33,888 34,56019 34,548 35,24420 35,208 35,928

21 35,868 36,62422 36,528 37,32023 37,188 38,01624 37,848 38,71225 38,508 39,408

26 39,012 39,98427 39,516 40,56028 40,020 41,13629 40,524 41,71230 & over 41,028 42,288


For College Professor:

1. President receives an 8% differential abovebase salary for equivalent years of service.

2. Called Vice-Presidents receive an additional4% differential above base salary forequivalent years of service.


0 25,380 25,92011 30,240 30,840 12 30,900 31,500 13 31,560 32,160 14 32,220 32,82015 32,800 33,480

16 33,540 34,16417 34,200 34,84818 34,860 35,53219 35,520 36,21620 36,180 36,900

21 36,840 37,59622 37,500 38,29223 38,160 38,98824 38,820 39,68425 39,480 40,380

26 39,984 40,95627 40,488 41,53228 40,992 42,10829 41,496 42,68430 & over 42,000 43,260


1. Adult Discipleship2. Worship3. Communication &

Financial Support4. Evangelism5. Home Missions6. Communications

Services Director7. Technology Task

Force Director8. Parish Schools

9. Parish Services10. Synod President11. Special Ministries12. Ministerial

Education13. World Missions14. Youth Discipleship15. Vice President

of Mission andMinistry

Table D. Administrator/Seminary professor



Table C. Counselor/Associate administrator/

College professor





1. Seminary President receives an 8%differential above base salary for equivalentyears of service.

2. The synod president and vice president ofmission and ministry receive an additionalamount each year as established bySynodical Council. The current additionalamounts are $46,600 and $39,660,respectively. No housing or utilityreimbursement is provided for eitherposition.

Appendix D—Vicarship Grant-in-Aid

The Vicarship grant-in-aid for participatingcongregations is set annually by the Conference ofPresidents. Medical benefits under the WELSVEBA group medical plan are included in thegrant-in-aid.

2001-02 1. Vicarship grant-in-aid: $1,850.00/month 2. Business mileage reimbursement at synodical

rate3. Travel cost reimbursement to and from the

vicarship

FINANCIAL REPORT

Background

Fund accounting is the method the WELS uses toaccount for what it owns (assets), what it owes(liabilities), what it receives (revenues) and whatit spends (expenditures). Funds separate financialtransactions by purpose. The difference betweenassets and liabilities is called net assets andrepresents the synod’s financial net worth.

Primary sources of income of virtually all fundsinclude gifts and memorials, bequests andplanned giving receipts, other and transferrevenues.

Gifts and memorials received from individualsand congregations support wide areas of thesynod’s work. Undesignated gifts are placed intothe Budgetary Fund. Gifts designated or restrictedby the donor are placed into the designated fundto be spent according to the donor’s wishes. Suchgifts are classified as temporarily restricted untilthey are spent. Some donors want their gifts heldand only the income generated by the gift to bespent. These permanently restricted gifts areusually held in endowment funds.

The Lord has moved an ever-increasing numberof our members to remember the WELS in theirwills through bequests and other planned gifts.These deferred gifts most often benefit the

Budgetary Fund and the WELS CEF. The costs tooperate the planned giving ministry are recoveredby an assessment on all funds that receivebequests or planned gifts, and on current giftsgenerated directly with the help of the plannedgiving ministry office. The assessment providesfunding for most of the planned giving staff costs.

Transfers are movement of dollars between funds.In certain cases gifts are received by one fund forthe benefit of a program in another fund.Transfers are used so that revenue and expense isnot counted twice due to the movement of dollarsbetween funds. For example, the Gift Fund maytransfer money to the Budgetary Fund to supportthe WELS.

Synod’s financial activity is divided into fourprimary groups, which include the Budgetary orOperating Fund, Restricted or Revolving Funds,Building or Plant Fund, and WELS CEF(Appendix 3). Within the Restricted or RevolvingFunds there are several large Funds, includingWELS Endowment, Educational DevelopmentEndowment, Mission Gift, WELS Gift Fund, andStudent Assistance Fund (Appendix 4). Acomplete financial report as of June 30, on all thesynod’s funds follows this text.

Overall

The scope of the synod’s finances is demonstratedby a review of the important amounts shown onthe audited financial statements dated June 30,2001. Total assets are $243.3 million, includingloans receivable from congregations $74.9 million(approx. 31% of the total), investments at marketvalue $97.0 million (approx. 40%), and propertyowned by the WELS and used in its operations$39.7 million (approx. 16% of the total).

Liabilities of the synod totaled $71 million, thetwo largest portions certificates payable tomembers by WELS CEF $38.5 million (approx.54% of the total) and gift annuities and trustspayable of $25.6 million (approx. 36%). Net assetsfor all operations totaled $172.1 million.

Support and Revenue for the year ended June 30,2001 totaled $79.1 million, consisting primarily ofmember support: offerings from congregations,gifts and memorials, and bequests, all totaling$43.7 million (approx. 55% of the total supportand revenues), and revenues of $35.5 million:including student tuition and fees, retail sales,interest and dividends, gain on investments, andthe change in value of trust agreements (approx.45% of total support and revenues).

Expenditures for the year ended June 30, 2001totaled $80.5 million, most going to ministerialeducation $30.6 million, world missions $11.5



million, home missions $11.5 million, general andadministrative services $ $8.0 million,northwestern publishing house $9.2 million,WELS CEF $4.3 million, and parish services $3.3million. Net assets for the 2000-2001 fiscal yeardecreased $1.4 million, primarily in Interest andDividends ($4.2).

Budgetary (Operating) Fund

The Budgetary (Operating) Fund is the mainoperating fund of the synod and represents themain work program desired by the Synod’smembership. The Budgetary (Operating) Fund hasseveral significant sources of revenue—theCongregation Mission Offerings (CMO), gifts andbequests from individuals (IMO), ministerialeducation school tuition, and transfers. Transfersare gifts that were received in another fund for aparticular purpose and “transferred” into theBudgetary (Operating) Fund to pay an operatingexpense. The WELS Gift fund, for example, ishandled this way because current practice says notall of it is used in the current fiscal year. Thesynod’s main operating expenses are paid fromthe Budgetary (Operating) Fund. These includesubsidy for the ministerial education schools;opening new home and world missions; assistingparishes with day school concerns, specialministries and evangelism work; and providingsupport such as legal, accounting and real estateservices to the five areas of ministry. Those five areMinisterial Education, Home Missions, WorldMissions, Parish Services, and AdministrativeServices. The Budgetary (Operating) Fund endedthe fiscal year at June 30, 2001 with unrestrictednet assets of $0.0 million, a decrease of $0.7 millionfrom the prior year. Please refer to Exhibit 1 forthe last three years.

In relative percentages we receive about 32%revenues from CMO, 22% from school tuition andfees, 21% transfers from gift funds, 15% individualgifts and memorials, 6% transfers from restricted(revolving) funds for continuing programs, 3%from bequests and planned giving, and 1% forendowment earnings and other. Total revenues areabout $52.9 million. Expenditures are for the 5main areas of ministry about 47% for ministerialeducation, 20% home missions, 17% worldmissions, 11% administration services, and 4%parish services (with 1% system-wide). Totalexpenditures are about $53.6 million. Unrestrictednet assets as of June 30, 2001 are zero.

The Synodical Council (SC) has approved arevenue plan of $55.4 million for 2001-02 and $57.1million for 2002-03, an increase of about 2.7% inthe first year over the base budget and 3.0% in thesecond year. This includes all of revenues.Additional details regarding the Budgetary

(Operating) Fund Revenue Forecast follow thisreport (Exhibits 2 through 5).

The Synodical Council identifies plannedspending by specific programs (called decisionpackages) and compares them to the Missionof the WELS and prioritizes them. Prioritizedand funded decision packages total $46.9 millionfor 2001-02 and $47.6 million for 2002-03. Addingthe special, mission expansion, and otherrestricted fund packages the total spending isplanned at $55.4 million in 2001-02 and $57.1million in 2002-03, a balanced budget in bothyears of the biennium.

The increased revenue available in the comingbiennium allows for some very limited expansionof our ministry, with plans to continue thetransition to an environment of stable-vs-increasing major gifts to WELS, the plannedexhaustion of the gift fund, a more aggressiveuse of our restricted (revolving) funds, and thecontinued reexamination of effective methodsto achieve the WELS Mission, Objectives, andVision (MOV).

Restricted (Revolving) Funds

Restricted (Revolving) Funds receive special giftswhose use is determined by the donor or thesynod. These gifts support some non-budgetedprograms of the synod such as the administrativeservices Committee on Relief, world missions inRussia and Bulgaria, ministerial education studentassistance, and home missions mission expansion.In addition, Restricted Funds play an importantrole for the WELS because many dollars aretransferred from them to the Budgetary Fund eachyear to support program expenses. Their use isplanned and coordinated by each Area of Ministrythrough the Synodical Council. Restricted Fundssaw heavy use during the prior 12 months,decreasing by $5.2 million since June 30, 2000 to$52.2 million at June 30, 2001. Details are inAppendix 1.

Auxiliary Funds

Auxiliary Funds are now reported as part of theRestricted (Revolving) Funds. They generallyhave their own sources of income and are oftenself-supporting. They are usually programs of alarger scale such as the Central Africa MedicalMission and school bookstores. The Christ Lightcurriculum is funded through the PublicationsCoordination Fund which was an auxiliary fund.Collectively, the old Auxiliary Funds categoryhave net assets totaling about $4 million at June30, 2001. Reporting frequency increases to monthlywhen we include them with the Restricted(Revolving) Funds.



Building (Plant) Funds

Building (Plant) Funds account for capital assetssuch as buildings and residences at the synod,ministerial education schools, and in certainmission fields. The Building Funds may borrowinternally to finance these projects, but funds torepay that debt generally comes from othersources such as the Budgetary (Operating) Fund.One major Building (Plant) Fund, the EducationalDevelopment Building Fund (EDBF), carries thedebt incurred to finance the capital constructioncompleted to improve our ministerial educationschools in New Ulm, Mequon, Watertown, andSaginaw. Building (Plant) Funds have $30.3million in net assets at June 30, 2001. Theoutstanding $7.8 million debt to improve theschools is borrowed internally.

Synod owns property in states and foreigncountries. While the majority of the investment isin four ministerial education schools in MequonWI, New Ulm MN, Watertown WI, and SaginawMI, is also owns a number of residences and otherreligious structures. Properties include, inaddition to the four school campuses, two officebuildings, professor and missionary residences,campus houses and chapels at various collegesand universities, and other properties. Actualinvestment in at cost for all property totalsapproximately $63 million as of June 30, 2001,with a depreciation reserve of $26 million.Replacement value exceeds $150 million for allproperties.

WELS Gift Fund

Gift Funds are a middle ground between placingofferings directly into a fund for current use (likethe Budgetary Fund) and placing them into anendowment fund (like the WELS EndowmentFund). Gift funds can be a “buffer” between“lean” years and “fat” years.

Placing a large gift into the budget has severaldisadvantages. It can make the financial healthappear better than it really is. Resources may beput into ministry work without provision formaintaining it in future years, and other revenuesources may decrease because of a false view thatthe need for mission dollars is decreased.

Placing a large gift into an endowment fund,with the earnings annually benefiting theBudgetary Fund, also has several disadvantages.Ministry work is dependent on the amount ofearnings generated, and because the principalcannot be used the potential exists that we mayaccumulate unspendable funds when ministryexpansion is needed.

By using the WELS Gift Fund the synod cansupport the work of preaching and teaching and

helping others with the confidence that there is a“buffer” to give us planning time to respond tochanges in the size or number of gifts.

The WELS Gift Fund supports the BudgetaryFund expenditures. In earlier fiscal years the giftfund transferred 30% of the prior years endingbalance of principal, plus earnings during thecurrent year, to the Budgetary Fund. Historicalnumbers over the past six years ranged fromabout $5 million to about $7 million. In the currentbiennium we accelerated that to transfer about$10.1 million and $10.5 million from the Gift Fundto the Budget Fund to support planned ministry(approved transfers by the previous conventionwere $10.3 and $11.2 million respectively).

At June 30, 2001 net assets were $8.1 million. Theexpected distributions for the 2001-02 and 2002-03fiscal years decline to about $4.9 million and $2.9million respectively. In the past the WELS GiftFund had been the beneficiary of a large annualgift to the synod. The most recent gift was $2.5million, received in August 2000. No giftssubsequent to that date are expected. TheSynodical Council and your WELS staff beganwork in the summer of 1999 to help transition theWELS to revised gift giving levels identified atthat time, and to a revised giving processidentified in the winter of 2000. That workcontinues today.

Endowment Funds

Endowment Funds receive gifts and bequests inwhich the principal may not be withdrawn, butthe earnings are distributed according to thefund’s purpose. Other amounts may be added tothe endowment funds at the request of theSynodical Council. The principal is invested in theCommingled Fund and managed by the WELSInvestment Funds Inc (WIF).The synod’s majorfunds that contain donor-endowed funds includethe WELS Endowment Fund, EducationalDevelopment Endowment Fund, Mission GiftFund, and Student Assistance Fund,. Thecombined permanently restricted net assets totalabout $9.8 million as of June 30, 2001 and aredetailed on Appendix 4 at the end of this report.

Student Assistance Fund earnings provide grantsto students at our ministerial education schools.Educational Development Endowment Fundearnings provide support for designated purposesat the ministerial education schools (WLS, MLC,LPS and MLS), at least 70% for approved capitalprograms, up to 10% for student assistance, up to10% for staff benefits, and up to 10% for libraryacquisitions. Earnings of the WELS EndowmentFund are distributed to the Budgetary (Operating)Fund to support general operations of the synod.



Mission Gift Fund Earnings are used by HomeMissions to support designated home missionprojects. We encourage both current and plannedgifts to these funds from members of our synodwho like “gifts that keep on giving”.

WELS CEF, Inc.

The WELS Church Extension Fund (CEF), isa subsidiary corporation which makes loansprimarily to WELS exploratories and missioncongregations for purchase or construct worshipfacilities, buy land, and buy or build parsonagesat below-market interest rates as an aid to MissionOutreach. The CEF receives gifts and bequestsfrom WELS individuals and congregations toprovide matching grants for many of thesecongregations, currently matching downpayments of up to 20% of a home mission CEFloan. In order to increase the number of loans,the WELS CEF Board of Directors may borrowfrom members and outside sources. All ourborrowing today is only from individuals ororganizations in the WELS. As of June 30, 2001,the WELS CEF had $73.6 million in loansoutstanding, primarily to exploratory and missioncongregations (up about $4 million during thepast year), $38.5 million in borrowing from WELSindividuals and congregations (same as last year),and equity reserves (net assets) of about $54.6million. We pray that the Lord continue to blessour work so that we may continue to helpprimarily new Home and World Missionsacquire property and facilities to help them inspread His Word throughout the US, Canada,and the World. The CEF Board has authorizedan aggressive program to educate and informWELS members about the CEF and its memberinvestment opportunities, to better enable theCEF to meet it’s planned capital needs.

WELS Foundation Inc.

WELS Foundation, Inc. is a subsidiary corporationthat provides estate planning opportunities forour WELS members. Charitable remainder trustsand charitable gift annuities are generatedprimarily through the Ministry of Planned Givingand are held by the Foundation until they mature.WELS Foundation had assets of $38.0 million andliabilities of $33.3 million at June 30, 2001, mainlydue to the trust activity.

WELS Investment Funds Inc.

WELS Investment Funds Inc (WIF) is a subsidiarycorporation that manages investments for theWELS and the Foundation. The synod’sinvestments in stock mutual funds, bonds and

money market accounts are reported at theirmarket value on our financial statements. WIFnot only manages synod’s investments but alsoprovides investment services for WELScongregations. Total assets are about $69.5 millionat June 30, 2001.

Northwestern Publishing House, Inc.

Northwestern Publishing House (NPH) is asubsidiary corporation that publishes and sellsreligious materials for all areas of the WELS. Netassets as of March 31, 2001 were $9.3 million, withproduct sales, primarily to WELS congregations,$7.1 million.

Borrowed Money

WELS borrowing is authorized by the SynodicalCouncil for the WELS. Ongoing needs that maynecessitate borrowing include not only the WELSCEF, but also borrowing to meet the authorizedcapital needs of the synod, and borrowing to meetthe seasonal variances between revenues andexpenditures in the WELS Budgetary Fund. Themoney is currently either borrowed from ourmembers for WELS CEF needs, or it is borrowedfrom other synod funds that have temporaryexcess cash. There are currently no borrowingsfrom banks or other outside corporate entities.

The current borrowing limit of $80 million was setby the 2001 synod convention. The WELS CEFcurrently has a borrowing limit of $60 millionwithin the total synod limit of $80 million. TheWELS CEF borrowings at June 30, 2001 were $38.5million and all other synod borrowings were $10.1million. Loans made between the various synodfunds enable those funds with cash shortages tocontinue to operate while those funds withtemporary excess cash are able to increase netassets through additional interest income.

Financial Audit

Our financial statements are audited each year bya certified public accounting firm, presentlyPriceWaterhouseCoopers, an internationalaccounting firm. These audits provide ourmembership with assurance that the financialstatements reflect our true financial picture. The2000 and prior statements attached to this reportreflect audited information but do not include thefootnotes or auditor’s opinion, which are anintegral part of the statements. Inspection of anyyear’s audited financial statement is availableduring normal business hours at the Synod officeat 2929 Mayfair Road in Milwaukee.

James C. Huska, Treasurer, WELSMark A. Meissner, Director of Finance, WELS




EXHIBIT 1—Statement of Unrestricted Revenue and Expenditures—Current Budgetary Fund1998-99 Actual, 1999-2000 Actual, and 2000-01 Actual

Actual Actual ActualRevenue: 1998-99 1999-2000 2000-01

Congregation Mission Offerings $17,249,146 $17,581,715 $17,331,704Gifts & Memorials 5,200,840 5,064,015 7,713,683Bequests/Planned Giving 1,450,048 1,158,676 1,269,766Tuition and Fee 9,403,311 10,330,179 11,669,452Other 261,316 156,239 204,430Transfers—Endowment Earnings 307,309 327,568 169,201Transfers—Gift Funds 6,695,474 11,133,422 11,466,280Transfers—Continuing Programs 4,651,443 3,698,585 3,083,691Transfers—Other — — —

Total Revenue 45,218,887 49,450,399 52,908,207Percent Increase -1.7% 9.4% 7.0%

Actual Actual ActualExpenditures: 1998-99 1999-2000 2000-01

Ministerial Education Ministry—Gross Budget 20,770,150 23,215,100 25,601,400Vacancy & Underexpenditure (8,108) (579,454) (184,606) Actual Expenditure 20,762,042 22,635,646 25,416,794Percent Increase 4.6% 9.0% 12.3%

Home Missions Ministry—Budget 9,622,100 10,273,600 10,051,500 Vacancy & Underexpenditure 281,868 (431,324) 555,137Actual Expenditure 9,903,968 9,842,276 10,606,637Percent Increase 14.9% -0.6% 7.8%

World Missions Ministry—Budget 9,161,700 8,825,600 9,565,900Vacancy & Underexpenditure (237,164) 52,007 (464,058) Actual Expenditure 8,924,536 8,877,607 9,101,842Percent Increase 8.3% -0.5% 2.5%

Parish Services Ministry—Budget 2,145,900 2,160,500 2,302,000 Vacancy & Underexpenditure (226,750) (7,286) (135,540) Actual Expenditure 1,919,150 2,153,214 2,166,460Percent Increase 15.9% 12.2% 0.6%

Administration Services—Budget 6,446,800 6,335,400 6,805,100Vacancy & Underexpenditure (538,805) (961,670) (1,074,104) Actual Expenditure 5,907,995 5,373,730 5,730,996Percent Increase 9.7% -9.0% 6.6%

System Wide—Budget — 690,000 700,900 Vacancy & Underexpenditure — (108,696) (113,119) Actual Expenditure — 581,304 587,781Percent Increase 0.0% 0.0% 1.1%

Total—Budgets 48,146,650 51,500,200 55,026,800 Total—Vacancy & Underexpenditure (728,959) (2,036,423) (1,416,290)

Total—Actual Expenditure 47,417,691 49,463,777 53,610,510Percent of Increase over Prior Year 8.4% 4.3% 8.4%

Excess (Shortage) of Revenue over Expenditures (2,198,804) (13,378) (702,303)

Net Assets—Beginning of Year 2,914,485 715,681 702,303

Net Assets—End of Year 715,681 702,303 —



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93

,76

01

01

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8,4

31

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01

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3,8

00

—5

7,0

99

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03

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10

0.0

%



EXHIBIT 6—Detail of Approved Budgets for 2001–02 & 2002–03

2000-01 2001-02 2002-03No. ADMINISTRATIVE UNIT Budget Budget Budget

ADMINISTRATION SERVICES—ADMINISTRATION (600-669)601 Conference of Presidents $ 108,000 $ 64,685 $ 66,510602 Synodical Council 73,678 113,200 116,600603 Praesidium 302,658 248,016 256,416605 VP Mission and Ministry Office 140,700 145,200 151,600612 Inter-Church Relations Commission 11,771 12,090 12,454617 Secretary/Statistican 22,660 23,930 24,660

SUB-TOTAL 659,467 607,121 628,240

621 Special Support Conference of Presidents 92,300 80,000 80,000623 Arizona-California District President 65,600 67,636 69,937624 Dakota-Montana District President 64,500 66,462 68,680625 Michigan District President 75,100 77,412 80,027627 Minnesota District President 62,208 64,125 66,295628 Nebraska District President 56,600 58,322 60,271629 North Atlantic District President 65,000 67,020 69,299631 Northern Wisconsin District President 52,300 54,220 55,816632 Pacific Northwest District President 77,600 80,029 82,808633 South Atlantic District President 74,300 76,608 79,216635 South Central District President 76,400 78,790 81,493636 Southeastern Wisconsin District President 71,800 74,981 77,795637 Western Wisconsin District President 60,600 62,483 64,613

SUB-TOTAL 894,308 908,088 936,250

640 Support Committee 412,600 395,072 408,785

653 Communication Services 479,700 473,000 490,720

655 Communication & Financial Support Commission 18,800 19,200 19,400656 Communication & Financial Support Office 149,700 165,000 171,800657 Communication & Financial Support Dist Comm 68,300 65,000 68,300658 Communication & Financial Support Materials 94,700 71,200 74,700

SUB-TOTAL 331,500 320,400 334,200

659 Gift Planning —Budget 160,700 137,500 143,500665 Convention Expenses 74,500 76,500 78,800

SUB-TOTAL 235,200 214,000 222,300

SUB-TOTAL—ADMINISTRATIVE 3,012,775 2,917,681 3,020,495



EXHIBIT 6—Detail of Approved Budgets for 2001–02 & 2002–03—continued


ADMINISTRATION SERVICES—ADMINISTRATION (950-999)952 Executive Director—Support Services 200,000 188,300 196,000954 Treasury Services 228,583 172,611 179,514955 Accounting/Finance Office 293,255 395,582 410,159956 Human Resources Office 148,742 157,850 164,233960 Property Managers Office 140,753 164,440 171,235964 Information Systems Office 349,241 385,575 390,531966 Benefit Plans Office — — —

SUB-TOTAL 1,360,574 1,464,358 1,511,672

970 Group Medical Plan Subsidy — — —980 Administration Building Operations 137,933 143,525 147,681982 Administration Expenses Consolidated 120,918 128,810 130,510

SUB-TOTAL 258,851 272,335 278,191

SUB-TOTAL—FISCAL 1,619,425 1,736,693 1,789,863

TOTAL—ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES 4,632,200 4,654,370 4,810,358


HOME MISSION MINISTRY—(670-799)670 Home Mission Board 91,000 96,000 96,000671 Outreach Grants 35,000 50,000 50,000672 Home Mission Office 226,000 223,806 233,745673 Home Mission Moving Expense 90,000 75,000 75,000674 Vicar in Missions Program 150,000 150,000 150,000675 Mission Couselor Program 335,522 395,577 403,843

SUB-TOTAL 927,522 990,383 1,008,588

Replacement & Expansion—Future Openings (317,860) — —Arizona-California District 568,602 534,206 494,344California Mission District 814,727 693,622 726,453Colorado Mission District 512,786 426,501 409,016Dakota-Montana District 378,996 297,095 292,745Michigan District 281,615 284,315 398,169Minnesota District 414,299 497,300 968,500Nebraska District 131,675 85,530 71,040North Atlantic District 1,027,407 999,974 912,241Northern Wisconsin District 206,440 179,690 152,675Pacific Northwest District 448,287 481,519 438,275South Atlantic District 1,912,315 1,953,843 1,596,001South Central District 513,297 421,287 346,587Southeastern Wisconsin District 413,382 245,335 216,590Western Wisconsin District 348,780 299,535 227,421

SUB-TOTAL 7,654,748 7,399,752 7,250,057





HOME MISSION MINISTRY—(670-799)692 Campus Ministry Committee 150,300 165,950 171,650693 Wisconsin Lutheran Student Center—Milwaukee 7,000 7,500 8,000694 Wisconsin Lutheran Student Center—Madison 92,200 95,000 98,970696 Wisconsin Lutheran Student Center—Oshkosh 68,000 12,700 12,900697 Wisconsin Lutheran Student Center—Mankato 19,300 30,420 31,950698 Wisconsin Lutheran Student Center—Brookings 4,250 7,445 7,940699 Wisconsin Lutheran Student Center—LaCrosse 6,300 6,300 6,700700 Wisconsin Lutheran Student Center—Houghton 10,300 12,500 12,700701 Wisconsin Lutheran Student Center—Minneapolis 41,000 42,100 43,150702 Wisconsin Lutheran Student Center—East Lansing 62,100 61,400 64,000705 Home Mission Campus Ministries—Other 35,300 24,230 28,140

SUB-TOTAL 496,050 465,545 486,100

798 WELS CEF Assistance Fund (282,320) — —Interest Subsidy Rebate 300,000 — —

SUB-TOTAL 17,680 — —

TOTAL—HOME MISSIONS MINISTRY 9,096,000 8,855,680 8,744,745


MINISTERIAL EDUCATION MINISTRY—(860-879)Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary 1,870,785 2,084,847 2,187,617Martin Luther College 9,482,430 9,087,704 9,171,486Luther Preparatory School 4,725,679 4,527,684 4,521,891Michigan Lutheran Seminary 2,680,093 2,908,210 2,911,062Distance Learning Spanish 31,300 — —Distance Learning Latin 5,000 — —Multi-Ethnic Preseminary Program 77,628 86,750 90,450Evangelist Training Program — 25,000 25,000Unallocated Major Maintenance 829,576 1,182,865 1,320,634Unallocated Educational Technology 220,517 200,000 100,000System-Wide Faculty Development 75,000 100,000 100,000

866 Schools—Operating Cost 19,998,008 20,203,060 20,428,140867 Ministerial Education Board 141,679 575,990 558,850868 Ministerial Education Division Office 188,404 168,350 231,050870 Secondary Teacher Ed Prog/Subsidies 55,479 41,390 42,390871 Student Aid 172,500 177,200 182,570872 ALHS Grants 98,030 101,510 106,670875 Appropriations—Construction Amortization 650,000 650,000 650,000

SUB-TOTAL 1,306,092 1,714,440 1,771,530

TOTAL—MINISTERIAL EDUCATION MINISTRY 21,304,100 21,917,500 22,199,670





WORLD MISSION MINISTRY—(800-859)800 World Mission Board 320,346 94,505 95,980801 World Mission Office 333,573 362,534 385,004803 Multi Language Literature Program 143,200 334,404 315,797804 Humanitarian Aid Committee 4,000 — —806 World Mission—Furlough Expenses 53,225 107,900 117,810

SUB-TOTAL 854,344 899,343 914,591

809 Committee for Mission Expansion 6,550 6,550 6,550 SUB-TOTAL 6,550 6,550 6,550

816 Central Africa Missions—Executive Committee 21,200 22,900 22,900817 Central Africa—Zambia Mission 1,092,043 1,056,541 1,112,949818 Central Africa—Malawi Mission 880,379 954,924 950,781819 Central Africa—Nigeria Mission 28,000 28,000 28,000820 Central Africa—Cameroon Mission 123,002 42,000 44,000

SUB-TOTAL 2,144,624 2,104,365 2,158,630

826 Japan Europe Asia—Executive Committee 27,039 40,500 40,500827 Japan Mission 670,368 784,849 790,590828 Albania CIC 28,165 38,825 35,470830 Russia/Bulgaria Mission 341,705 1,276,867 1,347,380

SUB-TOTAL 1,067,277 2,141,041 2,213,940

831 Southest Asia Missions—Executive Committee 55,750 56,650 58,650832 Hong Kong Mission 389,505 325,964 315,118833 Taiwan Mission 267,347 320,604 327,850834 Indonesia Mission 282,078 319,159 361,661835 Thailand Mission 185,526 184,940 170,375836 India Mission 139,539 199,660 208,909837 Laos Mission — — —

SUB-TOTAL 1,319,745 1,406,977 1,442,563

838 Latin America Missions—Executive Committee 30,000 37,000 40,200840 Mexico Mission 224,845 266,468 279,756841 Puerto Rico Mission 206,299 287,033 278,853842 Colombia Mission 324,752 140,356 146,636843 Brazil Mission 410,145 284254 303210844 Dominican Republic Mission 143,111 447,533 403,208845 Cuba Mission 236,062 174,568 185,191846 PUBLA 189,987 — —

SUB-TOTAL 1,765,201 1,637,212 1,637,054

848 Native American Indians—Executive Committee 21,873 32,274 33,888849 San Carlos, Arizona—Grace 18,046 34,143 36,260850 Bylas, Arizona—Our Savior 76,825 104,571 112,140851 Peridot, Arizona—Peridot Mission 99,691 55,290 58,615852 Cibecue, Arizona—Gethesmane 106,764 63,297 66,141853 Whiteriver, Arizona—Open Bible 30,594 35,931 38,139854 Canyon Day, Arizona—Canyon Day Mission 750 51,319 53,613857 East Fork Mission 237,520 222,829 233,721858 Apache Coordinator 84,534 78,108 81,271860 Navajo Indian Mission 8,062 — —

SUB-TOTAL 684,659 677,762 713,788

TOTAL—WORLD MISSIONS MINISTRY 7,842,400 8,873,250 9,087,116





PARISH SERVICES MINISTRY—A320 (880-949)880 Parish Services Board 71,350 77,900 82,600881 Parish Services District Board 63,000 57,493 61,000882 Parish Services Office 165,300 213,300 233,700886 Parish Services—Parish Planner Office 141,240 199,940 256,760

SUB-TOTAL 440,890 548,633 634,060

900 Commission on Parish Schools 16,600 — —901 Parish Schools—District Coordinator 35,500 31,600 33,600902 Parish Schools Office 227,240 277,000 283,400903 Project Director—Mentoring Principals 64,150 66,500 67,500905 Team Ministry Program 31,000 75,000 82,000906 Principal/Teacher Enhancement 40,000 — —908 Committees—Parish Schools Other 11,600 — —

SUB-TOTAL 426,090 450,100 466,500

910 Commission on Special Ministries 10,200 — —911 Special Ministries—District Coordinator 9,760 — —912 Special Ministries Office 110,540 136,700 143,500914 Military Services—Special Ministries 127,300 131,000 137,500916 Prison Ministry Administrator 73,000 78,775 82,700916 Committees—Special Ministries Other 30,500 — —

SUB-TOTAL 361,300 346,475 363,700

920 Commission on Evangelism 34,100 34,000 36,000921 Evangelism—District Coordinator 18,000 18,000 21,000922 Evangelism Office 91,100 105,500 108,000923 Mass Media Ministry Office 80,000 124,000 130,000

SUB-TOTAL 223,200 281,500 295,000

926 Commission on Youth Discipleship 25,700 — —927 Youth Discipleship—District Coordinator 46,350 46,775 44,977928 Youth Discipleship Office 187,985 235,375 205,825930 Committees—Youth Discipleship Other 20,000 — —

SUB-TOTAL 280,035 282,150 250,802

932 Commission on Adult Discipleship 13,000 16,000 24,000933 Adult Discipleship—District Coordinator 27,850 28,800 30,060934 Adult Discipleship Office 110,200 121,200 124,440937 Committees—Adult Discipleship Other 127,500 43,700 37,100

SUB-TOTAL 278,550 209,700 215,600

940 Commission on Worship 18,000 73,025 76,853941 Worship—District Coordinator 15,000 — —942 Worship Office 170,035 114,117 109,557

SUB-TOTAL 203,035 187,142 186,410

TOTAL—PARISH SERVICES MINISTRY 2,213,100 2,305,700 2,412,072

SYSTEM WIDE—(Dept 010)663 Technology Task Force 304,900 328,900 339,799

TOTAL—SYSTEM WIDE 304,900 328,900 339,799

TOTAL 45,392,700 46,935,400 47,593,760


Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran SynodConsolidated Statement of Financial Position

June 30

2001 2000 Assets:

Cash and cash equivalents ..................................... $ 17,794,926 $ 6,107,924Accounts receivable ............................................... 1,897,212 1,054,561Accrued interest receivable .................................... 804,719 1,112,964Inventories ............................................................. 3,066,236 2,928,133Mortgages and land contracts receivable ............... 795,283 761,108Real estate held for resale ...................................... 946,950 1,623,222Loans receivable from congregations

and others, net.............................................. 74,852,797 71,353,585Investments, at fair value....................................... 97,022,166 111,706,058Contributions receivable ........................................ 3,960,950 4,476,650Other assets........................................................... 2,476,856 2,422,633Property, plant and equipment,

net of depreciation........................................ 39,723,452 38,062,903Collections and works of art .................................. — —

Total assets.................................................... $243,341,547 $241,609,741

Liabilities and Net Assets:

Accounts payable ................................................... $ 2,123,662 $ 1,996,615Accrued interest payable ........................................ 293,794 271,287Accrued expenses .................................................. 1,238,002 868,687Undistributed income............................................. — 15,670Deferred revenue ................................................... 917,728 615,234Other liabilities....................................................... 872,139 1,245,905Certificates payable................................................ 38,522,078 38,479,051Deposits held in custody........................................ 142,741 140,027Gift annuities and trusts payable............................ 25,610,948 23,047,617Reserves for tuition refunds and grants ................. 1,474,541 1,371,976

Total liabilities .............................................. 71,195,633 68,052,069

Net Assets:Unrestricted ........................................................... 113,241,184 115,753,190Temporarily restricted ............................................ 20,273,525 19,478,483Permanently restricted ........................................... 38,631,205 38,325,999

Total net assets ............................................. 172,145,914 173,557,672

Total liabilities and net assets.................... $243,341,547 $241,609,741




Year Ended June 30, 2001

Temporarily Permanently Unrestricted Restricted Restricted Total

Support and revenue:

Member supportOfferings from congregations ................... $ 17,331,704 $ — $ — $ 17,331,704Gifts and memorials ................................. 10,482,065 11,234,863 36,658 21,753,586Bequests................................................... 1,437,214 2,865,394 268,548 4,571,156

Total member support.......................... 29,250,983 14,100,257 305,206 43,656,446

RevenueStudent tuition and fees ........................... 13,507,707 — — 13,507,707Activity fees and retail sales ..................... 14,574,520 — — 14,574,520Interest and dividends .............................. 5,864,878 — — 5,864,878Gain on investments................................. 1,256,453 — — 1,256,453Change in value of trust agreements ........ — (235,307) — (235,307)Other........................................................ 506,957 — — 506,957

Total revenue ....................................... 35,710,515 (235,307) — 35,475,208

Net assets released from restrictions ........... 13,069,908 (13,069,908) — —

Total support, revenue and reclassifications........................... 78,031,406 795,042 305,206 79,131,654

Expenditures:

Program servicesMinisterial education ................................ 30,581,481 — — 30,581,481World Missions ......................................... 11,450,528 — — 11,450,528Home Missions

WELS Church Extension Fund, Inc. ......... 4,312,409 — — 4,312,409Mission operations ............................... 11,499,137 — — 11,499,137

Parish services.......................................... 3,346,433 — — 3,346,433System wide ............................................. 568,937 — — 568,937

Total program services ......................... 61,758,925 — — 61,758,925

Support servicesGeneral and administrative ....................... 7,971,105 — — 7,971,105Gift planning ministry............................... 1,610,384 — — 1,610,384Northwestern Publishing House................ 9,202,998 — — 9,202,998

Total support services .......................... 18,784,487 — — 18,784,487

Total expenditures ................................... 80,543,412 — — 80,543,412

Change in net assets ............................... (2,512,006) 795,042 305,206 (1,411,758)

Net assets—beginning of year ............... 115,753,190 19,478,483 38,325,999 173,557,672

Net assets—end of year .......................... $113,241,184 $20,273,525 $38,631,205 $172,145,914




Year Ended June 30, 2000

Temporarily Permanently Unrestricted Restricted Restricted Total

Support and revenue:

Member supportOfferings from congregations ................... $ 17,581,715 $ — $ — $ 17,581,715Gifts and memorials ................................. 8,537,182 9,064,167 153,448 17,754,797Bequests................................................... 1,689,813 2,820,078 43,814 4,553,705

Total member support.......................... 27,808,710 11,884,245 197,262 39,890,217

RevenueStudent tuition and fees ........................... 11,818,140 — — 11,818,140Activity fees and retail sales ..................... 10,536,754 — — 10,536,754Interest and dividends .............................. 10,183,237 — — 10,183,237Gain on investments................................. 439,837 — — 439,837(Loss) on sale of property

and real estate held......................... (292,075) — — (292,075)Change in value of trust agreements ........ — 821,063 — 821,063Other........................................................ 903,876 — — 903,876

Total revenue ....................................... 33,589,769 821,063 — 34,410,832

Net assets released from restrictions ........... 12,720,043 (12,720,043) — —

Total support, revenue and reclassifications........................... 74,118,522 (14,735) 197,262 74,301,049

Expenditures:Program services

Ministerial education ................................ 27,512,261 — — 27,512,261World Missions ......................................... 11,624,081 — — 11,624,081Home Missions

WELS Church Extension Fund, Inc. ......... 4,797,885 — — 4,797,885Mission operations ............................... 10,362,160 — — 10,362,160

Parish services.......................................... 4,225,590 — — 4,225,590System wide ............................................. 334,838 — — 334,838

Total program services ......................... 58,856,815 — — 58,856,815

Support servicesGeneral and administrative ....................... 10,484,390 — — 10,484,390Gift planning ministry............................... 1,488,345 — — 1,488,345Northwestern Publishing House................ 8,533,695 — — 8,533,695

Total support services .......................... 20,506,430 — — 20,506,430

Total expenditures ................................... 79,363,245 — — 79,363,245

Change in net assets ............................... (5,244,723) (14,735) 197,262 (5,062,196)

Net assets—beginning of year ............... 120,997,913 19,493,218 38,128,737 178,619,868

Net assets—end of year .......................... $115,753,190 $19,478,483 $38,325,999 $173,557,672



Operating FundStatement of Activities

Year ended June 302001 2000 2001

Changes in Unrestricted Net Assets Actual Actual Budget

Revenues:Congregational Mission Offering................... $17,331,704 $17,581,715 $18,181,000Gifts and memorials...................................... 7,713,683 5,064,015 6,031,000Bequest/planned giving .............……………… 1,269,766 1,158,676 1,357,000Tuition and fees ............................................ 11,669,452 10,330,179 11,825,400Other ............................................................ 204,430 156,239 172,000Transfers-endowment earnings ..................... 169,201 327,568 289,000Transfers-gift funds....................................... 11,466,280 11,133,422 12,995,300Transfers-continuing programs ..................... 3,083,691 3,698,585 4,176,100

Total revenues................................ 52,908,207 49,450,399 55,026,800

Expenditures:Home Missions ............................................. 10,606,637 9,842,276 10,051,500Ministerial Education..................................... 25,416,794 22,635,646 25,601,400Parish Services .............................................. 2,166,460 2,153,214 2,302,000Administrative Services................................. 5,730,997 5,373,730 6,805,100World Missions.............................................. 9,101,841 8,877,607 9,565,900System Wide ................................................. 587,781 581,304 700,900

Total revenues................................ 53,610,510 49,463,777 55,026,800Change in unrestricted net assets ............... (702,303) (13,378)

Changes in Temporarily Restricted Net AssetsGifts and memorials...................................... 33,000 143,000Bequest/planned giving ................................ 2,000 6,000Change in value of trust agreements ............ 21,300 44,800

Change in temporarily restricted net assets ......................... 56,300 193,800

Net assets—beginning of year........................... 4,350,503 4,170,081Net assets—end of period ................................. 3,704,500 4,350,503

******** ******** ********

Statement of Financial Position

June 30, June 30, 2001 2000

Assets:Due from other funds ................................... (822,553) 369,986Accounts receivable—cash advances............. 124,250 124,250Cash advance-schools................................... 572,338 274,139Other accounts receivable............................. 256,025 71,178Contributions recevable ................................ 3,704,500 3,648,200Mortgage note receivable.............................. 9,499 11,764Allowance for doubtful accounts................... (45,100) (45,100)Prepaid expenses.......................................... 79,393 (2,214)

Total assets..................................... 3,878,352 4,452,203

Liabilities and Net Assets:Accrued Expenses......................................... 118,020 —Accounts payable.......................................... 55,832 101,700

Total liabilities ............................... 173,852 101,700Unrestricted .................................................. — 702,303Temporarily Restricted .................................. 3,704,500 3,648,200Total net assets............................................. 3,704,500 4,350,503

Total liabilities and net assets ..... 3,878,352 4,452,203



Revolving FundsStatement of Activities

Year YearEnded Ended

June 30, June 30, 2001 2000

Changes in Unrestricted Net AssetsRevenues:

Gifts, memorials and grants.......................... $ 2,541,065 $ 2,922,038Bequests ....................................................... 113,818 127,989Interest—other .............................................. 511,673 782,424Interest—interfund........................................ 185,967 1,273,409Other income................................................ 1,515,912 1,284,355Gain/(loss) on investments ........................... 95,373 49,862Satisfaction of restrictions............................. 7,426,163 9,344,041Transfers from schools.................................. 207,732 232,893Transfers from other funds ........................... 5,207,698 5,781,182

Total revenues................................... 17,805,401 21,798,193

Expenditures:Home Missions ............................................. 2,597,484 1,358,282Ministerial Education ...........…………………… 1,613,446 1,823,444Parish Services .............................................. 1,438,185 2,495,163Administrative Services................................. 14,519,744 20,930,582World Missions.............................................. 3,427,386 4,831,424System Wide ................................................. 49,280 91,302 Total expenditures......................................... 23,645,525 31,530,197

Change in unrestricted net assets .............. (5,840,124) (9,732,004)

Changes in Temporarily Restricted Net AssetsGifts, memorials and grants.......................... 7,166,202 6,391,564Bequests ....................................................... 996,874 1,500,190Change in value of trust agreements ............ (345,700) 583,200Satisfaction of restrictions............................. (7,426,163) (9,344,041) Change in temp restricted net assets ............ 391,213 (869,087)

Changes in Permanently Restricted Net AssetsGifts, memorials and grants.......................... 2,715 22,603Bequests ....................................................... 258,548 43,814 Change in perm restricted net assets............ 261,263 66,417

Total change in net assets............................ (5,187,648) (10,534,674)

Net assets-beginning of year ....................... 57,429,022 67,963,696

Net assets-end of period............................... 52,241,374 $57,429,022



Revolving FundsStatement of Changes in Financial Position

June 30, June 30, 2001 2000

Assets:

Cash and cash equivalents............................ $ 3,567,500 $ 796,477Cash imprest funds....................................... 3,000 3,000Accrued interest receivable ........................... 21,791 79,441Inventory less reserve for absolenscence ...... — 79,784Accounts/contract receivable ........................ 186,478 217,723Other investments ........................................ 289,956 9,602,076Investment in WELS Investments Fund .......... 39,199,693 38,381,000Contributions receivable ............................... 7,526,950 7,807,650Due from other funds ................................... 4,322,130 3,019,294

Total assets .................................... 55,117,498 $59,986,445

Liabilities and Net Assets:Accounts payable.......................................... 234,771 42,829Accrued Expenses......................................... 47,148 —Deferred income ........................................... 866,405 655,343Retiree health benefits payable ..................... 253,258 487,275Reserve for tuition grants and refunds.......... 1,474,541 1,371,976

Total liabilities................................... 2,876,124 2,557,423

Net Assets:Unrestricted net assets ................................. 31,188,108 37,028,232Temp restricted net assets ............................ 10,623,846 10,232,633Perm restricted net assets............................. 10,429,420 10,168,157

Total net assets ................................. 52,241,374 57,429,022

Total liabilities and net assets .... 55,117,498 59,986,445

See Appendix 1 for fund detail



Plant FundsStatement of Activities


June 30, June 30, 2001 2000


Interest—interfund........................................ $ (283,303) $ 135,592Interest—other .............................................. 2,744 4,260Rental & lease income................................... 235,460 643,330Proceeds from sale of property ..................... 595,082 217,377Satisfaction of restrictions............................. 27,396 49,830Transfers from schools.................................. 305,990 1,444,504Transfers from other funds ........................... 1,142,135 2,808,736

Total revenues................................... 2,025,505 5,303,629

Expenditures:Home Missions ............................................. — 31,063World Missions.............................................. 403,788 901,080Ministerial Education..................................... 137,288 911,036Administrative Services................................. 154,243 1,378,953

Total expenditures............................. 695,319 3,222,132

Change in unrestricted net assets ..................... 1,330,186 2,081,497

Changes in Temporarily Restricted Net AssetsGifts, memorials and grants.......................... 61,981 49,830Satisfaction of restrictions............................. (27,396) (49,830)

Change in temp restricted net assets ................ 34,585 —

Total change in net assets............................ 1,364,770 2,081,497

Net assets—beginning of year ..................... 28,889,928 26,808,432

Net assets—end of period ............................ 30,254,699 28,889,929


June 30, June 30, 2001 2000

Assets:

Cash and cash equivalents............................ — 135,393Accounts receivable ...................................... 16,580 4,212Accrued interest receivable ........................... 210 —Contracts & mortgages receivable................. 27,997 32,144Property, plant and equipment...................... 37,255,266 35,360,837Due from other funds ................................... 1,877,472 1,771,839

Total assets..................................... 39,177,524 37,304,425

Liabilities and Net Assets:Due to other funds ....................................... 5,348,183 6,450,571Accounts payable.......................................... 20,450 110,263Accrued interest payable............................... 624 352Notes payable—schools ................................ 3,553,568 1,853,310

Total liabilities....................................... 8,922,825 8,414,496

Unrestricted net assets ................................. 30,220,114 28,889,929Temp restricted net assets ............................ 34,585 —

Total net assets ..................................... 30,254,699 28,889,929

Total liabilities and net assets ..... 39,177,524 37,304,425

See Appendix 2 for fund detail




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rest

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terf

und

..................................................

——

(39

0,1

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90

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tere

st—

oth

er........................................................

83

6,2

69

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36

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n/(

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pro

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ty...............................

87

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10

5,4

05

10

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10

5,4

05

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ansf

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from

oth

er f

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.....................................

44

3,3

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30

3,9

32

14

2,4

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0,9

65

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sfac

tion o

f re

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ctio

ns.

......................................

2

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2,3

94

1,5

37

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94

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tal

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7,8

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adm

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trat

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......................................

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0,7

63

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1,0

67

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dm

inis

trat

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.................................

34

,31

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13

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rest

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er........................................................

2,0

54

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42

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subsi

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ary

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.....

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74

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15

2,8

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15

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tal

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4,4

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3,3

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1

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51

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54

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WELS C

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Ext

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Inc.

Sta

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73

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74

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3,5

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74

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2,7

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0,7

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74

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2,7

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10

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10

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3,2

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58

4,8

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84

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from

oth

er f

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.............................................

——

(7,4

78

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7)

7,4

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7Tota

l assets

......................................................

93

,63

3,9

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90

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0,5

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85

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0,7

60

8,0

63

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Net

Assets

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29

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6,9

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30

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3,6

39

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92

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4,9

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4,9

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38

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38

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63

67

56

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24

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23

6,8

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29

3,1

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29

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39

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27

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7,3

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24

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2,0

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25

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25

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25

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2,8

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—To

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54

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......................

93

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3,9

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90

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0,5

92

85

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0,7

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8,0

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WELS F

ou

nd

ati

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c.Sta

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en

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All

Fu

nd

sFu

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Inte

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21

5,1

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3,5

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78

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19

3,4

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1,6

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25

3,7

30

28

1,6

70

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3,7

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f re

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......................................

2,6

78

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72

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67

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95

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57

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2,8

88

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Expen

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33

1,1

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18

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83

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31

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36

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53

60

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of

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....................................

16

6,9

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11

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66

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78

7,8

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14

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——

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—7

3,0

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15

8,8

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2,0

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1,8

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...............................

67

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3,9

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3,0

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74

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.......................

(1,0

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0,9

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2,5

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53

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75

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51

2,3

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86

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9,7

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Tota

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(56

7,9

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2,4

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66

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51

1,2

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Net

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.............................

5,2

88

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7,3

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1,8

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52

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8,8

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1,3

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Net

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d o

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.....................................

4,7

20

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85

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8,4

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1,5

56

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WELS F

ou

nd

ati

on

, In

c.Sta

tem

en

t of

Fin

an

cial

Posit

ion

Fu

nd

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4,4

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16

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2,8

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1,3

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2,8

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33

,06

8,9

61

30

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9,5

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5,7

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2,0

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62

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1,8

54

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62

54

,09

31

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4,6

46

——

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ccounts

rec

eiva

ble

.........................................

——

——

——

Acc

rued

inte

rest

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ivid

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rece

ivab

le.......

64

,43

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4,2

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4,4

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ceiv

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57

1,3

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67

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6,9

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1,3

71

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0,0

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9,0

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......................................

—1

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9,3

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,97

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7)

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9,1

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3Tota

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..............................................

37

,99

9,1

21

35

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0,8

69

2,8

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,58

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0,2

72

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41

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9,9

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s.......................................................

14

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6,1

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12

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0,8

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83

1,4

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32

3,7

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——

——

——

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....................................

15

,04

7,6

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,41

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.................

8,4

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3,5

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9,0

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78

6,0

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...................................................

6,2

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6,5

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5,0

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.......................................

—1

5,6

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............................................

33

,27

8,6

54

30

,69

2,4

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1,2

64

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68

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20




WELS Investment FundsStatement of Activities


June 30, 2001 June 30, 2000Revenues:

Interest and dividends............................................ $ 3,643,238 $ 3,359,397Gain/loss on investments....................................... 1,419,661 (254,532)Transfers from other funds..................................... 67,884 —

Total revenues .................................................. 5,130,783 3,104,865

Expenditures:Administration ....................................................... 219,617 221,200Distribution of principal & earnings........................ 762,144 247Incr in undistributed earnings ................................ 145,882 67,606Transfers to other funds......................................... 3,052,714 2,267,244Transfers to schools ............................................... 950,426 548,568

Total expenditures ............................................ 5,130,783 3,104,865

Total change in net assets/ending net assets... — —

****** ****** *****

WELS Investment FundsStatement of Financial Position

June 30, 2001 June 30, 2000Assets:

Cash and cash equivalents ..................................... $ 4,482,518 $ 664,423Accrued interest receivable .................................... 204,846 287,320Investments, at market

Bonds.................................................................. 16,221,603 41,806,680Common stock/mutual funds.............................. 48,546,973 25,951,900

Total investments ............................................. 64,768,576 67,758,580

Total assets .................................................... 69,455,940 68,710,323

Liabilities and net assets:Accrued interest payable ........................................ — 287,320Accrued Expenses .................................................. 1,605 —Accounts Payable ................................................... 512 —Undistributed income............................................. (438,355) 108,166Liability to outside participants .............................. 1,191,171 669,361Liability to schools and other funds ....................... 68,701,007 67,645,476

Total liabilities............................................... 69,455,940 68,710,323



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,13

7,9

04

Tran

sfer

fro

m o

ther

funds...........

15

,15

9,5

75

3,6

45

,70

73

01

,50

32

,80

8,7

36

21

,91

5,5

21

Tota

l re

venues

....................

49

,64

4,1

99

20

,99

5,5

23

7,0

67

,72

65

,30

3,6

29

83

,01

1,0

77

Exp

en

dit

ure

s:

Ongoin

g o

per

atio

ns

....................

48

,43

8,7

77

12

,50

3,6

63

5,4

28

,95

31

,47

0,0

32

67

,84

1,4

25

Tran

sfer

s to

oth

er f

unds

.............

1,0

25

,00

01

9,0

26

,53

41

11

,88

61

,75

2,1

01

21

,91

5,5

21

Tota

l exp

endit

ure

s..............

49

,46

3,7

77

31

,53

0,1

97

5,5

40

,83

93

,22

2,1

33

89

,75

6,9

46

Net

incr

ease

/(d

ecr

ease

)..............

18

0,4

22

(10

,53

4,6

74

)1

,52

6,8

87

2,0

81

,49

6(6

,74

5,8

69

)

Net

Ass

ets

—6

/3

0/9

9...................

4,1

70

,08

16

7,9

63

,69

65

0,3

96

,78

42

6,8

08

,43

21

49

,33

8,9

93

Net

Ass

ets

—6

/3

0/0

0...................

4,3

50

,50

35

7,4

29

,02

25

1,9

23

,67

12

8,8

89

,92

81

42

,59

3,1

24



Appendix 3—Selected Endowment and Other FundsYear Ended June 30, 2001

Statement of ActivitiesEducational Student

WELS Development Mission WELS AssistanceEndowment Endowment Expansion Gift Fund

Changes in Unrestricted Net Assets

Revenues:Gifts...................................................$ — $ — $ — $ 2,500,000 $ —Interest—interfund............................. 14,332 3,239 (52,038) 38,347 11,360Gain/(loss) on investment .................. (36,667) (55,465) (49,571) (22,025) (10,430)Satisfaction of restrictions.................. — — 326,203 — 809,993Transfers from other funds ................ 447,514 561,599 532,542 2,970,740 216,940

Total revenues............................. 425,179 509,373 757,137 5,487,062 1,027,863

Expenditures:Activity expenses............................... — — 364,542 — —Transfers to other funds..................... 451,046 200,516 958,409 10,507,871 8,509Transfers to schools........................... — 59,160 — — 843,026

Total expenditures....................... 451,046 259,676 1,322,951 10,507,871 851,535Change in unrestricted net assets ............................................ (25,867) 249,697 (565,814) (5,020,809) 176,328

Changes in Temporarily Restricted Net Assets

Gifts................................................... — — 248 — 401,168Bequests ............................................ — — — — 408,824Change in value of trust agreements.... (4,000) — 1,000 — 3,000Satisfaction of restrictions.................. — — (326,203) — (809,993)

Change in temporarily restricted net assets ............................................ (4,000) — (324,955) — 3,000

Changes in Permanently Restricted Net Assets

Gifts................................................... 190 — 100 — 2,425Bequests ............................................ 129,274 129,274 — — —

Change in permanently restricted net assets .......................... 129,464 129,274 100 — 2,425

Total change in net assets ................ 99,597 378,971 (890,669) (5,020,809) 181,753

Net assets—beginning of year .......... 6,054,019 8,083,282 6,906,515 13,160,066 4,186,904

Net assets—end of period ................. 6,153,616 8,462,253 6,015,845 8,139,258 4,368,657


Educational StudentWELS Development Mission WELS Assistance

Endowment Endowment Expansion Gift FundAssets:

Investment in WELS Investment Fund ...$5,992,478 $8,250,385 $ 7,457,945 $12,748,274 $2,747,577Due from other funds ........................ 42,138 118,868 (1,534,100) (4,720,016) 1,152,000Contributions receivable .................... 119,000 123,000 92,000 111,000 469,080

Total assets................................. 6,153,616 8,492,253 6,015,845 8,139,258 4,368,657

Liabilities and Net Assets:Net Assets

Unrestricted ....................................... 5,227,614 4,386,769 2,763,412 8,028,258 1,309,918Temporarily restricted ........................ 119,000 123,000 92,000 111,000 1,152,000Permanently restricted ....................... 807,002 3,952,484 3,160,433 — 1,906,740

Total net assets .............................. 6,153,616 8,462,253 6,015,845 8,139,258 4,368,657Total liabilities and net assets ..... 6,153,616 8,462,253 6,015,845 8,139,258 4,368,657



WELS M

inis

teri

al

Ed

uca

tion

Sch

ool

Fu

nd

sSta

tem

en

t of

Act

ivit

ies

All

Fu

nd

sFu

nd

Deta

il—

Year

En

ded

Ju

ne 3

0,

20

01

Year

En

ded

Year

En

ded

June 3

0,

2001

June 3

0,

2000

WLS

MLC

LPS

MLS

Ch

an

ges i

n U

nre

str

icte

d N

et

Assets

Rev

enues

:G

ifts

, m

emori

als

& g

rants

.................................

$

2

26

,23

2$

55

1,1

29

$

6

5,9

14

$

45

,87

2$

98

,00

8$

16

,43

8Be

ques

ts..........................................................

53

,63

04

03

,14

81

6,6

98

36

,93

2—

—Tu

itio

n,

studen

t fe

es a

nd d

ues

.........................

13

,49

1,8

20

11

,79

0,1

31

69

7,0

84

8,0

18

,21

12

,98

5,6

82

1,7

90

,84

3A

ctiv

ity

fees

and r

etai

l sa

les.

............................

2,5

02

,23

51

,95

6,3

10

90

5,0

76

1,3

20

,58

21

41

,50

71

35

,07

0In

tere

st i

nco

me

................................................

24

6,2

38

19

2,0

66

52

,02

41

12

,29

32

8,3

07

53

,61

4G

ain/l

oss

on i

nve

stm

ents

.................................

(19

0,5

45

)4

5,8

43

(8,7

84

)(1

75

,70

8)

(1,0

91

)(4

,96

2)

Oth

er...............................................................

44

,43

12

00

,01

9—

15

18

,90

92

5,5

07

Sati

sfac

tion o

f re

stri

ctio

ns................................

32

4,4

07

1,0

62

,96

02

54

,32

4—

—7

0,0

83

Tran

sfer

s fr

om

WEL

S.........................................

15

,15

6,1

36

13

,22

7,0

68

2,3

87

,19

06

,89

5,0

31

3,7

55

,23

22

,11

8,6

83

Tota

l re

venues

..............................................

31

,85

4,5

84

29

,42

8,6

74

4,3

69

,52

61

6,2

53

,22

87

,02

6,5

54

4,2

05

,27

6

Expen

dit

ure

s:C

urr

icula

r.........................................................

7,6

03

,94

36

,70

6,5

26

84

5,6

09

3,9

01

,43

61

,82

1,8

54

1,0

35

,04

4C

o-C

urr

icula

r....................................................

3,4

79

,70

33

,19

2,4

93

58

9,9

99

1,8

73

,86

44

20

,51

15

95

,32

9R

ecru

itm

ent/

Adm

issi

ons

..................................

66

8,5

54

70

0,6

92

16

,37

64

38

,52

41

05

,17

11

08

,48

3St

uden

t Se

rvic

es...............................................

10

,37

3,2

90

8,2

97

,81

82

,28

8,8

73

4,9

42

,42

52

,04

5,8

60

1,0

96

,13

2En

viro

nm

enta

l..................................................

6,2

01

,60

95

,10

2,0

01

78

5,4

14

2,8

49

,06

71

,77

0,3

50

79

6,7

78

Adm

inis

trat

ion

.................................................

3,0

49

,75

43

,61

1,1

42

23

3,1

72

1,8

47

,88

84

36

,95

65

31

,73

8To

tal

expen

dit

ure

s........................................

31

,37

6,8

53

27

,61

0,6

72

4,7

59

,44

31

5,8

53

,20

46

,60

0,7

02

4,1

63

,50

4

Ch

an

ge i

n u

nre

str

icte

d n

et

assets

...................

47

7,7

31

1,8

18

,00

2(3

89

,91

7)

40

0,0

24

42

5,8

52

41

,77

2

Ch

an

ges i

n T

em

pora

rily

Restr

icte

d N

et

Assets

Gif

ts,

mem

ori

als

& g

rants

.................................

85

9,4

21

1,0

61

,75

02

68

,72

84

90

,94

53

1,9

53

67

,79

5Be

ques

ts..........................................................

6,0

07

10

,00

01

,00

65

,00

1—

—C

han

ge

in v

alue

of

trust

agre

emen

ts................

—9

7,6

40

——

——

Sati

sfac

tion o

f re

stri

ctio

ns................................

(32

4,4

07

)(1

,06

2,9

60

)(2

54

,32

4)

——

(70

,08

3)

Ch

an

ge i

n t

em

pora

rily

restr

icte

d n

et

assets

.5

41

,02

11

06

,43

01

5,4

10

49

5,9

46

31

,95

3(2

,28

8)

Ch

an

ges i

n P

erm

an

en

tly R

estr

icte

d N

et

Assets

Gif

ts,

mem

ori

als

& g

rants

.................................

43

,94

36

3,7

78

27

,75

11

5,1

92

—1

,00

0Ea

rnin

gs

...........................................................

——

——

——

Ch

an

ge i

n p

erm

an

en

tly r

estr

icte

d n

et

assets

43

,94

36

3,7

78

27

,75

11

5,1

92

—1

,00

0

Tota

l ch

an

ge i

n n

et

assets

................................

1,0

62

,69

51

,98

8,2

10

(34

6,7

56

)9

11

,16

24

57

,80

54

0,4

84

Net

assets

—b

eg

inn

ing

of

year

.........................

16

,33

2,1

33

14

,34

3,9

23

6,9

46

,66

08

,12

2,2

17

47

5,5

22

78

7,7

34

Net

assets

—en

d o

f p

eri

od

.................................

17

,39

4,8

28

16

,33

2,1

33

6,5

99

,90

49

,03

3,3

79

93

3,3

27

82

8,2

18



WELS M

inis

teri

al

Ed

uca

tion

Sch

ool

Fu

nd

sSta

tem

en

tof

Fin

an

cial

Posit

ion

All

Fu

nd

sFu

nd

Deta

il o

n J

un

e 3

0,

20

01

June 3

0,

2001

June 3

0,

2000

WLS

MLC

LPS

MLS

Assets

:C

ash a

nd c

ash e

quiv

alen

ts...............................

$ 3

,29

2,7

68

$ 1

,69

5,8

19

$

2

8,8

10

$ 2

,70

5,4

91

$

48

2,1

34

$

76

,33

3D

ue

from

WEL

S-EI

BF i

nve

stm

ents

......................

1,7

85

,75

41

,85

3,3

10

1,7

43

,46

0—

7,1

29

35

,16

5A

ccounts

rec

eiva

ble

.........................................

18

0,9

47

23

8,0

86

36

,72

8(8

7,7

70

)1

57

,29

77

4,6

92

Prep

aid e

xpen

ses

.............................................

21

,03

04

9,1

23

7,3

56

—1

1,1

90

2,4

84

Inve

stm

ent

in W

ELS

Inve

stm

ent

fund

................

12

,03

8,1

37

12

,49

4,5

43

4,5

34

,51

86

,26

5,3

98

52

3,0

00

71

5,2

21

Contr

ibuti

ons

rece

ivab

le..................................

37

4,0

00

37

4,0

00

13

7,0

00

23

0,0

00

7,0

00

—In

vest

men

ts a

t m

arke

t.....................................

23

7,6

74

20

1,5

68

23

7,6

74

——

—In

vento

ry..........................................................

25

4,1

32

22

6,7

04

80

,45

58

9,3

91

26

,51

95

7,7

67

Loan

s to

stu

den

ts.............................................

88

1,9

33

88

1,9

33

—8

81

,93

3—

—O

ther

ass

ets.....................................................

12

5,8

15

97

,16

24

3,7

83

52

,39

6—

29

,63

6Tota

l ass

ets

................................................

19

,19

2,1

90

18

,11

2,2

48

6,8

49

,78

41

0,1

36

,83

91

,21

4,2

69

99

1,2

98

Lia

bil

itie

s a

nd

net

assets

:D

ue

to W

ELS—

oper

atin

g...................................

15

8,1

95

27

4,1

40

12

,34

6(5

9,0

56

)1

42

,24

86

2,6

57

Def

erre

d i

nco

me.

..............................................

51

,32

31

27

,95

92

4,9

41

—1

4,0

45

12

,33

7A

ccru

ed e

xpen

ses

............................................

22

1,8

58

22

5,1

89

—2

21

,85

8—

—A

ccounts

pay

able

.............................................

46

0,8

52

24

4,0

35

20

6,2

43

94

,62

49

7,9

32

62

,05

3D

eposi

ts h

eld i

n c

ust

ody

..................................

13

9,1

34

14

0,0

27

6,3

50

80

,03

42

6,7

17

26

,03

3U

S gove

rnm

ent

gra

nts

ref

undab

le....................

76

8,7

65

76

8,7

65

—7

68

,76

5—

—To

tal

liabili

ties

..............................................

1,8

00

,12

71

,78

0,1

15

24

9,8

80

1,1

06

,22

52

80

,94

21

63

,08

0

Net

Ass

ets:

Unre

stri

cted

....................................................

12

,54

1,0

30

12

,06

1,9

79

4,5

82

,27

56

,93

9,6

54

75

5,1

43

26

3,9

58

Tem

pora

rily

res

tric

ted

.....................................

2,0

25

,40

21

,48

5,4

66

1,0

97

,16

68

66

,20

34

7,2

52

14

,78

1Pe

rman

entl

y re

stri

cted

....................................

2,8

28

,63

12

,78

4,6

88

92

0,4

63

1,2

27

,75

71

30

,93

25

49

,47

9To

tal

net

ass

ets

............................................

17

,39

5,0

63

16

,33

2,1

33

6,5

99

,90

49

,03

3,6

14

93

3,3

27

82

8,2

18

Tota

l liabilit

ies

and n

et

ass

ets

.................

19

,19

5,1

90

18

,11

2,2

48

6,8

49

,78

41

0,1

39

,83

91

,21

4,2

69

99

1,2

98



Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary—Mequon, WisconsinStatement of Activities

All FundsYear Ended Year Ended

June 30, 2001 June 30, 2000


Gifts, memorials & grants .............................. $ 65,914 $ 63,143Bequests........................................................ 16,698 200,043Tuition, student fees and dues....................... 697,084 673,092Activity fees and retail sales .......................... 905,076 805,454Interest income.............................................. 52,024 27,519Gain/loss on investments .............................. (8,784) 10,634Other............................................................. — 59Satisfaction of restrictions ............................. 254,324 304,031Transfers from WELS ...................................... 2,387,190 2,675,529

Total revenues ........................................... 4,369,526 4,759,504

Expenditures:Curricular ...................................................... 845,609 696,595Co-Curricular ................................................. 589,999 611,642Recruitment/Admissions................................ 16,376 11,215Student Services ............................................ 2,288,873 1,806,739Environmental ............................................... 785,414 554,200Administration............................................... 233,172 345,491

Total expenditures ..................................... 4,759,443 4,025,882

Change in unrestricted net assets................. (389,917) 733,622

Changes in Temporarily Restricted Net AssetsGifts, memorials & grants .............................. 268,728 380,017Bequests........................................................ 1,006 10,000Change in value of trust agreements ............. — 56,640Satisfaction of restrictions ............................. (254,324) (304,031)

Change in temporarily restricted net assets 15,410 142,626

Changes in Permanently Restricted Net AssetsGifts, memorials & grants .............................. 27,751 10,257Earnings ........................................................ — —

Change in permanently restricted net assets 27,751 10,257

Total change in net assets .............................. (346,756) 886,505

Net assets—beginning of year ....................... 6,946,660 6,060,155

Net assets—end of period............................... 6,599,904 6,946,660


Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary—Mequon, WisconsinStatement of Financial Position

All FundsJune 30, 2001 June 30, 2000

Assets:Cash and cash equivalents ............................ $ 28,810 $ 28,334Due from WELS-EIBF investments ................... 1,743,460 432,605Accounts receivable....................................... 36,728 22,358Prepaid expenses........................................... 7,356 5,589Investment in WELS Investment fund ............. 4,534,518 6,134,701Contributions receivable................................ 137,000 137,000Investments at market................................... 237,674 201,568Inventory....................................................... 80,455 66,545Other assets .................................................. 43,783 39,115

Total assets ............................................. 6,849,784 7,067,815

Liabilities and net assets:Due to WELS—operating ................................ 12,346 26,844Deferred income............................................ 24,941 8,218Accounts payable .......................................... 206,243 80,143Deposits held in custody ............................... 6,350 5,950

Total liabilities ........................................... 249,880 121,155

Net Assets:Unrestricted ................................................ 4,582,275 4,972,192Temporarily restricted................................. 1,097,166 1,081,756Permanently restricted ................................ 920,463 892,712Total net assets ......................................... 6,599,904 6,946,660

Total liabilities and net assets.............. 6,849,784 7,067,815



Martin Luther College—New Ulm, MinnesotaStatement of Activities


June 30, 2001 June 30, 2000


Gifts, memorials & grants .............................. $ 45,872 $ 445,422Bequests........................................................ 36,932 202,265Tuition, student fees and dues....................... 8,018,211 6,785,135Activity fees and retail sales .......................... 1,320,582 874,799Interest income.............................................. 112,293 97,011Gain/loss on investments .............................. (175,708) 27,402Other............................................................. 15 153,223Satisfaction of restrictions ............................. — 561,603Transfers from WELS ...................................... 6,895,031 5,608,878

Total revenues ........................................... 16,253,228 14,755,738

Expenditures:Curricular ...................................................... 3,901,436 3,345,896Co-Curricular ................................................. 1,873,864 1,620,962Recruitment/Admissions................................ 438,524 442,593Student Services ............................................ 4,942,425 3,848,548Environmental ............................................... 2,849,067 2,104,581Administration............................................... 1,847,888 2,295,734


Change in unrestricted net assets................. 400,024 1,097,424

Changes in Temporarily Restricted Net AssetsGifts, memorials & grants .............................. 490,945 482,054Bequests........................................................ 5,001 —Change in value of trust agreements ............. — 41,000Satisfaction of restrictions ............................. — (561,603)

Change in temporarily restricted net assets 495,946 (38,549)

Changes in Permanently Restricted Net AssetsGifts, memorials & grants .............................. 15,192 53,521

Change in permanently restricted net assets 15,192 53,521

Total change in net assets .............................. 911,162 1,112,396

Net assets—beginning of year ....................... 8,122,217 7,009,821

Net assets—end of period............................... 9,033,379 8,122,217



Martin Luther College—New Ulm, MinnesotaStatement of Financial Position


Assets:Cash and cash equivalents ............................ $ 2,705,491 $ 1,566,786Due from WELS-EIBF investments ................... — 1,333,191Accounts receivable....................................... (87,770) 4,248Investment in WELS Investment fund ............. 6,265,398 5,118,922Contributions receivable................................ 230,000 230,000Inventory....................................................... 89,391 84,607Loans to students .......................................... 881,933 881,933Other assets .................................................. 52,396 52,397

Total assets ............................................. 10,136,839 9,272,084

Liabilities and net assets:Due to WELS—operating ................................ (59,056) (70,512)Deferred income............................................ — 75,165Accrued expenses ......................................... 221,858 225,189Accounts payable .......................................... 94,624 67,619Deposits held in custody ............................... 80,034 83,641US government grants refundable ................. 768,765 768,765

Total liabilities ........................................... 1,106,225 1,149,867

Net Assets:Unrestricted ................................................ 6,936,654 6,538,310Temporarily restricted................................. 866,203 371,342Permanently restricted ................................ 1,227,757 1,212,565Total net assets ......................................... 9,030,614 8,122,217

Total liabilities and net assets.............. 10,136,839 9,272,084



Luther Preparatory School—Watertown, WisconsinStatement of Activities


June 30, 2001 June 30, 2000


Gifts, memorials & grants .............................. $ 98,008 $ 26,312Bequests........................................................ — 840Tuition, student fees and dues....................... 2,985,682 2,732,973Activity fees and retail sales .......................... 141,507 139,508Interest income.............................................. 28,307 15,492Gain/loss on investments .............................. (1,091) 4,417Other............................................................. 18,909 20,080Satisfaction of restriction............................... — 128,340Transfers from WELS ...................................... 3,755,232 3,149,548

Total revenues ........................................... 7,026,554 6,217,510

Expenditures:Curricular ...................................................... 1,821,854 1,721,113Co-Curricular ................................................. 420,511 484,592Recruitment/Admissions................................ 105,171 117,223Student Services ............................................ 2,045,860 1,710,925Environmental .............................................. 1,770,350 1,721,542Administration............................................... 436,956 510,860


Change in unrestricted net assets................. 425,852 (48,745)

Changes in Temporarily Restricted Net AssetsGifts, memorials & grants .............................. 31,953 124,310Satisfaction of restriction............................... — (128,340)

Change in temporarily restricted net assets 31,953 (4,030)

Changes in Permanently Restricted Net AssetsGifts, memorials & grants .............................. — —

Change in permanently restricted net assets — —

Total change in net assets .............................. 457,805 (52,775)

Net assets—beginning of year ....................... 475,522 528,297

Net assets—end of period............................... 933,327 475,522



Luther Preparatory School—Watertown, WisconsinStatement of Financial Position


Assets:Cash and cash equivalents ............................ $ 482,134 $ 58,835Due from WELS-EIBF investments ................... 7,129 64,443Accounts receivable....................................... 157,297 125,296Prepaid expenses........................................... 11,190 43,534Investment in WELS Investment fund ............. 523,000 524,209Contributions receivable................................ 7,000 7,000Inventory....................................................... 26,519 22,756

Total assets ............................................. 1,214,269 846,073



Net Assets:Unrestricted ................................................ 755,143 329,291Temporarily restricted................................. 47,252 15,299Permanently restricted ................................ 130,932 130,932Total net assets ......................................... 933,327 475,522

Total liabilities and net assets.............. 1,214,269 846,073



Michigan Lutheran Seminary—Saginaw, MichiganStatement of Activities


June 30, 2001 June 30, 2000


Gifts, memorials & grants .............................. $ 16,438 $ 16,252Tuition, student fees and dues....................... 1,790,843 1,598,931Activity fees and retail sales .......................... 135,070 136,549Interest income.............................................. 53,614 52,044Gain/loss on investments .............................. (4,962) 3,389Other............................................................. 25,507 26,657Satisfaction of restrictions ............................. 70,083 68,986Transfers from WELS ...................................... 2,118,683 1,793,114

Total revenues ........................................... 4,205,276 3,695,922

Expenditures:Co-Curricular ................................................. 595,329 475,297Recruitment/Admissions................................ 108,483 129,661Student Services ............................................ 1,096,132 922,871Environmental .............................................. 796,778 721,678Administration............................................... 531,738 467,792


Change in unrestricted net assets................. 41,772 35,701

Changes in Temporarily Restricted Net AssetsGifts, memorials & grants .............................. 67,795 75,369Satisfaction of restrictions ............................. (70,083) (68,986)

Change in temporarily restricted net assets (2,288) 6,383

Changes in Permanently Restricted Net AssetsGifts, memorials & grants .............................. 1,000 —

Change in permanently restricted net assets 1,000 —

Total change in net assets .............................. 40,484 42,084

Net assets—beginning of year ....................... 787,734 745,650

Net assets—end of period............................... 828,218 787,734



Michigan Lutheran Seminary—Saginaw, MichiganStatement Financial Position


Assets:Cash and cash equivalents ............................ 76,333 41,864Due from WELS-EIBF investments ................... 35,165 23,071Accounts receivable....................................... 74,692 86,184Prepaid expenses........................................... 2,484 —Investment in WELS Investment fund ............. 715,221 716,711Inventory....................................................... 57,767 52,796Other assets .................................................. 29,636 5,650

Total assets ............................................. 991,298 926,276



Net Assets:Unrestricted ................................................ 263,958 222,186Temporarily restricted................................. 14,781 17,069Permanently restricted ................................ 549,479 548,479Total net assets ......................................... 828,218 787,734

Total liabilities and net assets.............. 991,298 926,276



PROCEEDINGS /114 Essays

PREREQUISITES FOR CROSS-CULTURAL WORK

PRESENTED TO THE WELS 56TH BIENNIAL CONVENTION

at Saginaw, Michigan, July 30-August 3, 2001By Prof. Mark A. Goeglein

Introduction:

The 2000 census confirmed what most peoplealready knew from personal experience. The faceof America is changing, or, rather, it has alreadychanged. What those of us who live in theMidwest have noticed is even more apparent onthe East and West Coasts. 28.4 million (10.4%) ofthe 281 million people living in the United Statesare foreign born.1

Another change that has become apparent is thatthe immigrant groups, even those who havebeen here for several generations, are not soanxious to become assimilated into all aspectsof American culture. The ‘melting pot’ has beenreplaced by a ‘salad bowl’ as people strive tomaintain the worldview and traditions of theircountry of origin. Immigrant groups that havebeen in the United States for several generationsare striving to restore and reclaim traditions oftheir ancestors. Native Americans are striving torestore and preserve their language and traditionsfor future generations.

I cite the following story about a small town inIowa as an illustration of another demographicchange that’s taking place:

For 150 years, Postville (Iowa) was all white,all Christian, all Norman Rockwell, aneveryone-knows-everyone, live-and-die-herekind of town run by farmers of German andNorwegian stock. Then, a decade ago, anultra-Orthodox Jew bought a boarded-upmeat-packing plant on the edge of town andconverted it into a kosher slaughterhouse.Word soon got out that Postville had jobs.Lots of jobs.

The Jews came first—three dozen rabbistrained to kill livestock and inspect koshermeat, plus friends and relatives to help.Then came the others. Mexican, Guatemalan,Ukrainian, Nigerian, Bosnian, Czech—dozens, then hundreds, of immigrants

swarmed to jobs in the kosherslaughterhouse and in the Iowa TurkeyProducts plant next door. To locals, itseemed an invasion.

“It was a little scary at first,” said BeckyMeyer, a lifelong resident.

Wade Schutte, a high school sophomore,said: “You’d see them, and you wouldn’treally know how to talk to them, how to actaround them. It took a while to adjust.”

And no wonder. Postville’s population isjust 1,500, “and that’s counting everyoneand their dog,” locals say. It’s isolated, too,some 20 miles west of the Mississippi Riverin the northeast corner of a state that’s still95 percent white. The biggest nearby city isPrairie du Chien in Wisconsin, with 6,000souls.

Many folks born and raised in Postville untilrecently had never met a black person, nevermet a Jew, never heard a foreign languageexcept in school.

Now they run into rabbis in long black coatsand prayer shawls walking down the streetsspeaking Hebrew. On their way to thepharmacy, they pass a Mexican storedecorated with bullfight posters, sellingrefried beans.

Some locals purse their lips withunmistakable disgust and refuse to talkabout Postville’s new look. But many aretrying to adjust.

“This is a little town that’s 20-some milesfrom even a McDonald’s,” reasoned DougAll, a quality inspector at theslaughterhouse, “so we have to get along.”

If locals are unsure what to make of thenewcomers, the feeling is mutual.Summoned by word of mouth, immigrantscome to Postville knowing jobs await them—and knowing precious little else.

“The first time I’d ever heard of Iowa waswhen we moved here,” said 15-year-old IlyaPakarov of Kazakhstan.

“It’s way different from California,” saidSusy Navarro, who moved here fromOakland so her husband could work at theslaughterhouse.

Essay

01 51% of these were born in Latin America, 25.5% were born in Asia, and 15.3% in Europe. From 1990 to 2000 the Latino population grew from22.4 to 35.3 million. 11 million (31%) of these Latinos live in California and 6.7% (19%) in Texas.


Essays PROCEEDINGS /115

The uneasy melding of cultures in Postvillereflects a broader drama playing out acrossthe Midwest and the South.2

There may still be some rural WELS congregationsand schools in the Midwest that are still servingcommunities of nearly 100% descendants of ournorthern European ancestors, but those towns arenot where the country’s population growth istaking place, and they are not likely to remain100% ‘anglo’ for much longer. Cross-culturalmission work is an opportunity that nearly everypastor, teacher, or layman in our Synod alreadyhas or will have in the coming decades.

While our country has grown, our Synod has not.From 1970 to 1990 the overall membership of theSynod increased from 381,321 to 421,396. At theend of 2000 it was 406,879, a decrease of 3.5% from1990. When we consider that the populationgrowth in our country has taken place largelyamong the minority groups and new immigrants,it highlights the need for us to look at thedemographics of the cities and towns where ourchurches and schools are located. If the newpeople in the neighborhood are not white, do notspeak English, or have non-Christian religiousbackgrounds, we will want to build bridges acrossthe cultural differences that will have a tendencyto divide us and isolate us. There are manybarriers that exist in our society between the racesand various cultures.

I was given the assignment to write on the“Prerequisites for Cross-Cultural Work.” As Iunderstand the topic, we are to consider what canand should be done to prepare ourselves as aSynod and as individuals for the opportunitiesthat the Lord is setting before us. This is a themethat has been studied and discussed before, and itcertainly will have to be addressed again, on acontinuing basis, for years to come. The SON[Seeking Our Neighbors] Committee made itsreport to the ’97 Convention,3 emphasizing theneed to do cross-cultural work. Many of thatCommittee’s findings and recommendations arestill being discussed and implemented. Some willbe repeated in this essay.

The Board for Home Missions has a standingMulti-Cultural Ministry Committee, and hasstated goals that some of the new missionopenings each year will be cross-cultural. A specialtask force was appointed a year ago to study andmake recommendations about how the home and

world mission boards could work together andshare each other’s experience and knowledge todo more cross-cultural work in North America.The WELS Connection videos and printed matterhave brought to our attention the open doors thatindividuals and congregations have walkedthrough to begin and build up cross-culturalministries. A Cross-Divisional Cross-CulturalCommittee meets to discuss and plan how wemight better prepare pastors, teachers, staffministers, and evangelists for cross-culturalministry, and how we might recruit and trainpeople of other cultures for ministry. Pastor andteacher conferences and Synod conventions havelistened to essays presented on various aspects ofcross-cultural work.

The Board for Ministerial Education has alsoaddressed the issue of cross-cultural ministry. TheMulti-Ethnic Preseminary Program has beenestablished. In the revised curriculum at MartinLuther College all students will have to fulfill an“other culture” requirement. The College’s boardhas established the position of Director of CulturalStudies and Experience, and there is a standingCommittee on Issues of Diversity. The “livinglanguage” option in the new curriculum is also inpart a response to the cultural diversity that weare facing in our country.

We can return to some of these issues under parts2 and 3 of this essay. For now, I simply mentionthese responses to the cross-cultural opportunitiesthat we have already recognized. We are notsuddenly discovering that our country isculturally diverse, nor are we starting from scratchin our response. This convention and this essayare not going to bring an end to the discussionseither; in fact, it is my prayer that the discussionscontinue. We always must keep on asking, “Arewe doing what we ought to be doing, and are wedoing it the right way?”

We’ll look at the theme under three parts:Attitude, Aptitude, and Action.

Part 1: Cultivating an Attitude of ChristianLove

Paul’s admonition to the Philippians (2:4-5) speaksabout attitude: “Each of you should look not onlyto your own interests, but also to the interests ofothers. Your attitude should be the same as that ofChrist Jesus.” The apostle was encouragingChristians to adopt Jesus’ loving attitude ofunselfish concern for the welfare of others. Paul’s

02 By Stephanie Simon, Copyrighted by Los Angeles Times,Sunday, February 21, 199903 At the 1997 Convention, Floor Committee #9 responded to the SON Committee’s report with 5 resolutions encouraging and recom-

mending the establishment of cross-cultural ministries by the BHM as well as by self-supporting congregations, and production ofcross-cultural materials for training our membership as well as reaching out to people of other ethnic and cultural backgrounds.Proceedings of the 1997 Convention, pages 69-76.


words point us to Jesus’ perfect love. He loved hisneighbor as himself. He “made himself nothing,”that is, he set aside his own personal privileges.He was not here to claim or insist upon his rights,but he came to serve, and he performed theultimate act of love. There was no greater love thatcould have been shown, and no one could havedone it better. It was perfect!

Our attitude should be the same as that of ChristJesus. I am my brother’s keeper. It is not loving tojust mind my own business and let other peoplewatch out for themselves. Love does not put one’sown interests ahead of the interests of others. Lovedoes not close its eyes to the plight of others, evenwhen the person in need is of another culture.Love is willing to endure personal inconvenience,even downright discomfort and pain if necessary,for the sake of the other. There is no fear in love. Butperfect love drives out fear (1 John 4:18).

In the parable of the Good Samaritan Jesus taughtvery clearly that my neighbor is anyone who isin need of my help. The loving attitude of theSamaritan toward the injured man was an actof love that was decidedly different from thecultural norms. It was an act of kindness from anunexpected source, and it was done with a freeflowing generosity that put the self-centerednessof the priest and Levite to shame (Luke 10). Aswe apply the lesson of Jesus’ parable to ourselves,we might ask why he chose to cast the priest andLevite as the villains and the Samaritan as thehero. It is a call for the religiously orthodox torepent of their/our sins of omission.

When Jesus preached at the synagogue inNazareth his claim to be the Messiah causedpeople to be amazed, but when he quoted tothem how Elijah had gone to a widow inZarephath and how Elisha had healed theleprosy of the Syrian Naaman, they becamefurious. What was the cause of this fury? It wasthe suggestion and prediction by Jesus that Godwould choose to help foreigners when theIsraelites rejected him (Luke 4:22-30). Jesus’attitude towards ‘foreigners’ was notsomething he had in common with his fellowNazarenes. Jesus’ perfect love showed nofavoritism to the people of his own hometownor even his own nation.

The attitude of Christian love as it was lived outby Jesus was decidedly different and somewhatdifficult for the disciples to understand. Theythought the proper attitude toward a Samaritanvillage that had rejected Jesus was to subject themto the same fate as Sodom and Gomorrah, sendingfire from heaven to consume them (Luke 9:52-55).“Teach them a lesson!” “Send them to hell, that’llshow ‘em!” Jesus, in contrast, demonstrated that

“love is patient” (1 Corinthians 13:4). The disciplesthought that Jesus should not be bothered with thechildren, and they tried to send them awaybecause they thought their master had moreimportant things to do. When a foreigner followedafter Jesus and pleaded with him for a miracle, thedisciples again wanted to send her away, but Jesusresponded to her need, answered her prayer, andheld her up as an example of faith to others(Matthew 15:22-28).

The attitude of love for the “underclass” that Jesusdemonstrated was decidedly different and verydifficult for the Pharisees to understand. Theythought that people like prostitutes, tax collectors,and foreigners should be avoided. They thoughtthat by eating with them Jesus was condoningtheir sinful lifestyles (Luke 15:2). When Jesus let aprostitute touch him the Pharisees deemed Jesusto be unfit as a prophet—a true prophet wouldn’tassociate with or allow himself to be touched bythose kinds of people (Luke 7:39). Jesus’ love forthe outcast of society was one of the characteristicsthat was prophesied about him:

He was anointed to preach good news tothe poor. He has sent me to bind up thebrokenhearted, to proclaim freedom forthe captives and release from darkness forthe prisoners, to preach good news to thepoor and proclaim liberty to the captives(Isaiah 61:1).

Even those who studied under and lived withJesus full-time for three years still had troubleunderstanding that Christian love does not seecultural differences as a reason to ignore or treatpeople as inferior. Peter had to be reminded by theLord that he had no right to call unclean what theLord had declared to be clean (Acts 10:15). Thissame Apostle Peter later had to be reminded againby Paul that he should not even have implied tothe Christians in Antioch that living like a Jew wasmore God-pleasing than living like a non-Jew(Galatians 2:11-16).

When Peter came to Antioch, I opposed himto his face, because he was clearly in

the wrong. Before certain men came fromJames, he used to eat with the Gentiles. Butwhen they arrived, he began to draw backand separate himself from the Gentilesbecause he was afraid of those who belongedto the circumcision group. The other Jewsjoined him in his hypocrisy, so that by theirhypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray.

When I saw that they were not acting in linewith the truth of the gospel, I said to Peterin front of them all, “You are a Jew, yet youlive like a Gentile and not like a Jew. How is



it, then, that you force Gentiles to followJewish customs?

“We who are Jews by birth and not ‘Gentilesinners’ know that a man is not justifiedby observing the law, but by faith in JesusChrist. So we, too, have put our faith inChrist Jesus that we may be justified by faithin Christ and not by observing the law,because by observing the law no one willbe justified.

The first recorded “Synod Convention” of theChristian Church dealt primarily with the cross-cultural tensions that were affecting the Church(Acts 15). Their solution was not all one-sided.Jews were not expected to stop being Jews, butthey were not to insist that Gentiles adopt Jewishceremonial law and traditions to be consideredbrothers in the faith. The Gentiles were to showrespect and consideration for their Jewishbrothers. Everyone did not have to be alike. Bothsides were told to refrain from insisting that “myway is best” and from imposing it on others. Inthe Apostle Paul’s letters to Rome and Corinth heteaches that meat eaters and vegetarians were notto try to pressure the others into feeling guilty orinferior because of their different traditions. It isthe attitude of Christian love, the attitude ofChrist, that enables us to love people who are notlike us (culturally), just as though they were likeus, without insisting or even hoping that they willbecome more like us.

It is also Christian love that compels us to callsinners to repentance. It is not loving to dismissrebellion and disobedience against God’s law as“cultural differences.” The New Testament tellsus repeatedly that Christian love does not closeits eyes to sin, but seeks to lead sinners torepentance, including the better half ofrepentance, which is forgiveness in Christ. It’s animportant distinction (attitude) for us to knowand remember. We are not called upon to becomeculturally sensitive so we excuse or ignore sinfulbehavior.

We must be careful, however, that in ourethnocentrism4 we do not falsely label adiaphoraas sin, nor classify the pet sins of other culturesas more shameful, degrading or dangerous thanthe sins of our own cultural group. The sexualimmorality of Africa or African-Americans is nomore sinful than the sexual immorality of whiteEuropeans or white Americans. Heterosexualpromiscuity is not less sinful than gay sex. Bothare condemned by the 6th Commandment.Atrocities are atrocities whether they are black on

white, white on black, black on black, white onwhite, Christian on Muslim or Muslim onChristian. Ethnocentrism can lead us to seegenocide or social injustice as something‘outrageous’ when people like us are the victims,or just ‘unfortunate, but understandable’ whenpeople like us are the perpetrators.

Christian love does not practice discrimination.James spoke of this in his Epistle.

My brothers, as believers in our gloriousLord Jesus Christ, don’t show favoritism.Suppose a man comes into your meetingwearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and apoor man in shabby clothes also comes in. Ifyou show special attention to the manwearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a goodseat for you,” but say to the poor man, “Youstand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,”have you not discriminated amongyourselves and become judges with evilthoughts?

The soul of a poor man is not less valuable thanthat of a rich man. An attitude of love must notprejudge on the basis of socio-economic class,race, language, etc. It is an injustice when peopleof color are routinely sentenced more harshlythan whites who commit the same crimes. WhenChristians are guilty of deeming the sins of othercultures as more sinful, we are committing thesame injustice and are not correctly preachingGod’s Law. If we are more eager to apply God’sWord of forgiveness to people like ourselves, weare guilty of the sin of favoritism and distortingthe gospel, which announces full and freeforgiveness for every repentant inner.

If we have the same attitude of Christ we willsee each and every person as a soul for whomChrist died. He looked with compassion on thelost and told his disciples to pray for workers forthe harvest. He prayed for all, including thosewho crucified him. He died for all. The Lord isnot willing that any should perish. Therefore nonation, tribe, language, or people should beignored. Our love for the souls of the poor inthe inner cities ought to be the same as that forthe wealthy suburbanites, the same for theimmigrants (whether they entered withdocuments or not) as for the citizens by birth.The Lord has commanded us to preach the gospelto all people. He told his apostles to start inJerusalem, but to spread out to Judea, Samaria,and to the ends of the earth. He told John to writedown for us the vision of heaven where peopleare present from every nation, tribe, people and


0 4 Ethnocentrism is an attitude that evaluates and judges other cultures using one’s own “superior culture” as the norm. People of everyculture are by nature ethnocentric.


language. He told John to write down for us thevision of the heavenly angel who proclaims theeternal Gospel to people of every nation, tribe,language and people. Our mission strategies mustreflect what Jesus expressly commanded us aswell as what he has shown us will be the endresult. Cross-cultural ministry will be successful.

Let our attitude be that of Christ. For the joy thatwas set before him he endured the cross. Hiswillingness to die for sinners was seen by him as aseed that dies when it is planted in the groundthat grows and produces a crop. Our willingnessand desire to consider the interests of others equalto, or at times even ahead of our own, is not someheavy burden to carry stoically. It is a joyfulprivilege and opportunity for us to be a part of thegathering in of people from every nation, tribe,people, and language.

The prophet Isaiah (chapter 61) spoke about theMessiah’s work of gathering in people from manynations. He describes it as the wealth of nationsstreaming into Jerusalem. This isn’t a bad thing,but something to celebrate. The wealth of thenations is not just their money. During the pasttwo millennia people from many differentlanguages and cultures have made contributionsto the Church. Some cultures have responded tothe gospel with the intellectual organization ofChristian doctrine, others have responded withmore emotional responses. Some have broughtvisual arts, some have brought music, while othershave contributed architecture and literature. TheChurch has been enriched as each new culturebrings its sanctified gifts and traditions with it. Weare very much aware of the contributions thathave been made to the Christian Church by thegroup of German immigrants who founded WELS150 years ago. Our history, our culture, ourlanguage, our music, our traditions are not badthings. We can and we do celebrate them, but let’snot be so proud as to think that what our culturalheritage has given the church is superior to whathas been brought in by others. The best Christianmusic, art, architecture, and literature (other thanthe Bible) may still be in the future as the wealthof the nations continues to flow in.

There is an oft-repeated occurrence in real estateand city planning. People are in favor ofexpansion and change until they have what theywant. From that point on, the city fathers are notto allow any more new subdivisions, no newstreets, no more people, no more schools (unlessthey can build them without raising taxes). Wemust beware of similar attitudes in our approachto people who are of different cultures. We want to

remain comfortable in our language and our wayof doing things and the natural tendency is toresist all changes—especially those that cost ustime, money, or cause us discomfort. “Now thatmy church is the way it is, and I feel comfortablein it, don’t change anything!”

We might make another analogy to the world ofreal estate. There is the NIMBY (Not in mybackyard!) syndrome. Everyone sees the need fornew or expanded airports, power plants, railroadlines, and prisons, so long as they are builtsomewhere else. As Christians, let’s not adopt aNIMBY attitude toward ministry to people ofother cultures. It is a joyful privilege to be able tominister cross-culturally in our ownneighborhoods as well as across town or overseas.

Let’s be willing to change what has to be changedto reach the lost. It’s an attitude that the gospelrequires of us. Certainly as people whose heartshave been warmed and changed by the gospel, wehave far more motivation and ability to make thechanges to adjust to the unbeliever than he has tochange to adjust to us. Paul said in his efforts tosave the lost he was willing to become all things toall men. He did not expect all men to become likehim. He knew they wouldn’t and couldn’t. Ourattitude, like Jesus and like Paul, is to look out forthe interests of others, and not just our own.

Jesus invites us to open our eyes and look at thefields that are ripe for harvest. He encourages usto work while it is day. As denominations go,WELS is relatively small. We can’t plant churchesin every country of the world nor can we openmissions in every neighborhood in our owncountry. No one can become proficient in all of thelanguages and communication skills to reachevery one of the cultures, even in our owncountry, but I can respond with a Christ-likeattitude to the person of another culture that Ipersonally encounter. My congregation and schoolcan respond to the reality of the changing natureof its neighborhood.5 As a Synod we can respondto the reality of the changing nature of ourcountry’s demographics.

Part 2: Growing in Cross-Cultural Aptitude

If we are out of our mind, it is for the sake ofGod; if we are in our right mind, it is foryou. For Christ’s love compels us, becausewe are convinced that one died for all, andtherefore all died. And he died for all, thatthose who live should no longer live forthemselves but for him who died for themand was raised again.


5 5 A survey conducted by the Multicultural Mission Committee in 1991 revealed that 400 of the exisiting congregations were located in multicultural neighborhoods.


So from now on we regard no one from aworldly point of view. Though we onceregarded Christ in this way, we do so nolonger. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he isa new creation; the old has gone, the newhas come (2 Corinthians 5:13-17)!

The gospel transforms the Christian’s worldview.‘Worldview’ in the field of cultural studies(anthropology and sociology) refers to a basic setof assumptions and expectations about how theworld functions. Many of these assumptions arenot part of our conscious thinking. It includes ourassumptions about the universe and how it wasformed and how it works. We operate withassumptions about time, about people, about God(or atheism), about morality.

When the Holy Spirit works faith in theChristian’s heart the old has gone and the newhas come. Our view about God is radicallychanged. The gospel tells us that we are nowGod’s beloved children. Our view of the worldand its inhabitants also changes. We now seeeveryone as a person for whom Christ died andwas raised again. That’s the new man in us thateagerly desires and pleads with all of humanity asChrist’s ambassadors: “Be reconciled to God!” Thegospel is God’s power of salvation for all whobelieve. It is a powerful tool that is able totransform the worldview of people from any andall cultures.

The Christian, in spite of the renewal of his mindand his transformed worldview, will still live inthis world, and will function in this world as acultural being. By culture we mean that system ofshared beliefs and behaviors that enable people toidentify themselves as a group. It involveslanguage, family relationships, marriage customs,

rites of passage, attitudes toward time, money,government, the rights of individuals, and manyanthropologists include religion. For our purposeswe will exclude religion and matters that God’sWord clearly commands or forbids, and use theterm culture to describe those beliefs andtraditions that do not need to be discarded atconversion.

Conversion does not change the cultural patternsin which we have grown up. A person who spokeEnglish as an unbeliever will continue to speakEnglish after becoming a Christian. Hisvocabulary and topics of conversation willbecome sanctified, but his native tongue willremain English. His body language while waitingpatiently or impatiently in a line at the grocerystore will be very much like before. His way ofgreeting people or saying good-by on thetelephone will still be like it was before.

This is both good and bad. The good part is thatremaining in our culture enables us to understandand communicate with people from that sameculture with fewer barriers. But it also means thatthe culture we were part of and are surroundedby will pressure us to conform. Materialism, forexample, is a sin that besets many AmericanChristians because materialism is one of the areaswhere the American way of life runs directly upagainst and contrary to God’s Word.

The fact that the Christian remains a product ofhis culture has another drawback. Without sometransformation of our thinking, ethnocentrismtakes over. One’s way of life is seen as superior, orat least the measure by which any other way oflife is to be evaluated, and other cultures aredescribed with derogatory terms like: odd, weird,primitive, savage, uncivilized, (too) emotional,(too) stiff/formal, “those people,” etc.

One of the valuable things that happens when webegin to learn about other cultures is that we havea chance to look at and learn about our ownculture. This gives us the opportunity to evaluateour attitudes and behaviors in the light of God’sWord and to follow Paul’s admonition in Romans12 not to conform to the world, but to betransformed. We recognize how the devil and thesinful world can easily convince us to adopt whatour culture considers to be conventional wisdom.If we don’t recognize the sinful tendencies of ourown culture, we will become guilty of picking thespecks of dust out of other people’s eyes whileignoring the huge log in our own eyes.

The ‘typical American’ believes that we can andshould control nature and our environment.Change is seen as positive and good, change isprogress. Time is valuable and efficiency is oftenvalued over interpersonal relationships. The rightsof individuals are important, and all people are tohave equal opportunities. Americans take pride intheir own accomplishments—more respect isgiven those who have achieved financial successthan to those who inherit their wealth. Work ismorally right; it is immoral to waste time, materialwealth is a just reward for hard work and a signof God’s pleasure. Competition is seen as goodbecause it brings out the best in people.Americans in general have an optimistic view ofthe future. ‘Telling it like it is’ is preferred oversparing people’s feelings.

Other cultures may have values that are radicallydifferent. Latin American cultures, for example,place higher value on interpersonal relationshipsthan on efficient use of time. Many Asian culturesare much more collectivistic and value thewell being of the group over the rights of theindividual. Some cultures do not see nature as



something to be controlled and altered butsomething that people are an integral part of andtherefore nature is to be treasured and preserved.

The gospel does not require us to adopt oneculture’s set of values over another. Christians inindividualist cultures such as the USA andcollectivist cultures such as Japan can live theirfaith without radically changing these culturalsystems. Both the U.S. and the Japanese Christian,however, must continually evaluate his ownworldview and his beliefs and behaviors in thelight of God’s Word. When two cultures cometogether in a single congregation, there must bemutual respect of each other’s culture andChristian liberty.

This can make cross-cultural ministry just asdifficult or even more difficult than foreignmission work. In the foreign mission fields thelocal cultural patterns are generally acknowledgedand respected. The missionary is given specialtraining and orientation to the host culture. It’sstill a difficult task for an American missionary tolive with his family and work in a culture that isdifferent from his own, but the majority of thepeople in that country, and in that newly plantedchurch, will want to do things their way, andunless the missionary insists on doing it the“American way” (the WELS’ way) many localtraditions will become incorporated into thenewly forming church. In our congregations inthe United States, however, we have a differentsituation. When an individual or communityof another culture is identified, the existingcongregation might easily assume that the peopleof this other culture should change their wayof thinking and doing things and adapt to us.“We are comfortable, why should we change?They live in the USA, they should learn to be likeus Americans.”

As important as Christ-like love is in reaching outto people of other cultures, expressing that love inwords and actions that will communicate love andconsideration to people of another culture is notsomething that comes automatically. There arecircumstances where we have no specific or clearcommand of God. What is the best way to showlove in this situation? Jesus taught the Golden

Rule: Do unto others as you would have them doto you. The Golden Rule works well if weunderstand who that person is. You need toproject yourself into that person’s circumstance. IfI am hot and thirsty I might really appreciate acold beer. My preference does not automaticallymean that the best way to show love to everyonewho is hot and thirsty is to give him a cold beer. Ifit’s a six-year-old child, that could get us both introuble. If the hot and thirsty person is analcoholic it would not be a loving thing to do,even though it would be a literal application of theGolden Rule. Unless we learn enough about otherpeople and their traditions and values to knowwhat specific kinds of words and actions will beshowing love and what will simply be showingour own ignorance and insensitivity.

Cultural proficiency can be acquired, but likemost skills, it requires a willingness to face one’signorance, a willingness to learn, and then lots ofpatience and practice. Some Christians seem tohave the gift of showing love, even across-culturalbarriers, but most Christians would benefit fromsome intentional acquisition of skills. Much likeevangelism in general, a few seem to have the gift,but all of us have the opportunity, privilege andobligation to learn how to do it better, acquiringsome skills in cross cultural understanding andcommunication.

Cultural proficiency is described by experts in thefield as a succession of six stages.6 I’ll put samplestatements that might represent a WELS member’sreactions to people of another culture moving intohis neighborhood or the church’s neighborhood.7

Denial—The churches in places like NewYork and Los Angeles may have to docross-cultural ministry, but our communityhasn’t changed and won’t change. I don’tunderstand why those people want tocome and live here. Why don’t they goback where they belong. They’re takingour jobs. They probably won’t be here forlong. I’m glad my kids are in the parochialschool so they won’t be exposed to theirdrugs, gangs, etc.

Defense—They live in America now. Whydon’t they learn English? If they want to


6 Described by Dr. Milton J. Bennett, co-director of the Intercultural Communication Institute, Portand, Oregon. 0 7 BHM Administrator Peter Kruschel wrote about similar stages that congregations and church leaders go through in cross-cultural

ministry.1. Awareness that people of other cultures or races are in our neighborhood.2. Toleration. We learn to tolerate their presences, but make little effort to get to know them. They have their ways, we have ours.3. Concern . We are concerned about our neighbors’ eternal welfare. We proclaim sin and grace, but we do it our way, on our terms,and in our language.4. Endorsement. We have shared Christ with our neighbors and have learned from them who they are and why they do things theway they do. We accept them for what they are, but we are still people from differing cultures.5. Partnership. We know and respect each other’s culture. God-pleasing aspects of each other’s cultural styles and behaviors arewelcomed and supported. Leadership is fully shared as leaders from the host culture are identified, trained and equipped.


be members of our church, the doors areopen and the service times are listed onthe sign. They can’t expect us to changethe way we’ve been doing things toaccommodate them. It’s probably best if anew church would be started to reach outto them while they’re here. Our Church isoffering ESL classes. The sooner theyrealize that learning English is the best forthem and for us, the better.

Minimization—They’re basically the same aswe are. Once they learn English and puttheir kids in our schools, they will be justlike us. It’s good that the Mexicans arehere; I’ve always liked their food. Theyreally stick together (negative). We have alot to offer them.

Acceptance—I’ve noticed that the newpeople in the neighborhood really valuetheir family and friends—it’s refreshingto see how freely they express warmthand their emotions. They really sticktogether (positive) I will make an effort toget to know them better and learn moreabout them. I will look for an opportunityto witness.

Adaptation—I’ve learned a lot about theMexicans. I’ve read about their history,their values, I’ve even learned someSpanish so I can communicate with thembetter. I want to invite the children toVBS—I better talk with the parents first,I know that these kinds of decisions aremade by the whole family, and not justby the kids. Our pastor and several ofour members offer Bible classes andworship services in Spanish. Lastmonth the pastor had a special“quinceañera” service.

Integration—We have become close friends.There are some aspects of their culturethat I would like to incorporate into myway of thinking and life. I am delightedthat several of these families are beingserved by our church, some in Englishsome in Spanish. We can learn as muchfrom them as they learn from us.

The first three stages are ethnocentric stageswhere the new culture is being evaluated on thebasis of the person’s own values and expectations.The second three stages are called ethno-relativestages in which the cultural differences areknown, even highlighted, but not judged assuperior or inferior. In many circles, ethno-relative

has come to mean that all human beliefs andattitudes are equally valid. As was mentionedabove, we don’t want to use the label of “culture”to excuse any kind of wrong beliefs or sinfulbehaviors. We need to examine all cultures,including our own, in the light of God’s Word.

Cultural proficiency is not something that easilymeasured, but attempts have been made. Ameasurement tool has been developed at theIntercultural Institute in Portland, Ore. Earlyresults show that language study, travel, andpersonal contact all can make a positive differenceon the test score, but it is not an automatic thing.Some people who travel come back from their tripmore certain that ever that “those people” areweird and backward. People can read all aboutother cultures and then still be amazed andconfused and at a loss for words when a familyfrom that culture moves into the house next door.

The “Guiding Principles for all WELS cross-cultural ministry” on page 53 of this convention’sBook of Reports and Memorials state that it is bestto learn about other cultures by listening (e.g.ethnographic interviews) and participantobservation. The ethnographic interview is atechnical term that describes a specific andintentional process of interviewing people froma particular culture. The process is not justconducting interviews, but carefully writing andcollecting the results and information shared inthose interviews, and then evaluating whatimportant information has been learned about thatculture and that group of people based upon all ofthe gathered information. Following this processthoroughly will prevent pastors or congregationsfrom making hasty decisions based upon one ortwo interviews, or from only really hearing whatthe interviewer thought in the first place.8

In addition to listening, the principles mentionparticipant observation. There is no substitute forbeing personally involved. Reading about anAsian-Indian wedding will not teach you nearlyas much about the culture as attending one, butsimply attending the wedding with no reading, noquestioning of the family will also not be much ofa learning experience. Observing with someone tohelp you understand and interpret what you arehearing and seeing is the best combination. In hisbook “Individualism & Collectivism,” HarryTriandis describes the learning process that isused to train people in the business world:

It is possible to learn about other cultures byreading books, seeing films, spending timewith members of other cultures, participating


8 The ethnographic interview is described in detail in the book “Mission and Ministry Across Cultures” by Dr. E. Allen Sorum, published in 1997 by WELS Outreach Resources.


in various simulations or exercises, hearinglectures, and in many other ways. . . . Each ofthese ways is somewhat effective, but none isespecially effective by itself. A combination ofmethods is highly recommended. In general,methods that require the trainee to becomeinvolved, change behavior, and practice newbehaviors are more effective than methodsthat require the trainee only to become awareof a cultural difference.9

Cross-cultural trainers often suggest theenlistment of an interpreter from the culture youare studying and trying to adapt to. This personwill help with the acquisition of the language, andif language is not involved, the interpreter willexplain the customs and traditions that are beingobserved. The interpreter can introduce the learnerto key, influential people in the new culture. Hecan help the learner prevent false steps andoffensive behaviors. He can answer questions andtell the learner if the behavior he is witnessing isexpected or unexpected by the people of thatculture.

Learning to speak the language of the people youare trying to reach is perhaps the most valuablewindow you will have into their culture. Werecognize this principle by requiring students inthe pastoral ministry track to learn the biblicallanguages. By reading and studying the Bible inHebrew and Greek our pastors can gain insightsthat might be missed by reading the Englishtranslation. The confessional languages (Latinand German) offer the same insights intothe church’s early history and the LutheranReformation. One benefit that is being sought inthe living language option in the new curriculumat MLC is the cultural understanding that comeswith the study of a language. Being able tocommunicate with people who speak anotherlanguage (e.g., in a study-abroad, immersionexperience) gives insights and understandingabout other cultures, and one’s own culture, thatcan’t be acquired by just reading books or lookingup words in a dictionary.

Depending on the people who live in yourneighborhood, you might be advised to learn thespecialized language of the Mormons or Jehovah’sWitnesses. It is English but in order tocommunicate the Law and Gospel to these people,you will need to learn a new vocabulary. LearningSpanish will certainly help you communicate withHispanics. But even when speaking to those whohave learned English, you will need to understandsome of their history and culture to be able tocommunicate with them about matters of faith

and religion. Their understanding and use of theEnglish terms will be influenced by their culturaland religious background. Even when both theparents and children speak exclusively in English,their attitudes about family, the roles of mothersand fathers, their relationships to extended familywill still be highly influenced by the Latino culturerather than the predominant Anglo culture thathas provided the “new” language. Each languagehas its own unique words and concepts that arevirtually untranslatable. (e.g., “gemütlichkeit”“compadre”) Dictionary equivalents often are notvery exact. (e.g., liberty vs. libertad)

Part 2: Taking Action

What follows in Part 3 is a numbered list of somerandom thoughts:

1. Through the means of grace, keep cultivating anattitude of selfless Christian love. Attitude can’t bestressed enough or too often. The gospel’s goal isnot behavior modification, but transformation ofworldview and our whole way of thinking,speaking, and acting. Loving words and actionsflow from a heart that has been filled with the loveof Christ. St. Paul’s description of Christian love in1 Corinthians 13 reminds us:

If I speak in the tongues of men and ofangels, but have not love, I am only aresounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2If Ihave the gift of prophecy and can fathom allmysteries and all knowledge, and if I have afaith that can move mountains, but have notlove, I am nothing. 3If I give all I possess tothe poor and surrender my body to theflames, but have not love, I gain nothing.

We not only want to do the right thing but wewant to do it for the right reason. Cross-culturalwork, like all God-pleasing activity, must be doneout of love for our Savior and for our neighbor asa fruit of our faith, because without faith it isimpossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6).

The transformation to a Christian worldview isnot something that takes place all at once but is alifelong process of the Holy Spirit’s working in usthrough the means of grace. Our attitudes andvalues must be constantly held up to thestandards of Holy Scripture. We mustacknowledge and confess our sins of lovelessthoughts, words and actions. Pastors and teacherscan make pointed applications of both Law andGospel in the area of cross-cultural relationships.Our words and actions might be placing barriersor causing static that makes it difficult for us tocommunicate with those of other cultures.


9 Triandis, Individualism and Collectivism, p.146


2. Every pastor, teacher, and church leader oughtto read, study, understand, and implement, asappropriate, the “Guiding Principles for Cross-Cultural Ministry” (Printed in the 2001 Book ofReports and Memorials, page 53).

3. Congregations should dedicate time and moneyfor pastors, teachers, and church leaders to learncross-cultural skills. Orientation of workers andchurch members is not wasted time or money. Weoften are so intent on witnessing to the gospel thatwe speak too soon when we should still belistening and learning where to apply the Lawand Gospel.

4. Enlist, train, and equip Christians for ministry.This is a good principle to follow for all kinds ofministry, but especially valuable in cross-culturalministry. Because of the barriers andmisunderstandings that exist between people ofdifferent cultures, people of any given culture areoften most effective at communicating with thepeople of their own culture. More than languageis involved. People of the same culture will oftenfind it easier to know or sense when the Law hasdone its work and when the gospel’s comfort andencouragement are in order. People who grew upwith similar life experiences will often find betterexamples and illustrations. People of the sameculture will not make their audienceuncomfortable and put up needless distractionsby using the wrong kind of language, bodylanguage, or gestures. It is not a case of people ofthe same culture being more effective atconverting people. The gospel and the Holy Spiritare universally effective, in all languages andcultures. But we human beings can cause a lot ofdetrimental distractions in the communication ofthat Gospel message.

5. Consider humanitarian aid as a way to buildbridges to the people of other cultures. (English asa Second Language classes; pregnancy counselingcenters; meals for the poor, the elderly;schools/education; orphanages; medical mission;etc.) Preaching of the gospel and making disciplesis the primary mission of the Church, but the NewTestament also contains some very clearadmonitions to Christians, such as Galatians 6:10:“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us dogood to all people, especially to those who belongto the family of believers.”

Doing good is a natural expression of our faith,and does not have to justified or defended becauseit has resulted in an opportunity to witness. It canbe done without any other agenda other than to

show Christian love. Showing love, however, canhave an added benefit: “others will see our goodworks and glorify our Father in heaven,” Jesussaid. When Christians make their faith visible inloving words and actions, the world does notice.It also notices when professing Christians seem tocare only about themselves. Christian love neverconverted anyone; only the Holy Spirit can dothat, through the message of Christ. Christian lovein action, however, does create opportunities tobear witness to the gospel.10

In world mission fields, humanitarian effortsenable missionaries to enter and work incountries that otherwise would be closed. Inmany communities, the humanitarian efforts ofcongregations and schools builds relationshipswith people that can be used to bear witness tothe Gospel, not just once, from stranger tostranger, but on a continuing basis, from friendto friend.

6. Gather and compare the community’sdemographics with congregational membershipand prospect file. Are there people there whomyou have not been seeing or have beenintentionally ignoring? They could be Latinos,Asians, the poor, handicapped (deaf, blind,mentally retarded), AIDS victims, gangmembers, etc.

Conduct ethnographic interviews with the peopleof other cultures who have moved into theneighborhood, or into whose neighborhood youhave moved. Listen carefully and respectfully togain insights into their worldview and theirreligious beliefs.

7. Do SOMETHING. Two major reasons whyChristians are guilty of inaction in evangelismare complacency and fear.

Complacency might come from the mistakenbelief that there is no hell, that everyone, oralmost everyone will be saved, or that almosteveryone in our town or neighborhood is alreadyChristian. Complacency may come from themistaken attitude that “those people” alreadyhave their religion so any witnessing to themwill just be futile and wasted time and energy.Complacency also may be the result of plainold laziness.

Fear may be a personal, self-conscious kind offear that does not want to make mistakes or riskrejection, or it may be a fear of losing the statusquo. Taking new members into the congregationreally calls upon us to die to self to a certainextent. My church is not the same at 500 members


10 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. I Peter 3:15-16


as it was at 50. When a new mission congregationforms its first church council all of the decisionsmay be in the hands of two or three men and theirfamilies. As the congregation grows, fear can setin and people ask: “Why can’t the new peopleaccept the way we do things?” This would beexaggerated in a cross-cultural setting.

In the area of cross-cultural evangelism theremay be another reason for inaction thrown intothe mix: racism or ethnocentrism. Mission workto the African in Africa or to the AfricanAmericans who live in the inner city may be lessthreatening and easier to support than makingefforts to bring black members into my suburbanor small town congregation. People who are verysupportive about WELS mission work in Mexicomay be reluctant to welcome Mexicans into theirhome church.

Let’s welcome people of other races and cultures,not just in small numbers (tokens) that we canassimilate without losing the control that comeswith being the majority. Our desire to remain incontrol over the decision making process maycause us to maintain a positive attitude towardnewcomers only so long as they remain a smallminority or stay in their own congregation,separate from “ours.” Our ethnocentrism maycause us to fear and even exclude new members ofother cultures (either intentionally orsubconsciously) because they have differentpreferences in matters of adiaphora.

All three of these restraining factors (laziness, fear,and racism) can be dealt with again by going backto the Word of God. The Holy Spirit will convictus of our sins and lead us to repent. He will workin us both the willingness and the strength to actin Christian love. Love for God and ‘the other’shows itself in zeal to save the lost and willingnessto remove all those things that might divide thosewho are brothers and sisters in Christ.

8. There is no single plan of action, no magicprogram or solution. In spite of the fact that thereare millions of new immigrants from Mexico,getting to know one of them or hearing about oneindividual or family on the evening news, does notmean that you know them all. Learning about howMexicans are in general does not mean that youknow your individual neighbor. Cross-culturalstudies lead us to make generalizations aboutcertain groups of people and help us to understandthe kinds of influences that people grew up with.This is helpful and necessary. Stereotyping, on theother hand, jumps to conclusions and makesassumptions about individuals.

Don’t stereotype people. Work with all thosepeople whom God has placed in your path. Get toknow them as members of a cultural group. Get to

know them as individuals. Learn also about thestereotypes and the negative and positiveimpressions that people of that culture have aboutyou and the American culture. For the sake of thegospel we can learn to avoid some of the“Americanisms” that are offensive to the people ofthat culture.

9. Thank God and celebrate the successes. Don’tbe suspicious of those who are having success inreaching out to people of other cultures. We wouldhope that all congregations and their leadershipfeel confident that other pastors, teachers, andcongregations will allow them their Christianliberty so that they will not be exposed tojudgmental criticism for changing externals in anattempt to reach out cross-culturally. Let’s allowthe gospel to create its own forms among the newgenerations and cultures that the Holy Spiritgathers in.

Thank God and celebrate the blessings that he hasgiven to our Synod over its 150 year history. Thereis no reason for “German Lutherans” to feelapologetic or guilty for being who they are. TheLord blessed our Synod’s gathering in of theGerman and northern European immigrants. Theytoo should always be made to feel welcome. Butour goal is to build a church whose teachings andpractice are based on Scripture, not whose externalcustoms and traditions are just like the one wegrew up in. We recognize that the pattern ofimmigration has changed. Let us strive to create achurch in which all are allowed to be “the waythey are” (culturally, not sinfully) withoutdemanding that others have to change. HispanicChristians have no right to demand thatChristians from northern Europe change andbecome more emotionally expressive, butChristians with a European heritage have no rightto demand that blacks, Hispanics and Asiansadapt to their way of worship. Let us pray for andwork toward developing a willingness on the partChristians of every culture to step outside theirpersonal comfort zone for the sake of the gospel aswe respect the Christian liberty of one another.

10. Expect and welcome ‘growth pains.’ Inreaching out to people of different cultures it maybe necessary to start with special Bible classes andworship services that are culturally specific,especially when another language is involved.This presents problems with space andscheduling. The long-range goal, however, is tohave congregations where cultural diversity isallowed and even welcomed. Diversity willalways cause a certain amount of tension, butsome tension is not necessarily a bad thing. Thattension keeps us from coasting along withoutevaluating our practices and traditions.



What a wonderful “problem” it would be toexperience such growth that thousands from otherraces and cultures will sing and worship with usnow in our churches and classrooms, before wegather in perfect fellowship and cultural harmonybefore the throne of God in heaven. May Godgrant it for Jesus’ sake. Amen.

Bibliography

All Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible: NewInternational Version, copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by theInternational Bible Society.

Bennett, Milton J. ed., Basic Concepts of InterculturalCommunication: Selected Readings. 1998. InterculturalPress, Yarmouth, ME

DeYoung, Curtis Paul, Reconciliation: Our Greatest Challenge—Our Only Hope. 1997. Judson Press, Valley Forge, PA

Dinnerstein, Leonard, Nichols, Roger L., Reimers, David M.,Natives and Strangers: A Multicultural History of Americans.1996. Oxford University Press, New York & Oxford

Hall, Edward T., Beyond Culture. 1976. Anchor Press /Doubleday

Hiebert, Paul G., Anthropological Insights for Missionaries. 1985.Baker Book House, Grand Rapids, MI

Jandt, Fred E., “Intercultural Communication” 2001. SagePublications Thousand Oaks, CA. London. New Delhi.

Sorum, E. Allen, Change: Mission and Ministry across Cultures.1997. WELS Outreach Resources

Statistical Reports of the WELS for 1990 and for 2000

Triandis, Harry C., Individualism & Collectivism. 1995. WestviewPress, Boulder, CO

Wisconsin Lutheran Quarterly: Spring 1996—“All Things to All Men: Where Is theLimit?” Richard A. KrauseSpring 1999—“A Cry from the City: WELS’ Need toaddress Multicultural Issues” Peter Kruschel



PROCEEDINGS /126 Sermons

Sermons

OPENING SERVICE

Grace and peace be multiplied unto you from Godour Father and from our Lord and Savior JesusChrist.

Text John 9:1-51As he went along, he saw a man blind frombirth. 2His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, whosinned, this man or his parents, that he wasborn blind. 3“Neither this man nor hisparents sinned,” said Jesus, “but thishappened so that the work of God might bedisplayed in his life. 4As long as it is day, wemust do the work of him who sent me. Nightis coming, when no one can work. While Iam in the world, I am the light of the world.”

Dear fellow workers in the kingdom of our lovingFather:

Do we fully realize how richly we, individuallyand collectively, have been blessed by God? Idon’t think so. You see, even we who are childrenof God don’t recall or always recognize all theblessings which God pours out on us. To clarifythis I would like to point out a blessing that wereadily recognize and appreciate. Then I will pointout one we don’t always observe in the same way.

You sit here in the house and the presence of thealmighty God and yet you are not trembling orfearful. How is that possible? The children ofIsrael fled in fear from the foot of Mount Sinai atthe sight of the Lord. You know why you can sithere, even with great joy? Jesus said, “My Fatherworks, I work.” They worked individually andthen collectively to save you. The Father sent theSon. The Son lived, died, rose and ascended.Together they sent the Holy Spirit. The result isthis. You call this your Father’s house. And who isafraid in the home which has a loving Father?Now this is a blessing we readily recognize. Thisis a blessing we depend on and use.

But do you consider these next words from God ablessing, “To whom much has been given, muchshall be required?” Isn’t it true, that these wordsoften move us to worry, what will God require ofme? We wonder, will I be able to do what Godasks? Yet these words should not cause us toworry. They should not affect the joy of oursalvation! What God requires of us has nothing todo with our salvation. That salvation is secure inJesus. What God requires of us is really anotherblessing, the privilege of serving Him. Doing whatGod requires is a way of thanking Him for that

salvation. So doing what God requires shouldeven add to our joy. God doesn’t ask his enemiesto serve Him. According to John15 He asks hisfriends. This ought to assure us even further thatwe are HIS. To understand all this, look at ourtext. In it you can observe the overwhelmingdesire of Jesus to serve his loving Father as Helooked at what was required of Him. And He hadthe greatest task of all! Also consider his owndelight as He tells his disciples then and now, WEMUST DO THE WORK OF OUR FATHER. Jesus issaying that 1. Doing the work of our Father is ajoy because it accomplishes what God hasordained; 2. Secondly it is a joy because Jesus isseen as the light of the world.

As we look at our text we hear Jesus teaching oneof his seminary classes to his disciples. They are inJerusalem. Jesus has just slipped away from theJews because they were going to stone him. Theywanted to kill Him because he had been teachingthem that He is the Son of God and therefore thelight of the world. This seminary class takes placebecause as they walk in Jerusalem they encountera blind man. The disciples ask, why is this manblind. Did his parents sin or did he? And theyreally know according to the O.T. that neither isthe case. Yet, they wonder why is this man blind?They can’t come up with the answer. So ourpatient Lord uses this situation to teach them. Hepoints out to them that there is a specific reasonfor his blindness. He says: “This happened so thatthe work of God might be displayed in his life.”Jesus is saying that God the Father planned thisencounter so that the truth concerning Jesus andthe Gospel might be revealed in this man for allJerusalem to see. And this happens in a two-foldmanner. First, this man becomes a believer afterJesus heals him; those are both works of God;secondly, the former blind man witnesses to thosevery Jews with whom Jesus had been having adialog and who wanted to kill him. He teachesthem that Jesus is the light of the world. In theseimpressive ways the work of God is manifested inthis man.

Now our heavenly Father still lays out before usthe good works we are to do. He is alwaysfaithful. Just as He kept his promise to save usthrough His Son, so he fulfills Ephesians 2:10. “Forwe are God’s workmanship, created in ChristJesus to do good works, which God prepared inadvance for us to do.” He has laid out good worksthat our forefathers and we of the WisconsinSynod have been doing for 150 years. Among themany tasks he laid out for us in the first 50 yearswas that of forming a synod based solidly and


Sermons PROCEEDINGS /127

entirely on the Word of God. In the first 100 yearsthe Lord laid before us the additional tasks ofestablishing a good educational system fromelementary to seminary; also we needed to turn topredominantly English usage and produce thematerials needed in that language. In the last 50years the Lord not only has asked us to continueto do all these works that preceded, but to alsolaunch vigorous home and world missionprograms. These very missions programs revealedanother good work God was laying before us andwhich we are doing today; to produce writtenmaterials in many different languages for use inall the fields at home and abroad.

Yet none of those 150 years were the “good olddays” of the Wisconsin Ev. Lutheran Synod. Youare living the “good old days”. Today theWisconsin Synod is a more mature branch thanever before; it has more experience at producingfruit in more ways; and we are still solidlyconnected to the life giving vine which is Jesus.Thus we are capable of producing in and throughJesus more fruit than ever before.

Our beloved Father in heaven knows this. He isthe one who has given us collectively all theblessings we have had and used. So now it shouldnot be any great surprise that He, requiring muchof us, has laid before us a new task in addition tocontinuing the others of the past. He has broughtthe people of other nations to our doorsteps.Where we have had churches for years, the wholeneighborhood has changed, and there are wholenew groups of people who don’t know Jesus,whom we need to evangelize. This is the new,additional good work God has ordained for us todo. Now we think, man, as if we didn’t haveenough to do. But look at Jesus words in our text.Observe the profound love and desire He has todo the Father’s will. And didn’t He make us Hisbrothers and sisters with His death? Aren’t weGod’s children too? Shouldn’t we have the sameoverpowering desire to do our Father’s will?Doesn’t Jesus include us in his words, We must dothe work of our Father? He does, of course!

No one then should change the truth that Jesusstates, WE MUST DO THE WORK OF THEFATHER. Nor should anyone miss the excitementand joy in Jesus’ words. Jesus states this task withexcitement and joy because he wants his disciplesto overcome any weakness in their flesh. Heconsiders it and He wants his disciples to considerit a great honor and privilege to serve the Father.They are not to refuse to do the obvious work thatGod will lay out for them to do. That would notonly be sinful, but much worse, for Jesus says,“While I’m in the world, I am the light of theworld”. These words mean that, only as long as

his name is proclaimed, that only as long as theGospel story is told, will He be the light to theworld. So if the disciples don’t do the Father’swork, people will go to hell. So He lets them hearwhat their Father is requiring of them so they willsee what an honor and privilege He is givingthem. What better task can there be than servingthe Lord God who wants all men to be saved. Andhe says, you too are going to have this great joy,this honor, this privilege of serving our Father.

The disciples might have been a bit bewildered bythis; perhaps they didn’t even understand it at all.There time to serve had not yet really come. Butwhat about you and me? We have alreadyexperienced the joys of doing our Father’s will.What a joy it is to see a person finally grasp thathe or she is saved by faith in Jesus alone. What ajoy it is to see the children in the classroom allhave their hands raised ready to tell you abouttheir Lord and Savior. What a joy it is to sit in ameeting and talk about the blessings the Lord haspoured out again on us as a congregation, as adistrict, or as a synod.

And what an honor and privilege it is to againserve the Lord now as delegates to thisconvention. May you, as Jesus did, always rejoicein doing God’s will. It won’t be easy. There seemto be at times more questions than answersespecially as we look at the new work the Lordhas laid before us. Yet it will be important becauseyou will be working so that Jesus the Light mightshine to more people. Certain questions whichmust be answered sooner than later are: In whatways can God use us so that the HIS works mightbe displayed in the hearts and lives of the peoplein the changing neighborhoods of ourcongregations? How does God want us to shareand bring to bear on this new work the experiencewe already have? In what ways will God lead usto find and train men from these groups for thevarious ministries? How does God want us totrain them if they don’t know enough English togo through our standard educational system? Andwhat does God want us to do so that we are beable to monitor any education outside the regulartrack so it is of good quality? Finally, in whatways will God enable us to finance this?

Those are difficult questions so let us watch outfor our flesh! Let’s not close our minds to thesematters saying they are too difficult or costly todo! Such a reaction is not an option. It is not anoption because these are the works that our Fatherhas given us to do. Secondly, to close our minds tothese, to say that they can’t be done, is a darknessabout which our text does not speak. That is asinful darkness because it prohibits Jesus frombeing the light of the world. The darkness of our


PROCEEDINGS /128 Sermons

text is a good darkness, it is our death or Christcomes again. Then our work is done. But today itis not done! Today it is our privilege and honor tostill be able to do our Father’s will. We need to dothis work so Jesus will still be seen as the light ofthe world. So many souls still need to receive thatlight! Isn’t it exciting to be asked to do this work?

May God lay before you this week the good worksthat you are to do! May He give you the wisdomrecognize those works you are to do so that youfurther his kingdom in the many ways necessary.But above all, may He fill you with the same greatjoy and delight that Jesus had as He our servedour same loving Father. Amen.

CLOSING SERVICE

August 2, 2001 1 Corinthians 15:56-58

Synod Convention—Michigan Lutheran Seminary

Your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

I. In spite of sin and death.II. Because of Jesus’ victory.III. So give yourselves fully to Jesus’ work. Grace and peace to you from God our Father andthe Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for oursins to rescue us from the present evil age,according to the will of our God and Father, towhom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Text 1 Corinthians 15:56-58

Dear Fellow Forgiven Sinners

Well, what do you think this Thursday evening?Has the convention been everything you thoughtit would be? Are you fired up to present a reportat conference and to encourage others in yourcongregation and your area of the synod to workwhile it is day? Or have the discussions, the reportsand the hard decisions that are part of a synodconvention discouraged you as you look at theamount of work there is to do while it is day?

It’s a wonderful blessing to be doing missionwork in 24 different mission fields. My countshows that that’s in 32 different countries—but theUS State Dept says there are 191 countries in theworld. It’s a wonderful blessing to be 1 of the405,000 Christians in the WELS, but can thatnumber of believers make a difference in thisperverted and dying world of 6,000,000,000sinners? How can we be encouraged to work whileit is day when the amount of work which trulyneeds to be done is absolutely staggering, and wein the WELS are of the quantity and, by nature, ofthe quality of a gob of spit in a swimming pool?

The answer is found in Jesus. We have talked; wedo talk; we will talk about working while it is daybecause our Savior Jesus says to us: As long as it isday, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night iscoming, when no one can work. (Jn 9:4) And thetruth be told, we will not get disheartened norfrustrated nor disappointed when we see theamount of work there is to do NOR will we bediscouraged by how our work seems to begoing—as long as we continue to look at Jesus—because Jesus tells us through his Apostle Paul: 58Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothingmove you. Always give yourselves fully to the work ofthe Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lordis not in vain. As you leave this convention to workwhile it is day, remember:


I. In spite of sin and death.II. Because of Jesus’ victory.III. So give yourselves fully to Jesus’ work.

I.

Our labor (as pastors, as teachers, as staff ministers,as members of congregations, as a synod) should bein vain because WE’RE doing it. Who, after all, areyou to be here, representing the 405,000 Christiansof the WELS; spending over $112,000,000; electingofficers who will serve for 4, 6 maybe 12 or moreyears. You should have this privilege of doing theLord’s work—because of your education; becauseyou’re an officer in your congregation; becauseyou’re an administrator in the synod; because yougot the most votes at a congregational meeting?Absolutely not! You don’t deserve this privilege,any more than I deserve the privilege of standing inthis pulpit and preaching to you.

You’ve offended God during this week ofconvention with your preparations; yourpresentations; your conversations; and yourdecisions—because none of them has beenperfect. Every one of them has been corruptedby your sin. We all deserve God’s punishment ofdeath for the imperfect way we’ve served ourSavior during this week of convention.

Because of those sins, all our other sins, and ournatural sinfulness God’s law condemns us todeath and that death has a sting to it because it’snot just the end of earthly life but an eternity ofsuffering in hell, just as God says: 56 the sting ofdeath is sin, and the power of sin is the law. BUT ourlabor in the Lord is not in vain, in spite of our sin.Why not?

II.

There’s only one reason: 57 But thanks be to God!He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.


Sermons PROCEEDINGS /129

Your labor in the Lord is not in vain, because ofJesus’ victory.

Except for Enoch and Elijah, every human beinghas lost his struggle against death. We will, too.The only reason we appear to have won our battlewith death is that not enough time has passed. Ifthe world stands long enough, we will all die,too—because we’re all sinners. Death yields to noone—except to our Savior God—Jesus, the God-man. Death yields to Jesus because Jesus hasremoved and paid for sin: our sin, the world’s sin.

So, we can look back and to the extent that we arehonest and accurate we will say that our serviceand our decisions and even our worship this weekhave been imperfect, flawed and corrupted by oursin, But thanks be to God! He gives us the victorythrough our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus has taken careof those sins. Continuously, by a grand act of hisgrace, Jesus GIVES us his victory. For the billionsof people who are alive today; for the all thepeople who have preceded us in death; foreveryone who will come after us, Jesus has lived;Jesus has been punished; and Jesus has died. ThenJesus conquered death. He rose from the dead. Wedon’t have any sins any more because Jesus hastaken all of them away.

Now, the almighty, all-seeing Lord of heaven andearth from whom nothing is hidden and beforewhom everything is open and laid bare looks atyou and your life this convention week. Heweighs your thoughts, examines your decisionsand he sees no sin. They’ve all been taken awayby Jesus, covered by the blood of Christ and yourproof is nothing. Nothing on the cross andnothing in the tomb.

Earlier this year, one of our preschool teachers inSouthwestern Michigan was teaching children thisgood news about Jesus. After hearing for the 1st

time about Jesus’ work as our Savior with hissinless life; his punishment for our sins and hisdeath—the teacher told those little children thatJesus came out of his grave ALIVE. One little girllooked at her teacher and said: Wow, they’re goingto be talking about that for a long time. She was right!We still are talking about that today!

What can we say as we talk? We can say thatbecause of Jesus’ victory we have a victory. God’slaw cannot condemn us. Death has lost its sting.Heaven is already our home—and we’re still here.Jesus leaves us here on earth so that we (who byGod’s grace have heard and do believe) can talkabout Jesus’ victory for a long time: to each other;to our brothers in Latvia and Ukraine and Nigeria;to everyone whose path God crosses with ours.But there’s so much to do, and we’re so few. Canwe really make a difference?

III.

Our Savior says so. He says: 58 Therefore, my dearbrothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Alwaysgive yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, becauseyou know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.You’re one person. We’re not quite 400 delegates.We’ve got 405,000 brothers and sisters in Christ inthe WELS. Do you really think you can make adifference in a world of 6,000,000,000 people?Pornography, drug abuse, adultery, paganism, arejection of God’s word among those who claim tobe Christians, our own sinful flesh, the devil andall his evil angels—all kinds of enemies fightagainst us every day. Do you really think we evenhave a chance in this war?

I believe God’s answer is: Don’t look atyourselves. Don’t look at your enemies. Look atmy Son’s empty cross. Look into my Son’s emptytomb. Stand firm. Hang on to my law. Take thoseclear words of judgment and condemnation toheart and, in love, speak them to your fellowsinners. Hang on to the good news that in loveGod sent his Son Jesus to take away the sins of allpeople. Take those clear words of forgiveness andlife to heart and, in love, speak them to yourfellow sinners.

In other words: Give yourselves fully to the work ofthe Lord. Faithfully preach and teach God’s lawand gospel. What will happen? How many willbelieve? How big will your congregation become?How large will our synod grow? Into how manymore countries will we be able to take the gospel?That’s none of your business. Give yourselves fullyto the work of the Lord. He will work faith whenand where it pleases him using the good newsabout Jesus.

God will use the good news that in love he sentJesus to take away the sins of all people tostrengthen us and our families; to grow hischurch; to gather his people. And if you don’t seeresults (or as many or the kind that you want)that’s OK. Jesus still says: Your labor in the Lord isnot in vain.

Work while it is day. The night IS coming when noone can work. As you work, remember:


I. In spite of sin and death.II. Because of Jesus’ victory.III. So give yourselves fully to Jesus’ work. God bless your work.

Amen.

John C Seifert


PROCEEDINGS /130 Minutes

Minutes

56TH BIENNIAL CONVENTIONOF THE

WISCONSIN EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN SYNOD

ASSEMBLED ATMICHIGAN LUTHERAN SEMINARY,

SAGINAW, MICHIGANJULY 30–AUGUST 3, 2001

Monday morning July 30, 2001

The 9 A.M. convention opening service was held atSt. Paul’s Ev. Lutheran Church in Saginaw, MI.Serving as worship leader was Rev. Carl Otto,with Rev. Roger Sprain delivering the sermonbased on John 9:1-5 under the theme "We Must Dothe Work of Our Father". The festive service wasenhanced with the assistance of Teacher BrentNolte at the organ, a choir under the direction ofMrs. Becky Berg, a handbell choir directed by Mrs.Pat Johnson, and the Wisconsin Lutheran CollegeBrass Ensemble under the direction of PatriciaBackhaus. Assisting with the distribution of theLord’s Supper were members of the MLS faculty.

At 11:03 A.M. Pres. Karl Gurgel called to order the56th biennial convention of the WisconsinEvangelical Lutheran Synod. Pres. Gurgel thencalled for the presentation of the flags by ladiesrepresenting the Lutheran Women’s MissionarySociety as narrated by Mrs. Lanita Nolte.

The chair recognized ELS President GeorgeOrvick, Pres. Gundars Bakulis from the LatvianLutheran Church, and Rev. Yuriy Fizer from theUkrainian Lutheran Church.

Pres. Paul Prange officially welcomed thedelegates to Michigan Lutheran Seminary.Convention coordinator Marcus Manthey alsoaddressed the delegates.

VPMM Richard Lauersdorf made anannouncement to the convention that after 42years in the ministry, of which 34 have been ineither part-time or full-time work for WELS, and17 conventions, he has reached the decision toretire from the active ministry. He also introducedhis wife, Charlene.

Committee #7 on Credentials and Excusesreported through its chairman, Rev. Paul Reede,that a total of 421 delegates have registered todate, including 366 voting delegates, 55 advisorydelegates, and 4 special guests.

Rev. Gary Baumler, media director, requested thatall media contacts concerning the convention

come through Communication ServicesCommission.

The chairman of the elections committee, Rev.John Sprain, read an informational sheetconcerning the election of the first vice president.President Gurgel gave a further explanation ofprocedures leading up to the election of the firstvice-president.

Following various announcements, the sessionwas closed with prayer by President Gurgel at11:48 A.M.

Douglas Bode, secretary

Monday afternoonJuly 30, 2001

Following floor committee meetings, the 2 P.M.session opened with a devotion led by Rev.Thomas Haar, based on Colossians 3:23-24 andhighlighting the fact it is the Lord’s work that wedo. Included in the devotion was a vocal group’srendering of ‘Work While It Is Day’, along with theassembly singing ‘With the Lord Begin Your Task’.

The minutes of the morning session were read andadopted.

President Karl Gurgel delivered his media-assistedpresident’s report. A printed report wasdistributed afterward.

Synodical Council member Ron Rathke thenpresented a report from the Synodical Council.

SC member Bill Gabb and chairman of its HumanResources Committee gave a report on thecompensation issue. Via a visual presentation hereported particularly on the need aspect for theproposal, the expectations, and theimplementation of the proposal.

Elections Committee chairman John Sprain calledfor nominations for the position of synod firstvice-president. He then declared the nominatingballot closed.

Following announcements Rev. Bruce Beckerwas given the floor for his Bible study,‘Individualizing Spiritual Growth’. He introducedthe segment entitled ‘Turning My PersonalPerspective Upside Down’.

The session concluded at 5 P.M. followingindividual committee attention to the Bible study.


Tuesday morningJuly 31, 2001

The 8:30 A.M. opening devotion was conducted byChaplain Joel Jaeger. ‘The Day Won’t Last Forever’


Minutes PROCEEDINGS /131

was the emphasis of his devotion, based on 1Thessalonians 4:17–5:5. The devotion included thesinging of the hymn ‘O Christians, Haste’.

Minutes of the Monday afternoon session wereread and adopted.

Rev. Bruce Becker was given the floor tointroduce the second portion of the Bible study,‘Individualizing Spiritual Growth’. This portion isentitled, ‘Turning My Family’s Perspective UpsideDown’. Following the introduction the assemblywas dismissed for individual committee study.

The plenary session resumed at 10:15 A.M.when ELS President George Orvick was giventhe opportunity to address the convention. Hegave a short history of the Evangelical LutheranSynod and its Norwegian background and spokeof the long span of fellowship and blessings thatWELS and ELS have enjoyed in working togetherin faith.

Mr. Eugene Ludwick, the new Executive Directorof Support Services, was recognized prior to apresentation and panel discussion on the‘Forward in Christ’ thankoffering as moderated byRev. Ron Roth, CCFS administrator. Rev. Rothreported the receipt of nearly $3 million inundesignated gifts, another $2 million for missionprojects, about $3 million for the MLC chapelproject, plus another $1.5 million in anticipatedgifts—already over $9 million in tangible fruits offaith. Numerous congregational and areaLutheran high school building projects,congregational daughtering efforts, etc. have alsobeen forthcoming out of the FIC efforts. Panelmembers who offered their comments andexperiences with FIC and itsstewardship/outreach emphasis were: Pastor RonMuetzel, Mr. Eugene Ludwick, Mr. Paul Wirth,and Mr. Keith Detro.

Chairman Lauersdorf introduced Rev. Ken Gast,chairman of the Board for Home Missions.Speaking about a compassion for the lost and ajoy for the return of the lost, he talked aboutstrategy benchmarks for reaching out cross-culturally with the Gospel, especially among theHmong and Hispanic peoples. Mr. RogerHarmann spoke about the outreach efforts at St.Thomas Lutheran Church in Phoenix, AZ. Mr.Keith Detro related some of the mission activitiesand challenges among the Vietnamese and theMormons in Boise, ID. Coming from closer to theheartland of WELS was Mr. David Falck, whospoke of Hmong outreach work in Appleton, WI.Mr. Melvin Schuler, the new associateadministrator for the Board for Home Missions,was introduced to the convention to give somecomments on his new position.

President Gurgel announced a dilemma for theelection of the first vice-president in that four ofthe five top nominees have declined nomination.The motion carried that another nominating ballotbe taken. It was then announced that Pastors JonMahnke, James Huebner, Paul Janke, and HerbertPrahl have all declined nomination while PastorWayne Mueller has accepted nomination.Elections Committee chairman John Sprainconducted the nominating ballot and declared theballot closed.

Announcements were given prior to ChaplainJoel Jaeger’s closing the session with prayer at12:07 P.M.


Tuesday afternoonJuly 31, 2001

Subsequent to floor committee meetings, theafternoon session opened at 2 P.M. with a devotionconducted by Chaplain Guy Marquardt. ‘WorkWherever the Lord Leads’ was the focus, based onActs 14:26-27. The devotion concluded with thehymn ‘Send Forth, O Lord, to Every Place’.

Minutes of the Tuesday morning session wereadopted.

Committee #15 on Constitutional Mattersreported through its chairman, Teacher DonHelwig, with the following action:


Resolution # 1ADOPTED AS AMENDED

The chair introduced Prof. Armin Panning,president of the Confessional Ev. LutheranConference. He gave a report on the description,history, purpose, and program of the CELC. Henoted the widespread diversity of the current staffof this fledgling organization and closed his reportwith various acknowledgments.

Rev. Donald Sutton, chairman of the Board forMinisterial Education, was introduced to theconvention to report on the accomplishmentsas well as the challenges and changes experiencedby his board. He in turn introduced the presidentsof the various ministerial education schools toreport on their respective institutions: DavidValleskey (Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary), TedOlsen (Martin Luther College), Mark Schroeder(Luther Preparatory School), and Paul Prange(Michigan Lutheran Seminary). BMEAdministrator Peter Kruschel reported brieflyon the activities of his office.

Prof. Mark Goeglein was introduced to presentthe convention essay entitled ‘Prerequisites forCross-Cultural Work’. The convention gratefully



received his essay with an enthusiastic roundof applause.

Various announcements were given beforeChaplain Marquardt concluded the session withprayer at 4:55 P.M.


Wednesday morningAugust 1, 2001

Chaplain Douglas Priestap conducted the 8:30 A.M.opening devotion by focusing on the practice ofprayer to ‘Ask the Lord for More Workers’. Thedevotion concluded with the singing of the hymn‘Lord Jesus, You Have Come’.

Minutes of the Tuesday afternoon session wereread and adopted.

Missionary Lawrence Retberg was introduced tospeak to the convention and to read a letter ofgreeting from the president of the LutheranChurch of Cuba.

A further nomination ballot for the position ofthe synod vice president is needed. A motioncarried that this be the last nominating ballot andthat its results be accepted as final. A listing ofthose who have in prior ballots accepted anddeclined nomination was provided. ElectionsCommittee Chairman Sprain declared thenominating ballot closed.

Pastor Bruce Becker introduced the next portion ofthe Bible study, ‘Individualizing Spiritual Growth’,which is entitled ‘Turning My Congregation’sPerspective Upside Down’. The convention turnedto individual committee Bible study.

Following the break, the secretary read a letter ofgreetings from Japan missionary Kermit Habben,chairman of the Lutheran Evangelical ChristianChurch.

Rev. Martin Spaude, chairman of Floor Committee#2 on Inter-Church Relations, reported for hiscommittee.

Subject: Commission Personnel

Resolution #1 ADOPTED

Subject: Formal Fellowship with theConfessional Lutheran Church inLatvia

Resolution #2 ADOPTED (with a rising andresounding ‘Yes!’)

Subject: Formal Fellowship with the UkrainianLutheran Church

Resolution #3 ADOPTED (with another rising andresounding ‘Yes!’)

Subject: Formal Fellowship with the All SaintsLutheran Church of Nigeria

Resolution #4 ADOPTED (with a final rising andresounding ‘Yes!’)

President Gurgel then invited the representativesof the Latvian and Ukrainian Lutheran Churchesto the podium. He gave President GundarsBakulis of the Confessional Lutheran Church inLatvia and Rev. Yuriy Fizer of the UkrainianLutheran Church the opportunity to address theconvention. Both expressed thankfulness and joyat the newly declared fellowship. Rev. Fizer alsoread a letter of acknowledgment and thanks fromthe bishop of the Ukrainian Lutheran Church. Mr.Kermit Traska, director of Thoughts of Faith, alsoaddressed the convention on behalf of hisorganization.

In demonstration of the mutual concern andsharing with our new brothers and sisters in faith,Prof. William Zeiger, chairman of Committee #13on Resolutions, brought the first resolution of hiscommittee

Subject: Convention Offering


As a final token of appreciation for the newlyestablished fellowship, Pres. Gurgel presentedgifts to Pres. Bakulis and Rev. Fizer. As a finalexpression of the unity of faith we enjoy, theconvention joined in singing several verses of ‘WeAll Are One in Mission’.

Rev. Philip Koelpin, chairman of the Board forWorld Missions, was introduced to the conventionto speak of people all over the world who don’tknow Jesus and don’t have his message ofsalvation. He introduced Rev. Dan Koelpin,administrator of the Board for World Missions,who spoke of how fitting and urgent theconvention theme ‘Work While It Is Day’ is for theBoard for World Missions in its strategies andlabors to spread the saving Word worldwide.

The BWM chairman acknowledged the presenceof the following world missionaries: GuyMarquardt (Brazil), Wayne Oblender (Russia),Mark Rieke (Africa), Larry Schlomer (DominicanRepublic), and Arno Wolfgramm (recentlyreturned from Bulgaria).

Chairman Mahnke brought to the podium TeacherJohn Micheel, chairman of Committee #3 on thePresident’s Report.

Subject: Membership

Resolution #1 ADOPTED AS AMENDED

Subject: Membership


Rev. Martin Spaude reported once more fromCommittee #2 on Inter-Church Relations.



Subject: Rejoicing in Fellowship


Chairman John Sprain of Committee #3 onElections called for nominations for the position ofWELS recording secretary. He then declared thenominating ballot closed.

After announcements, Chaplain Priestap closedthe session with prayer at 11:40 P.M.


Wednesday afternoonAugust 1, 2001

The 1:30 P.M. session opened with a devotionconducted by Chaplain Mark Rieke. On the basisof Philippians 2:19-23, he underscored the themethat ‘The Lord Will Provide Workers’ with a heartfor ministry. The devotion closed with the hymn‘On Galilee’s High Mountain’.

Minutes of the Wednesday morning session wereread and adopted.

The Elections Committee chairman, Rev. JohnSprain, presented the election ballot for recordingsecretary, consisting of the following: Rev. DavidBeckman, Teacher John Freese, Teacher StevenLemke, Rev. Robert Pasbrig, and Rev. RogerZehms. The election ballot was declared closed.

Chairman Lauersdorf introduced Rev. WayneBorgwardt to give the final report for Tel TechTask Force I. He traced the history of the programand reported its progress and accomplishments.The Synodical Council has called for a revampedtask force to reflect changing circumstances, withTask Force II scheduled soon to begin a two-yearstint of service.

The chair introduced Rev. John Braun to give areport for the Northwestern Publishing House. Heshared some of the concerns and joys of NPH,including the improvement of the quality of theproducts produced, attempting to create andfoster partnerships with other entities in thesynod, and the development of new products.

The elections committee reported the need for arun-off ballot for the position of synod recordingsecretary. Rev. David Beckman, Teacher StevenLemke, Rev. Robert Pasbrig, and Rev. RogerZehms are on the ballot. The elections ballot wasdeclared closed.

Teacher Steven Lemke reported for Committee #9on Home Missions.

Subject: Home Missions

Various comments and suggestions were offeredfollowing the reading of the report.

Mr. Thomas Hansen reported as chairman ofCommittee #10 on World Missions.

Subject: East Fork Lutheran High School

The report was followed by discussion.

Subject: World Mission Blessings


Subject: Cameroon Mission


Subject: Central Africa Medical MissionCommittee (CAMMC)


Subject: Progressing Toward Indigeneity


Subject: Restructuring of Administration


Chairman Lauersdorf called on Rev. ThomasZarling, chairman of the Board for Parish Services,to give the BPS report. Dr. Dan Schmelingcontinued the report by zeroing in on theCommission for Parish Schools (CPS), speakingparticularly about efforts to help congregationswhose members are interested in home schooling.He also covered other functions and activities ofhis office. BPS Administrator Wayne Muellerspoke of other aspects covered by the board,including youth discipleship. CAD AdministratorBruce Becker spoke of the responsibilities,activities, and plans of the Commission on AdultDiscipleship. Rev. Zarling continued with a reporton the activities of the Special Ministries. Changesin the focus and activities in Parish Services asrelated by Administrator Wayne Mueller finishedthe update from the BPS.

Chairman Sprain of the Elections Committeereported that a third election ballot for recordingsecretary is necessary. The ballot consists ofTeacher Steven Lemke and Rev. Robert Pasbrig.The election ballot was declared closed.

Floor Committee #6 on Administrative Servicesreported through its chairman, Teacher JamesSievert.

Subject: Communication Services Commission


Subject: Report of the Publication CoordinatingCommission

Resolution #2ADOPTED

Subject: Report of the Committee on Relief


Subject: Report of the Support Committee


Subject: Memorial 2001-01 New PensionBenefit Formula




Rev. Mark Rieke, chairman of Committee #4 onConference of Presidents, was called on to readthe committee’s resolution on the ordination ofmale teachers and staff ministers.

Chairman Gurgel called on the chairman ofCommittee # 8—Parish Services, Mr. JeromeBentz, to read the report of his committee.Following comments on various aspects of parishservices, the following resolutions were presented:

Subject: Mentoring Program for New Principals


Subject: Military Services Committee


Elections Committee Chairman Sprain announcedthat Teacher Steven Lemke has been elected asWELS recording secretary.

An election ballot was cast for the position of firstvice-president with the following names on theballot: Rev. Douglas Engelbrecht, Rev. John Guse,Rev. Peter Kruschel, and Rev. Wayne Mueller. Theelection ballot was declared closed.

Following announcements, Chaplain Rieke closedthe session with prayer at 4:46 P.M.


Wednesday eveningAugust 1, 2001

The evening session started at 6:30 P.M. with adevotion conducted by Chaplain Larry M.Schlomer. On the basis of 2 Timothy 2:1-3 hereminded the assembly to ‘Ask for Strength to Dothe Work’. The devotion concluded with thesinging of the hymn ‘Onward Christian Soldiers’.

The reading of the minutes was postponed untiltomorrow morning’s session.

The Elections Committee presented a secondballot for the first vice-president, consisting of Rev.Douglas Engelbrecht, Rev. John Guse, and Rev.Wayne Mueller. Chairman John Sprain thendeclared the election ballot closed.

PNW District President Warren Widmann wasgiven the floor to make a presentation on the ‘Seekand Keep’ program, tracing the history, purpose,philosophy, structure, and examples of theoutreach opportunity grant program.

Pres. Gurgel called to the podium Rev. KeithKruck, chairman of Committee #12—SynodicalCouncil, to present the committee’s report.

Subject: Capital Funding Prioritized List

This report was followed by various commentsand discussion.

Motion was made and carried that this conventionratify the action taken to fund the capital projects

for a dorm addition completed at LPS and theproposed dormitory acquisition at MLC and that astudy of funding capital projects be undertakenprior to the next synod convention.

Subject: Synodical District Alignment


Subject: Borrowed Money Limits


Subject: Seek & Keep Grants


Subject: Church Body Name Change

Resolution #4 DEFEATED

Rev. John Sprain reported that Rev. Wayne Muellerhas been elected as the first vice-president of theWELS.

Layman Edgar Zobel read a statement on asituation and arrangement in his homecongregation for helping them to daughter a newcongregation.

Announcements and reminders were followedwith a closing prayer by Chaplain Schlomer at8:42 P.M.


Thursday morningAugust 2, 2001

Chaplain Arno Wolfgramm conducted the 8:30a.m devotion. On the basis of Hebrews 6:10-12, heunderscored for the delegates the fact that ‘TheWork is Worth the Effort’. The singing of thehymn, ‘Awake, O Spirit, Who Inspired’, concludedthe devotion.

Minutes of the Wednesday afternoon and eveningsessions were read and adopted.

If anyone wishes to do so, Chairman Gurgelgave directions for sending further monetarygifts to the new churches with whom we haveestablished fellowship.

Before giving the final introduction to the Biblestudy, Rev. Bruce Becker was given a rising voteof thanks for his efforts. ‘Turning My Synod’sPerspective Upside Down’ is the final segment ofthe study ‘Individualizing Spiritual Growth’. Theindividual committee Bible study followed.

Back in plenary session, Committee #1 onElections Chairman John Sprain called attentionto Ballot A, the election ballot for chairmanpositions. Further nominations were called forthe positions of Board for Parish Serviceschairman, Commission on Evangelism chairman,Commission on Parish Schools chairman, Boardfor Ministerial Education chairman, Board ofAppeals chairman, Luther Preparatory School



Board of Control chairman, and MichiganLutheran Seminary Board of Control chairman.With no additional nominations from the floor,delegates were then instructed to complete BallotA. The election ballot was declared closed.

Chairman Mark Rieke presented the report ofFloor Committee #4—Conference of Presidents.

Subject: Forward in Christ


Subject: Christian Stewardship


Subject: Ordination of Male Teachers and StaffMinisters

Resolution #3 Following the question beingcalled, the motion was ADOPTEDAS AMENDED.

Subject: Commissioning of Male Teachers,Female Teachers, Male Staff Ministersand Female Staff Ministers


The elections committee presented a second ballotfor the positions of the chairmanship of the Boardof Appeals and the MLS Board of Control. Nameson the ballot were John Brug and Paul Prange forthe Board of Appeals and George Ferch and AloisSchmitzer III for the MLS Board. The electionballot was declared closed.

Chairman Keith Kruck of Committee #12—Synodical Council came forward to present moreof the committee’s report.

Subject: 2001-2003 Budgetary Dollars


Subject: 2001-2003 Recommended Budget


Committee #5—Ministerial Education ChairmanKen Kratz read Resolutions #3 and #4 of hiscommittee’s report.

The session was closed with prayer by ChaplainWolfgramm at 12:05 P.M.


Thursday afternoonAugust 2, 2001

1:15 P.M. was the session starting time, withChaplain Wayne Oblender leading the devotion.Using the well-known promises of God recordedin Isaiah 55:10-11, the certainty was emphasizedthat ‘The Lord Will Bless Your Work’. Thedevotion closed with the singing of the hymn,‘Lord of the Living Harvest’.

Minutes of the Thursday morning session wereread and approved.

Chairman John Sprain of Committee #1—Elections presented Ballot B, World Missionspositions. Further nominations were entertainedfor the positions of Board for World Missions—member-at-large layman, Latin AmericanMissions AC pastor and teacher positions, NativeAmerican Missions AC pastor and layman,African Missions AC pastor and layman, Japan-Europe-Asia Missions AC pastor and teacher, andSoutheast Asia Missions AC pastor. The names ofRev. Snowden Sims and Rev. Daniel Falck wereadded to the ballots of the Native AmericanMissions AC pastor and Southeast Asia MissionsAC pastor, respectively. The delegates were thendirected to go ahead and vote for all positions onBallot B, with the election ballot subsequentlydeclared closed.

Committee #5—Ministerial Education reportedthrough its chairman, Rev. Ken Kratz.

Subject: Thanksgiving


Subject: Ministerial Education


Subject: Cross-Teaching at MLC


Subject: Ministerial Education CurriculumCommittee Report An amendment to the motion, thatthe convention action be reviewedin 4 and again in 8 years, wasdefeated.

Resolution #4 Following the adoption of havingthe question called and theadoption of the resolution, adivision of the house was called for.The results showed 245 for and 64against, with the resolutionADOPTED.

Chairman Keith Kruck of Committee #12—Synodical Council presented the followingresolutions:

Subject: Impact of Tuition on Synodical Budget


Subject: Requests Prioritized but Not Funded


Teacher Don Helwig, chairman of Committee#15—Constitutional Matters reported for hiscommittee.





Subject: Memorial 2001-12, CommunicationsServices Commission


Subject: Section 3.40(f), Nominating Committee


Subject: Section 4.70, Committee on Relief


Subject: Section 6.64(d), Commission onEvangelism


Subject: Section 6.20, World Missionaries


Subject: Constitution for the Districts, ArticleXVIII, Nominating Committee


Subject: Section 6.44(d), Governing Board


Subject: Committee on Constitutional Matters


Subject: Section 4.70 (a) (4-6), Committee onConstitutional Matters, ExecutiveCommittee Responsibilities


Subject: Section 4.70(a) (4), CommitteeAuthority


Subject: Increase in Size of the Martin LutherCollege Governing Board

Resolution #12 An amendment to the motion, thatthe appropriate district president(instead of the synod president) fillvacancies on the governing board,was declared adopted (189 for, 148against). A motion to amend sections 4b and3b, that the appropriate districtpresident (instead of the synodpresident) fill vacancies on thegoverning board, was adopted.[A motion that this change beconsidered an insignificant changewas adopted.]

Resolution #12 ADOPTED AS AMENDED (byrequired vote)

Following the steering committee’s explanation ofscheduling difficulties, the motion was lost thatwe proceed with the convention as originallyscheduled. The convention will continue untilfinished on Thursday evening.

Mr. John Peterman, chairman of Committee #11—Special Reports, reported.


Resolution #1 (in discussion)

Following announcements for an evening session,supper, etc., Chaplain Oblender closed the sessionwith prayer at 5:12 P.M.


Thursday eveningAugust 2, 2001

Pres. Gurgel opened the 6:30 P.M. evening sessionwith a brief devotion based on 1 Thessalonians1:2,3.

Minutes of the afternoon session were read andapproved as amended.

Chairman John Sprain from the ElectionsCommittee presented Ballot C. Furthernominations were entertained for the variouspositions of pastors, teachers, and laymen on theBoard of Appeals. With no further nominationsfrom the floor, delegates were instructed tocomplete the ballot. The committee also presentedBallot D—various offices. Additional nominationswere sought for Synodical Council—Member-at-Large Teacher, Board for Ministerial EducationArea Lutheran High School representative, Boardfor Ministerial Education layman, NorthwesternPublishing House Board of Directors (pastor, MLCprofessor, and layman), and Board for ParishServices Member-at-Large teacher. No furthernominations were received, and the delegateswere told to fill out Ballot D. Both election ballotswere declared closed.

Committee #11—Special Reports as representedby its chairman, Mr. John Peterman, continued itsreport with further discussion.


Resolution #1 Amendment: A further Resolved e)was offered: While thiscompensation package appliesdirectly to workers called by theWELS, other calling bodies in oursynod are encouraged to use at leastthese amounts as a guideline forcompensating their called workers.Resolved e) will become Resolvedf). The amendment was adopted.

An amendment to delete d.2 onequitable allowance was defeated.



A substitute wording for Resolvedd.10 was accepted by thecommittee: The ministerialeducation schools (MLC, WLS) willoffer instruction in personal moneymanagement and will providecurrent tax information that willassist future called workers; and beit finally . . .

Amendment: c.8 that theimplementation of thiscompensation package be phased inover 5 years was lost.

Motion was moved and carried toclose debate.


Rev. Paul Reede, chairman of Committee #7—Credentials and Excuses, presented its report. Thecommittee’s report was ADOPTED.

Committee #13—Resolutions presented its reportthrough its chairman, Teacher William Zeiger.

Subject: Offerings of the Convention


Subject: Expressions of Gratitude


Subject: 2003 Wisconsin Evangelical LutheranSynod Convention


Subject: Recognition of Service to the Synod


Committee #1—Elections presented a secondballot on Ballot B for Board for World Missionspositions. The Native American Missions AC—Pastor ballot consists of: William Kessel, DonaldPatterson, and Snowden Sims. The Japan—Europe—Asia AC—Pastor consists of: DavidBeckman and Richard Krause. The Japan—Europe—Asia AC—Teacher ballot consists ofThomas Hunter and Scott Uecker. The electionsballot was declared closed.

Having received a visual report earlier fromMissionary Larry M. Schlomer on his workin Dominican Republic, the convention wasprivileged to hear and see Missionary GuyMarquardt’s report on his work in Brazil.Missionary Wayne Oblender gave somepictorial insights into the work being done inNovosibirsk, Russia.

Chairman John Sprain announced a run-off BallotC on Board of Appeals positions. Names on theballot were David Rosenow and John Vieths(pastor—6 years), Robert Gurgel and Paul Stern(pastor—4 years), Edwin Fredrich and John

Koelpin (pastor—2 years), David Brohn and PhilipLeyrer (teacher—6 years), Karl Grebe and KeithHeinze (teacher—4 years), Alan Draeger andLarry Klukas (teacher—2 years), Kurt Austad andFred Lautz (layman—6 years), David Nommensonand Peter Schaller (layman—4 years), and JamesBerger and Dale Wierschke (layman—2 years).The ballot was declared closed. A run-off Ballot Bfor BWM Native American Missions AC pastor(William Kessel and Snowden Sims) and a run-offBallot D on various offices were also announced.On the latter ballot were the following: Board forMinisterial Education—Area Lutheran HighSchool representative: Merlyn Kruse and RandallWestphal; Northwestern Publishing House Boardof Directors—pastor: Kenneth Gawrisch and FredToppe; Northwestern Publishing House Board ofDirectors—MLC professor: Kenneth Cherney, Jr.and Joel Fredrich; and Northwestern PublishingHouse Board of Directors—layman: DanielMaciejczak and William Strutz. The ballot wasdeclared closed.

Media Director Gary Baumler handed out anews release and clarified some information onthe release.

Missionary Mark Rieke spoke briefly aboutmission work in Malawi, Africa. Missionary ArnoWolfgramm, recently returned from Bulgariafollowed him with a short report.

The convention closing service was held in theMLS chapel. Michigan District President JohnSeifert delivered the message ‘Your Labor in theLord Is Not in Vain’, based on 1 Corinthians 15:56-58. MLS President Paul Prange served as worshipleader, Prof. Leonard Proeber served as organist,Prof. Rebecca Berg directed the choir, and Rev.Richard Scheibe was the soloist.

Following the service, Elections CommitteeChairman John Sprain presented the final reportof his committee.

Subject: Elections

1st Vice President of WELS—Rev. Wayne Mueller

Secretary of WELS—Teacher Steven Lemke

Board for Parish Services, ChairmanRev. Thomas Zarling

Commission on Evangelism, ChairmanRev. James Huebner

Commission on Parish Schools, ChairmanTeacher Daniel Schmal

Board For Ministerial Education, ChairmanRev. Donald Sutton

Board of Appeals, Chairman—Rev. John Brug

LPS Board of Control, ChairmanRev. Dennis Hayes


MLS Board of Control, ChairmanRev. George Ferch

Board for World Missions, at-large Member(Layman)—Glenn Wilson

Administrative Committee-Latin AmericanMissions-Pastor—Jon Buchholz

Administrative Committee-Latin AmericanMissions-Teacher—Ray Dusseau

Administrative Committee-Native AmericanMissions-Pastor—Snowden Sims

Administrative Committee-Native AmericanMissions-Layman—Roy Schneider

Administrative Committee-African Missions-Pastor—David Sternhagen

Administrative Committee-African Missions-Layman—Donald Niemann

Administrative Committee-Japan, Europe, Asia-Pastor—David Beckman

Administrative Committee-Japan, Europe, Asia-Teacher—Scott Uecker

Administrative Committee-Southeast Asia-PastorDavid Priebe

Board of Appeals-Pastor (6 years)David Rosenow

Board of Appeals-Pastor (4 years)—Robert Gurgel

Board of Appeals-Pastor (2 years)Edwin Fredrich

Board of Appeals-Teacher (6 years)—Philip Leyrer

Board of Appeals-Teacher (4 years)—Karl Grebe

Board of Appeals-Teacher (2 years)—Alan Draeger

Board of Appeals-Layman (6 years)—Kurt Austad

Board of Appeals-Layman (4 years)David Nommenson

Board of Appeals-Layman (2 years)Dale Wierschke

Synodical Council, Member at Large-TeacherJohn Freese

Board for Ministerial Education, Area LutheranHigh School Rep.—Merlyn Kruse

Board for Ministerial Education, LaymanR. Bowin Loftin

Northwestern Publishing House, Board ofDirectors-Pastor—Kenneth Gawrisch

Northwestern Publishing House, Board ofDirectors-MLC Professor—Joel Fredrich

Northwestern Publishing House, Board ofDirectors-Layman—William Strutz

Board for Parish Services, Member at Large-Teacher—Thomas Koepsell


Announcements were made by ConventionCoordinator Marcus Manthey, together withacknowledgments of the invaluable service givenby Betty Bertschy and Barb Manthey. They wereall given a round of applause.

The convention was adjourned following the lastreport. Pres. Gurgel presented gifts of appreciationto departing Secretary Doug Bode and VPMM andMrs. Richard Lauersdorf.


[These minutes were approved by President KarlGurgel on Friday, August 03, 2001.]



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