Delegates at this year’s synod convention, held July 21–24 at Martin Luther College, New Ulm, Minn., gave a nod to the past while making a stride into the future.

The convention’s theme, “Christ through us,” put it all into perspective, according to WELS President Mark Schroeder in the opening of his President’s Report: “This year marks 175 years of God’s grace to our Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod. And while there may be a temptation on an anniversary such as this to look at our own efforts and accomplishments, our anniversary and convention theme place the focus where it belongs. On Christ. On his gospel. On his grace. On him, as he works through clay jars like us.”

Worship—opening and closing services and daily devotions—focused delegates on Christ and his grace.

The opening Communion service centered on Christ’s work for us. “Remember: The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us to live for us, so that he could live in us, so that he could carry out his work through us,” preached Mark Gabb, administrator of WELS Home Missions. Devotions throughout the week highlighted how Christ carries out his work through us in the core areas of publications, worker training, and missions. The closing service, which included the installation of synodical officers, thanked God for his blessings and asked for his favor in the future.

In his convention essay, Joel Otto, chairman of the WELS 175th Anniversary Planning Committee, provided delegates a look back at God’s grace to WELS through the years, highlighting challenges and blessings plus historical leaders and events. Delegates received a copy of a pictorial book on the synod’s history that Otto co-wrote.

Some of the special guests to the convention represented church bodies that have been part of WELS history. “We have been walking together with you for the last 153 years of your 175 years of existence,” said Glenn Obenberger, president of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod, when addressing the delegates. “We join you in your celebration of God’s gracious working among you—blessing your many synodical tasks as Christ continues to work through you, as he has promised, advancing his kingdom both near and far.”

Matthew Harrison, president of the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod, expressed his appreciation for WELS’ stance on the truth of God’s Word and the renewed dialogue between the synods. “To . . . have conversations with [President Mark Schroeder] and the rest of your guys has been a pleasure beyond which I know of no others as the president of the Missouri Synod. You push us toward the Scriptures,” he said. “Thank you for standing for the truths. . . . Thank you for confessing, thank you for being who you are, thank you for keeping the faith.”

While delegates gave thanks for 175 years of WELS ministry, they also looked ahead to the future, approving a new long-range strategic plan (also entitled “Christ through us”) for 2025–2035.

This plan is an issues-based plan, offering four priorities and 20 goals related to key issues the Long-Range Planning Task Force uncovered after conducting surveys and cultural analyses and talking to focus groups. An example of one such issue is the exodus of young adults from churches. The four priorities include culture, congregations, calling, and commission. Over the next ten years, areas of ministry and support groups will develop more specific objectives and programs that fit under those priorities and goals as well as ways to assess progress.

Jonathan Hein, task force member, stresses that this plan is different from those in the past, which focused more on synodical goals for the areas of ministry. “The emphasis is really on understanding that the us in ‘Christ through us’ is all of us. It’s not the synod, it’s not the pastors, it’s all of us,” he says. “The Lord has given all of us the opportunity to serve as his ambassadors in the relationships that he places us in.”

Delegates also adopted the ministry financial plan for the next biennium, covering fiscal years 2025–26 and 2026–27. The resolution encouraged “every congregation and WELS member to generously support the ministry the Lord has entrusted to our synod.”

To lead WELS into the future, delegates elected 23 men to synodical offices, boards, and commissions, including three new synod officers. “This is an exciting time,” said Dan Baumler, a pastor delegate from the Arizona-California District. “We are not just talking about [the issues] in little groups. No. Together we’re saying this is what we face. There are blessings, but let’s go. Let’s tackle this. Let’s trust our leaders. I hope everyone here is excited about where we’re going because of this [long-range strategic] plan that clearly maps out what we’re facing. And we’re going to do it together.”

In his final remarks as the convention came to a close, Schroeder encouraged delegates to remember what they experienced and share what they learned. “Above all we recognize that everything we do, every mission we undertake, every worship service we hold, is focused on one person, and that’s Christ,” he said. “On his grace. On his promises. On the work that he did for us.”

Watch presentations, read resolutions, view photos, and catch up on all the news from the synod convention at welsconvention.net.

For more coverage of the 2025 WELS convention, visit forwardinchrist.net/convention.